AL-LIN-50002 - 2009-Oct-27 - Rev3

Transmission Lines, Asset Management
Standard No.
ENGINEERING STANDARD AL-LIN-50002
Design Philosophy for Determination of Right-Of-Way
Width Page 2 of 25
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction...................................................................................... 3
2.0 Factors Influencing Right-Of-Way Width ....................................... 3
2.1 Risk and Right-of-Way Widths ....................................................................... 3
2.2 Conductor Swing ............................................................................................ 4
2.2.1 General ........................................................................................................ 4
2.2.2 Allowable Swing for Right-of-Way ............................................................... 5
2.2.3 Legal Minimum Requirements ..................................................................... 6
2.2.4 Five Year Return Period Criterion ................................................................ 9
2.3 Vegetation and Tree Falling Considerations .............................................. 10
2.3.1 Clearance to Windbreaks and Shelter Belts .............................................. 10
2.3.2 Design of VCE Width for Tree Falling ........................................................ 11
2.4 Construction and Maintenance Considerations ......................................... 13
2.5 Parallel Circuit Separation ........................................................................... 14
2.5.1 Conductor Swing ....................................................................................... 15
2.5.2 Legal Minimums ........................................................................................ 16
2.5.3 Maintenance Considerations ..................................................................... 18
2.5.4 Tower Fall Over ......................................................................................... 18
2.6 Other Considerations ................................................................................... 19
2.6.1 Electrical Effects ........................................................................................ 19
2.6.2 GPR Protection and Pipeline Coordination ................................................ 19
3.0 References ..................................................................................... 21
4.0 Sample Calculation ........................................................................ 22
4.1 Hardware Configuration ............................................................................... 22
4.1.1 Length of Insulator Hardware .................................................................... 22
4.2 Conductor Specifications & Sag ................................................................. 22
4.3 Legal Minimum Requirements (Section 2.2.3) ............................................ 23
4.4 Return Period Gust Criterion (Section 2.2.4) .............................................. 23
4.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................... 25
5.0 AltaLink’s Right-of-Way Calculator .............................................. 25
6.0 Conductor Sag Criteria.................................................................. 25
Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

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1.0 Introduction
This document is intended to provide guidelines and criteria for consideration when determining
right-of-way widths. Right-of-way selection, to a large extent, is a risk decision that properly
belongs with each TFO individually. AltaLink’s philosophy is to strategically minimize right-of-
way requirements and landowner impacts associated with new facilities while maintaining all
technical codes and performance requirements (e.g., safe working, swing out, electric field,
induction, etc.). It must be recognized that there is always a degree of risk that drives right-of-
way sizing.
This design philosophy shall be used for determining all right-of-way widths for AltaLink
transmission line facilities. It should be followed by all personnel involved with design,
construction, and maintenance of transmission lines for AltaLink.
2.0 Factors Influencing Right-Of-Way Width

2.1 Risk and Right-of-Way Widths
The criterion used to determine right-of-way widths must always be assessed against risk. The
question must be asked: Why are the criterions being used and what risks are being managed.
While legal minimums must always be met, additional criterions are used to manage the risk of
energized conductor blowing out beyond the right-of-way edge and creating a situation where
the public is in danger of flashover. In or near urban areas AltaLink will generally take less risk
due to potential development and encroachments near our right-of-ways. The criterion used by
AltaLink to determine right-of-way widths allows development up to the edge of right-of-way
without the risk of the conductor flashing over during full swing out conditions. In rural areas
AltaLink may be more willing to secure narrower right-of-ways to minimize the impact on
landowners.
When assessing risk, the right-of-way designer must consider that AltaLink transmission
structures are designed to accommodate insulator and conductor swings for a maximum wind
gust of a 5 year return period. This means that if a wind return period greater than 5 years is
used (e.g., 50yr or 100 yr) for determining right-of-way widths, the conductor may be de-
energized when in its fully swung out position, therefore reducing the risk of flash over to
objects adjacent to the right-of-way (note: this may not be the case with double circuit lines
where one circuit is free to swing away from the tower). 5 year return period wind gusts are
typical industry criterion and should be used for determining right-of-way widths at AltaLink.
Other areas to consider are Transportation Utility Corridors where AltaLink’s transmission lines
will be paralleling other right-of-ways (e.g., pipelines). The risk associated with the conductor
swinging out over a pipeline’s right-of-way during a high wind event is much different than the
risk associated with the conductor swinging out over the edge of right-of-way in urban areas.
AltaLink may decide to allow the conductor to swing out over a pipeline’s right-of-way only
after consideration is made in assessing the risk and is strictly on a case by case basis. In these

