TRANSMISSION TOWERS

TRANSMISSION STRUCTURE

 Transmission structures are one of the most visible elements of the electric
transmission system. They support the conductors used to transport electric power
from generation sources to customer load. Transmission lines carry electricity over
long distances at high voltages, typically between 115 kV and 765 kV (115,000
volts and 765,000 volts).
 Transmission towers have to carry the heavy transmission conductors at a
sufficient safe height from the ground. In addition to that, all towers have to
sustain all kinds of natural calamities. Therefore, the transmission tower design is
an important engineering job where civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering
concepts are equally applicable.
 In order to decrease the transmission losses, after the generation of power, we
step-up the voltage in order to transmit it over a long distance. At receiving end,
we again step down the voltage value and use it for electrical loads.

There are many different designs for transmission structures. Two common types are:

1. Lattice Steel Towers (LST), which consist of a steel framework of individual structural
components that are bolted or welded together.

220-kV double-circuit LST (Height range: 110-200 ft.)

2. Tubular Steel Poles (TSP), which are hollow steel poles fabricated either as one piece or
as several pieces fitted together.
TYPES OF CONDUCTORS USE IN TRANSMISSION TOWERS

AAC: All Aluminum conductors.

AAAC: All Aluminum Alloy conductors.

ACSR: Aluminum conductors, Steel-Reinforced.

ACAR: Aluminum conductor, Alloy-Reinforced.

TRANSMISSION TOWER DESIGN

During design of transmission tower the following points to be considered in mind,

1) The minimum ground clearance of the lowest conductor points above the ground level.

2) The length of the insulator string.

3) The minimum clearance to be maintained between conductors and between conductor and tower

4) The location of a ground wire with respect to outermost conductors.

5) The misspend clearance required from considerations of the dynamic behavior of the conductor and
lightning protection of the power line.
SELECTION OF TRANSMISSION TOWER

1. Height of tower

2. Base width of tower

3. Cross arm length

4. Single circuit tower / double circuit tower

5. According KV current capacity

7. According Soil, Wind Speed & zone

8. Length of insulator assembly

9. Minimum clearance to be maintained between ground conductors & between

conductor & tower

ON THE BASIS OF CURRENT TYPES OF TOWERS

a) HVAC transmission tower

HVAC stands for High Voltage Alternating Current. When the supply voltage of
the transmission system is ranging from 33 kV AC to 230 kV AC, it is called high
voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission.

In the HVAC transmission, the power generated is stepped up to the high

voltages and then transmitted by the transmission lines. It requires at least three
line conductors for transmitting the three phase electrical power. However, the
HVAC voltage transformation and transmission is simple and inexpensive

b) HVDC transmission tower

In this system, the electrical power produced in the form of AC is converted into DC with
the help of rectifiers and then transmitted through the HVDC lines, and at the utilization
end it is again converted into AC. The major advantage of the HVDC is that it requires
only two conductors for transmission and has comparatively low power losses over the
long distances
TYPES OF INSULATORS USE IN OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION

Typical insulator types in this category are guy-strain insulators, pin type
insulators, composite line post insulators, long-rod insulators for tension and
suspension and glass suspension insulators