The equivalent copper
cross-section area of the conductor and the number of strands with the diameter
of each strand determine the conductor's size. Equivalency of a stranded
conductor is the area of a solid conductor of the same material and length as
the stranded conductor. At the same time, the conductor must have the same
resistance.
Because of its lower
cost, aluminium is frequently used to transmit electricity instead of copper.
Aluminium overhead conductors are made in India following IS 398. When compared
to aluminium, copper is a far better conductor of electricity, yet it is not
economically practical to use copper conductors for long-distance power
transmission. Aluminium is a soft metal with a lightweight. In its purest form,
aluminium isn't very powerful. For conducting electricity, we frequently employ
alloys or reinforced versions to boost its strength.
Copper conductors were
commonly used on transmission lines in the beginning, but Aluminium conductors
have completely replaced Copper due to their lower cost and lighter weight when
compared to a Copper wire of the same resistance. Aluminium conductors have a
greater diameter than Copper conductors of the same resistance, which is an
advantage. For the same voltage, lines of electric flux starting on the
conductor with a bigger diameter will be farther apart at the conductor
surface. This results in a decreased voltage gradient at the conductor's
surface and a reduced tendency to ionise the air surrounding it. Corona is an unfavourable
effect caused by ionisation.
The different types of
aluminium conductors are as follows:
1. AAC Conductor: All Aluminium Conductors or AAC are made up of
several layers of aluminium wires stranded concentrically. Low, medium, and
high voltage overhead lines all employ these conductors. AAC is often used in
cities, where spans are typically small yet strong conductivity is necessary.
Aluminium's exceptional corrosion resistance has made AAC a popular conductor
in coastal environments. Because of the lengthy spans used, AAC has limited
usage in transmission lines and rural distribution because of its relatively
weak strength to weight ratio.
2. ACSS Conductor:
ACSS stands for
Aluminium Conductor Steel Supported. ACSS is a stranded composite concentric-lay
conductor. Steel strands constitute the conductor's central core, which is
surrounded by one or more layers of aluminium 1350-O wire. For overhead
distribution and transmission wires, ACSS is employed. It is designed to run
continuously at temperatures up to 250°C without losing strength, and it sags
less under electrical loads than a comparable ACSR. ACSS is especially useful
in reconductor applications requiring increased current with existing tensions
and clearances, new line applications where structures can be economised due to
reduced conductor sag. It can also be utilised on lines that require large
emergency loadings or that experience aeolian vibration.
3. ACCC Conductor:
ACCC stands for
Aluminium Conductor Composite Core. A composite carbon and glass fibre core is
wrapped in trapezoidal-shaped aluminium strands to form the ACCC conductor. The
fully annealed aluminium strands carry all of the conductor's electrical
current, while the high-strength structural core handles the majority of the conductor's
mechanical load. The composite core of an ACCC conductor is significantly
lighter and stronger than a standard or high-strength steel core. It can carry
around twice as much current as a typical aluminium-conductor steel-reinforced
cable (ACSR) cable of the same size and weight, making it ideal for upgrading
an existing electric power transmission line without the need to replace towers
or insulators. Aside from the labour and material savings, such an update can
be done as a "maintenance and repair" operation, eliminating the need
for the lengthy regulatory process that comes with new construction.
4. AAAC Conductor:
AAAC stands for All
Aluminium Alloy Conductors. It consists of several layers of aluminium alloys,
generally aluminium-magnesium-silicon, stranded in concentric layers. To obtain
a high strength-to-weight ratio, a high-strength aluminium alloy was used; this
allows for superior sag characteristics. In bare overhead distribution and
transmission lines (11 kV to 800 kV lines) and HV substations, all aluminium
alloy conductors (AAAC) are widely utilised for primary and secondary
transmission. Because of its corrosion resistance, it can also be used in
heavily polluted industrial districts and coastal areas.
These were a few types
of aluminium conductors. Cabcon India is one of the largest cable manufacturers in India. Cabcon
has built a cutting-edge infrastructure, complete with in-house facilities and
high-speed, upgraded plants and machinery, to help run and manage the entire
team as well as manufacture and sell products in a timely and efficient manner.
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