Vector > Projects > Project FAQs

Project FAQs

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
There is always the possibility your power or gas supply can be interrupted. Most outages are on local cables/lines or pipelines that supply small groups of homes and businesses, and while we work hard to reduce the outages on these, they are sometimes affected - for example by cars hitting power poles, by severe weather conditions or accidental damage by third parties. For more information about what causes outages please see our outage centre. 
 
 
2 Why don't you coordinate your works with other essential services and conduct all improvements in the same area at the same time?
We always strive to do this, and where possible we do. But it's simply not possible to share the trench designed for electrical circuits or gas pipelines with some other services, e.g water. Other factors such as space, time and traffic implications are also taken into account.
 
 
3 Why can't you underground the power supply outside my home/business while you're laying new electricity cables?
The cables being laid are different from those that feed your home/business. They're like motorways as compared to local side roads. One is in the street and provides very high voltage power between our large substations; the other network is under the footpath/verge with lots of customer connections and equipment attached. We cannot store both in the same trench because it would take a lot of time - and there would be no cost savings at all.
 
 
4 Can I claim compensation for the impact a project has had on my business?
We carry out work on our network to council requirements and are not required to compensate for any losses incurred. We provide essential services to the community. However, as with all projects we try to keep disruption to a minimum.
 
 
5 How long do these projects usually take?
These projects can take anything from six weeks to six months, or longer, depending on the project's size and scope. The length of time we are outside any individual property should be no more than five weeks.
 
 
6 Why does the trench stay open for so long?
The period of time the trench is open allows time to excavate, line the trench, lay the cable or pipe, test, backfill and reinstate it. This should normally be completed and the road/footpath/verge reinstated well within five weeks. Because some projects are so large, and the cables and pipes come in very long lengths (to minimise joints), we may have to leave a trench open for several days or more while contractors are coordinated and we can begin a long section of cable/pipeline laying. In special cases - or in busy areas, such as at road crossings - we'll quickly bury an empty duct or tube and insert the cable later. But this can be very expensive and difficult, and may not always be the best option.
 
 
7 Why have your crew left the work site and not returned for several days?
 
At times our crews may leave a site safely barricaded for several days. This may be because of bad weather, or we are waiting for another crew to complete their work, or we need to wait for the ground to settle.
 
 
 
8 What if I am not happy with the reinstatement work.
 
Sometimes our crews need to leave the site for several days, before returning to complete work. They may be waiting for the ground to settle or weather to clear. For some projects the local council will be carrying out the permanent reinstatement and it might be several weeks before these crews start work. If you have any concerns, please email us, or call 303 0626.
 
 
9 How big is an average trench?
In most cases, the trench is one metre deep and up to 1.6 metres wide.
 
 
10 Why do you sometimes work in several different places at once?
To speed up the construction process and limit the amount of disruption in any one area. Also, there are hundreds of workers involved and we need to make the best use of their time by getting different jobs done at different places so the project can be completed as quickly as possible.
 
 
11 What are the cables made of?
The core of the cables are made of aluminium or copper, which conduct the electricity, and these are covered in a plastic-type insulation material.
 
 
Our gas pipes are made of Polyethylene (PE). PE is recognised internationally as one of the safest kinds of pipeline for conveying gas. PE is a very durable and strong type of plastic which is resistant to corrosion and a wide range of temperatures. The pipe is a disctinctive bright yellow.
Our transmission pipelines are made from steel and are much larger than our distribution pipelines. They are coated in PE and are also distinctively bright yellow.
 
13 How long does it take to liven a cable?
Cables are only livened after a series of extensive electrical tests have been successfully carried out. Each section is first tested during the construction process. Final tests are then carried out on the whole circuit before it is livened. This final process usually takes around 48 hours.
 
 
14 What do you fill the trench up with when you're finished?
First, a special substance that allows heat to escape is poured around the cable. Backfill is then bought in from selected quarries to fill the trench. Marker tape is also placed in the trench to provide future warning of the location of the cable. For larger cables, a concrete 'cover' is poured above the cable to prevent diggers hitting it. The road or footpath seal, or grass berm is then reinstated.
 
 
15 What hours will your contractors usually work during these projects?
In most cases, all noisy work will be done between 9am and 5pm. Some weekend and night work may also have to take place in certain areas. Activities that don't create excessive noise may also be carried out outside those times and work may be reduced during peak traffic periods.
 
