CBIP MANUAL ON TRANSMISSION LINES, Third Edition
Chapter 13
CONDUCTORS
This chapter provides information on various types/sizes of conductors that are in widespread use,
describing their electrical & mechanical characteristics & properties. The sag behavior of conductors
under ice, wind, and high electrical loading is discussed as well as the reasons for limiting conductor
temperature (annealing and electrical clearance). Thermal rating limits are also mentioned, since
such limits are an essential part of line design and system planning.
Special Contributors: Chandra Kant, Mahendra Kr. Chaurasia
13.1 INTRODUCTION
Various types of conductors and bundle configurations are used in the transmission lines
depending on the voltages level and power flow requirements of transmission system.
In designing transmission lines, one of the key tasks is selecting the appropriate conductor size
and bundle configuration. The process begins with identifying suitable conductor
configurations based on desired power flow capacity as well as determination of a preliminary
tower geometry based on clearance requirements for the given voltage level. The conductor
size is chosen to ensure that its thermal rating exceeds the anticipated power flow under
contingency conditions, thereby preventing premature aging due to excessive operating
temperatures.
Next, the suitability of these conductor bundle configurations is reassessed considering
surface gradient and interference limits, and adjustments are made if a higher bundle
configuration is necessary. Ground clearances are also updated to ensure compliance with the
maximum permissible ground-level electric field requirements.
Based on the chosen conductor bundle configuration, the design & rating of insulators/
insulator string configurations, and hardware fittings is finalised. Thereafter, Tower and
foundation designs are developed considering the selected clearances, conductor bundle
configurations, insulators & insulator string configurations.
Therefore, selecting the appropriate conductor bundle configuration is a crucial initial step, as
it largely dictates the design and specifications for towers, foundations, insulators and
associated hardware fittings. Thus, while conductors themselves account for approximately 20
to 30% of the transmission line's total cost, their selection influences the cost of all other
components, thereby impacting the overall expense of the transmission line.
Additionally, the width of the right-of-way (ROW) for transmission lines is significantly
influenced by the conductor size and bundle configuration. This is because the ROW is
determined by factors such as conductor sag at maximum operating temperatures, conductor
swing under extreme wind conditions, and the ground-level electric field associated with the
chosen conductor bundle configuration.
13.2 STRANDED CONDUCTORS
As per IEC 61089, a “concentric-lay stranded conductor” is a conductor composed of a central
core surrounded by one or more adjacent layers of wires being laid helically in opposite
directions. Traditionally, stranded conductors are made up of aluminium or aluminium alloy
wires and when applicable consist of steel wires in the core.
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Stranded conductors are known to have following advantages vis-à-vis single solid wire
conductors:-
(i) Stranded conductors experience reduced skin effect because the reverse lay direction of
adjacent layers helps to cancel out the magnetic flux linkages.
(ii) A stranded conductor has greater breaking strength compared to a single solid wire
conductor with the same cross-sectional area because the thinner wires used in the stranded
configuration offer higher tensile strength.
Figure- 1: Stranded Conductor
13.3 TYPES OF STRANDED CONDUCTORS
A wide variety of sizes and types of conductors have been used in transmission lines for
voltages of 132 kV and above. The most common types of conductors for overhead lines are
normally composed of strands of relatively pure aluminium [1350-H19]; or an aluminium alloy
[6201-T81]; or a combination of [1350-H19] and [6201-T81]; or [1350-H19] or [6201-T81]
combined with one or more steel wires. Bare stranded overhead conductors are classified as
homogenous and non-homogenous. Homogenous conductors are those in which the all the
individual wires of a conductor are made up of the same material whereas non-homogenous
conductors consist of wires made up of different materials. Various types of Conductors being
used for transmission lines are as follows:
A. Non-Homogenous Conductors:
i. ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced)
ii. AACSR (Aluminium Alloy Conductor Steel Reinforced)
iii. ACAR (Aluminium Conductor Alloy Reinforced)
B. Homogenous Conductors:
i. AAC (All Aluminium Conductor)
ii. AAAC (All Aluminium Alloy Conductor)
iii. AL59 (High Conductivity All Aluminium Alloy Conductor)
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i) ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced)
This is the most common type of non-homogenous overhead conductor which consists of
Stranded Aluminium wires [1350-H19] in outer layers and stranded steel wires in central layer
known as core. Primary role of Aluminium wires is to carry the current and steel core enhances
the mechanical strength of the conductor.