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situations further consideration must be made regarding maintenance and construction practices
for both the pipeline owner and AltaLink.
AltaLink’s philosophy is to maintain all conductors within the right-of-way (where practicable)
with the applicable assessment of risk, swing criterion, clearances and safety factors set out in
this document.
2.2 Conductor Swing

2.2.1 General
The conductor of a transmission line is exposed to a wide variety of loadings throughout its
operation. Transverse loadings may result from wind and/or line deflection angles. These loads
will cause the conductor and any suspension hardware to swing horizontally from their normal,
“at rest” position (see Figure 2-1). The term “fully swung” is defined as the greatest horizontal
displacement (resulting from line angle and wind pressure) of any point on a conductor from its
position at rest. Maximum swing includes the deflection of insulators that are free to swing.
[10]
Figure 2-1 - Conductor Swing-out

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Where lines are constructed along road allowance, the following easements may be obtained by
AltaLink when circumstances warrant:
− 10 - 15 meter access easement for construction and maintenance of the line, and
− Overhang easements to guarantee the conductor cannot swing beyond the boundary of the
right-of-way.
To ensure safe operation of the transmission line, the designer must allow for possible horizontal
movement of the conductor toward obstacles which may be nearby. They must also consider the
nature and potential hazards created by this event as well as legal requirements of the Alberta
Electrical Utility Code (AEUC).
Early planning and design of the transmission line facility must take this horizontal swing into
account. The consequence of a right-of-way with a constrained width can have substantial
economic impact to line construction projects by limiting the conductor spans to uneconomical
lengths, or requiring uneconomical structure configurations to maintain necessary electrical
clearances.
AltaLink requires the application of two criterions to determine conductor swing for the purposes
of designing right-of-way width:
i. AEUC/CSA requirements
ii. 5 year gust swing out
The AEUC/CSA requirements are legal minimums which must be maintained under the Alberta
Safety Codes Act. The 5 year return period swing out criterion may be used depending on the
location of the line, the risk associated with development at right-of-way edge, and voltage class
of the line. A typical example for using the 5 year gust criterion may be when the transmission
line is located in a Transportation Utility Corridor (TUC) or when longer spans are considered.
The designer must document the risk decisions backing the reasoning for using the 5 year gust
criterion (example: located in TUC). In all cases the right-of-way width shall meet or exceed the
minimum legal requirements.
2.2.2 Allowable Swing for Right-of-Way

AltaLink transmission right-of-way widths will be determined on the basis of Full Span Swing-
out. Conductor sags used for computing swing-out should be based upon a probable maximum
span length for the line, not the average span length. Of course, common sense must be applied.
If there are only one or a few spans which are considerably longer than any others on the line,
then it may be more effective to make special considerations at those locations without impacting
right-of-way width for the rest of the line.

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High wind areas, mountainous and heavily rolling areas are typically where special
considerations should be made. When estimating ruling span lengths in these areas, common
sense should be taken when assessing the probable maximum span lengths.
In the absence of better information, for typical construction in Alberta, the maximum span for
computing right-of-way width may be approximated as:
Figure 2-2 - Conductor Swing to Determine Right-of-Way Width
2.2.3 Legal Minimum Requirements

The minimum legal requirement for determining a right-of-way width can be defined using the
AEUC and CAN/CSA C22-3 No.1 – “Overhead Systems”.
The minimum legal required right-of-way is given by:

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where,
ROWWidth – Minimum legal required right-of-way width

W1 – distance from center line of ROW to outer most phase
W2 – horizontal deviation of conductor as defined by CSA C22.3 No.1-06 - Clause 5.2.7
F – horizontal electrical clearance required by Table 2-1 (AEUC 2007)
See Figure 2-2 for an illustration of these parameters.
The Alberta Safety Codes Act requires, via the AEUC, that horizontal clearances be maintained
to objects adjacent to the transmission line right-of-way. These clearance values can be found in
Table 2-1. AltaLink requires a safety factor of 600mm be added to account for minor errors in
the placement of the transmission structure.
Table 2-1 - Minimum Design Clearance from Wires and Conductors Not Attached to Buildings, Signs, and
Similar Plant including AltaLink’s safety factor of 600mm(AEUC 2007 Table 9 + 600mm)
Maximum
Nominal Voltage Minimum clearance in any direction between
Operating Phase to
Phase to Phase conductors of one line and structures of another line
Ground Voltage
(kV) (mm)
(kV)
25 15.9 3600
69 43.9 3820
138 87.7 4260
240 152.5 4910
500 317.6 6560
Notes:
1. Voltages listed are nominal phase to phase operating voltages.
2. For parallel circuits less than 25kV phase-to-phase (14.4kV phase-to-ground) they must meet 25kV requirements.
3. The clearances above are calculated using the Alberta Electrical Utility Code 2007 Table 9 plus a 600mm safety factor and
assuming the line to be operating 10% above nominal voltage level. AEUC Table 9 requires the following clearances: (Voltages
are listed as rms line to ground)
> 7.5kV ≤ 22kV – 3000mm
>22kV– 3000 + 10mm/ kV over 22kV
Example:
240kV– Max Operating for 240kV x 1.1 = 264kV
264/√3=152.4kV - rms line to ground voltage
Clearance requirement for 152.4kV is 3000mm + [(152.4-22) x 10mm] ≈ 4310mm + 600mm safety factor = 4910mm
The maximum horizontal deviation as defined in CSA-C22-3 No.1-06 Clause 5.2.7 shall be used
for determining the minimum legal requirement. For the purpose of determining conductor
swing, the sag of the maximum span shall be taken as the final unloaded sag at a conductor
temperature of 40°C (see Section 6.0 for detailed conductor sag criteria to be used with this

