Fundamental Concepts of Sag-Tension Relationship in Transmission and Distribution Lines - Electrical Engineer Resources

Fundamental Concepts of Sag-Tension Relationship in Transmission a... https://electricalengineerresources.com/2018/01/02/complete-sag-tensi...
When a conductor is suspended between
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two supports and carrying its own

uniform weight, the curve formed is
called a catenary. For simplified
analysis, some of the design engineers
assume that the curve is parabolic. This
is only true if the sag is small as
compared with the span length which
happens mostly on the distribution lines.
Although the formula is quite complex, it
is always recommended to follow
catenary calculations.
It is important to predict the sag and

tension of the conductor to determine if:
it will pass the required electrical

clearances to ground, right-of-way
(blowout) and uplift (wts and strain)
it will not exceed the tension limits of
the conductor at varying loading
conditions
it will pass the required levels of
electric and magnetic field, aeolian
vibration and ice galloping
the structure is sufficient to withstand
the conductor tension.
The sag of the conductor depends on:
Conductor unit weight

Span Length
Tension in the conductor
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Weather Conditions (effect of wind,

ice)
Temperature
Elasticity of the conductor materials
Creep
CATENARY CURVE
If the lowest point of the curve will be

taken as the origin, then it can be
modeled by the equation:
where:
x = horizontal distance from lowest

point in span (m)
y = vertical distance from lowest
point of span
C = Catenary constant
Under no-wind condition, the catenary

constant is essentially the ratio of the
horizontal tension in the conductor to
the unit weight.
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and
where:
H = Horizontal component of tension

(N)
W = distributed load on conductor
(N/m)
m = unit mass of conductor (kg/m)
g = gravitational constant of 9.81
m/s2
Some important notes about this curve:
The tension at any point acts

tangentially through the conductor.
The horizontal component of
Tension, H, is constant all throughout
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the the conductor.

For simplification purposes, some
calculations assumed that Tension is
equal to the horizontal Tension, T =
H.
Also, some calculations assumed that
vertical component of tension Ty =
WS/2.
TRUE CONDUCTOR LENGTH
The true conductor length, Lc , is only

marginally greater than the span length,
S. Applying calculus, the conductor
length from the lowest point to any
other point along the conductor is given
by the following equation:
For a level span, the distance from the

lowest point to one conductor support is
x = S /2. Thus the total conductor length
is:
Analyzing the equation above, the slack

of the line is the difference between true
conductor length and span length.
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CHANGES IN CONDUCTOR
LENGTH
The actual length of the conductor is

affected by two factors:
Conductor elastic stretch under

tension, and
Conductor expansion and contraction
according to temperature
Conductor elastic stretch is a function of
Horizontal Tension, H
modulus of elasticity (Young’s
Modulus) , E
The cross-sectional area of the
conductor, A
But note that most overhead conductors

are made of aluminum reinforced of
steel wires. Thus the modulus of
elasticity of composite conductor is:
Also the effective linear thermal

coefficient of expansion of the composite
conductor is:
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The modulus of elasticity is the ratio of

the stress to strain, as follows:
E = Stress / Strain or
Strain = Stress / E
Consequently, the change in conductor

length due to strain-stress, is as follows:
The change in conductor length due to

thermal expansion, is as follows:
CONDUCTOR STATE CHANGE

EQUATION
As temperature increases, the conductor

expands in length and therefore its
tension decreases, while the sag
increases. With the reduction in tension,
there is also a reduction in strain in the
conductor. Thus, there is a complicated
relationship between temperature and
tension.Thus,
Final Conductor Length = Initial

Conductor Length + Effect of Thermal
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Expansion + Effect of Strain
By substitution, we will arrive to this

equation:
where:
H1 = initial conductor tension at initial

temperature (N)
W1 = unit weight of the conductor at
initial temperature (N/m)
Δt =t2 t1 = temperature change (°C)
E = final modulus of elasticity (Pa)
A = cross-sectional area conductor
(m2)
∝ = coefficient of linear thermal
expansion (/°C)
S=length of ruling span ( simply span
length for a single span) (m)
This equation is used to generate

stringing charts and sag template. This
is called the conductor state change
equation.
Conductor tension, H2 ,at any given

temperature can be calculated by
iterative solving the roots of this
equation. This can be easily carried out
in excel or other spreadsheet that has
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“goal seek” or solver plug-in. I will share

my spreadsheet once it will be
completed.
SAG – TENSION RELATIONSHIP
The basic relationship between sag and