The aluminium strands are hard drawn from EC grade aluminium wire rods having minimum
purity of 99.5% and maximum resistivity of 0.028264 [Link]²/m at 20°C (i.e. minimum
conductivity of 61% IACS). Galvanized steel strands are drawn from high carbon steel rods
produced by either acid or basic open-hearth process, electric furnace process or basic oxygen
process.
The zinc used for galvanizing is electrolytic high grade zinc having purity not less than 99.95%.
Technical Specification & requirement of ACSR conductor are governed by the Indian Standard
Code IS-398 (Part-II).
ii) AACSR (All Aluminium Alloy Conductor Steel Reinforced)
The construction of these conductors is similar to that of ACSR conductor except that the outer
layers are made up of Aluminium alloy [6201-T81] instead of pure aluminium. Electrical
properties of these conductors are similar to that of ACSR conductor whereas mechanical
properties are superior due to the use of outer Aluminium alloy layers. These conductors are
used for longer spans, valley crossings, very heavy snow zones, River crossing spans etc. where
higher mechanical strength is required to limit the sag.
iii) ACAR (Aluminium Conductor Alloy Reinforced)
These conductors are another variant of non-homogenous conductor wherein outer layers are
made up of aluminium wires [1350-H19] and the core is made up of Aluminium Alloy wires
[6201-T81]. Mechanical strength of these conductors is lesser as compared with ACSR
conductor whereas these conductors offer somewhat improved electrical & better corrosion
resistance properties. As these are lighter in weight, Sag of these conductor is comparable to
that of ACSR conductor for many applications despite having lesser tensile strength.
iv) AAC (All Aluminium Conductor)
These conductors are homogenous conductors made up entirely of EC grade Aluminium wires
[1350-H19] thereby having very good electrical properties but poor tensile strength. These
conductors are primarily used in Sub-stations and distribution lines/urban areas where span
length is very short but high conductivity is required to limit the losses. As strength to weight
ratio of these conductors is very poor, they cannot be utilised for longer spans.
v) AAAC (All Aluminium Alloy Conductor)
These conductors are another variety of homogenous conductors wherein all the strands are
made up of Aluminium alloy (aluminium-magnesium-silicon type) wires [6201-T81] having
maximum resistivity of 0.03253 ohm.mm2/m at 20°C (i.e. a minimum conductivity of 53% IACS,
known as A2 Aluminium Alloy) or maximum resistivity of 0.03284 ohm.mm2/m at 20°C (i.e. a
minimum conductivity of 52.5% IACS, known as A3 Aluminium Alloy). These conductors offer
very good strength to weight ratio and used for overhead transmission lines. These conductors
offer very good corrosion and abrasion resistance & can also be a good alternative to the ACSR
conductors for coastal areas.
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vi) AL59 (High Conductivity All Aluminium Alloy Conductor)
These conductors are also homogenous conductors and constructed using Al Alloy wires like
AAAC conductor. However, the alloy used for these conductors offer significantly improved
electrical properties having maximum resistivity of 0.02905 ohm.mm2/m at 20°C (i.e. a
minimum conductivity of 59% IACS). These conductors offer very good conductivity, strength
to weight ratio, corrosion and abrasion resistance. Owing to its superior electrical &
satisfactory mechanical properties, these conductors have gained popularity for use in
overhead transmission lines. Since, Al59 conductors are one of the latest entrants in the Indian
transmission sector, these conductors are described in details in next chapter on New
Generation conductor.
