What is the Reason for Using ACSR Cable?

ACSR is a cable made of steel and aluminum wires stranded together. Aluminum conductors are lighter in weight than copper conductors for the same length and size. ACSR cables are widely used when laying overhead cables. Since the cable is completely suspended except for the ends, the weight of the cable must not be too heavy.

Introduction of ACSR

ACSR is called Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced, and according to the name, we can understand that the main materials of ACSR are aluminum and steel.

Aerial cables are only supported by towers in the air, and with high wind speeds, the cables need to be well stabilized.

The steel wire can effectively provide support for the cable. Aluminum conductors have poor electrical conductivity, but are only one-third the weight of copper, making it a very suitable conductor material for overhead cables.

ACSR Construction

ACSR cables have a simple construction and are bare conductors without insulation. An internal steel wire provides support and an external aluminum wire conducts the current.

There is no other outer sheath, shield, or insulation to protect it. It has certain requirements for air humidity and temperature.

The internal steel wire is generally tinned, which can isolate water vapor and oxygen. Prevent metal oxidation and improve corrosion resistance. Extend the service life.

Overhead cable generally transmits high-voltage electricity and power loss is inevitable in the transmission process. In order to reduce the loss of electrical energy, you can choose a cable with a larger cross-section.

The number of ACSR steel wires can be single, 7, 19. The higher number of steel wires can provide stronger support, and the number of aluminum wires can be increased to 6, 26, 54, and 84.

Increase the cross-sectional area of the cable and reduce the loss. Also can withstand higher currents.

Advantages and Disadvantages of ACSR

Low Resistance

At the same cross-section, the resistivity of the steel-core aluminum strand is smaller than that of the pure steel strand. This reduces energy loss during the transmission of high-voltage power.

Aluminum material is lighter than steel material, and steel core aluminum stranded wire weighs less than pure steel wire. Reduce the circuit load.

Mechanical Strength

Steel core aluminum stranded wire has an aluminum conductor in the outer layer and a high-strength steel core in the inner layer. This design structure improves the mechanical properties of steel core aluminum stranded wire.

It has stronger wind resistance and drooping resistance than aluminum-stranded wire. It can better guarantee the safe operation of the circuit.

Lightweight

Under the same specification size, the weight of aluminum is only about one-third of the weight of copper. It has the advantage of being lightweight in the transmission process.

Reduces the stress on towers during the laying of overhead lines. Lower drop heights.

Good mechanical strength and lightweight characteristics. Favorable for laying cables across mountains, canyons, rivers, and other special geographic environments.

Recyclable

Aluminum, like copper, discarded aluminum conductors can be recycled and processed for secondary use. And the recycled aluminum will not have the performance on the weakening.

It has the same properties as newly produced aluminum conductors. Recycling aluminum saves on mining costs and conserves natural resources.

Poor Corrosion Resistance

Aluminum is an active metal and is susceptible to chemical reactions

When aluminum comes in contact with other metals, galvanic corrosion occurs. Damage is caused by aluminum.

In air, a dense film of aluminum oxide is formed on the surface of aluminum. Aluminum oxide does not have good electrical conductivity. Affects power transmission.

Low Electrical Conductivity

The common cable conductor today is copper. Copper is second only to silver in electrical conductivity and has excellent electrical conductivity. The conductivity of aluminum conductors is 60% of the conductivity of copper conductors. There will be greater resistance to current and higher losses during power transmission.

Usage Scenarios of ACSR

Steel core aluminum stranded wire is mainly used in some high-voltage lines. When the line can not be separated from multiple lines. You can use steel core aluminum stranded wire to use one line as multiple lines.

Four or six steel core aluminum stranded wires are erected on the tower, this way is called the same tower erected.

ACSR has excellent mechanical properties and is lightweight. It can provide good tensile strength and increase the erection distance of the supporting tower. It is widely used in the erection of overhead lines of various voltage levels.

ACSR is often used in electrified railroads for power supply lines. steel-core aluminum stranded wire provides stable power transmission and high strength to cope with the vibration and wind pressure of high-speed trains.

Steel-core aluminum strands are also suitable for power supply in construction and industry, such as large buildings, factories, and mining sites.

In urban construction. Steel core aluminum stranded wire is widely used in the construction of lines for street lights, traffic signals, and other facilities. It has good electrical and mechanical properties. It can meet the requirements of urban construction for lines.

Aluminum conductor cables similar to ACSR are also AAC, and AAAC. are widely used in various industries.

With the construction of large-span power grid infrastructure, ACSR will be more widely used.