SPARK- STAR 82/ 2024

Peculiar snapping of Line Conductor of 132KV LINE

SITUATION:
It was reported with snapping of one main conductor at the point of armouring string. The
conductor had been found with broken and fallen to ground.

Observations and Analysis:

1. This line was laid with Single circuit transmission tower, and the damaged conductor
was the bottom conductor. This line was of ACSR panther conductor with load flow of
only 40 Mwatt approximately of 200 Ampere of current.
2. During patrolling and after fault occurrence, it was found with broken of the conductor
at the point of armouring string. The Steel part of the ACSR portion was observed with
melting of the tips as shown in figure 2.4.1. But the other end was found with scattering
strands as shown in figure 2.4.2. This disconnection had been occurred at point of the
armouring string.

Melted Steel conductors of other parts Damaged Strands

Armouring conductor

Fig 2.4.1 Fig 2.4.2

3. The point of concern that why the Steel part got melted and other part was with
scattered strands and other end steel part was inside the scattered strands.
4. Such snapping was peculiar and rarely happens in the transmission line conductor.
This snapping was found in a suspension tower with slipping of the bottom conductor
holder. The conductor was with dis-connection at the point of armouring string.
5. On analysis and detail investigation of the point of snapping it was apprehended of the
followings.

a. During time of initial stringing of the line conductor, it was suspected that there
had been issue of the damage of few stands of the line conductor.
b. The workmen without the knowledge of the ground engineer have put the
armouring string upon this damage part.
c. The line had also been charged and allowed for current flow for few years with
this connection.
d. Subsequent load flow and due to less strength at the start point of this junction,
the tension of the larger Part of the span, resulted further damage of the
conductor. The steel part of the ACSR conductor was supporting the strength
due to partial and subsequent total breakage of few strands around this portion.
e. The effect of steel portion was within the ACSR armouring portion. But due to
lesser support from other strands, finally the steel conductor could not manage
to hold and resulted final damage.
f. The portion was repaired by the use of mid-span joint and the line was again
strung. The line was allowed for the current flow.
.