Natural Aging of Non-Energized Aluminum Conductors
This paper reports the results of a photographic and electrical study of the mechanism by which a new aluminum conductor ages. A systematic approach of monitoring the aging process revealed the movement of water drop location from the top of a new conductor to the bottom of an aged conductor. Through photographic water drop analysis and electrical test results it has been determined that an aluminum conductor, even though not energized, is essentially aged in 4 to 7 months in the environment of northern Indiana, USA. A seasonal effect was found to add up to 5 months to this period.
Audible Noise Performance of Regular and Asymmetric Bundles and effect of Conductor Aging on Project UHV's Three-Phase Test Line
Audible noise produced by corona during foul weather is an important consideration in the design of high-voltage transmission lines. The measurement, analysis and prediction of audible noise and the assessment of noise reduction techniques have constituted a primary area of research at Project UHV. Results of earlier short-term testing utilizing single-phase test facilities have, since 1975, been greatly augmented by longer-term field data obtained on a three-phase test line. This paper presents the results of a portion of this work The effect of the weathering or aging of conductors on noise levels is examined and the effectiveness of the concept of asymmetric conductor bundling for noise reduction is assessed.
Three-phase testing facilities at EPRI's project UHV
A description is given of the expanded facilities at Project UHV for the study of UHV ac transmission up to 1500 kV. These include a three-phase test line for full scale tests on a large variety of line configurations, three single phase transformers for 1500 kV line-to-line, much associated electrical and mechanical equipment, and instrumentation for the acquisition of electrical and meteorological data. The three-phase UHV test line has been energized since January 1975 and full scale testing on 1000 - 1500 kV transmission lines is in progress.