Mechanical Design of

Transmission line

By: Bhargavi Devda

 Main components of overhead lines:
1. Line supports: Provide support to conductors &
keep those at suitable level above the ground
2. Conductors: Carry power from sending end station
to receiving end station
3. Insulators: they are attached to the line supports
and they also insulate the conductors from the
ground.
4. Cross-arms: These provide support to the
insulators.
5. Lightning arrestor: Used to discharge excessive
voltage built upon the line due to lightning.
 Main components of overhead lines:
• Fuse and insulating switches: Used to isolate the
different parts of the over head system.
 Line Supports
• Properties:
1. High mechanical strength to withstand weight of
conductor.
2. Light in weight.
3. Cheap in cost.
4. Longer life.
5. They should have least number of parts and their
shape should be pleasing.
6. They should be easily accessible for paint and
erection of line.
7. The maintenance cost should be minimum.
 Types of Line Supports
1. Wooden poles
(a) Single pole (b) A type (c) H type
2. Steel poles
(a) Rail pole (b) Tubular pole
3. RCC poles
4. Lattice steel towers
(a) Narrow base latticed steel tower (b) broad base
tower
 Wooden poles
• Cheapest among all line supports .
• Generally used in rural areas.
• Can be used for short distance upto 50m t/m or
distribution.
• Its use has become limited due to increased price of
wood. Instead RCC poles are used.
• Coating of bitumen is applied at the bottom for 0.5
meters to give protection against moisture and
termites.
• Have shorter life time & requires periodical
inspection .
 1. Single pole structure
• Used for low voltage and high voltage distribution
line
• Used for line voltage of 11 kV.
• Maximum span length of 50 meters.

2. A type structure and H type structure

• Used for the span of 60 to 75 meters.
• Can be used for the line voltage of 11 kV.
 Steel poles
• Used for distribution lines and street lighting in the
city.
• Have good mechanical strength.
• No problem of rotting termites but there is problem
of rusting due to moisture.
• Possess longer life and can be used for longer
distance than wooden poles .
• Length of pole is 7 to 10 meters.
• Suitable usage is for High Voltage (upto 33 kV).