What Are AAAC Conductors?

 

AAAC stands for All Aluminum Alloy Conductors. These conductors are alloyed with high-strength metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and silicon.

Along with All Aluminum Conductor (AAC) and Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR), it forms part of the family of overhead conductors used as transmission and distribution lines.

Each of these aluminum conductor types is made up of one or more strands of aluminum wire, depending on the specific application.

In this blog, we mainly look at the characteristics of AAAC and the advantages they offer.

Characteristics of All Aluminum Alloy Conductors

All Aluminum Alloy Conductors show better mechanical resistance than AAC and better corrosion resistance than ACSR. In fact, their strength-to-weight ratio is greater than both AAC and ACSR on an equal diameter basis.

Also, given their superior tensile strength, these conductor cables sag less and maintain safer spacing between towers. Therefore, AAAC is preferred as a bare conductor for aerial circuits.

Additionally, they have lighter weight and better current carrying capacity than ACSR. They offer electrical conductivity of 52.5% IACS, which is a major reason behind their wide acceptance in distribution and transmission lines.

Advantages of AAAC

Compatible Thermal Stability

AAAC conductor cables can withstand extreme temperatures without losing significant strength. They can literally operate continuously at 90°C for at least a year. Under specific conditions, they can safely withstand temperature levels up to 150°C for three hours.

And when there is a short circuit, AAAC can handle temperatures up to 200°C for 0.5 seconds.

Ease of Repair and Better Installation Efficiency

Since it has a monometallic construction, AAAC can be easily repaired, spliced, and dead-ended. This reduces the time consumed in on-site repair work by approximately 50%. As a result, it cuts down on on-site repair costs by as much as 20%.

Moreover, AAAC’s high strength-to-weight ratio allows for longer spans between supports, reducing infrastructure costs and improving installation efficiency.

Corrosion Resistance

These conductor cables offer impressive corrosion resistance in harsh environments, making them well suited for coastal and industrial areas.

For marine applications in chloride conditions, each AAAC strand has a zinc coating that protects it from corrosion and enhances its service life. Since AAAC material is monometallic, it avoids galvanic corrosion issues typical of conductors with steel cores, even with the zinc coating.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AAAC conductors are superior to ACSR when used in overhead distribution systems.

They offer better thermal stability, corrosion resistance, ease of repair, and longer service life. Although AAAC may come at a higher initial cost, this is effectively offset by the savings in power loss over time.

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