SCB2 Tutorial Presentations Wednesday 18

th
September 1 of 4


CIGRE Auckland Symposium
Tutorial Session
Wednesday 18th September a.m.
SC B2 Overhead Lines
(Chair by K.O.Papailiou)


Methods for the optimized design of overhead transmission lines
There are many documents on the design and operation of specific line components such as
foundations, towers and conductors. However, there is not much written covering the overall
optimisation of the line in order to realise the electrical function. This tutorial, based on the work of
WG 51, covers the electrical aspects of AC and DC lines and proposes methods whereby the line
design can be optimised to meet the AC and DC electrical requirements whilst ensuring reliability and
maintainability. An example is that for a given power transfer and impedance the AC line can be
designed using twin, triple, quad or more sub-conductors in a bundle. The diameter of the bundle can
be altered to meet the required impedance. The tower types can vary from pole to self-supporting
lattice, guyed poles or lattice, guyed V or cross rope suspension towers. It is difficult to objectively
decide on which combination to use. It is also necessary to describe the interaction between the line
components and how their different configurations affect the electrical performance and function of the
line, considering also environmental constraints. Similar examples are given for DC line design. In
addition, methods whereby the best set of overhead line designs can be objectively determined is also
proposed for both AC and DC. This enables the line designer to determine the best set of options
from a group of tower, conductor and foundation configurations that will meet the electrical and
reliability criteria. These set of options can then be used for detailed design.

Presenter: Robert Stephen, Convener of WG B2.51

Dr. Robert Stephen has MSc, MBA degrees and recently received his PhD degree
in line optimisation from the University of Cape Town South Africa. He is employed
in Eskom, the South African utility where he holds the position of Master Specialist.
He has been involved in all aspects of line design as well as network planning,
electrification and project management. In study committee B2 (overhead lines) he
has held position of working group convener, special reporter, advisory group
convener and was chairman of SC B2 from 2000-2004. He has published over 100
papers and been involved in technical brochures on aspects of thermal rating, real
time monitoring and overall line design since 1988. He is an honorary member of
Cigre and a fellow of the South African Institute of Electrical engineers.



SCB2 Tutorial Presentations Wednesday 18
th
September 2 of 4
Transmission Line Upgrading with High-Temperature Low-Sag
(HTLS) Conductors
Most existing overhead transmission lines have bare, stranded conductors consisting of nearly pure,
worked hardened aluminium wires, helically stranded over a stranded steel core. These conductors
are typically limited to a maximum temperature of 90
o
C to 100
o
C to limit annealing of the aluminium
wires. For lines of modest length (e.g. <100 km), the maximum permissible power flow may be
increased, while re-using the existing structures and foundations, if conventional conductors are
replaced with new conductors capable of operating at High-temperatures (180
o
C to 250
o
C) with nearly
the same high-temperature sag as the existing conventional conductors.

One such HTLS conductor, ACSS, has been used for over 40 years. In the last 20 years, several
other HTLS conductor types have become commercially available as alternatives. Several CIGRE
technical brochures are presently available (TB 244, 324, 331, 345, 425, and 426) which relate to their
use and two B2 working groups are presently developing new information on the mechanical (B2.48)
and electrical/design (B2.55) issues involved in the use of HTLS conductors.

In this tutorial, the most appropriate line uprating applications for HTLS re-conductoring will be
reviewed, considering the impact of environmental loading, corrosion and clearance buffers on HTLS
conductor selection. In particular, the need for two-part stress-strain/thermal elongation models,
plastic elongation models, tension stringing and emergency repairs, and the unique properties of
annealed aluminium strands and composite core materials, will be discussed.

Presenter: Dale Douglass, Convener of WG B2.55

Dr. Dale Douglass is a Principal Engineer with Power Delivery Consultants, Inc in
Albany, New York, USA. He has over 35 years of experience in overhead line sag-
tension, conductor design, high temperature behaviour of bare stranded conductors,
dynamic line rating and both current and voltage upgrading of overhead lines. He is
past chairman of the IEEE Overhead Lines Subcommittee and, in 1996, he was
elected a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers for his work
related to transmission conductors. He is presently the U.S. Representative to
CIGRE Study Committee B2, chair of Advisory Group 4 on Electrical Effects in
overhead lines, and chairman of Working Group B2.55, Conductors for the Uprating
of Existing Overhead Lines.


