HTLS is about increased private participation in power generation & distribution in India, alongside that of public sector, there is a robust demand for bare overhead power conductors. The challenges faced by the transmission companies are to accommodate the necessary generated power over their network. This can be accomplished by laying extra lines – which is an expensive proposition or resources can be used for re-conducting by HTLS conductors, which can increase the power transmission capacity. Indian transmission companies including utilities are adopting HTLS conductors. However, at present, for independent testing, the manufacturers have to go abroad. It is, therefore, planned to set-up test laboratory for HTLS conductors at ERDA. Once this facility is created at ERDA, manufacturers and users will be able to carry out complete type and acceptance tests under one roof at ERDA as per latest international / national standards.
Facilities are being installed with specifications like,
Power Grid specification II
Draft of IEEE standard P####/D1.0, January 2009.
CIGRE report No. 426 on guide for qualifying High temperature conductor for use on overhead transmission lines.
There are several ways to evaluate HTLS conductors, few examples are;
Conductor composed of a steel core and an envelope for which the high temperature effect is controlled by means of thermal resistant aluminium alloy (GAP, TAL[Thermal Alloy Conductor Steel Reinforced]; ZTAL[ Ultra Thermal Resistant]
Conductor composed of a steel core and enveloped for which the high temperature effects are controlled by means of annealed aluminium or aluminium alloy ( e.g. ACSS)
Conductors composed of non- metallic core, and an envelope for which the high temperature effect are controlled by means of thermal resistant aluminium alloy (e.g. ACCR)
Conductor composed of a non – metallic core are controlled by and an envelope for which the high temperature effect are controlled by means of annealed aluminium or aluminium alloys ( e.g. ACCC)
Thermal Aluminium Conductor Invar Reinforced ( e.g. TACIR)
Tests to be carried out on HTLS conductors –
1. On complete Conductor
DC Resistance Test
UTS test
Stress- Strain Test conductor and core at room temperature
Stress-Strain Test on conductor and core at elevated temperature
High temperature endurance & creep test
Conductor Thermal Expansion Test
Sheaves Test
Axial Impact Test
Radial Crush Test
Torsional Ductility Test
Aeolian Vibration Test
Temperature Cycle Test
2 On Conductor Strand/core
Bending Test
Coefficient of Linear Expansion
Strand Brittle Fracture Test
Torsion and Elongation Tests
Glass Transition Temperature Test
Flexural Strength Test
Salt Spray Test