13.4 CONDUCTOR MATERIALS
i) Aluminium & Aluminium Alloys: There are two broad classes of aluminium & aluminium
alloys: non-heat-treatable and heat-treatable. Non-heat-treatable aluminium & aluminium
alloys can be hardened and strengthened by some form of plastic deformation such as rolling,
drawing, swaging, etc. In general, greater the deformation, higher the hardness & strength and
lower the electrical conductivity. The 1350 aluminium used in overhead lines falls into non-
heat-treatable class. The individual strands of 1350 are greatly deformed or work hardened in
the wire drawing process and are referred to as 1350-H19. Since, greater deformation during
the wire drawing process is required to produce smaller diameter wire, the smaller wire will
have been work-hardened to a greater degree and will exhibit a higher tensile strength.
EC (Electrical Conductor) grade Aluminium or 1350-H19 is used for the outer layers of
conductor using pure aluminium viz. ACSR, AAC, ACAR etc. Density of Aluminium, at a
temperature of 20°C can be taken as 2.703 g/cm3. The tensile strength of EC grade aluminium
ranges from 160 to 200 MPa depending upon the size of strands of upto 5 mm diameter. The
resistivity of aluminium depends upon its purity and its physical condition. As per IEC 62641,
these wires are designated by A1, having resistivity of 0.028264 [Link]²/m at 20°C (i.e.
minimum conductivity of 61% IACS). Constant-mass temperature co-efficient of resistance at
20 °C is 0.00403/°C. The co-efficient of linear expansion of aluminium, which represents the
elongation of Aluminium with respect to increase in temperature is taken as 23 X 10-6 /°C.
Once hardened, the non-heat-treatable or heat-treatable materials can be softened by
subjecting them to a thermal treatment. Different degrees of softness can be achieved by
subjecting the materials to different magnitude of temperature & exposure time. In
transmission lines, the only softened temper grade used is the 0-temper i.e. full-soft or fully
annealed aluminium, designated as 1350-O wires. These are generally manufactured by
subjecting the hard-drawn wires to annealing temperatures [350-400°C] for around 4-5 hrs. For
Annealed aluminium, the maximum value of resistivity may be considered as 0.0278981
[Link]²/m at 20 °C (i.e. minimum conductivity of 61.8% IACS). These values of resistivities
may be used for calculation of the maximum permissible value of DC resistance. Annealed
aluminium of higher conductivity (i.e. ≈63% IACS) are also available commercially. As per IEC
62641, Annealed aluminium is designated as A0 and EC grade Aluminium is designated as A1.
Heat-treatable aluminium alloys can be strengthened by plastic deformation, thermal
treatments, or a combination of two. For wire, the deformation takes place during the wire
drawing process. Two thermal treatments are required: “a solution-heat-treatment” [SHT] and
“an aging treatment”. The solution-heat-treatment conditions the material to give it the
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potential to be strengthened. It consists of an elevated temperature-time cycle followed by a
quench. The SHT may be accomplished in-line during the manufacture of the redraw rod from
which the wire is drawn, or as a separate operation after the manufacture of the redraw rod.
After the wire is drawn, it is subjected to an elevated temperature-time aging treatment
[temperature ~ 200-250°C]. The strengthening of the wire that occurs during the aging
treatment is added to that achieved during the drawing process. The state of the finished wire
is designated as being in the T81 temper. The aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy wires are
designated as 6201-T81. As per IEC 62641, these wires are designated by A2 & A3 grades,
having resistivity of 0.032530 [Link]²/m at 20 °C (i.e. minimum conductivity of 53% IACS)
and 0.032840 [Link]²/m at 20 °C (i.e. minimum conductivity of 52.5% IACS) respectively. The
tensile strength of of strands of upto 5 mm diameter is 295 MPa for A2 designation and in the
range of 315-325 MPa for A3 designation, depending upon the size. Constant-mass
temperature co-efficient of resistance at 20 °C for both designations is 0.00360/°C and the co-
efficient of linear expansion is 23 X 10-6 /°C.
