Reduction of static strain for increased life of transmission line conductors

Abstract

Fatigue failures of transmission line conductors are known to occur close to the suspension clamps. The causes of such failures are known to be due to high static stresses combined with dynamic stresses resulting from vibration. The overall stress in the aluminium strands of a conductor could be limited by reducing the static bending stress near the clamps. Passive protective devices such as neoprene lining, damping shims introduced in the suspension clamps would bring down the stress level, thereby increasing the service life of conductors. Results of tests conducted on a laboratory span are brought out in this paper. The experimental results reveal that neoprene lining and damping shims introduced in the suspension clamp would be very effective in bringing down the static bending stress and thus the overall stress level.