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standard). Where suspension insulators that are not restrained from swinging transversely are
used, the length of the insulator string shall be added to the conductor sag. [10]
CSA defines the maximum horizontal deviation as:
where,
W2 – maximum horizontal deviation

CSAfactor – extrapolated from Figure 2-3 based on d/w and the non-sheltered span curve
S – final unloaded max span sag of conductor at 40°C (see Section 6.0 for sag criteria)
L – length of insulator string and hardware free to swing
d – diameter of conductor, mm
w – mass per unit length, kg/m
Figure 2-3 - C22-3 No. 1-06 - Table 1 Wire and conductor swing for horizontal design clearance

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2.2.4 Five Year Return Period Criterion

The return period wind gust is an AltaLink criterion used to determine right-of-way width for
transmission facilities. This condition often exceeds the minimum legal clearances of the
CSA/AEUC and enhances the reliability of the system transmission, particularly where higher
voltages and longer spans are considered. The return period method of determining right-of-way
widths makes use of AltaLink’s AL-LIN-20005 – “Minimum Air Gaps” and AL-LIN-20006 –
“Insulator Swing” standards. Where span reduction factors are used to calculate structural loads
for high wind conditions, the same reduction factors may be used to calculate the effective wind
pressure used for conductor blow out.
The return period criterion right-of-way is given by:
where,
ROWWidth – Return Period required right-of-way width

W2 – horizontal deviation of conductor as defined by AL-LIN-20006 – “Insulator Swing”
F – High Wind electrical clearance required by AL-LIN-20005 – Table 2-1 + 0.3m
See Figure 2-2 for an illustration of these parameters.
Return period gust winds can be found using the wind pressure map which accompanies AL-
LIN-20006 for five year gusts.
Conductor swing out is calculated using the insulator swing method outlined in AL-LIN-20006
for the designated wind pressure. The sag at the point under consideration shall be taken as the
ten year final creep sag at a conductor temperature of 4°C with 650 Pa of wind pressure acting on
the conductor (see Section 6.0 for detailed conductor sag criteria to be used with this standard).
Where suspension insulators that are not restrained from swinging transversely are used, the
length of the insulator string and hardware shall be added to the conductor sag.
AltaLink defines the maximum horizontal deviation as:
where,
W2 – maximum horizontal deviation

S – final 10 year creep sag of conductor at 4°C with 650 Pa of wind (see Section 6.0 for sag criteria)
L – length of insulator string and hardware free to swing
φ – conductor swing angle calculated using AL-LIN-20006

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H – Horizontal (Transverse) forces acting on conductor

V – Vertical forces acting on conductor
WH – Weight of Insulator and Suspended Hardware
For further explanation of the forces listed above see AL-LIN-20006
Where the conductor is supported by line posts, V-string configuration, or is dead ended, the
length of insulator is taken as zero. However, any hanging hardware which is free to swing must
be included.
In conjunction with the 5year return period swing-out, the High Wind flashover values from AL-
LIN-20005 – “Minimum Air Gaps” - Table 2-1 are to be used. A minimum safety factor of
300mm is required to be added to the minimum air gaps when determining right-of-way widths
for AltaLink facilities.
2.3 Vegetation and Tree Falling Considerations

2.3.1 Clearance to Windbreaks and Shelter Belts
AltaLink’s philosophy is to maintain a ‘tree-free’ right-of-way. All ‘danger trees’ outside the
right-of-way should be removed, preferably through a Vegetation Control Easement (VCE) or by
an ‘All Danger Trees are to be Removed’ clause. It is AltaLink’s normal practice to avoid
locating transmission lines adjacent to shelter belts, windbreaks, or buildings belonging to rural
residents. Unfortunately, it is not always practical to locate the line to avoid such areas, and this
requires special design considerations to address site-specific problems.
Since it is not normally possible to arrange for complete tree clearing where shelter belts are
concerned, the following conductor swing criteria are to be applied:
− AEUC Clause 10-002 (2) Tree Trimming
− Conductor Swing as detailed in Section 2.2.3
The more stringent of the two conditions will govern. The return period criterion is not generally
applied to shelter belts, nor are tree falling clearances typically obtained.