ii) Steel: The base metal shall be steel produced by the open hearth, electric furnace, or basic
oxygen process and shall be of such composition that the finished wire shall have the
properties and characteristics as given in IEC 63248. IEC 63248 enlists properties of various
galvanised steel wires and designates them into different categories viz. S1A, ST1A, S2A, S3A,
ST6C, S4A, S5A, S6A, S7A and S8A, mainly based on tensile strength. The tensile strength of
these wires are in the range of 1290 MPa to 2260 MPa. The density of zinc coated steel wires at
20°C is 7780 kg/m3. The resistivity of S1A, ST1A, S2A, S3A, ST6C, S4A, S5A wires have been
defined in IEC 63248 as 0.19157 [Link]²/m at 20 °C (i.e. minimum conductivity of 8% IACS).
However, as a practice, conductivity of steel wires is not considered for calculation of DC
Resistance of ACSR or AACSR conductors. Constant-mass temperature co-efficient of
resistance at 20 °C of above steel wire grades is 0.00360/°C and Coefficient of Linear expansion
is 11.5 X 10-6 /°C. Modulus of elasticity of above grades of steel wires is 195 GPa.
13.5 CONDUCTOR PARAMETERS
For different conductor sizes, different conductor parameters are calculated. Salient
conductor parameters are as follows:-
a) Diameter of a conductor: Diameter of a stranded conductor is the sum of diameters of
constituent strands along a straight line passing from side to side through the centre of the
conductor cross-section. Thus, in a ACSR conductor consisting of few layers of steel above the
central steel core wire and few layers of aluminium,
Stranded conductor diameter = 2 x No. of layers of Al. X Diameter of each Al. strand + 2 X No. of
layers of St. X Diameter of each St. strand + Diameter of central
steel core wire
b) Cross-sectional area of conductor: It is the total cross-sectional area of all the constituent
strands of conductor.
Area of conductor = No. of Al. wires X Area of Al. strand + No. of St. wires X Area of St. strand
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c) DC Resistance: It is the resistance offered by the conductor to the flow of direct current. It
depends on the conductivity of the material & cross-sectional area and varies with the
operating temperature (increases with the increase in temperature).
While calculating DC Resistance of stranded conductor, stranding factor is also considered.
Stranding factor takes into account the higher lengths of constituent helical strands vis-à-vis
the conductor length.
Accordingly, as per IS-398 (Part 4), DC Resistance (Rdc) for a homogenous stranded conductor
can be calculated as follows,
Rdc = ρ/A * K,
Where,
ρ is the resistivity in ohm.mm2/m at 20°C
A is area of each strand
K is stranding factor
Since, in ACSR conductor, the resistivity of steel strands is very high, the resistance of
conductor is calculated considering resistivity of aluminium strands only. For ACSR conductor,
DC Resistance (Rdc) can be calculated considering stranding factor mentioned in IS 398(Part 2)
as follows,
1/ Rdc= 1/Ra = Aa * Ka/ρa
d) AC Resistance: It is the resistance offered by the conductor to the flow of alternating current.
Apart from conductivity of the material & cross-sectional area, it also depends on the
construction, core magnetization effect & skin effect. At any given temperature, AC Resistance
of a conductor is higher than the DC Resistance.
