Environmental Field Trial of an Overhead Power Transmission Conductor in a High Corrosion Rate Coastal Atmosphere in Peru

摘要

The coastal region of Lima, Peru, is an aggressive salt-laden atmosphere classified by ISO 9223 as an S_1P_1 mixed atmosphere, having high deposition rates of Cl~- ions and SO_2. Lima has little rain, so the ions are not easily washed away, but instead concentrate with daily fogs. Overhead power transmission conductors in this region are required to be both of all-aluminum constructions (no steel), and to have grease between layers, in order to give longer environmental durability. This paper reports on an ongoing environmental field trial of a high-temperature low-sag ACCR (aluminum conductor composite reinforced) conductor. The conductor contains aluminum and aluminum matrix composite constituents, and for the first time uses a greased configuration. Samples were periodically harvested from the field, and characterized using microscopy and strength testing. A comparison in behavior is drawn between greased and ungreased conductors that shows the beneficial role of the grease between the layers, for protecting the aluminum strands.