Mechanical and electrical issues concerning the use of composite materials for the supporting core in transmission line conductors

This paper presents an overview of important aspects regarding the use of overhead conductors employing composite materials. These issues must be addressed for them to be accepted as viable replacement of traditional overhead conductors employing a steel core. It also elucidates the lessons learned from the use of composite insulators that can be applied to composite conductors. Preliminary experimental and theoretical results performed on two types of composite cores technologies presently available are presented.