AC resistance of conductor shall be calculated on the basis of the method specified below:
Rac = Rdc x (1+ 0.00519 x (mr)n x k1 + k2) where,
mr = 0.3544938/ (Rdc) ½
if mr < 2.8, then n = 4- 0.0616 + 0.0896 x mr – 0.0513 x (mr)2
if mr > 2.8 < 5.0, then n = 4+ 0.5363 -0.2949 x mr +0.0097 x (mr)2
k1 = {cos (90 (d/D)P)}2.35 where,
p = 0.7 + 0.11Xmr – 0.04Xmr2 + 0.0094Xmr 3
k2 = 0.15 for single aluminium layer HTLS conductor
= 0.03 for three aluminium layer HTLS conductor
= 0.003 for two or four aluminium layer HTLS conductor
= 0 for composite core type HTLS conductor
where,
D= conductor outer diameter in metres
d = conductor inner diameter in metres
Rdc = dc resistance of conductor at given temperature, ohms/ km
Rac = ac resistance of conductor at given temperature, ohms/ km
e) Mass of conductor: Like resistance, weight of the conductor is also dependent on the
stranding factor. Stranding factor for mass takes into account the higher lengths of constituent
helical strands vis-à-vis the conductor length, thereby contributing to higher mass per unit
length of conductor. The weight (or mass) of conductor is calculated as follows:-
Mass of conductor = As* Ks* ds + Aa * Ka *da
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Where,
d is the density of steel or aluminium in kg/m3
A is area of each strand
K is stranding factor for mass, as per IS 398
f) Ultimate Tensile Strength of conductor: It is the maximum load (or force) that the conductor
can withstand while being stretched or pulled before breaking.
The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the conductor is based on the ultimate tensile strength of
each of the constituent strands. It may be mentioned that due to handling and twisting of wires
during stranding, there is an approximately 5% reduction in the breaking strength of wires. Thus,
for homogenous conductors, UTS of conductor is equal to 95% of the sum of rated breaking
strength (RBS) of the constituent wires.
In case of ACSR conductor under loading conditions, the aluminium strands break earlier than
steel strands. Also, it is noted that aluminium strands start breaking, the steel strands generally
elongate upto 1%. Hence, there is reduction in the breaking strength of steel at the time of
breakage of aluminium strands. Therefore, IEC 61089 provides that the UTS of conductor may
be calculated by summation of the RBS of the constituent aluminium strands and RBS of
constituent steel strands at 1 % elongation.
As per IS 398 (Part 2), UTS of conductor is equal to 98 percent of the sum of the RBS of the
aluminium wires plus 85 percent of the sum of the RBS of the galvanized steel wires, based on
the breaking loads of the component wires before stranding.
g) Modulus of Elasticity of conductor: It is the ratio of stress and strain of a conductor. The
stress-strain behaviour of composite conductors depend on the properties of the constituent
wires, their number and layers. Thus, the final modulus of elasticity of conductors can be
derived from the individual modulus of elasticities of the constituent wires and their cross-
section areas.
As such,
E = Eaαa +Esαs
Where,
Ea : Modulus of Elasticity of Aluminium strand
Es :Modulus of Elasticity of Steel strand
αa :Cross-section area of Aluminium strand
αs : Cross-section area of Steel strand
If the aluminium and steel wires of conductor were straight solid wires, their corresponding
modulus of elasticity shall be Ea=68000 MPa and Es=207000 MPa.
However, since wires are helically wound, a unit elongation along the axis of the conductor
leads to less strain in the axis of the wire and thus reduces the effective modulus of elasticity.
As per IEC 61597, in absence of stress-strain characteristics of a conductor, the above
equation can be used to calculate modulus of elasticity of composite conductor, assuming
Ea=55000 MPa and Es=190000 MPa. The results generally agree to within 5% of those obtained
from tests of similar stranding conductor. It may be noted that variations in the final modulus
of elasticity in the order of 5% usually lead to final sag variations less than 1%.
