Overhead to Underground Conversions in Grafton
Get the wires off the front of your property — and out of the path of falling limbs.
Converting an overhead supply to underground removes the wires from the front of your property, takes away the risk of a falling limb bringing your supply down, and eliminates clearance problems for machinery. It is Level 2 ASP work from end to end, and it is one of the jobs where doing it at the right moment saves a great deal of money.
- Grafton and surroundsOn-site quotes, free
- Wired to AS/NZS 3000Certified with a CCEW on completion
- Mon to Fri, 7am to 3pmEmergencies outside that where we can
Why people do it
Appearance. The most common reason, particularly during a renovation. Overhead service wires across a front elevation are hard to unsee once you have noticed them.
Storm resilience. The Clarence Valley gets serious weather. Overhead services are what come down when a limb goes, and they take your supply with them.
Bushfire. In areas like Nymboida and the Orara valley, overhead conductors are a risk in both directions — vulnerable to fire and capable of starting one.
Machinery clearance. On farms, an overhead service across a working area is a permanent hazard for headers, tippers and augers. Contact with a live service line is catastrophic.
Trees. If you keep having to have trees cut back off your service, undergrounding ends the problem permanently.
What is involved
The cable is the cheap part. The trench is the job.
- Route planning. Where the trench can go, what it has to cross, and what other services are already in the ground. Existing water, sewer, gas and telecommunications all have to be located and worked around — this is not optional and it is why route planning happens before anything is dug.
- Trenching to the required depth, with the correct conduit and marker tape.
- New point of entry and metering as required.
- Pit or pillar connection to the network, coordinated with Essential Energy.
- Disconnection of the overhead service and removal of the redundant attachment.
- Backfill and reinstatement — and agree beforehand exactly what reinstatement means, particularly if the trench crosses a driveway, a lawn you care about or established garden.
- Lodgement with Essential Energy plus a CCEW.
Where we do this work. We do a lot of this work in Grafton. Not on the list? Call anyway, we cover Grafton and the blocks around it.
We also serve these areas
This service is available across Grafton and the surrounding suburbs and villages. These are the areas we are asked for it most.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert my overhead power to underground?
In most cases yes. It requires a Level 2 ASP, a trench along a viable route, and coordination with Essential Energy. We assess feasibility and cost on site.
Is underground power better?
It is more resilient to storms and fire, removes machinery clearance risks and looks better. The trade-offs are higher installation cost and more expensive fault location if something does go wrong.
Can I dig the trench myself?
Sometimes, if it is to specification and other services are properly located first. It can save real money. Talk to us before you start — depth, conduit and marker tape all have to be right or it fails inspection.
When is the cheapest time to convert?
While other trenching is happening, during a renovation that moves the point of attachment anyway, or when a private pole is already due for replacement. The trench is most of the cost.
Byron Ryder and his team at Ryder Air and Electrical are straight up brilliant. I have had two jobs done by Byron, and both were carried out perfectly. Our farm is 35km out of Grafton and Byron didn't have any problem both times in sorting it out for us.
A wonderful job installing my air conditioner. Left the site spotless and clean, would highly recommend. A very friendly manner and easy to talk to while also being professional.
Provided me an onsite quote and was able to do the work in a timely manner. Cleaned up the work site and did a very clean install on a split system for me. I will be using and recommending in the future.
Byron Ryder Electrical and Air conditioning just installed ducted air con. Workmanship outstanding, communication superb. Brilliant guy, highly recommended.
Need a quote?
Free on-site quotes across Grafton and the surrounding area. A real person answers, not a call centre.