OHL
Overhead line
A line or route mark identifying conductors carried overhead on poles or towers rather than buried or enclosed.
IEC
IEC · UGC
Underground cable
A cable route marked as buried in the ground, distinguishing direct-buried or ducted sections from overhead lines.
In plain English
What does Underground cable mean?
The underground cable form marks a circuit section that is buried, either directly in soil or in buried ducts. Network diagrams use it to separate cable sections from overhead sections, since cables have higher capacitance, lower reactance and are generally not suited to repeated auto-reclose onto a fault.
A simple example
The mark does not show burial depth, duct arrangement, bedding or the thermal resistivity assumed for rating. Those appear on trench sections and the cable schedule. Joints along the route are separate symbols, and a reader should expect them on long sections even if the single-line diagram omits them.
What the drawings help you do
Check trench sections for depth and grouping with other cables. Look for joint bay locations on long routes. An underground cable is buried; a conductor in conduit may be above ground and carries different derating.
This particular reference
A cable route marked as buried in the ground, distinguishing direct-buried or ducted sections from overhead lines. An underground cable is buried; a conductor in conduit may be above ground and carries different derating.
- Rating
- A value stating the conditions for which equipment is specified.
- Schematic
- A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.
Read the source: IEC-60617 symbol preview directory · Elastimold underground cable accessories
IEC · Underground cable route form
Independent IEC-context illustration; not certified IEC geometry.
Shown as an independently authored educational illustration. Use the cited publication and drawing legend to verify the required drafting form.
SLD / GA · UGC
What it represents
The underground cable form marks a circuit section that is buried, either directly in soil or in buried ducts. Network diagrams use it to separate cable sections from overhead sections, since cables have higher capacitance, lower reactance and are generally not suited to repeated auto-reclose onto a fault.
The mark does not show burial depth, duct arrangement, bedding or the thermal resistivity assumed for rating. Those appear on trench sections and the cable schedule. Joints along the route are separate symbols, and a reader should expect them on long sections even if the single-line diagram omits them.
How to read it
- Check trench sections for depth and grouping with other cables.
- Look for joint bay locations on long routes.
Information to show or reference
- Reference the cable type and route length.
- Show joints and sealing ends at their locations.
- Link to the trench or duct-bank section drawing.
A distinction that matters
An underground cable is buried; a conductor in conduit may be above ground and carries different derating.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
IEC-60617 symbol preview directory
Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families.
Elastimold underground cable accessories
Manufacturer context for underground cable accessories.
About this graphic
This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.
SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.
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