Sag Tension Page - Transmission Line Editor

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Sag & Tension Page - Transmission Line Editor

It is important to perform a sag and tension calculation for a transmission line to ensure an adequate operating condition
for the line. If the tension applied on the line is beyond its tension limit, the line conductor will be damaged, which will in
turn reduce line capacity and decrease the life span of the line. If the sag is too great, this may cause a short-circuit
between the line and objects below it or a short-circuit between lines in extremely windy conditions.
ETAP calculates the sag and tension of the line with a series of suspension spans based on the ruling span method on this
page. It gives line sag and tension for the specified operating conditions, including temperature, wind speed, and ice on the
line and is based on the sag and tension under initial conditions (called Known Conditions in the editor). The initial
conditions may be at no load conditions or some other operating conditions at which line sag or tension can be measured.
The sag and tension to be calculated should be for the worst operating conditions, such as in strong wind conditions and
lines covered with thick ice, etc.
The ruling span method represents a series of suspension spans between two dead-end structures by a level dead-end span.
The level dead-end span, called ruling span, gives the same change in tension from loading, temperature, and other
operating conditions as that of the actual line. The method calculates sags for each suspended section of the line. But it
assumes that the tension of all the suspended sections is the same as that of the ruling span.

Line Section
You can specify the operating temperature and line sections of suspended spans in this group. ETAP calculates the length
of the ruling span, tension of the ruling span, and sags for each suspended section.

Same Tower Height

Select this option if the towers are at the same level. This option will allow you to calculate the Sag at the Spans entered in
the table below. If this option is not checked, ETAP will calculate the Sag and Tension as seen from each tower.

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Op Temp.
Enter the operating temperature in degrees Celsius or check to use and display the operating temperature. The operating
temperature is calculated on the Ampacity page corresponding to the operating current. To obtain more conservative
tension and sag results, a lower operating temperature should be used.

Horiz. Tension
The calculated line horizontal tension is displayed in this field in lbs/kN.

Ruling Span
The calculated length of the ruling span in ft./m is displayed in this field. This filed is displayed when Same Tower Height
has been selected.

Span
Enter the individual span of suspended sections of the line in ft. or meters .

Height Diff
Enter the height difference between towers in feet or meters.

Span Vs Sag Table

Span (Ft)
Enter the individual span of suspended sections of the line in ft. or meters in this column.

Sag
This field displays the calculated sag in ft. or meters for each suspended section of the line in this column,

Low Tower and High Tower Tension and Sag

These fields display the Sag and Tension seen from the Lower Tower and from the High Tower, when the Same Tower
Height option is not selected.

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Loaded Conditions
This group includes operating parameters under loaded conditions that affect the line tension and sag calculation. The
parameters should be entered to yield more conservative results, such as higher wind pressure and thicker ice on the line,
etc.

Weight
Enter the conductor weight in lb/ft or N/m. If you have selected the conductor from the library, the information from the
library automatically updates this field.

k Factor
Enter the constant to be added from NESC table 251-1 under the loaded conditions in lb/ft or N/m.

Ice
Enter the ice thickness under the loaded conditions in cm/in.

Wind
Enter the NESC horizontal wind force requirement in lb/sq. ft or N/sq. m under the loaded conditions in cm/in.

Elongation Coefficient
-6
Enter the coefficient of conductor elongation in 10 /degrees C. Refer to the table below for nominal or minimum
nd
properties of conductor wire materials. This table can be found in the Overhead Conductor Manual 2 Edition page 1.4.

Al/Cu Strands
Enter the number and diameter of the conductor (Copper or Aluminum) strands. Diameter is specified in inches or
centimeters. If you have selected the conductor from the library, the information from the library automatically updates
this field.

Steel Strands
Enter the number and diameter of the reinforcement (steel or composite) strands. The Diameter is specified in inches or
centimeters. If you have selected the ground wire from the library, the information from the library automatically updates
this field.

Modulus of Elasticity
6
Enter the modulus of elasticity for Aluminum / Copper or Steel in 10 psi if using English units or Mpa in metric units.
Refer to the table below for nominal or minimum properties of conductor wire materials. This table can be found in the
nd
Overhead Conductor Manual 2 Edition page 1.4.

Known Conditions

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In this group you can enter the initial conditions under which line tension or sag value can be provided by measurement or
previous knowledge.

Ice
Enter the ice thickness on the line under the known conditions in cm or inches.

Wind
Enter the known NESC horizontal wind force requirement under the known conditions in lb/sq. ft or N/sq. m.

k Factor
Enter the known constant to be added from NESC table 251-1 under the known conditions in lb/ft or N/m.

Temperature
Enter the known operating temperature in degrees Celsius.

Tension or Sag
Select to enter the known tension or sag. ETAP will calculate and display the other parameter. These two values are based
on the ruling span of the line.

Transmission Line Editor Overview

Info Page
Parameter Page
Configuration Page
Grouping Page
Earth Page
Impedance Page
Protection Page
Sag & Tension Page
Ampacity Page
Reliability Page
Remarks Page
Comment Page
AC Elements Editor Overview

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