Overhead Transmission Lines - Static Mechanical Support http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/overhead-transmission-lines-sta...

When designing an overhead transmission line, we should pay attention to

ensure that the tension force does not exceed, in any case, the limit of the
mechanical strength of the conductor.

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subjected to contraction, and a possible ice coating. Moreover, it should be

considered that can simultaneously be and wind pressure on the line. To
address these conditions, a requirement, is knowledge of the arrow of the
conductor.

Besides, the arrow determines the height and strength of the

supporting towers, as well as the span length (distance between
two towers).

Even:

l = span length in m (distance between two support points).

L = conductor length in m, corresponding to the opening l.
w = conductor weight in Kpper meter.
T = tensile strength of the transmission line, in Kp.
D = maximum arrow, in m.

Even:

d = conductor diameter in cm.

i = radial ice thickness in cm.
wi= ice weight per meter.
P = wind pressure at speed of 80 km/hr.
W = resultant force (weight and wind pressure).

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The vertical component of the arrow:

We accept as unfavorable conditions the following:

Ambient temperature -10°C

Radial ice coating 1 cm
Wind speed 80 km/hr

With these conditions, we choose 2nd degree safety factor, so that the
tension force should not exceed half the breaking load of the conductor.

During the construction of the transmission line, with the conditions

prevailing at the time (higher temperature and without ice), the
tension must be done in such a way that, at the most unfavorable
conditions, the transmission line to have a 2nd degree safety factor.

According to Rapson:

when:

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along the transmission line).

A = conductor cross section, in cm2
E = yield strength factor, in Kp/cm2
α = expansion factor per °C.
t = ambient temperature above -10°C.
Tc = tensile strength in adverse conditions, in Kp (Tc obtained half of the
breaking load).

By solving the above formula, we obtain the value of T. Then, the arrow,
during the construction, is:

Consider “O” the imaginary lowest point of the transmission line.

x1 = is the horizontal distance between the lowest support point and the
“O”.
x2 = is the horizontal distance between the highest support point and the
“O”.
D1 = is the imaginary arrow from the lowest support point.
D2 = is the imaginary arrow from the highest support point.

With these data, we have:

We observe that:

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From the above, we have:

With the values of x1, x2, the arrows D1, D2 can be calculated, as well as
the height of any point on the transmission line from the ground.

An overhead transmission line crosses a river and it is based on the two

banks by two towers at height h1=91.4m and h2=45.7m above the water
surface. The horizontal distance between the towers is 335.3 m. The
maximum tensile force is T = 1932.3 Kp and the weight of the conductor is
w = 0.884Kp/m.

Determine the height “h” of the line over the water, midway between the
two towers.

Consider “O” the imaginary lowest point of the transmission line and D1, D2
the arrows from the lower and the tallest tower respectively.

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However:

Therefore:

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Vasilios N. Xanthos – Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Measurement

and saving of Electrical Energy

Bachelor in Electrical Engineering from Technological Educational Institute of

Piraeus, Hellas. Electrical engineer working at Center of Renewable Energy
Sources. I work in the field of maintenance, functional test and installation of
measuring systems, including wind potential measurements in areas where
wind turbines will be installed. I'm highly interested in HVDC systems, Fuel
Cells technology and Microgrids.

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