 
16 Why do you have to work at night?
Work which would otherwise seriously disrupt traffic or shopping areas, can be done at night. The council usually sets these schedules. We do our best to reduce noise impact and traffic disruption, while aiming to get the project completed as quickly as possible. It's more difficult these days as people are living in the heart of the city and shopping areas.
 
 
17 Will you restore the road to how it was before?
Yes. The road will be restored to the same standard, if not better, than it was before.
 
 
18 Why do you trench down the middle of the road in some places and down the side of the road or in the berm in others?
The position of the trench is usually determined by the impact it will have on traffic. A trench is usually dug along the middle of busy arterial routes to ensure two lanes of traffic are maintained at all times. A trench is usually dug along the side of narrow roads to ensure traffic still has enough room to pass. The route is also determined by the position of other essential services in the area. Cables and pipes which supply customers are usually placed in the grass berm or under the footpath.
 
 
19 Why do you trench in some areas and drill in others?
Wherever we can, we install ducts using directional drilling and insert cables and pipes into the ducts. We need to dig trenches at either end of the drilling section to do this. Sometimes the ground conditions, such as rock or the number of other services in the area, means we can't drill due to the risk of damaging other networks.
 
20 Will my power or gas supply be affected at all during construction?
The power supply should not be affected at all during construction. If we need to shut down the power for some reason, we will always give you notice. Brief power shutdowns are sometimes needed for individual customers where we are replacing power poles and need to move the customer’s electricity service lines onto the new pole.
 
Some work on our gas network may require sections of the network to be isolated while we are working and this means that there will be short, temporary supply interruptions. If we need to replace customer service pipes then we will also need to switch off individual customers when we are doing this work. We will always liaise with customers before the work is carried out.
 
 
21 Will parking be affected?
Yes - in some areas. This could be because a trench is being dug in the berm, or we are replacing power poles in the berm or we need to keep parking spaces clear to ensure adequate traffic flow. We will do everything we can to minimise the amount of parking affected by the work. This includes our contractors taking care to ensure that their vehicles don't take up valuable public parking spaces unnecessarily.
 
 
22 Will I still be able to get into my property?
Yes. Temporary crossings (steel plates) will be provided, where possible, to put over the trench to ensure you still have access to your property. At busy intersections and business areas, cable ducts will be installed by directional drilling where conditions allow - ensuring quicker reinstatement of the road.
 
 
23 What happens to traffic?
To minimise traffic disruption and to ensure road safety and traffic flow, a detailed traffic management plan is designed specifically for each project, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the council. In most cases, two way traffic-flow can continue.
 
 
24 What if one of Vector's contractors damages my property?
Call (09) 303 0626 and someone will be sent out to inspect the damage. We will reinstate/replace any property that has been damaged by the project as soon as practical.
 
 
25 What are you doing to ensure people don't hurt themselves in or around the construction areas?
Like any construction zone, there will be barriers and traffic control and the regulatory safety requirements. Staff are also safety conscious and will ask people to keep clear of the site.
 
 
26 Are the cables or pipes dangerous when they're lying exposed in the trench?
No. But even though cables and pipes are not livened until they are completely buried it is best to treat them as live. We ensure trenches are safely barricaded to prevent access. We always fill a trench as soon as possible after a cable or pipe is laid.
 
 
27 What are you doing to protect the environment?
Construction noise will be kept to within the limits prescribed by council. We'll keep dirt from washing into drains by using simple but effective methods, such as sacks or hay bales across drains so dirt is filtered out of the rain water before going down the drain. No construction will take place near any protected or scheduled trees.
 
 
28 What if I small gas?
At times you might be able to smell gas when we are accessing our existing pipelines. Please do not be alarmed – our work is being carefully managed and all safety precautions are being taken. The gas will disperse quickly and safely.
 
29 What are you doing to inform people of these projects?
A communications plan is developed for each project to ensure all affected parties are kept informed throughout. Notification of work will be given to all those along the route before construction begins. For larger projects, those along the route will also receive regular updates: in the mail and through their local community newspapers. Special attention will be paid to businesses along the route to ensure the effect on their operations is minimised.
 
During larger construction projects, roving ambassadors may be on site to help with any queries or problems. You can also call (09) 303 0626 for further information. Our customer service representatives have been specially trained to help you with anything you need to know about our projects. You can also find information on our current projects on our projects page.