A transmission line is a vital portion of the power
system. The existence of this aspect depends on the material utilized for
formulating the conductor for the transmission line. The most suitable material
is copper as it has high conductivity and high tensile stability. Further, it
is also retaining good ductility. The only limit is its price. So, Aluminum is
the most extensively used material in transmission lines, with sufficient
conductivity and is portable. The only
restriction is its poor tensile strength. To overcome this constraint steel
core is utilized for gaining the tensile strength of aluminum conductors such
as in ACSR conductors.
They are extremely popular for their high voltage
overhead transmission lines. The choice of adequate material for the
Transmission line relies on–
● It's required electrical properties
● Required mechanical strength
● Local conditions
● Cost of material
The basic properties in the materials used for
conductors in Transmission Lines are as follows.
● High conductivity
● High tensile strength
● Lightweight
● High resistance to corrosion in weather
conditions
● High thermal stability
● Low coefficient of thermal expansion
● Low cost
Materials used for transmission lines are listed
below-
- Copper (Cu)
The greatly used, elevated conductivity material for
electrical appliances or equipment, is copper. Moldability, reliability, and
solderability are considered the most important properties of copper. The
amazing material in its pure form has good conductivity. But the conductivity
of it is reduced due to the existence of impurities.
- Aluminum (Al)
Aluminium is a silver-white, lightweight, soft,
non-magnetic, and ductile metal. The most substantial element (after oxygen and
silicon) and the most generous metal found in the earth’s crust. The main raw
material for its production is bauxite. Its low density, good corrosion
resistance property, high ductility, and
good conductivity, make it adequate to use as an electric conductor for the
transmission and distribution of electricity.
- Cadmium Copper
Alloy
Cadmium copper alloys comprise approximately 0.6 to
1.2% of cadmium. This percent of cadmium increases the tensile strength and
corrosion resistance of copper. The conductivity of this material is 90 to 96 %
of the pure copper. Therefore, these material conductors can be useful for
extremely long spans.
- Galvanized Steel
Elements like Iron and Steel get rusted or corroded
in open weather circumstances. To avoid these conditions, sheets, wire, etc.
made of these metals are garnished with Zinc. For Zinc garnishing, Hot-dip
galvanization is used. In this procedure, these metals are dipped in molten
Zinc at a temperature of around 449oC which later reacts with oxygen (O2) and
forms the substance zinc oxide (ZnO). This further reacts with carbon dioxide
(Co2) and forms zinc carbonate (ZnCo3). This substance protects the iron or
steel from corrosion in open weather conditions.
- Steel Core Copper
This material is also known as a copper-clad steel
conductor. For its outstanding tensile strength properties, this steel is
utilized as a core of the conductor. Here, this element not only provides
conductivity but also functions as a protective layer to avoid the corrosion of
steel by atmospheric weather conditions.
- Steel Core
Aluminum
A metal with less weight and good conductivity, yet
with low tensile strength. This material can be an adequate option to be useful
as a conductor for transmission lines. To improve the tensile stability, steel
is utilized as the core of the conductor. A good illustration of steel core
aluminum is an ACSR conductor. A widely used component in transmission lines as
it retains a great tensile strength, good conductivity, and is economical.
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