span length, for a level single span, is as
follows:
This can be approximated as:
EFFECT OF ICE AND WIND
When the conductor will be covered with

ice and/or subjected to wind, the total
unit weight of the conductor increases
and changes the shape of the catenary
curve. Line design engineers must
consider expected extreme loading in
the area in considering the sag-tension
calculation. Conductor and supports may
fail under this extreme loading
conditions. Also, it may exceed the
required electrical clearances.
There are different physical forms of ice

that my form in the conductor. These
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are:
glaze ice
rime ice
wet snow
In calculations, glaze ice formation is

usually considered with density of 57
lb/ft3.
Influence of ice and wind loading are:
Ice loads + conductor weight is the

maximum vertical load that the
structures and foundations must
support.
Ice loads + conductor weight + wind
load is the maximum transverse load
that the structure must also
withstand.
EFFECT OF ICE ON CONDUCTOR

WEIGHT
Volume of ice:
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Weight of ice per unit length:
where:
Vice = Volume of ice per unit length

(m3 / m)
D = outside diameter of the
conductor (m)
t = thickness of the ice (m)
ρice = ice density (kg/m3)
EFFECT OF WIND ON
CONDUCTOR WEIGHT
The wind pressure is usually in lb/ft2 and

assume to act horizontally on the
projected area of the conductor. On the
next post, I will present a detailed
derivation and example calculations of
wind pressure on conductors and poles.
Weight due to wind per unit length

(and/or radial ice included):
TOTAL CONDUCTOR UNIT

WEIGHT
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Thus total conductor weight:
Thus the total sag of the conductor is

given by the following equations:
But, take note that this sag makes an

angle θ with the vertical. So the vertical
sag of the conductor is, as follows:
where θ = blowout angle.
Some textbooks suggest that the effect

of wind is essential only if you are
concerned in horizontal clearance
because of the conductor blowout.
CREEP
Most materials subjected to stress will

suffer from creep, i.e. permanent
elongation or inelastic stretch. The factor
affecting creep are:
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material composition
manufacturing process
everyday conductor tension
operating temperature
time
stranding
span length
Due to creep, the sag in the span will

increase and may lead to insufficient
clearance if not included in the design.
On the next post, I will discuss how to

calculate wind pressure and make
example calculations for sag-tension of
same level support.
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Fundamental Concepts of Sag-Tension Relationship in Transmission and Distribution Lines - Electrical Engineer Resources

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Fundamental Concepts of Sag-Tension Relationship in Transmission a... https://electricalengineerresources.com/2018/01/02/complete-sag-tensi...

When a conductor is suspended between

two supports and carrying its own

It is important to predict the sag and

it will pass the required electrical

The sag of the conductor depends on:

Conductor unit weight

Weather Conditions (effect of wind,

If the lowest point of the curve will be

x = horizontal distance from lowest

Under no-wind condition, the catenary

H = Horizontal component of tension

Some important notes about this curve:

The tension at any point acts

the the conductor.

TRUE CONDUCTOR LENGTH

The true conductor length, Lc , is only

For a level span, the distance from the

Analyzing the equation above, the slack

The actual length of the conductor is

Conductor elastic stretch under

Conductor elastic stretch is a function of

But note that most overhead conductors

Also the effective linear thermal

The modulus of elasticity is the ratio of

Consequently, the change in conductor

The change in conductor length due to

CONDUCTOR STATE CHANGE

As temperature increases, the conductor

Final Conductor Length = Initial

Expansion + Effect of Strain

By substitution, we will arrive to this

H1 = initial conductor tension at initial

This equation is used to generate

Conductor tension, H2 ,at any given

“goal seek” or solver plug-in. I will share

SAG – TENSION RELATIONSHIP

The basic relationship between sag and

This can be approximated as:

EFFECT OF ICE AND WIND

When the conductor will be covered with

There are different physical forms of ice

In calculations, glaze ice formation is

Influence of ice and wind loading are:

Ice loads + conductor weight is the

EFFECT OF ICE ON CONDUCTOR

Weight of ice per unit length:

Vice = Volume of ice per unit length

The wind pressure is usually in lb/ft2 and

Weight due to wind per unit length

TOTAL CONDUCTOR UNIT

Thus total conductor weight:

Thus the total sag of the conductor is

But, take note that this sag makes an

where θ = blowout angle.

Some textbooks suggest that the effect

Most materials subjected to stress will

Due to creep, the sag in the span will

On the next post, I will discuss how to

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