Overhead Line Aluminium Conductors - AAC AAAC ACSR ABC

Overhead Line Aluminium Conductors - AAC AAAC ACSR ABC

Overhead Line wires, whether bare conductors or insulated cables, provide an aerial route for the transmission and distribution of power.

Overhead lines, sometimes referred to as Aerial conductors, are often specified where there is significant distances to cover and where these cables are best positioned far out of reach.

The main classifications of bare conductor are AAC (All Aluminium Conductor), AAAC (All Aluminium Alloy Conductor) or ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced). AAC is most commonly found in urban areas with frequent supports and short spans.

Also within the family of Overhead Lines are Aerial Bundle Cables. These low voltage and medium voltage cables, abbreviated as ABC, are wrapped in insulation, with the medium voltage variants also having an outer sheath. 

AAC– All Aluminium Conductor

AAC are a refined Aluminium stranded conductor with a minimum metal purity of 99.7%. It is principally used in urban areas where spacing is short and the supports are close. It can be used in coastal regions owing to its high degree of corrosion resistance and is also used extensively within the Railway and Metro industries.

AAAC- All Aluminium Alloy Conductor

AAAC are used as a bare conductor cable on aerial circuits that require a larger mechanical resistance than the AAC and a better corrosion resistance than the ACSR. The sag characteristics and the strength-to-weight ratio of the AAAC conductor cable is better than both AAC and ACSR.

ACSR- Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced

ACSR are available in a range of steel contents ranging from 6% to 40% for additional strength. The higher strength ACSR conductors are commonly used for river crossings, overhead earth wires, and installations involving extra-long spans. The ACSR conductor can, against any given resistance, be manufactured to different tensile strengths, so a high tensile strength combined with its lightweight properties means it can cover longer distances with fewer supports. Due to the greater diameter of the ACSR conductor, a much higher corona limit can be obtained which is advantageous on high and extra high voltage overhead lines.

LOW VOLTAGE ABC

Our Low Voltage ABC are manufactured in accordance with a range of national standards - British standard BS7870, French standard NF C33 209, Australasian standard AS/NZS 3560 Part 1, and IEC standards IEC 60502-1, TNB Specification. They have a voltage rating of 0.6/1kV. With the insulation it also meets Class II according to IEC 61140 in protecting against electric shock. Aerial Bundle Cables have an operating temperature range of -40oC to +80oC and can be installed in temperatures as low as -20oC. These ABC are unscreened and without an additional outer sheath.The LV ABC have both phase conductors and a neutral conductor - both Class 2 stranded Aluminium - with core identification being provided by ribs on the insulation

MEDIUM VOLTAGE ABC

We also supply Medium Voltage Aerial Bundle Cables, in voltages of 6.35/11kV,  12.7/22kV and 19/33kV. Manufactured in accordance with IEC 60502-2, we also have variants made specifically to Australian and New Zealand standards AS/NZS 3599 Part 1. In addition to the XLPE insulation, these higher voltage cables are sheathed with High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). They are available with and without additional screening, in light and heavy duty copper wire or tape, depending on the installation parameters and requirements.