SAG |1

Question: What is sag?

Answer:

Sag: Sag is a vertical distance from the horizontal line between the tops of the
supports to lowest point of the conductor which is hung. In the other word, the
difference in level between points of supports and the lowest point on the
conductor is called sag.

Types of solution:

1. Towers of equal heights

2. Towers of unequal heights

Question: Show that, the catenary curve formed by the sagging is very
approximately like a parabola shape of the conductor.

Answer: Let, W be the weight of conductor per unit length and O be the
reference point. Let us consider a point P on the conductor having co-ordinates
x and y. The tension T at point P has rectangular components Tx and Ty.

∴T=√

If S is the length of the

arc OP then its weight
is WS which acts
vertically downward.
There are four forces
acting on OP and
since OP is in
equilibrium, the net
force is zero. Equating
horizontal and vertical
components, we have,

To = Tx and Ty = WS

Since PT is tangential to OPB, so

tanθ = = =

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Power System II (EEE 607)
 SAG |2

If PPˊ = dS then dS = √( ) ( )

⇒ dS = √ ( )

⇒ dx =
√ ( )

⇒ dx =
√ ( )

Now integrating both sides,

∫ ∫
√ ( )

⇒ x=( ) ( ) --------------- (i)

Where c is the constant of integration.

When x=0, sag S=0, the from equation (i) we have, c = 0

∴ x=( ) ( )

⇒ = ( )

⇒ = sinh ( )

⇒ S = ( ) sinh ( ) -------------- (ii)

Substituting this value of S in equation (i), we get,

= sinh ( )

⇒ dy = sinh ( )dx

Now again integrating both sides,

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Power System II (EEE 607)
 SAG |3

∫ ∫ ( )

⇒ y = ( ) cosh ( )+D --------------- (iii)

At origin when x=0 then y=0

∴ 0 = ( ) cosh ( )+D

⇒ D=

Now from equation (iii),

y = ( ) cosh ( )

⇒ y = [cosh ( ) ]

which is a catenary equation of the curve. Hence when a wire is hung between
two supports a catenary is formed.

Thus when x L, equation (iii) becomes,

T = To cosh( )

= To[ ………….]

Neglecting higher terms, we get,

T = To

i.e. tension at the support nearly equal to horizontal tension.

∴ y = d = [cosh ( ) ]

= [ …………. 1]

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Power System II (EEE 607)
 SAG |4

∴ y = [∵ T = To]

This is the sag equation.

Question: Calculate the sag equation for unequal height of the tower.

Answer: We know, sag is affected by the following factors:

1. Conductor weight per unit length

2. Heights of the tower.
3. Tension
4. Wind flow
5. Ice
6. Temperature
7. Span

Let, x be the span

between two
supports and O be
the bottom point of
the conductor.

If the two heights

are not equal then
we have from the
catenary AOB,

Sag, d1 = [cosh ( ) ]

Sag, d2 = [cosh ( ) ]

And, Tension, T1 = To cosh ( )

T2 = To cosh ( )

From figure,

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Power System II (EEE 607)
 SAG |5

h = d2 d1 = [cosh ( ) ( )]

and x1+x2 = 2L = Total span

By using the approximations,

d1 = and d2 =

∴ h = d 2 d1 = ( )

⇒ h = (x2+x1)(x2 x1)

⇒ h = (x2 x1) [∵ x1+x2 = 2L]

⇒ (x2 x1) = -------------- (i)

And, x1+x2 = 2L -------------- (ii)

Summing equation (i) and (ii) we have,

2x2 = + 2L

⇒ x2 =

⇒ x2 = L +

Subtracting equation (i) from equation (ii), we have,

2x1 = 2L

⇒ x1 =

⇒ x1 = L

Having found x1 and x2, values of d1 and d2 can be easily calculated.

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Power System II (EEE 607)
 SAG |6

Question: Discuss the effect of ice and wind on sag of conductor.

Answer: It is found that under favorable atmospheric conditions, quite an

appreciable thickness of
ice is formed on
transmission lines. The
weight of ice acts
vertically downwards i.e.
in the same direction as
the weight of the
conductor itself. In
addition, there may be
high wind which exerts considerable force on the conductor.

Let, Wi = weight of ice per unit length

Wa = weight of wind or air per unit length

∴ Total weight, Wt = √( )
From figure (b) we get, θ =

∴ Wind or air load, Wa = P (D+2R) l

where, P = Wind pressure per unit area

D = Inner diameter of conductor
R = Width office covering surface
l = Length of conductor

If ice is in the form of hollow cylinder of inner diameter D and outer diameter
(D+2R) then volume per unit length,

= [( ) ]
= ( )
= πR(D+R)

If ρ is the ice density, then

Wi = ρ volume
= ρπR(D+R)
So, the sag would be, d = and catenary, y =

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Power System II (EEE 607)