It seems kind of primitive to have power lines just hanging on poles, right?

Bit unsightly too

Is it just a cost issue and is it actually significant when considering the cost of power loss on society (work, hospital, food, etc)?

  • octobob@lemmy.ml
    71·
    6 days ago

    Heat dissipates easier in open air than in conduit, meaning the conductors can be undersized drastically compared to if they’re in conduit. Ever notice how the wires from the weatherhead are 2/0 awg, and on the poles and to your house (even after the transformer so same operating voltage), are way smaller? More like 12 awg on poles? The cost for the larger wire buried underground would be massive.

    Also, as others have said, maintenance is significantly easier.

      • octobob@lemmy.ml
        2·
        5 days ago

        And most of the world runs on 240 or 220v, which is a higher voltage and allows for smaller conductors.

        Idk, another factor is the US started their electric grid in the 1800s to the 1940s. It was the first in the world. Hard to stop once something is set as a standard like that. It’s like asking why they used lead and asbestos or built foundations out of stacks of sandstone rocks, all of which applies to my house haha. I’m sure in a few decades people will look back and question our use of plastics.

        • philpo@feddit.org
          2·
          5 days ago

          The difference between the US the rest of the world is 4 years and due to the Edison-Westinghouse struggle the US were overtaken by the end of the century. (Same goes for Telephones btw. NY had less then half the phone lines Berlin had by 1900)

          The argument with the time difference is often cited but not based on fact - it’s more about the fact that electricity networks in the US were a commercial/capitalist enterprise from the start which was not the case for European cities for a long time.

          And even today power grids in the US are,well, seen as something to be run with the maximum amount of profits with the minimum amount of goverment regulation. If you consider the difference to Europe or parts of Asis it’s insane.