FAQ
Eskom has a comprehensive set of technical standards and specifications that govern the design, construction, and maintenance of its overhead power lines. These documents are publicly available and cover everything from conductor materials to safety procedures. Key documents include:
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Network Planning Guides: These guides provide essential information on conductor sizing, thermal limits, and other parameters.
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Conductor Standards: Documents like "240-152844641 Phase Conductor Standard for Eskom Overhead Lines" detail the exact specifications for conductors, including ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced) and AAAC (All Aluminum Alloy Conductor).
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Safety and Maintenance Procedures: These standards, such as those related to live-line working and earthing, are crucial for ensuring the safety of personnel.
Our products are engineered to facilitate compliance with these standards. For example, our hydraulic pullers and tensioners are designed to handle the specific tensioning requirements for the conductors listed in Eskom's specifications.
Eskom's standards require not only the use of approved materials but also the use of safe and effective equipment for their installation. Our tools are a critical part of meeting these standards. For example:
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Precision and Control: Our OHTL wire cable conductor tension stringing equipment provides the precision needed to meet Eskom's stringent sag and tension specifications, preventing conductor damage and ensuring the line's long-term integrity.
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Safety and Reliability: The quality of our Overhead Tools and Accessories, such as our earthing kits and insulated tools, helps crews adhere to Eskom's strict safety protocols for both live and de-energized line work.
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Compatibility: We manufacture a wide range of tools, from multi-sheave stringing blocks for bundled conductors to specialized conductor grips and clamps, ensuring compatibility with the diverse range of conductors and line hardware used in Eskom's network.
By providing reliable, high-quality equipment, we empower contractors and utilities to perform work that is compliant with Eskom's requirements.
The specific tools required depend on the conductor type and voltage level. For example, to install a common ACSR conductor, a contractor would need:
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Hydraulic Puller and Tensioner Set: Sized to match the conductor's diameter and weight, as specified in Eskom's documents.
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Conductor Stringing Blocks: With an appropriate sheave diameter to prevent bending and damaging the conductor.
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Conductor Grips: Designed to securely hold the specific conductor size without causing damage.
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Compression Tools: To create strong and reliable connections using Eskom-approved connectors and fittings.
As a manufacturer, we offer a full suite of these tools, ensuring our clients have everything they need to successfully execute projects that meet Eskom's specifications.
An electrical overhead line is a structure used to transmit and distribute electrical energy over long distances. It consists of multiple components that work together to ensure the safe and efficient transfer of electricity. The main components are:
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Conductors: The wires that carry the electrical current. They are typically made of materials like ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced), which combines the low resistance of aluminum with the mechanical strength of a steel core.
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Insulators: Devices made from ceramic, glass, or polymer that prevent the conductors from making electrical contact with the supporting structures.
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Supporting Structures: These are the towers or poles that hold the conductors at a safe height above the ground.
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Hardware and Fittings: A wide array of clamps, tension fittings, vibration dampers, and other accessories that connect the conductors and insulators to the support structures.
Our comprehensive product range, from OHTL wire cable conductor tension stringing equipment to Overhead Tools and Accessories, is designed to handle and install every one of these components precisely and safely.
Overhead line construction is a complex process that is broken down into several key stages, each requiring specialized equipment.
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Surveying and Foundation: The first stage involves surveying the route and building the foundations for the supporting towers or poles.
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Erection of Supports: Next, the poles or towers are erected using lifting and rigging tools, such as winches and cranes.
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Conductor Stringing: This is the most critical stage. The conductors are pulled and tensioned across the spans. This requires a set of specialized tools, including:
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Hydraulic Puller: A powerful machine that pulls the conductor into position.
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Hydraulic Tensioner: This machine applies a controlled back-tension to ensure the conductor is installed with the exact sag and tension required.
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Stringing Blocks: Pulleys that are installed on the towers to support the conductor as it is pulled, preventing damage.
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Final Sagging and Clamping: Once the conductors are in place, they are "sagged" to their final tension and then secured to the insulators with clamps and other hardware.
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Final Checks and Safety: The final stage involves verifying all connections and implementing safety protocols, such as earthing the line.
We provide a complete suite of equipment for all of these stages, offering a one-stop supply solution to ensure your project's success from start to finish.
Safety is our top priority. We recognize that the risks associated with overhead lines, such as electrocution, falls, and equipment failure, are significant. Our products are designed to mitigate these risks in several ways:
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Precision and Control: Our tension stringing equipment allows for the controlled and damage-free installation of conductors, preventing accidental contact with energized lines or structures.
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Safety Tools and Accessories: We offer a wide range of Overhead Tools and Accessories specifically for safety, including portable earthing kits, insulated tools, and personal protective equipment (PPE). These are essential for creating a safe working environment and protecting personnel from stray or induced voltages.
