Q1Power System - I
Question
Q.1. Why all overhead lines use ACSR conductors?
Answer
ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced) conductors combine a lightweight, cheap, conductive aluminium outer layer with a strong steel core, giving the best strength-to-weight and cost-to-conductivity ratio for the long spans of overhead lines.
Overhead lines universally use ACSR conductors because they combine the desirable electrical property of aluminium (good conductivity at low weight and cost) with the mechanical strength of a central steel core, which bears most of the tensile load and allows longer spans between towers with acceptable sag — a combination neither pure aluminium (too weak) nor pure copper (too heavy/expensive) can match economically for the long, exposed spans typical of overhead transmission and distribution lines.