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2.3.2 Design of VCE Width for Tree Falling

In addition to considering conductor swing towards obstacles at the edge of the transmission line
right-of-way, it is AltaLink’s practice to consider the event of a tree falling towards the
transmission line. Operating experience in areas where tree cutting has been prohibited or
severely restricted (e.g., national parks) shows a higher frequency of outages related to falling
trees impacting or flashing to transmission lines. This also increases danger to the surrounding
forest in the event of a fire resulting from the transmission line contact with a tree.
While consideration of tree falling clearances may not impact the basic transmission line right-
of-way, it is standard practice to obtain an additional VCE beyond the boundaries of the line
right-of-way easement to deal with trees which could conceivably fall and pass within a
flashover distance to energized conductors (see Figure 2-4).
Figure 2-4 - Requirements for Vegetation Control Easements

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Width of VCE is defined by:
where,
VCEWidth – Vegetation Control Easement Width

θ – critical angle of approach for tree and conductor
HS – height of support of conductor
W2 – horizontal clearance for tree falling
F – High Wind Clearance from AL-LIN-20005 – Table 2-1
S – final unloaded sag of conductor at 100°C (see Section 6.0 for sag criteria)
T - allowance for tree growth from Table 2-2
The conductor is always assumed to be operated at its maximum temperature, at rest position for
computing VCE width. In the absence of design or other known thermal limits, this should be at
100°C, 10 year final creep, unloaded sag (see Section 6.0 for detailed conductor sag criteria to be
used with this standard).
For purposes of determining the VCE width, tree height is determined as an “average maximum”
tree height – it should not be set by the tallest tree in the forest. Individual trees outside the VCE
can be removed on a negotiated basis if defined as a “danger tree” based on the previous tree
falling computation. This is typically more economical and has reduced environmental impact
over sizing the VCE for the tallest group of trees on the transmission line route.
AltaLink generally assumes that tree growth will vary depending on the maturity of the forest
canopy. Shorter trees often imply a less mature forest. On that basis, AltaLink applies growth
factors that are to be applied to trees depending on their average height as shown in Table 2-2.
These factors are intended to allow for inaccuracies in determining average tree height and to
allow a reasonable margin for tree growth between brushing operations.

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Table 2-2 - Growth Allowance for Forest Canopy
Tree Height Growth Allowance (m)
8 to 12 m 4.0
12 to 16 m 3.5
16 to 18 m 3.0
18 to 24 m 2.0
24 to 30 m 1.0
These growth factors are meant to be applied to general forest canopy, not to individual trees.
In using tree falling clearances to determine VCE width, a level ground surface is to be assumed.
The separate process of “danger tree” identification will deal with specific areas where side slope
may be a significant clearance factor.
2.4 Construction and Maintenance Considerations

In addition to electrical clearances, practical space limitations must be considered to facilitate
construction on the right-of-way. There must be sufficient area for construction personnel and
equipment to maneuver around partially completed transmission structures without crossing
boundaries of the defined right-of-way. This also includes permanent access for maintenance
activities such as crane set-up, subsequent to project completion.
This concern is illustrated by Figure 2-5, where a 240kV tower is shown laid out on a typical
240kV right-of-way. A minimum passageway of 3.66 meters must be allowed to permit
movement of personnel and equipment around transmission structures which have been framed
but not erected. Typically transmission structures would be placed as follows:
− Single Pole Structures: Framed to one side of the right-of-way centerline. Center of
working area is adjacent to the setting location.
− H-Frame Structures: Framed on the right-of-way centerline. Pole bases are longitudinally
adjacent to their setting location.
− Towers: Placed on an angle across the footing location for ease of crane location and
erection. See Figure 2-5 for a typical double circuit tower configuration.
Structure framing and required working space for transmission structures should be reviewed
with experienced line construction personnel to ensure that right-of-way boundaries proposed on
the basis of conductor swing provide sufficient space for their operations.
Other barriers on the right-of-way (e.g., water, embankments, muskeg, etc.) need to be
considered during the line layout phase of design. If these prevent travel around structure
working sites, then alternative access points will need to be arranged. Off right-of-way access
can be difficult and/or expensive to obtain if left until construction is under way.

