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Title: The Integrity of ACSR Full Tension Splice Connector at Higher Operation Temperature

Journal Article · · IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. ORNL
  2. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
  3. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Due to the increase of power demand and lack of new infrastructure, existing overhead power transmission lines often need to operate at temperatures higher than the original design criteria. However, this had led to the accelerated aging and degradation of splice connectors, which has been manifested by the formation of hot-spots that have been revealed by infrared imaging during inspection. The implications of connector aging is two-fold: (1) significant increase in resistivity of the splice connector (i.e., less efficient transmission of electricity) and (2) significant reduction in the connector clamping strength, which ultimately results in separation of the power transmission line at the joint. Therefore, the splice connector has become the weakest link in the electric power transmission infrastructure. This paper presents a protocol of integrating analytical and experimental approaches for evaluating the integrity of a full tension single-stage splice connector assembly.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). High Temperature Materials Lab. (HTML)
Sponsoring Organization:
Work for Others (WFO)
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
933047
Journal Information:
IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 23, Issue 2; ISSN 0885-8977
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English