Conductor fatigue-life research. Final report

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6072451

Ramey, G E

This is the final report of Research Project RP 1278-1 sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute and carried out at the Civil Engineering Department of Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of reducing vibration amplitudes of ACSR conductors which had been minimally damaged by aeolian vibration. The aeolian vibration was simulated by mechanical means in a controlled laboratory situation and the reduction in vibration amplitudes was a simulation of the addition of amplitude limiting devices (dampers). Conductors were vibrated at high amplitudes until a predetermined number of strand breaks occurred, after which the vibration was continued at reduced amplitudes. Three different ACSB conductors were tested: 795 KCM 26/7, 795 KCM 45/7, and 397.5 KCM 26/7. These conductors were chosen to establish the effects of conductor size and stranding on the amplitude reduction tests. Two different amplitude reductions were used to establish a threshold value for a maximum reduced amplitude. Previous preliminary research by others indicated that amplitude reductions extended the working life of conductors. This research expanded the amplitude reduction values and conductor sizes and strandings tested. For each set of parameters, four duplicative tests were performed to give statistical credence to the data. The results of the investigation indicated that amplitude reductions arrested fatigue strand breakage in each case. Electric utilities can utilize the results of this EPRI project in assessing the fatigue life of minimally damaged transmisson lines and in evaluating techniques for mitigating fatigue damage.

• Research Organization: Auburn Univ., AL (USA). Engineering Experiment Station
• OSTI ID: 6072451
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EL-1946; ON: DE81904209
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200300* -- Electric Power Engineering-- Power Transmission & Distribution-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
AMPLITUDES
CABLES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
ELECTRIC CABLES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FAILURES
FATIGUE
FREQUENCY DEPENDENCE
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
OVERHEAD POWER TRANSMISSION
POWER TRANSMISSION
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
SIZE
TESTING
WIND