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Figure- 2: Typical stress-strain curve based on stress-strain test
h) Coefficient of Linear expansion of conductor: Changes in temperature affects the length
of a conductor. The thermal strain or unit elongation (εT) of homogenous aluminium conductors
have the following format:
εT = ꞵa ∆T
The thermal elongation of composite conductors can be worked out as follows:-
ꞵ = (Eaꞵaαa +Esꞵsαs)/(Eaαa + Esαs)
Where,
ꞵa = coefficient of linear expansion of aluminium in /°C (i.e. 11.5 x 10-6 /°C)
ꞵs = coefficient of linear expansion of steel in /°C (i.e. 23 x 10-6 /°C)
∆T = Temperature, T increment
Ea : Modulus of Elasticity of Aluminium strand
Es :Modulus of Elasticity of Steel strand
αa :Cross-section area of Aluminium strand
αs : Cross-section area of Steel strand
ꞵ : coefficient of linear expansion of conductor in /°C
13.6 CONDUCTOR CHARACTERISTICS
a) Thermal Rating: Typically, overhead transmission lines are engineered to ensure that under
extreme ice and wind conditions, the maximum tension on the conductors remains within a set
percentage of their rated breaking strength (RBS). If the RBS is significantly diminished, it can
result in tensile failure during subsequent severe weather events. To prevent this, conductors
are generally not allowed to operate at high temperatures long enough to reduce their breaking
strength by more than 10% throughout their expected lifespan. For ACSR conductors, in India,
the maximum operating temperature is limited to 85°C. The power carrying capacity of the
transmission line corresponding to this maximum operating temperature is referred to as
Thermal Capacity or Thermal Rating. In case of 3-Φ transmission systems, Thermal rating is
calculated using formula √3 x V x I where, V is the rated system voltage and I is the ampacity of
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the conductor at maximum operating temperature (say 85°C in case of ACSR). There are
various methods for calculation of ampacity of stranded conductors. One of the popular
methods is elaborated in IEEE Std 738- IEEE Standard for Calculating the Current-Temperature
of Bare Overhead Conductors.
As per CIGRE Green Book, aluminium conductors having a steel core (ACSR) experience loss
of composite strength if operated above 90°C. For aluminium wires, the conductor
temperature must remain above 90°C for an extended period of time for the reduction of
strength to become significant. As may be seen in Figure 3, An all-aluminium conductor at
100°C must remain at that temperature for 400 hours to lose 5% of its tensile strength.
Figure- 3: Typical annealing curves for aluminium wires
[The Aluminium Association, 1982]
This loss of tensile strength is cumulative over the life of the line so routine emergency
operation at 100 °C may be unacceptable over time even though individual events may persist
for no more than a few hours. As the conductor temperature increases, the rate of annealing
increases rapidly. At 125 °C, an all-aluminum conductor will lose 5% of its tensile strength in
only 30 hours.
Generally, there are three primary concerns in respect of thermal rating of transmission lines:-
(i) Maintaining Clearance: The sag of the self-supporting conductor must be controlled to
ensure sufficient electrical clearance from the ground, nearby buildings, and adjacent
conductors.
(ii) Preventing Annealing: To avoid weakening the conductor's design strength, the
aluminum strands should not undergo annealing, which could lead to tensile failure under
future ultimate loading conditions.
(iii) Ensuring Connector Strength: Full-tension connectors must retain their slip strength
despite frequent high temperature fluctuations, to prevent failure under significant tensile
loads.
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b) Sag-Tension Models & Stress Strain behaviour:
Sag & Tension calculations are explained in Chapter-5: Design Parameters. In this section, the
plastic & elastic elongations of the conductor are explained, in general.
As per IS-802 (Part 1/ Sec 1): 2015, Conductor/ground wire/OPGW tension at everyday
temperature and without external load, should not exceed the following percentage of the
ultimate tensile strength of the conductor:
a) Initial unloaded tension: 35 percent
b) Final unloaded tension: 25 percent
provided that the ultimate tension under everyday temperature and 100 percent design wind
pressure, or minimum temperature and 36 percent design wind pressure does not exceed 70
percent of the ultimate tensile strength of the conductor/ground wire/OPGW.
