The Complete Guide on ACSR Conductors: Types, Properties, and its Advantages



Conductors are physical medium that carries electrical energy from one place to another place. The slightest conductivity and tensile strength are the most important factors for transmission and distribution systems. Earlier, for energy transmission copper conductors were utilized, but now, they have been replaced by the stranded hard drawn aluminium wires to improve the tensile strength, conductivity, and efficiency. Aluminium conductors are portable, economical in design, and also have a low cost.  Different types of AI conductors are used these days including AAC, ACSR, AAAC, and ACAR.

Definition: ACSR stands for Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced. A strong stranded conductor consisting of one or more layers of hard-driven aluminium wire with a galvanized coated steel core. These conductors are primarily used in the distribution and transmission lines due to their high tensile strength, economical design, lightweight with good properties, and suitable voltage overhead lines. Also, the conductivity of this type of conductor is higher than that of copper conductors.

ACSR CONDUCTOR TYPES

Earlier copper conductors were utilized many years back for transmission of energy but at present, Aluminium conductors have replaced these conductors due to some reasons like not being costly as compared with copper, elevated diameter, etc. There are different varieties of ACSR conductors available which include the following.

      All Aluminimum Conductor (AAC)

AAC conductors have low stability and extra sag per span length as compared with any classification. So, it is utilized at the distribution level because the conductivity of this conductor is better at the distribution level. The price for both the conductors i.e. AAC and ACSR  are the same.

      Aluminium Conductor Aluminium Reinforce (ACAR)

This conductor combines AI alloy strands to furnish a transmission conductor with outstanding electrical & mechanical proportioned properties. These aluminum lines are coated with aluminum alloy wires. The body of the conductor includes the number of strands. The major objective of this conductor is that all the layers in it are identical, thus allowing it to be designed with adequate electrical & mechanical characteristics.

      All Aluminium Alloy Conductors (AAAC)

These conductors are somewhat similar to AAC excluding the alloy. The durability of this conductor is similar to ACSR, however, its lightweight and strong tensile strength make it usable in the distribution level that is a river crossing. AAAC is portable, and a favorable element for transmission as well as sub-transmission wherever less weight supporting configuration is needed like swamps, mountains, etc.

      Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR)

This conductor is compressed with a steel substance inside. The high stability makes it applicable for overhead earth wires, installations relating to extra-long spans & river crossings. These are produced with various tensile strengths. With the high diameter, a much higher radiance limit can be attained.

ACSR CONDUCTOR PROPERTIES

The properties include the following.

1.      Skin effect

Due to skin effects, the current that flows through the conductor reduces the cross-sectional area where the AC frequency also increases. Most of the current flow between the surface and the skin depth depends on the frequency, current, conductivity, and mechanical properties. The reduction in the cross-sectional area leads to an increase in resistance and is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the conductor.

 

 

2.      Proximity effect

When high voltage is carried by the conductor, the distribution level of the current becomes non-uniform on the cross-sectional area of the conductor. This is known as the proximity effect. This effect intensifies conductor resistance and also due to the other conductors carrying current within the surrounding area. The percentage of this effect can be determined by frequency, conductivity, and geometry factors.

Well, ACSRs can reduce this effect. When the steel is set at the core, the aluminium posture will be around the steel wire in the ACSR. Hence, the conductive strength is expanded and the surface area is reduced. This leads to the current flow only on the outward layer and no current flow in the center of the conductor. This is how the proximity effect is reduced in these conductors.

3.      Hysteresis loss

The main reason for hysteresis loss in this conductor is the atomic dipole inside the steel core. This loss is less attractive but can be lessened with the help of an aluminum layer that is also inside the conductor. The Aluminum layers having the magnetization feature are used for accurate calculation of AC resistance. The hysteresis loss in steel is due to the associated core heating; the odd-layer will have a low-capacity mark as compared to the same level. 

ACSR CONDUCTOR ADVANTAGES

The advantages are as follows.

     ACSR conductor’s structure is plane

     The capacity of transmission is high

     These cables are characterized by outstanding tensile power

     Excellent performance

     They have a long-lifespan

     They deliver a great deal of flexibility

This is all about the ACSR definition, design, sizing, types, properties, and its great advantages. These conductors are accessible in wide ranges for transmission and distribution systems as overhead conductors.

 


 

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