Mechanical characteristics related to fault currents in bundle conductors

Abstract

AbstractThe flow of fault currents in bundled conductors induces an electromagnetic attraction between subconductors and thereby the bus conductor system to an extremely high level of tension. This tension, which is the most important factor in designing the mechanical strength of the system, is determined by a large number of parameters—the magnitude of the fault current, the size and number of the subconductors, spacer interval, the spring of the structure, and so on.Full‐scale 63‐kA class fault current tests were carried out on eight types of bus conductors used in 275‐and 500‐kV subconductors, and measurements of fluctuation in tension were used to clarify the relationship between the various parameters and maximum tension at fault time.A method also was devised for calculating maximum tension at fault time on the basis of the various parameters, and it has been applied in the mechanical strength design of the bus conductor system.