Power cable repair cost

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benfolds

32 posts

Geek

#299243 23-Aug-2022 16:03

Hi all,

There is a fault with the power cable supplying our property. Orion have indicated that as the fault is on our property then the cost falls to us. The quote to repair is about $4500 plus GST.

I have contacted our insurance company who stated they only cover sudden and accidental damage and not wear and tear. I'm trying to get more info on the actual cause of the fault but given it is underground I wonder if they won't actually know what caused it until they dig down.

Has anyone had a similar case and have any advice as to who is responsible for covering the cost of repair?

Thanks

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#2958341 23-Aug-2022 16:05

How old is the cable?... have then been any earth movements in the region recently ??

benfolds

32 posts

Geek

#2958342 23-Aug-2022 16:13

We are in Christchurch but the house was built after the quake as the old one was demolished. We have only owned the house for 3 years. The fault is under the concrete driveway. We haven't had any work done to the driveway

elpenguino

3419 posts

Uber Geek

#2958348 23-Aug-2022 16:26

Yes, you own the cable from your house out to the point of connection, whether that's a pole or one of those black stumpy things.

$4500 ? That's a lot of digging.

I would ensure the terminations at each end are in good condition before chasing a problem in the middle.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#2958349 23-Aug-2022 16:26

That sounds really high. Can you get other quotes?

djtOtago

1149 posts

Uber Geek

#2958355 23-Aug-2022 16:40

benfolds:

We are in Christchurch but the house was built after the quake as the old one was demolished. We have only owned the house for 3 years. The fault is under the concrete driveway. We haven't had any work done to the driveway

Rather than dig up the driveway, it may be cheaper just to get a new cable laid in a different location.

What is the nature of the fault? No power or just low voltage?
As already mentioned I would get the connections at each end checked out first.

gregmcc

2147 posts

Uber Geek

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#2958373 23-Aug-2022 17:53

most companies can offer a "Thumnping service" where the send a high voltage down the cable and determine the exact point of failure.

Most likely when originally installed it wasn't bedded in with sand or similar, or an overly big stone has damaged the cable in the trench.

It is common to have cable failures under driveway, mostly it pays to install the cable in a duct.

Options are dig everything up and replace

Get a new cable thrusted or horizontally drilled in, either way it's expensive and your cost.