Vibration damping required for overhead lines

Transmission line engineers have sought an easy method for evaluating if external dampers are required on any new transmission line. In the past this question has been given to the damper manufacturer who has a vested interest in a affirmative answer. For single conductors (and for bundled conductors) the vibration level of a power line conductor is the result of a complicated aerodynamic process in which energy is taken into the motion from vortex action on the lee side of the conductor. The amount of energy taken in is a nonlinear function of vibration amplitude, frequency, conductor diameter, and wind speed. The amount of energy taken out is a nonlinear function of vibration amplitude, frequency, conductor mass, conductor tension, and a certain friction constant that varies from conductor to conductor. It is known that a small amount of vibration is allowed without endangering the conductor. This has been called the IEEE limit loop velocity, and is numerically equal to 200 mm/second. This paper explains a simple procedure, applicable to single conductors, which calculates a comparison of energy in vs. energy out. From this process it is shown how to select the initial tension in the conductor so that no external dampers are required