MODULE 2

Note 1: Mechanical design of Overhead Lines

Overhead Line
Overhead line is used to transmit or distribute
electrical power
For
long
distance
transmission
and
distribution overhead lines are always prefer
over underground system because of
economical and constructional reasons.

Main components of
Overhead lines
1)Conductor: Which carry electrical power from
sending end station to receiving end station
2)Supports: This may be poles or towers and
keep the conductors at a suitable level above
the ground.
3)Insulators: Which are attached to the
Supports and insulate the conductor from the
ground.
4)Cross arm: Which provide support to the
insulators.
5)Miscellaneous items: Such as phase plates,
danger plates, lightning arrestors, anti-

1. Conductor Material
Conductor material Properties

High electrical conductivity

High tensile strength
Low cost
Low specific gravity-weight per unit volume
should be small

1. Conductor Material
Commonly used materials are.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Copper,
Aluminium
steel cored aluminium,
galvanized steel
cadmium copper.

All conductors used for overhead lines are

preferably stranded in order to increase the
flexibility

i. Copper:
Copper have very good conductivity and greater
tensile strength.
It is always used in stranded form
Copper has high current density. Hence smaller
cross section of conductor is only required.
Copper is an ideal material for conducting
electricity
Disadvantage: higher cost and non availability. So
now a days aluminium is using for lengthy wires.

ii. Aluminium:
Conductivity of aluminum is 60% of copper
hence greater cross section of conductor is
needed.
Specific gravity of aluminum is lesser than cu.
Hence weight is reduced, so lighter
supporting structure is only required.
Aluminum conductor is light hence liable to
greater swing. So lengthy cross arm is
required.
Sag is greater in aluminum. Because tensile
strength is less.
Aluminum is cheaper than cu.

iii. Steel Cored

Aluminium.
ACSR consist of central core of galvanized
steel wires surrounded by a number of
aluminium strands.
ACSR have following advantages.
Reinforcement increases the tensile strength.
At the same time composite conductor is still
light. Hence it is well suited for long distance
transmission.
Due to small sag tower for small height can
be used.

iv. Galvanised Steel:

Steel have very high tensile strength.
Hence galvanized steel is using as the
conductor material for extremely high span
and for short line exposed for high stresses.
It is well suitable for rural areas where
cheapness is the primary consideration.
Because of high resistivity these type of
conductors are not using for high power
transmission systems.

v. Cadmium Copper:
Addition of cadmium with Cu. Increases the
tensile strength of the conductor. Hence
cadmium Cu. Can be useful for exceptionally
long spans.
Because of higher cost such material is only
suitable for low cross section conductors.

2. Line Supporters
Properties
High mechanical strength to withstand weight of
conductor and wind loads etc.
Light in weight without the loss of mechanical
strength.
Cost should be less
Longer life
Easy accessibility of conductors for maintenance.
Different types of Supporters
i. wooden poles
ii. steel poles
iii. RCC poles
iv. Steel towers

i. Wooden poles:
These are made up of seasoned wood and
are suitable for lines of moderate cross
sectional area, and of shorter span.
Such supporters are suitable for rural areas.
It cannot be used for voltages higher than 20
kV

ii. Steel poles.

The steel poles are often used as a substitute
for wooden poles.
They possess greater mechanical strength,
longer life and permit longer spans to be
used.
Such poles are generally used for distribution
purpose in the cities.

iii. RCC poles

The reinforced concrete poles have
become very popular as line supports in
recent years.
They have greater mechanical strength,
longer life and permit longer spans than
steel poles.
They give good outlook, require little
maintenance and good insulating
properties.
Main disadvantage is high cost of
transport due to its heavy weight

iv. Steel towers.

For high voltage transmission for long
distance steel towers are invariably using.
Its have grater mechanical strength, good
life, can withstand most severe climate
conditions and permit the use of longer span.
Tower footage are always earthed to reduce
lightning impacts.

3. Insulators
Properties of good insulators are
a. High mechanical strength.
b. High electrical resistance
c. High relative permittivity in order to have high
dielectric strength.
d. The insulating material should be nonporous.
e. High ratio of puncture strength to flash over

Different Types Are

I. Pin Type insulators
II. Suspension Type Insulators
III. Strain Insulators
IV. Shackle Insulators

Pin Type
insulators
Pin Type insulator is secured to the cross cross-

arm on the pole

There is a groove on the upper end of the
insulator for housing the conductor.
These are using for transmission and distribution
up to a voltage of 33kV

2. Suspension Type
insulators
For high voltages instead of PIN type Suspension
type insulators are using
They consist of Number of porcelain disc
connected in series by metal link in the form of a
string
The conductor is suspended at the bottom end of
the string while other end secured with the cross
arm.

iii. Strain Insulators

When there is a dead end of the line or there
is a corner or sharp curve, the line is
subjected to greater tension.
In order to relieve the line from excessive
stress strain insulators are used
Strain insulators consist of an assembly of
suspension insulators
If tension is too high Too or more Strings are used
in parellel

iv. Shackle Insulators

Shackle insulators are Directly fixed to the
Pole with a bolt or to the cross arm.
It is using instead of strain insulators for low
voltage systems

4. Cross Arm
Which Provide support to the insulator
Made up of galvanised Steel or cast iron
Should have good mechanical strength

5. Miscellaneous

Danger Plate
Phase Plate
Lightning Arrestors
Anti- Climbing wires