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Durability and Reliability: All our equipment is manufactured to the highest standards, ensuring reliability and preventing catastrophic failure during critical operations.
By equipping your team with our high-quality tools, you are taking a crucial step toward creating a safe and efficient work environment.
The long-term safety and performance of a power line are directly dependent on the quality of its installation. Using the correct equipment is just as important as using high-quality materials. Our tools are specifically designed to:
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Maintain Material Integrity: Using the wrong stringing blocks or conductor grips can scratch or deform the surface of a conductor, leading to mechanical and electrical failures. Our equipment is engineered to handle each material type with the utmost care, preventing damage.
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Ensure Proper Tensioning: Each conductor material has a specific tension requirement to achieve the correct sag. Our hydraulic pullers and tensioners provide the precision needed to meet these specifications, preventing excessive stress on the conductors and support structures.
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Enhance Safety: For the safe installation of insulators and hardware, specialized Overhead Tools and Accessories are required. For example, using insulated tools helps protect workers from accidental electrical contact during maintenance.
By using our professional-grade equipment, you can ensure that your materials are installed to the highest standards, maximizing the lifespan and reliability of the electrical line.
An electrical overhead line is composed of several critical materials, each serving a unique function. The three primary categories of materials are:
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Conductors: These are the wires that carry the electrical current. The most common type is Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR), which combines the low weight and excellent conductivity of aluminum with the high tensile strength of a steel core. For projects requiring specific performance, other materials like All Aluminum Alloy Conductor (AAAC) are also widely used.
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Insulators: These devices prevent the electrical current from flowing from the conductors to the supporting structures. They are typically made of high-dielectric-strength materials such as porcelain, glass, or polymer composites.
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Line Hardware and Fittings: This is a broad category that includes all the components used to physically connect, support, and protect the conductors and insulators. Examples include clamps, vibration dampers, spacers, and various bolts and brackets.
As a leading manufacturer of OHTL wire cable conductor tension stringing equipment, we provide the specialized tools necessary to handle and install these diverse materials without causing damage or compromising their integrity.
Working on or near electrical overhead lines presents several severe hazards that can lead to injury or death. The primary risks include:
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Electrocution: This is the most common and dangerous risk, caused by direct contact with an energized conductor or an object that is in contact with one.
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Arc Flash: An arc flash occurs when a high-voltage current jumps from a line to another conductor, object, or person. This can happen without physical contact if the distance is not sufficient, creating an explosive burst of light and heat that can cause severe burns.
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Induced Voltage: Even after a line is de-energized, nearby live lines can induce a voltage, creating a "ghost voltage" that can be dangerous.
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Backfeed: Power can flow back into a de-energized line from a secondary source, such as a backup generator or a solar panel system, creating a significant and unexpected risk.
Mitigating these hazards is the purpose of our specialized safety equipment.
The minimum safe approach distance (MSAD) is the closest a worker or piece of equipment can get to an energized conductor without risking a flashover. This distance varies significantly based on the line's voltage. It is crucial to always assume a line is energized unless confirmed otherwise by a qualified person.
Our tools and equipment are designed to help professionals maintain these critical safety distances:
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Insulated Tools: We provide a wide range of insulated tools, such as hot sticks and insulated hand tools, that allow for work to be performed from a safe distance.
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Non-Conductive Materials: Our ladders and lifting equipment are often made from non-conductive materials like fiberglass, which reduces the risk of creating a path for current.
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Rigging and Stringing Equipment: Our OHTL wire cable conductor tension stringing equipment is engineered to provide precise control over the conductor during installation, preventing it from swinging or sagging into unsafe areas.
Grounding, or earthing, is a fundamental safety procedure that must be performed on any line before work begins. This process ensures that if the line is accidentally re-energized, the current will flow to the ground instead of through the worker. The procedure requires specialized equipment to be done safely:
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Verify De-energization: First, a voltage detector is used to confirm the absence of voltage.
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Install Earthing Devices: A portable earthing and short-circuiting kit is used to connect the conductor to a designated ground point. This must be done using an insulated hot stick.
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Create an Equipotential Zone (EPZ): For maximum safety, all conductors and the supporting structure within the work area are bonded together with grounding cables, creating a single electrical potential.
Our comprehensive selection of Overhead Tools and Accessories includes high-quality, reliable portable earthing kits and insulated tools, which are essential for performing these safety procedures correctly and protecting lives.
The construction and maintenance of an overhead line feeder require specialized equipment to ensure safety and efficiency. Our company provides a complete suite of tools for every stage of the process:
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Conductor Stringing Equipment: To install conductors, you need hydraulic pullers and hydraulic tensioners that are sized to match the specific conductor being used. For example, our equipment can handle the ACSR conductors commonly used in feeder lines, ensuring proper sag and tension.
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Lifting and Rigging Tools: These are essential for erecting the poles and towers that support the feeder lines. We offer winches, gin poles, and other accessories that are critical for these tasks.
