Power Transmission and Distribution Solutions

2.5 Power Transmission Lines

ductor damage. The maximum working tensile stress should be limited to approximately 40 % of the rated tensile stress. Earth wires, also called shieldwire or earthwire, can protect a line against direct lightning strikes and improve system behavior in the event of short-circuits; therefore, lines with single-phase voltages of 110 kV and above are usually equipped with earth wires. Earth wires made of ACSR conductors with a sufciently high aluminum cross-section satisfy both requirements. Since the beginning of the 1990s, more and more earth wires for extra-high-voltage overhead power lines have been executed as optical earth wires (OPGW). This type of earth wire combines the functions just described for the typical earth wire with the additional facility for large data transfer capacity via optical bers that are integrated into the OPGW. Such data transfer is essential for the communication between two converter stations within an HVDC interconnection or for remote controlling of power stations. The OPGW in such a case becomes the major communication link within the interconnection. OPGW are mainly designed in one or more layers of aluminum alloy and/or aluminum-clad steel wires. One-layer designs are used in areas with low keraunic levels (small amount of possible lightning strikes per year) and small short-circuit levels. Selection of insulators Overhead line insulators are subject to electrical and mechanical stresses, because they have to isolate the conductors form potential to earth and must provide physical supports. Insulators must be capable of withstanding these stresses under all conditions encountered in a specic line. The electrical stresses result from: The steady-state operating power-frequency voltage (highest operation voltage of the system) Temporary overvoltages at power frequency Switching and lightning overvoltages Insulator types Various insulator designs are in use, depending on the requirements and the experience with certain insulator types: Cap-and-pin insulators (g. 2.5-14) are made of porcelain or pre-stressed glass. The individual units are connected by ttings of malleable cast iron or forged iron. The insulating bodies are not puncture-proof, which is the reason for a relatively high number of insulator failures. In Central Europe, long-rod insulators made from aluminous porcelain (g. 2.5-15) are most frequently adopted. These insulators are puncture-proof. Failures under operation are extremely rare. Long-rod insulators show superior behavior, especially in polluted areas. Because porcelain is a brittle material, porcelain long-rod insulators should be protected from bending loads by suitable ttings. Composite insulators are the third major type of insulator for overhead power line applications (g. 2.5-16). This insulator type provides superior performance and reliability, particularly because of improvements over the last 20 years, and has been in service for more than 30 years.
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Fig. 2.5-14: Cap-and-pin insulator (above) Fig. 2.5-15: Long-rod insulator with clevis caps

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HTV silicone rubber Epoxy-resin reinforced with ECR glass bers, (electrical grade corrosion resistant)

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4,520

Fig. 2.5-16: Glass ber reinforced composite insulator with ball and socket ttings (lapp insulator)

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Siemens Energy Sector Power Engineering Guide Edition 7.0

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