CONSTRUCTION

The aerial bundle cables for overhead distribution lines have an insulated or bare neutral messenger made of AAAC, which the insulated aluminum phase conductors are helically wound over it. Cables are rated at 0.6/1kV and conform to IEC 60502 or SANS1418.

1.Phase Conductor

The phase conductors shall be of H68 Condition aluminum conductor and circular stranded.

2.Messenger Conductor

The neutral messenger conductor shall be of aluminum alloy conductor and circular stranded.

3.Street Lighting Conductor (optional)

The street lighting conductors shall be of H68 Condition aluminum conductor and circular stranded.

4.Insulation

The phase, messenger and street lighting conductors shall be extruded with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) as insulation.

5.The Completed Cable

The cable consists of insulated phase and street lighting aluminum conductors, shall be held firmly onto the neutral messenger aluminum alloy conductor in a right-hand(Z) direction of lay.

The main advantages of aerial bundle cables include:

Ease of erection and stringing

Practically no tree-trimming required

Less maintenance

Relative immunity to short circuits caused by external forces (wind, fallen branches), unless they abrade the insulation.

At junction poles, insulating bridging wires are needed to connect non-insulated wires at either side. ABC can dispense with one of these splices.

Less risk of a neutral-only break from tree or vehicle damage, increasing safety with TNC-s systems. Electricity theft is made harder and more obvious to detect.