0
What material is used for the conductor on the high voltage AC overhead cables is it steel or aluminium and Is there an insulator?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
High Voltage Overhead cables: Aluminum conductors reinforced with steel (known as ACSR) are primarily used for medium and high voltage lines and may also be used for overhead services to individual customers. Aluminum conductors are used as it has the advantage of better resistivity/weight than copper, as well as being cheaper. Some copper cable is still used, especially at lower voltages and for grounding.
To attach the cable to the towers you need to use some type of insulator.
Insulators must support the conductors and withstand both the normal operating voltage and surges due to switching and lightning. Insulators are broadly classified as either pin-type, which support the conductor above the structure, or suspension type, where the conductor hangs below the structure. Up to about 33 kV (69 kV in North America) both types are commonly used. At higher voltages only suspension-type insulators are common for overhead conductors. Insulators are usually made of wet-process porcelain or toughened glass, with increasing use of glass-reinforced polymer insulators.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What type of metal is a great conductor of electricity?
Silver is the best conductor of electricity, with copper a close second. Gold is third on the list followed by aluminium. Power distribution systems commonly use copper for underground power lines and aluminium for overhead lines.
What has the most common element used in wires?
Copper is used in electric wires because it is the best conductor of electricity that is known, apart from silver which is slightly better. For overhead wires a common material to use is aluminum because it is much lighter, although not such a good conductor. Overhead high-voltage wires usually use aluminium stranded wire with one or more steel strands in the centre to give strength.
What is purpose of the steel core in some large overhead conductor?
The wire you refer to is ACSR. Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced. The steel core is used to give the wire structural strength. When the conductor is spanned across great distances between poles or towers the total weight of the conductor between spans would be too much for just the aluminum wire to support. The steel center core is also known as the cables messenger.
What does aluminum foil do to electricity?
Aluminum is a good conductor of electricity. While it won't actively "do" anything to electricity, it will pass electric current if it used as part of a circuit. Aluminum is used in overhead power transmission lines as it is lighter than an equivalent copper conductor.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of steel in electrical wiring?
The electrical resistance of steel is too high for use directly as electrical wiring. However a single steel reinforcing wire at the center of a bundle of copper or aluminum wires making one high voltage conductor adds tensile strength permitting longer spacing between poles or towers.
What is the purpose of insulator in overhead transmission line?
Overhead lines are uninsulated, as they depend upon the air to provide insulation. However, they must still be insulated from the towers or poles from which they are suspended. This insulation is provided using glass or ceramic insulators. The greater the line voltage, the longer the ceramic insulator, or the greater the number of glass insulator 'dishes'.
What type of metal is a great conductor of electricity?
Silver is the best conductor of electricity, with copper a close second. Gold is third on the list followed by aluminium. Power distribution systems commonly use copper for underground power lines and aluminium for overhead lines.
Why is lead used in high voltage cables?
Steel-reinforced aluminium cables are used for overhead lines because aluminium is much lighter than a copper conductor, despite not being quite as good a conductor as copper. The function of the steel reinforcement is to improve the tensile strength of the conductor.
What has the most common element used in wires?
Copper is used in electric wires because it is the best conductor of electricity that is known, apart from silver which is slightly better. For overhead wires a common material to use is aluminum because it is much lighter, although not such a good conductor. Overhead high-voltage wires usually use aluminium stranded wire with one or more steel strands in the centre to give strength.
What is alluminium conductor steel reinforced in electricity?
Aluminium conductor is reinforced by steel because it can give the strenght required to support the weight of the cable without streching the aluminium, which is very ductile. It gives a specific type of high-capacity and high-strenght cable, typically used in overhead power lines.
What is ACSR cable?
Aluminium Conductor Steel ReinforcedOuter strand - AluminiumCenter strand - steelACSR having high conducting capacity usually used in overhead transmission line to carry high voltages.
Is a aluminum a conductor?
Yes, the best conductor other than silver and copper. Aluminium is used for overhead power supplies because it is light and the design of the supporting towers can be simplified and the cost reduced, making the transmission of power more cost-efficient.
Where does electricity go after it goes to the wooden overhead lines?
Overhead distribution lines are made of aluminium not wood.
True Or False Materials that are poor conductors are poor insulators?
No. Something that is a poor conductor must be a good insulator and vice versa. If a material conducts better than it insulates it is considered a good conductor, if it insulates better than conducts it is considered a good insulator. No material can be both a poor conductor AND a poor insulator. It is impossible.
What are some important uses of aluminum?
Aluminium is used in a wide range of things. Airplanes are mostly made of Aluminium. It is used in variety of things because it is both strong and lightweight. It is often used for overhead power cables as it is very light and an excellent conductor and not scarce like copper.
What element makes overhead sprinklers?
An aluminium alloy is adequate.
Why is metal use for electricity?
Metal is used because metals conduct electric current. The best conductor among the metals is silver, followed by copper, then aluminium. Copper is used for electrical wiring in the house and for underground supplies, while the lightness of aluminium makes it the metal of choice for overhead power lines.