SCB2 Tutorial Presentations Wednesday 18
th
September 3 of 4
Engineering Guidelines Relating to Fatigue Endurance Capability of
Conductor/Clamp Systems
The understanding and prediction of failure of conductors as a result of fretting fatigue are critical for a
modern utility to effectively manage overhead line assets. Conductor fatigue most often occurs at
suspension clamps. This tutorial, based on the work of WG B2.30, covers the theory of fretting
fatigue, the phenomenon of Aeolian vibrations as well as measurement thereof. Determination of
possible damage and ways to predict remaining life of conductors as well as new methods to test
conductor clamp systems are described. The design tools presently available for the prediction of
Aeolian vibration amplitudes, the measurements of in situ conductor vibration and the determination of
the fatigue endurance of a conductor clamp system are presented. The tutorial will be complemented
by an update on the new IEC Standard IEC (to be published soon), which Standard has been
prepared by a task force of WG B2.25 (Chair Umberto Cosmai), chaired by Louis Cloutier. This
update will be presented by Pierre van Dyke.

Presenter: Andr Leblond, Convener of WG B2.52 and Secretary of WG B2.30

Dr. Andr Leblond received his B.Sc.A., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical
engineering from Laval University (Qubec) in 1990, 1992 and 1996 respectively.
He joined IREQ in 1992 where he studied the modeling of wind-induced conductor
vibrations such as Aeolian vibrations and galloping. Since the famous January 1998
ice storm, he has been involved in the development of new de-icing techniques and
has been studying climatic loads on overhead lines. From 2001 to 2004, he worked
as a Project Leader for the development of methods aiming at solving the ground
wire problematic during icing conditions and coordinated the work of an important
R&D team. Since the end of 2004, he has been working as a transmission-line
engineer at Hydro-Qubec Transnergie, where he has been continuously involved
in studies and developments related to various mechanical aspects of transmission
lines. He is an active member of several CIGR Working Groups within Study
Committee B2 and Convener of Working Group B2.52 "The Use of Robotics in
Assessment and Maintenance of OHL". He is the author of several technical papers
related to Aeolian vibrations of overhead lines.

Presenter: Pi erre van Dyke, Convener of TAG B2.06

Dr. Pierre van Dyke received his B.Sc.A and M.Sc. degrees from the cole
Polytechnique de Montral and his Ph.D. degree from Sherbroke University where
he acts also as associate professor. He joined IREQ in 1990 and holds presently
there the position of a senior research scientist. His research interests cover aeolian
vibrations, wake-induced oscillations, conductor galloping, and climatic loads on
overhead transmission lines. He is author or co-author of more than 40 papers, two
books and holds two patents.

SCB2 Tutorial Presentations Wednesday 18
th
September 4 of 4
Evaluation of Aged Fittings
Most of the worlds power utilities overhead transmission lines are approaching their design life or
beyond. A constant question is What is the condition of the fittings on these lines? Working Group
32 undertook the task of trying to understand the condition of these fittings and how to assess their
suitability to continue to perform their functions. For the investigation, fittings over 30 years old were
addressed. The task of the Working Group was divided into two parts as contained in this Technical
Brochure. The first part dealt with distributing a questionnaire on the state of the aged fittings. This
questionnaire was distributed to utilities throughout the world by CIGR membership. A total of 37
responses from 22 countries were received. The respondents indicated that over 75% of their
installed transmission lines were over 30 years old. The survey revealed that the spacer-dampers had
the highest occurrence of deterioration. Other fittings with high occurrence of deterioration included
splices, dampers, dead-ends, and suspensions. Over half of the respondents felt there was a need for
CIGR to develop guidelines on how to evaluate and test these aged fittings.

This led to the second section of the brochure where evaluation and testing techniques for a variety of
string and conductor fittings are discussed in detail. These tests were prescribed from the experience
of the Working Group members who have been heavily involved in testing of fittings for over 30 years.

The Technical Brochure is expected to provide utility staff involved in assessing, refurbishing, and
upgrading overhead lines with a reference for inspection and testing of worn and aged fittings, and to
act as a guide to help make their own decisions on the need for replacement of the aged fittings

Presenter: Naji Sahl ani

Naji Sahlani has been involved in the study of conductor motion and fatigue while at
Preformed Line Products for the past 20 years. He has his Bachelors in Electrical
Engineering and has been an active member in both CIGRE and IEEE. Mr. Sahlani
was an integral contributor to this brochure.