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Safety and Maintenance Tools: For maintenance, our Overhead Tools and Accessories are vital. This includes portable earthing kits to ground the line before work begins, as well as insulated tools for live-line work when necessary.
By offering a one-stop supply for all this equipment, Ningbo Changshi simplifies the procurement process for your overhead feeder projects.
Overhead line feeders are susceptible to several maintenance challenges that can lead to power outages and safety risks. Our equipment is designed to help address these issues:
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Conductor Sag and Damage: Over time, conductors can sag due to weather and age, increasing the risk of contact with trees or other objects. Our tension stringing equipment is used to re-tension lines and our stringing blocks help prevent damage during repair work.
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Insulator and Hardware Failures: Insulators can become contaminated or fail, leading to short circuits. Our overhead tools and accessories, such as specialized clamps and lifting tools, enable crews to safely replace faulty components with minimal downtime.
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Vegetation Management: The most frequent cause of feeder outages is contact with trees. While we don't provide vegetation services, our tools are used to safely and efficiently re-string lines and move conductors in areas where trimming is required.
Our durable and reliable equipment helps utility companies and contractors perform both routine inspections and emergency repairs, ensuring the reliability of the distribution network.
The primary function of an electrical overhead line is to efficiently transmit and distribute electrical energy from power generation plants to substations and, ultimately, to end-users like homes and businesses. These lines act as the "highways" of the electrical grid, moving large volumes of power over long distances at high voltages.
The function of an overhead line can be divided into two main categories:
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Transmission: Large-scale, long-distance transport of high-voltage electricity from a power plant to major substations.
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Distribution: The local, shorter-distance delivery of lower-voltage electricity from a substation to consumers.
Overhead lines are generally the most cost-effective method for this purpose because the air serves as a natural insulator, reducing material costs. We provide the essential OHTL wire cable conductor tension stringing equipment to build and maintain both types of lines, ensuring they function reliably.
While both overhead transmission and distribution lines serve the same general function of carrying electricity, they differ significantly in their scale, voltage, and purpose:
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Transmission Lines: These are the large, high-voltage lines (typically 115 kV and above) supported by tall steel lattice towers. Their function is to transport bulk power across vast distances from power plants to substations.
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Distribution Lines: These are the lower-voltage lines (typically 1 kV to 69 kV and below) supported by shorter wooden or concrete poles. Their function is to carry power from local substations to individual communities and customers.
Our range of equipment is designed to handle both scales of projects. We offer heavy-duty hydraulic pullers and tensioners for the large conductors used in transmission lines and more compact, versatile equipment for the varied needs of distribution line construction and maintenance.
Overhead line ground clearance is the vertical distance between the lowest point of a power line conductor and the ground or any object below it. This clearance is a critical safety consideration regulated by standards like the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) to prevent accidental contact.
The importance of ground clearance lies in its role in preventing:
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Electrocution: Maintaining a safe distance prevents people, vehicles, and equipment from coming into contact with a live conductor.
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Fires: It prevents the line from touching vegetation or buildings, which could ignite fires.
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Property Damage: It ensures tall vehicles or equipment can pass safely underneath the lines.
Our equipment plays a vital role in achieving and maintaining the correct clearance by ensuring a precise and controlled installation of the conductor.
The proper function of an overhead line depends entirely on its correct and safe installation, which is where our equipment is essential. Our tools and machinery are designed to:
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Ensure Proper Conductor Installation: The correct tension and sag of a conductor are critical for its function. Our hydraulic pullers and tensioners ensure the conductor is installed exactly to the design specifications, preventing premature wear or failure.
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Prevent Conductor Damage: Our stringing blocks and accessories are designed to protect the conductor's surface during the pulling process, ensuring its integrity and maximum lifespan.
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Facilitate Safe Maintenance: The continued function of a line relies on regular maintenance and repair. Our Overhead Tools and Accessories, such as insulated tools and portable earthing kits, enable crews to work safely and efficiently, minimizing downtime and ensuring the line remains reliable.
By providing the right tools, we ensure that the electricity can flow as intended, helping to build and maintain the backbone of the modern power grid.
Ground clearance is directly affected by the sag of the conductor, which is the downward curve of the line between two support structures. The factors that influence this sag and, therefore, the ground clearance are:
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Conductor Weight: The inherent weight of the conductor itself.
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Tension: The pulling force applied to the conductor. Higher tension results in less sag.
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Temperature: As the conductor heats up (due to electrical current or ambient temperature), it expands and elongates, which increases the sag.
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Environmental Loads: Heavy loads like ice and snow add weight, increasing sag. Strong winds can cause the conductor to swing, reducing its horizontal clearance.
Our OHTL wire cable conductor tension stringing equipment is engineered to precisely control the tension and sag during installation, ensuring that the ground clearance remains within the required safety standards under all operating and environmental conditions.
