Connector performance of new vs. service aged conductor

Results of tests conducted on automatic line splices and a variety of other connector designs are presented. From these early results, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has changed its connector practices to require compression tap connectors on all applications involving tensioned conductors. A series of ANSI C119.4 tests will be performed on a wide assortment of nontension connectors and conductor conditions using the same test protocol on both new and service aged conductor under the identical test conditions and loop configurations. The conductors conditions that will be used in the tests are: new, cleaned; and service aged, cleaned; service aged, uncleaned. The tests will be used to compare various connector designs from bolted to powered wedge. In-depth evaluations of the results of the ANSI C119.4 test on electric connectors, on both new and service aged conductors are also planned