Computation of current and temperature distribution for high temperature low sag conductors

Due to the increase in electric power consumption since a decade, there exists a demand for the increasing uninterrupted power supply. Newer generation units are being built with the installed power increasing every year. The available transmission lines are attaining dangerous limits of ampacity and sag, there exists an intricacy in finding passage to construct newer overhead lines in several industrialized nations including India. It is becoming difficult to obtain the rights of way for newer transmission lines, hence, present situation demands the use of available lines representing a cheaper solution than going in for an underground transmission. Increasing the transmission capability of overhead transmission using high temperature low sag (HTLS) conductors, replacing original ACSR conductors with approximately the same diameter is one technique. These conductors are capable of withstanding higher temperature continuously over 100°C without loss of mechanical strength or increase in sag. In the present work, a computer program is developed in accordance with IEEE Std.738 to estimate the current and temperature distribution for various HTLS conductors. It is believed the simulation results are being presented for the first time for various conductors employed in our country.