For 400 kV and higher voltage lines, the final unloaded tension or conductors at everyday
temperature shall not exceed 22 percent of the ultimate tensile strength of conductors and 20
percent of the ultimate tensile strength of ground wire/OPGW.
Further, as per IS-5613 (Part / Sec 1):2024, The earth wire sag shall be not more than 90 percent
of the corresponding sag of the power conductor under still air conditions for the entire
specified temperature range.
Thus, it is crucial that the conductors & earthwires do not break under high tension, do not
suffer from fatigue due to persistent wind-induced motions, do not sag to a degree that
compromises minimum electrical clearances and do not infringe the requisite mid span
clearances.
CIGRE TB 763, illustrates the four elements of conductor elongation in the following manner:-
Figure- 4: Elongation Diagram of stranded conductor
As explained earlier, the Elastic behaviour of the conductor is mainly due to thermal expansion
as represented by coefficient of linear expansion as well as due to tensile strain as represented
by modulus of elasticity. Plastic elongation of the conductor is due to “settling”, “creep
elongation”, and “permanent elongation due to high tension loads”. Plastic elongation is
calculated using laboratory tests of stranded conductors.
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The “final” sag-tensions are calculated based on everyday conductor stress over an extended
period of time (e.g. 10 years) and based on an assumed heavy ice and wind load. The final sag
and tension values for the two cases are compared and final sags and tensions are based on
the case which gives the largest permanent elongation (i.e. greatest change in sag).
Following methods are generally employed for mitigation of long-time creep and elongations
due to settlement & strand deformation:-
(i) Over-tensioning the conductor: Over-tensioning involves increasing installation tension
above the required design value to compensate for the creep. This over-tension (OT)
usually refers to an equivalent negative temperature-shift which results in a thermal
contraction equal to the creep elongation, mitigating thus the resultant conductor creep.
In India, creep mitigation is carried out usually by over-tensioning of conductor i.e.
stringing of conductor at a certain temperature, lower than the stringing temperature.
Stringing temperatures are reduced by 26°C for ACSR Moose, ACSR Zebra & ACSR Panther
conductor and reduced by 30°C for ACSR Snowbird, ACSR Bersimis & ACSR Lapwing
conductor.
(ii) Pre-tensioning/ Pre-stressing: Pre-tensioning is the temporary tensioning of the
conductor at a pre-determined tension, temperature and duration before it is clamped at
the designed installation conditions. With pre-tensioning at higher values of tension (30 to
50% of UTS), significant reduction in long term creep can be achieved. This is because,
significant metallurgical deformation is forced on the conductor prior to installation itself
and thus only small deformations occur for rest of the life.
13.7 STANDARD CONDUCTOR SIZES
Various standard sizes of ACSR, AAAC and Al59 Conductors are covered under following
Bureau of Indian Standards:-
(i) IS-398 [Part II]- Aluminium Conductors for Overhead Transmission Purposes –
Specification Part 2 Aluminium Conductors, Galvanized Steel-Reinforced
(ii) IS-398 [Part IV]- Aluminium Conductors for Overhead Transmission Purposes – Part 4
Aluminium Alloy Stranded Conductors(Aluminium Magnesium Silicon Type)- Specification
