Comparative stress-strain characteristics of ACSR and SDC overhead conductors

The control of aeolian vibration has been a concern of overhead electrical transmission line designers for at least 50 years. Various techniques, including the use of vibration dampers, lower stringing tensions, and conductor reinforcement at support points, have been used to combat aeolian vibration and its effects. Unfortunately all of these approaches require the use of additional hardware and consequently add to the overall cost of the transmission line. Self-damping conductors (SDC), however, have been used in North America for approximately 20 years and have a proven history of providing effective and cost competitive control of aeolian vibration without the use of additional hardware. In addition to giving some background information on the causes, effects and conventional means of controlling aeolian vibration, the authors provide some details on the economic and technical advantages of SDC. Also, the results of experimental work comparing the stress-strain characteristics of ACSR and SDC are reported