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Underground Electrical Pit

Our underground pit was installed a few weeks ago. It is only about 1.5 - 2m to the electricity pole in the corner of our block so came in 'relatively' cheaply ~$2k. We used Webb Excavations (www.webbexcavations.com.au). Apparently, if underground is too costly, you can also opt for overhead. From what I've read, Porter Davis will charge ~$1k for overhead setups. Obviously underground looks nicer and I assume it would be safer too (even for non-bushfire areas). 



Here, you see the concrete has been cracked where they dug the trench. They've already organised for a concreter to come in a few weeks time to have it fixed. It's good to know they were on top of it.

The process to get this done was actually a bit harder than I thought. Our electricity wholesaler doesn't have their own preferred installers and I was directed to a big long VEDN contractor registrer. There are 200+ contractors with different levels of certification.

Civil Work Type
1. Pit, Pipe and Trenching5. LV Underground Cable Hauling
2. Installation of Bedding Sand, and backfill6. HV Underground Cable Hauling
3. Installation of Marker Tape and Cover Slabs7. Installation of Earthing Systems
4. Kiosk S/S site Construction – Excav. and Slab8. Worksite Auditor Civil
9. Cable Detailing


Basically, I rang up every place that was in metropolitan Melbourne. Not all of them have the required qualifiations for the job. One company I rang even had accreditations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 but they were told they weren't qualified. So I am guessing based on that, and what Webb Excavations has, they are missing #7 Installation of Earthing Systems. .

I can't tell if they did a good job or not, as everything is underground, but it's been pretty straight forward and hassle free once I got the quote from these guys. Guess I will find out when Porter Davis connects and powers up the pit. Apparently all such work must be inspected by the electricity wholesaler so should pass the grade.

I will update this post once it's all up and running.

Update 30/04/2014: As part of applying for my Asset Protection Bond back for the deomolition, the council inspectors noted that the concrete still hasn't been fixed. They quoted $251 to be taken out of the $1000 security bond. In discussing this with Webb Excavations, they agreed it was easier to have the council concreters finish the job as they would not need to apply for road work permits and further final inspections.

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