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Figure 2-5 - Typical Tower Construction on Right-Of-Way
2.5 Parallel Circuit Separation

It is often convenient to site new transmission lines adjacent to existing lines. This typically
allows for compaction of the combined rights-of-way and usually is a more politically favorable
option in the line routing process.
There are some special considerations which must be addressed in setting the circuit-to-circuit
separation distances:
− Conductor Swing
− Legal Requirements of CSA and ECUC
− Maintenance considerations
− Tower fall over distance

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2.5.1 Conductor Swing

The 5 year gust return period criterion for conductor swing is applied to circuit separation in the
same manner discussed in Section 2.2.4. The general concept is illustrated in Figure 2-6.
Figure 2-6 - Circuit to Circuit Clearance Using Conductor Swing
The conductor of the up-wind circuit is considered in a fully swung position while the conductor
of the leeward circuit is considered in an at rest position. Circuit-to-circuit flashover clearances
must be maintained as shown in Table 2-3. AltaLink includes an additional 300mm safety factor
in the flashover distance to allow for errors in placement of structure.
Winds from both sides must be considered. One circuit usually swings further than the other,
and that will govern the required circuit spacing.

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Table 2-3 - Circuit to Circuit Flashover Distances (mm) for return period gusts (safety factor of 300mm
included)
Stationary Circuit (kV)
500 240 138 69 25
500 4970 4080 3740 3500 3350

Swinging Circuit (kV)
240 4080 2750 2400 2160 2010
138 3740 2400 1560 1410 1310
69 3500 2160 1410 1090 990
25 3350 2010 1310 990 590
Notes:
3. The clearances above are calculated using the CSA C22.3 No.1-06 – Overhead Systems recommendation of 2.54mm/kVcrest for
voltages up to 500kV and 3.81mm/kVcrest for voltages above 500kV. Both circuits were assumed to be operating at a maximum
operating voltage of 10% above nominal. The higher voltage circuit also included a switching overvoltage. Switching
overvoltages used are those recommended in the CSA C22.3 No.1-06. 240kV – 2.75pu, 138kV – 3.0pu, 69kV- 4.0pu, 25kV –
4.0pu. An additional 300mm was added to as a safety factor.
Example:
240kV to 138kV – CSA switching overvoltage for 240kV is 2.75pu – Max Operating is 240kV x 1.1 = 264kV
264/√3=152.4kV x (√2 x 2.75) = 592.8kV switching surge crest (peak) voltage
138/√3=79.67kV x (1.414 x 1.1) = 123.9kV crest (peak) voltage
Therefore, 592.8kV + 123.9kV = 716.7kv
Clearance requirement for 716.7kV is 2.54mm/kv for first 500kv + 3.81mm/kv for greater than 500kv
= (2.54mm x 500) + (3.81mm x 216.7) ≈ 2100mm + 300mm safety factor = 2400mm
2.5.2 Legal Minimums

The AEUC via the CSA code also contains restrictions on circuit spacing which often govern
parallel right-of-way widths. They include conductor to support structures and conductor to
conductor clearance restrictions. These represent minimum legal requirements which must be
maintained on all AltaLink transmission facilities.
2.5.2.1 Clearance between Conductors of One Line and Support Structures of

Another
AEUC via the CSA Clause 5.8.3 requires that the minimum clearances in any direction between
conductors of one line and structures of another line, where conductors are not attached to the
supporting structure of the second line, shall be as specified in Table 2-4. AltaLink includes an
additional 600mm safety factor in the flashover distance to allow for errors in placement of

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structure. The conductor is considered to be in a position of swing, as specified in CSA Clause

5.2.7 (Outlined in Section 2.2.3).
Table 2-4 - Minimum design clearance between conductors of one line and supporting structures of another
line including AltaLink’s 600mm safety factor(CSA C22.3 No.1-06 - Table 16 + 600mm)
Maximum
Nominal Voltage Minimum clearance in any direction between
Operating Phase to
Phase to Phase conductors of one line and structures of another line
Ground Voltage
(kV) (mm)
(kV)
25 15.9 1600
69 43.9 1600
138 87.7 1980
240 152.5 2630
500 317.6 4280
Notes:
6. The clearances above are calculated using the CSA C22.3 No.1-06 – “Overhead Systems” Clause 5.8.3 and CSA Table 16 plus a
600mm safety factor and assuming the line to be operating 10% above nominal voltage level. CSA Table 15 requires the following
clearances: (Voltages are listed as rms line to ground)
> 5kV ≤ 22kV – 1000mm wherever practicable, but in no case less than 500
>22kV ≤ 50kV – 1000mm
> 50kV – 1000 + 10mm/ kV over 50kV
Example:
240kV– Max Operating for 240kV x 1.1 = 264kV
Clearance requirement for 152.4kV is 1000mm + [(152.4-50) x 10mm] ≈ 2030mm + 600mm safety factor = 2630mm
2.5.2.2 Clearance between Conductors of One Line to Conductors of another

