[TowerTalk] Next step in installing tower: underground power

[chris]

John WA2GO wrote:
> Hi Chris,
> 
> I am about to embark on the exact same project: put up a new 108' tower 
> about 100' away from power lines, so I am going to bury the power lines. 
> So it's 30 inches, eh?  What about the transformer, are you going to 
> bury one of those too?  I need to do that - I have a defective one that 
> is making an S8 buzz on 10M right now, and even after they replace it, I 
> want it underground.
> Are you digging the trench or paying somebody to do it?  If the latter, 
> how long is the trench and what is it costing, just so I can prepare 
> myself for the big hit.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> John
> WA2GO
> 
>> From: chris <chris at fite.com>
>> To: Towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Next step in installing tower: underground power
>> Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 19:20:34 -0500
>>
>> Now that I have the excavation for the base completed, the next step 
>> is underway.  I am digging the trench to have my electric service drop 
>> put underground.  This will prevent anything that may fall from the 
>> tower from falling into the power lines.
>>
>> Although the trench is not very wide, the 30 inches of required depth 
>> makes for a lot of work to dig.  I consider this to be another cost of 
>> erecting a tower.
>> -- 
>> Chris, K4AY
>>
>> In theory, theory and practice are the same.  In practice, they are 
>> different.
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>>
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> 
> 
> 
> 
The standard depth for Duke Power is 30 inches.  Yours may vary.  If I 
could have gotten a machine in here to dig, the rent for a trencher that 
will cut 30 inches deep is $175 per 24 hours.  The power company will 
dig it for $350, but wants to use a trackhoe.  A grading company may 
have done it for less than $350, but I started after finding no better 
solution than manual digging.  The challenge seems to be getting a 
machine in here.

My concern is that something may fall from the tower and slide down the 
roof into the power lines that connect to the house.  My tower will be 
on the side adjacent to where the power lines connect.  I doubt that the 
tower would fall into the lines, because the house is in the way.  That 
won't keep a dipole or guy from falling during construction or installation.

It took no more than an hour to dig the tower base by hand.

-- 
Chris

In theory, theory and practice are the same.  In practice, they are 
different.