Evaluating the Impact of Conductor Vibrations on Overhead Line Structures

Master's Thesis from the year 2015 in the subject Engineering - Power Engineering grade: Merit University of Manchester course: Electrical Power Systems Engineering language: English abstract: This dissertation introduces wind-induced vibrations that influence the performance of overhead line structures. The main focus in this study is on Aeolian vibrations and the quantities related to the calculations of its performance such as safe design tension and fatigue limits. However there are three main methods that are proposed to evaluate conductors with respect to vibrations which are Safe Design Tension Method Fatigue Endurance Limits Method and Energy Balance Method. The safe design tension method is applied on Aluminium Composite Steel Reinforced (ACSR) and All Aluminium Alloy Composite (AAAC). Eventually a relationship is established between tension of conductor and span length. The fatigue endurance limits method uses bending strain and stress to evaluate the fatigue level on the conductor. The effect of vibration dampers to overcome vibration problems on overhead line conductors is also considered. Moreover an assessment tool based on Microsoft EXCEL is developed which allows the evaluation of overhead line system conductors based on environmental conditions mechanical properties and system specifications. The assessment tool evaluates the overhead line system with respect to bending amplitude or alternatively using the antinode amplitude. The analysis of finding the antinode amplitude is performed using trial and error method by solving the energy balance principal. There are a number of case studies which are analysed using the proposed assessment tool to validate the results and establish a comparison between different types of conductors including 3M Aluminium Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR). The comparison includes the role of dampers on mitigating vibration issues using the IEC 6189 Stockbridge damper as a reference in the evaluation p