Line
AEUC via the CSA Clause 5.8.2 specifies where conductors are supported by different structures
but do not cross each other, they shall have a minimum horizontal clearances specified in Table
2-5 with the conductor displacement calculated in accordance with the following:
i. where the conductor of one line is free to swing so that it approaches the conductor of a
second line at a point where this conductor is not free to move (e.g., a structure of one
line near the midspan position of the second line), the conductor displacement at midspan
shall be calculated in accordance with CSA Clause 5.2.7 (outlined in Section 2.2.3); and
ii. where lines run alongside each other and the adjacent conductors are free to approach one
another, the conductor of the line having the greater sag shall be considered to be
displaced one-half the distance calculated in accordance with CSA Clause 5.2.7 (outlined
in Section 2.2.3), and the conductor of the second line shall be considered at rest.
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Table 2-5 - Clearance requirements to be added to horizontal displacement plus AltaLink’s 600mm safety
factor (CSA C22.3 No.1-06 - Table 15 + 600mm)
Stationary Circuit (kV)
500 240 138 69 25
500 7250 5600 4950 4510 4230

Swinging Circuit (kV)
240 5600 3950 3300 2860 2580
138 4950 3300 2650 2210 1930
69 4510 2860 2210 1770 1490
25 4230 2580 1930 1490 1220
Notes:
3. The clearances above are calculated using the CSA C22.3 No.1-06 – “Overhead Systems” Clause 5.8.2 and CSA Table 15 plus a
600mm safety factor and assuming both lines are operated 10% above nominal. CSA Table 15 requires the following clearances:
(Voltages are sum of rms line to ground)
> 750V – 300 + 10mm/ kV over 750V
Example:
New 240kVline paralleling an existing 240kV line– Max Operating for 240kV x 1.1 = 264kV
Sum of two lines is 152.4kV + 152.4kV = 304.8kV
Clearance requirement for 304.8kV is 300mm + [(304.8-0.75) x 10mm] ≈ 3350mm + 600mm safety factor = 3950mm
2.5.3 Maintenance Considerations

In determining the location of adjacent circuits, it is imperative to consider how the lines will be
maintained, and if normal maintenance practices will be compromised by the line proximities.
As well, permanent access (berms) should be obtained over pipelines.
Experienced maintenance personnel should be consulted any time parallel circuits are
contemplated to ensure that sufficient access space is provided between the circuits.
2.5.4 Tower Fall Over

When a 500 kV alternating current or +/- 500 kV high voltage direct current transmission line is
located in a corridor with any other 500 kV alternating current or +/- 500 kV high voltage direct
current transmission line, or with one of a lower voltage, then the spacing between all such
transmission lines must meet the following minimum requirements for tower fall over:
(a) the spacing must be such that, if the structures of the lower voltage transmission line
fail and fall toward a 500 kV alternating current or +/- 500 kV high voltage direct

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current transmission line, then neither the structures nor wires of the failed lower
voltage transmission line will come into contact with the structures or wires of the
500 kV alternating current or +/- 500 kV high voltage direct current transmission line;
(b) where two (2) or more 500 kV alternating current or +/- 500 kV high voltage direct
current transmission lines are located in a common right of way, the spacing must be
such that, if the structures of any one (1) 500 kV alternating current or +/- 500 kV
high voltage direct current transmission line fail and fall toward another 500 kV
alternating current or +/- 500 kV high voltage direct current transmission line, then
neither the structures nor wires of the failed transmission line will come into contact
with the structures or wires of any adjacent 500 kV alternating current or +/- 500 kV
high voltage direct current transmission line.
Where the failed structure referenced in subsections 2.5.4 (a) or (b) is a lattice tower, the
structure may be assumed to fail at the waist if analysis indicates this will be the point of failure
under high wind and combined wet snow and wind loadings. Towers that will fail at the waist
include L, LL, and M. For information on additional towers contact AltaLink Asset
Management.
2.6 Other Considerations

2.6.1 Electrical Effects
Electrical effects are not normally a consideration for right-of-way planning at 240kV and below.
At these voltage levels, easement widths are typically governed by conductor swing and tree
falling. However, above 240kV, electrical effects may play a determining role in allocating
easement widths and ground clearance for conductors.
− AltaLink follows industry exposure guidelines for electric and magnetic fields at the edge
of the right-of-way. (ICNIRP, IEEE)
− AltaLink complies with applicable noise guidelines (AUC Rule 012, local noise bylaws)
at the most impacted resident.
− Radio noise is limited by the Radio communications act, CAN3-C108.3.1 These values
are to be maintained for AltaLink facilities. While this may govern some aspects of the
line design, it will not affect right-of-way width.
2.6.2 GPR Protection and Pipeline Coordination

A GPR study should be conducted for all new AltaLink transmission facilities located in urban
or transition areas to examine the potential for unsafe step or touch potential levels at the right-
of-way boundaries. Ideally, the right-of-way will be designed with sufficient width to limit these
to reasonably safe minimums. If adequate right-of-way width is impractical, design groups can
usually mitigate the problem with special grounding or other considerations. These options can
be expensive and time consuming and must factor into project planning.

