Modelling Conductor Life Expectancy for HTLS Conductors

• Main Authors: Liu, Haoji, Kopsidas, Konstantinos, Al Aqil, Mohammed
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminium Conductor Composite Core; Aluminum; Bending; Bending stress; Conductors; Damping; Data models; Energy Balance Principle; Life expectancy; Overhead line conductor; Shock absorbers; Vibrations
• ISSN: 1944-9933
• DOI: 10.1109/PESGM46819.2021.9637822

Wind induced overhead conductor motions affect the conductors' life expectancy. Consequently, it is important to consider the differences in conductor structure among different conductor technologies. This paper introduces a model to calculate life expectancy for conventional aluminium-conductor steel-reinforced (ACSR) and a novel high-temperature low-sag (HTLS) aluminium conductor composite core (ACCC) based on the energy balance principle (EBP). Furthermore, various clamping locations of Stockbridge damping system are implemented to quantify the damping mechanism's efficiency and optimize its location. The EBP is implemented in two conductors of the same size but different technology (i.e., 495/35 ACSR and Rome ACCC). The study showed a 25% less bending stress of ACCC and thus approximately 5 times longer life from its equivalent (in diameter) ACSR, or alternatively increase ACCC tension by 6% RBS and allow higher overhead lines (OHLs) power transfer capacity. When the vibration dampers are installed inappropriately onto ACCC, by considering its response to be the same to its equivalent ACSR, ACCC's life expectancy is reduced by approximately 30%. To further understand the importance of HTLS conductor structure on its life expectancy, a semi-analytical EBP model is proposed based on experimental data on ACCC. The initial results show the great effect of conductor bending stiffness on ACCC life expectancy. Future experiments are needed to improve the EBP modelling and the HTLS conductor performance calculations.