(iii) IS-398 [Part V]- Aluminium Conductors for Overhead Transmission Purposes –
Specification Part 5 Aluminium Conductors Galvanised Steel Reinforced for Extra High
Voltage (400 kV & above)
(iv) IS-398 [Part VI]- Aluminium Conductors for Overhead Transmission Purposes Part 6
High conductivity Aluminium Alloy Stranded Conductors- Specification
Some of the standard sizes being used in transmission lines under ISTS are as follows: -
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Transmission ACSR Equivalent AAAC Equivalent Al59
line Conductor conductor based on conductor based on
specified 53.5% conductivity 59% conductivity of
of Al Alloy Al Alloy
765kV D/C ACSR Zebra: AAAC Al59
(Hexa Zebra) Stranding 54/3.18 mm- Stranding details: Stranding details:
transmission Al + 7/3.18 mm-Steel 61/3.19mm 61/3.08mm
lines
Aluminium area: 428 Aluminium Alloy Aluminium alloy
sq mm area: 487.5 [Link] area: 454 [Link]
Diameter: 28.62 mm Diameter: 28.71 mm Diameter: 27.7 mm
765kV S/C ACSR Bersimis : AAAC Al59
(Quad Stranding 42/4.57 mm- Stranding details: Stranding details:
Bersimis) Al + 7/2.54 mm-Steel 61/4.0 mm 61/4.02 mm
transmission Aluminium alloy
Aluminium area: 688.9 Aluminium alloy
lines area: 767 [Link]
sq mm area: 774 [Link]
Diameter:35.05 mm Diameter: 36.18 mm
Diameter: 36.0 mm
400kV D/C ACSR Moose : AAAC Al59
(Twin/ Quad Stranding 54/3.53mm- Stranding details: Stranding details:
Moose) Al + 7/3.53 mm-Steel 61/3.55mm 61/3.31mm
transmission
Aluminium area: 528.5 Aluminium alloy Aluminium alloy
lines
sq mm. area: 604 [Link] area: 525 [Link]
Diameter: 31.77 mm Diameter: 31.95 mm Diameter: 29.79 mm
400kV D/C ACSR Snowbird : AAAC Al59
(Triple Stranding 42/3.99 mm- Stranding details: Stranding details:
Snowbird) Al + 7/2.21 mm-Steel 61/3.55mm 61/3.31mm
transmission
Aluminium area: 525.2 Aluminium alloy Aluminium alloy
lines
sq mm area: 604 [Link] area: 525 [Link]
Diameter: 30.56 mm Diameter: 31.95 mm Diameter: 29.79 mm
220kV D/C ACSR Zebra: AAAC Al59
(Zebra) Stranding 54/3.18 mm- Stranding details: Stranding details:
transmission Al + 7/3.18 mm-Steel 61/3.19mm 61/3.08mm
lines
Aluminium area: 428 Aluminium Alloy Aluminium alloy
sq mm area: 487.5 [Link] area: 454 [Link]
Diameter: 28.62 mm Diameter: 28.71 mm Diameter: 27.7 mm
132kV D/C ACSR Panther: AAAC Al59
(Panther) Stranding 30/3.0 mm-Al Stranding details: Stranding details:
transmission + 7/3.0 mm-Steel 37/3.15mm 37/3.08mm
lines
Aluminium area: 212 Aluminium alloy Aluminium alloy
sq mm area: 288.3 [Link] area: 275.66 [Link]
Diameter: 21 mm Diameter: 22.05 mm Diameter: 21.56 mm
Details on High Temperature Low Sag Conductors are covered under separate chapter of
this edition.
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CBIP MANUAL ON TRANSMISSION LINES, Third Edition
REFERENCES
[1] IS-398 Series- BIS standard for ‘Aluminium Conductors for Overhead Transmission
Purposes – Specification’
[2] IS- 5613 [Part3/Sec 1]- BIS Standard for ‘Design, Installation and Maintenance for Overhead
Power Lines — Code of Practice’
[3] IS- 802 [Part1/Sec 1]- BIS Standard for ‘Use of Structural Steel in Overhead Transmission
Line Towers — Code of Practice’
[4] IEC 61089, IEC Standard for ‘Round wire concentric lay overhead electrical stranded
conductors’
[5] IEC 61597, IEC Standard for ‘Overhead electrical conductors - Calculation methods for
stranded bare conductors’
[6] CIGRE Green Books on Overhead Lines
[7] CIGRE Technical Brochure 763, “Conductors for the uprating of existing overhead lines”
[8] EPRI AC Transmission Line Reference Book—200 kV and Above
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