Standard No.
Width Page 20 of 25
Pipeline parallels and crossings provide additional concerns which have a greater impact on
routing decisions than on right-of-way width. Transmission line easement width is not usually
an effective method to mitigate pipeline induction; particularly in the case of lengthy parallel
routes. Where pipelines cannot be avoided, consult AltaLink’s AL-LIN-20008 - “Pipeline
Coordination Philosophy”.

Standard No.
Width Page 21 of 25
3.0 References
1. “Insulator Swing”, Transmission Lines, Asset Management, Standard AL-LIN-20006,
AltaLink Management Ltd.
2. “Minimum Air Gaps for Transmission Structures”, Transmission Lines, Asset
Management, Standard AL-LIN-20005, AltaLink Management Ltd.
3. “Limits and Measurement Methods of Electromagnetic Noise from AC Power Systems,
0.15 to 30 MHz”, CSA CAN3-C108.3.1-M84 (R2005), Canadian Standards Association,
1984.
4. “Alberta Electrical Utility Code”, 3rd edition, Safety Codes Council 2007
5. CSA C22-3 No 1-06 – “Overhead Systems”, Oct 2006, Canadian Standards Association.

Standard No.
Width Page 22 of 25
4.0 Sample Calculation

Determine the required right-of-way width for a new double circuit 240kV line in Pincher Creek
region of Alberta. Assume standard structure RA22A, with double-bundled 1033 ACSR Curlew
conductor. The bundle spacing is 500mm. The ruling span for this line is 370m.
4.1 Hardware Configuration

For this example assume standard ceramic insulation; therefore 14 insulators. See Figure 4-1 for
typical dimension for the hardware assembly.
The standard mass of a ceramic insulator is approximately 4.5kg.
The weight of the swinging hardware is approximated at 11.3kg.
4.1.1 Length of Insulator Hardware

Total Hanging Hardware = 50 + 325 = 375 mm
Total Insulator = 14x146mm = 2044 mm
4.2 Conductor Specifications & Sag

From Southwire’s Sag 10 program and the parameters in
Section 6.0:
1033 ACSR Curlew:

Diameter of Conductor: 31.65mm
Unit Mass: 1.979kg/m
Final Creep Sag @ 40 C = 11.99 m

Final Creep Sag @ 4 C = 11.31 m
Assume a maximum span 20% greater than ruling span:

444m Max Span
Max span sags:

Sagmax = (Spanmax2 / Spanruling2) Sagruling
Sag40 = (4442 / 3702) 11.99 = 17.266m

Sag4 = (4442 / 3702) 11.31 = 16.286m Figure 4-1 - Insulator Assembly

Standard No.
Width Page 23 of 25
4.3 Legal Minimum Requirements (Section 2.2.3)

Determine the minimum legal requirements based on Section 2.2.3:
W1 – distance from center line of ROW to outer most phase – 10,750mm

F - horizontal electrical clearance required by
Table 2-1 – 4910mm
W2 – horizontal deviation of conductor as defined by CSA C22.3 No.1-06 - Clause 5.2.7
d – diameter of conductor, 31.65mm

w – mass per unit length, 1.979kg/m
CSAfactor – from Figure 2-3 based on d/w (≈16) and the non-sheltered span curve ≈0.352
S – final unloaded sag of conductor at 40°C = 17.266m
L – length of insulator string and hardware free to swing = 375mm+2044mm = 2419mm
Therefore, minimum legal required right-of-way width is:
4.4 Return Period Gust Criterion (Section 2.2.4)

Since no return period was specified a 5 year wind gust will be used. The line will be
constructed in the Pincher Creek Area which falls in Zone A from AltaLink’s Insulator Swing
Loading Map (Section 5.0 in AL-LIN-20006 – “Insulator Swing”). Only use AltaLink’s
Insulator Swing Map if actual 5 year wind gust is unknown.
From AL-LIN-20006 Table 2-4 the 5 yr gust for Double Circuit Tower in Zone A is 1350 Pa.
The return period criterion right-of-way is given by:
W1 – distance from center line of ROW to outer most phase – 10750mm

F – High Wind electrical clearance required by AL-LIN-20005 – Table 2 + 0.3m = 960mm
W2 – horizontal deviation of conductor as defined by AL-LIN-20006 – “Insulator Swing”

Standard No.
Width Page 24 of 25
S – final creep sag of conductor at 4°C with 650 Pa wind = 16.286m

L – length of insulator string and hardware free to swing = 375mm+2044mm = 2419mm
φ – conductor swing angle calculated using AL-LIN-20006
H – Horizontal (Transverse) forces acting on conductor: (assume wind span = max span)
Ignore wind on insulator and hanging hardware
Wind on Conductor = (444m)(2)(31.65mm/1000)(1350Pa) = 37,942N
V – Vertical forces acting on conductor:
Weight of Conductor = (1.979kg/m)(9.806N/kg)(2)(444m) = 17232.6N
WH – Weight of Insulator and Suspended Hardware =110.8N + 617.8N = 728.6N
Weight of Hanging Hardware = (11.3kg)(9.806N/kg) = 110.8N

Weight of Insulator = (14)(4.5kg)(9.806N/kg) = 617.8N
Therefore the Insulator swing is:
Calculation of Total Horizontal Deviation:
However, the bundle in this example will increase the

overall horizontal deviation:
Figure 4-2 - Bundle Spacing

Standard No.
Width Page 25 of 25
The return period required right-of-way width is:
4.5 Conclusion
The return period requirement (57.6m) would dictate the width of the required right-of-way for
this example.
5.0 AltaLink’s Right-of-Way Calculator

Refer to standard AL-LIN-50002-2 – “Right-Of-Way Width Calculator” for automated
calculation of required right-of-way widths.
6.0 Conductor Sag Criteria

The sagging conditions considered when using this standard are outlined below in Table 6-1.
Rows 1 through 4 are the cable limiting parameters when using either Sag 10 or PLS-CADD’s
Automatic Sagging feature. Row 5 is the creep weather condition for both Sag10 and PLS-
CADD’s Creep-Stretch feature. While, rows 6 through 8 are the sags of interest for this
standard.
Table 6-1- Conductor Tension Criteria
Tension
Temperature Radial Ice Load Wind Cable
Limit
°C (mm) (Pa) Condition
(% UTS)
1 -20 12.5 400 60 Final
2 -50 0 0 35 Initial
3 -30 0 0 25 Initial
4 4 0 0 20 Final
5 4 0 0 Creep
6 100 0 0
7 40 0 0
8 4 0 650
Note:
1. Consideration should be given to the aluminum in the conductor going into compression. The sag values in
Al-LIN-50002-2 – “Right-of-Way Width Calculator” use Sag10 with the default aluminum compression
value of 1500.
2. Wet snow constraints that are considered for line design can be ignored for ROW width calculations.

AL-LIN-50002 - 2009-Oct-27 - Rev3

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Transmission Lines, Asset Management

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2.0 Factors Influencing Right-Of-Way Width

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

2.2 Conductor Swing

Figure 2-1 - Conductor Swing-out

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

ii. 5 year gust swing out

2.2.2 Allowable Swing for Right-of-Way

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

Figure 2-2 - Conductor Swing to Determine Right-of-Way Width

2.2.3 Legal Minimum Requirements

The minimum legal required right-of-way is given by:

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

ROWWidth – Minimum legal required right-of-way width

138 87.7 4260

240 152.5 4910

500 317.6 6560

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

CSA defines the maximum horizontal deviation as:

W2 – maximum horizontal deviation

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

2.2.4 Five Year Return Period Criterion

The return period criterion right-of-way is given by:

ROWWidth – Return Period required right-of-way width

AltaLink defines the maximum horizontal deviation as:

W2 – maximum horizontal deviation

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

H – Horizontal (Transverse) forces acting on conductor

2.3 Vegetation and Tree Falling Considerations

− AEUC Clause 10-002 (2) Tree Trimming

− Conductor Swing as detailed in Section 2.2.3

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

2.3.2 Design of VCE Width for Tree Falling

Figure 2-4 - Requirements for Vegetation Control Easements

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

Width of VCE is defined by:

VCEWidth – Vegetation Control Easement Width

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

Table 2-2 - Growth Allowance for Forest Canopy

Tree Height Growth Allowance (m)

2.4 Construction and Maintenance Considerations

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

Figure 2-5 - Typical Tower Construction on Right-Of-Way

2.5 Parallel Circuit Separation

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

2.5.1 Conductor Swing

Figure 2-6 - Circuit to Circuit Clearance Using Conductor Swing

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

Stationary Circuit (kV)

500 240 138 69 25

500 4970 4080 3740 3500 3350

240 4080 2750 2400 2160 2010

138 3740 2400 1560 1410 1310

69 3500 2160 1410 1090 990

25 3350 2010 1310 990 590

2.5.2 Legal Minimums

2.5.2.1 Clearance between Conductors of One Line and Support Structures of

Copyright © 2009 AltaLink. All rights reserved.

structure. The conductor is considered to be in a position of swing, as specified in CSA Clause

138 87.7 1980

240 152.5 2630

500 317.6 4280