Sag-Tension Calculation Program for Wood Pole

Overhead Lines
Catherine Baker
Power Systems and Electronic
Research Laboratory
University of the West of
England, Bristol
catherine4.baker@live.uwe.ac.uk
John Baker
Scottish and Southern Energy
john.baker@sse.com
Hassan Nouri
Power Systems and Electronic
Research Laboratory
University of the West of
England, Bristol
Hassan.Nouri@uwe.ac.uk

plastic strain (metallurgical creep)) and the installation of

Abstract - This paper presents studies into a new program
used to calculate sag and tension of conductors on wood pole
lines considering all relevant parameters, such as conductor
temperature, wind and ice loadings and creep. Based on this
information and data provided by the user, the program also
provides information on clearances and structural loadings.
Furthermore, the paper describes expressions used to develop
the program.
The program is in a Microsoft Excel domain for ease of use by
SSE planners for whom the program has been developed and is
found to provide more information than readily available
programs on the market.
A set of data is obtained experimentally at the Scottish and
Southern Energy (SSE) overhead line training school using a 58
metre span of 50 millimetre Hazel conductor (all aluminium
alloy conductor) strung at various tensions between two wood
poles at an air temperature of 2.5 degrees Celsius. This data is
used to validate the data from the new program. Attentive
analysis of results shows a close correlation between the two
methods.
Index TermsClearance, Conductor, Overhead Line, PLS-
CADD, Sag, Tension.
I. INTRODUCTION
Overhead electricity networks must comply with The
Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity (ESQC)
Regulations 2002 [8] to ensure the safety of the electricity
system for the general public, Distribution Network
Operators staff and to limit faults (and loss of supply to
customers) on the network itself. It is also important to design
the network such that limits for stress and vibration of line
components are not exceeded throughout the lifetime of the
asset (which is taken as at least 40 years).
Conductors are strung with slack to allow expansion and
contraction with changes in ambient temperature. The sag of
the conductor created by this slack causes the conductor
ground clearance to vary. Other factors which increase the
sag of a strung conductor are; wind and ice loadings,
conductor elongation (settlement and strand deformation
(geometrical creep), thermal strain, elastic tensile strain and
overhead line accessories. Refer to Appendix A.
Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD)
require a user friendly, reliable program which calculates sags
and tensions of overhead line conductors such that their
designers can ensure the sag of a conductor does not result in
an infringement of statutory ground clearances [8] at the
maximum likely operating temperature of the conductor.
The requirements for minimum statutory ground clearances
of overhead lines at voltages up to and including 33 kV are as
follows;
5.8 metres over roads
5.2 metres at other locations
Clearances apply to all points along the span length thus
this must always be a consideration if additional objects, such
as walls, run below the line.
Additional factors which must be considered when
calculating clearances are; The use of the land underneath the
overhead line, for instance a higher clearance is required for
fields in which combine harvesters are required to work,
maximum sag of the conductor under maximum operating
conditions and the strategic availability of the line under
severe weather conditions, for example heavy ice loadings.
Designers have to take into consideration tension and
vibration limits of the conductors and structural loadings of
the supports. They also have to check every overhead line
span, which results in a large yield of spans. For these reasons
the program must be simple to use.
The four methods for sag-tension calculation previously
employed SSEPD were; commercially available software,
PLS-CADD [6], a Microsoft Excel program produced by The
Energy Networks Association Technical Specification
(ENATS) 43-40 [2], CONDSAG, and historical sag-tension
charts. None of these fitted the purpose of simple design
checking.
PLS-CADD is a complete overhead line design software
package which calculates sags, tensions and structural
loadings from a precision ground line survey. Although this
appears ideal, in practice SSEPD design staff have found this
software overly complicated to use and time consuming for
routine jobs. PLS-CADD is more suited for larger jobs such
as transmission circuits.
 CONDSAG is a Microsoft Excel based program which
uses a Catenary method to calculate the sag for conductors
specified by SSEPD. Although it accurately calculates the sag
and tension based on maximum working tension or everyday
tension temperatures, its lack of user friendly inputs means it
is restrictive. It has been modified over many years and
requires button activated macros and can only be used by the
member of staff who originally designed it. ENATS 43-40 [2]
works on the same principle and was produced specifically
for a line design engineer.
Sag-tension charts are conductor specific. The charts
appear straight forward to use, however due to the scaling of
the graphs, accuracy is easily lost. The sag and temperature
curves only have specific values indicated so either the user
has to make estimations or they choose values based on the
higher or lower temperature curve. The data from these charts
may also be displayed in a table.
In this paper attempts will be made to gain an
understanding of all parameters which affect the sag of a
conductor at any point along the span length where
infringements of regulatory clearances could be made.
II. CONDUCTOR SAG CALCULATION
Before the sag of a conductor can be calculated, the tension
applied to the conductor must first be investigated.
There are two types of preliminary tension used to
calculate the stringing tension of the conductor; these are
Everyday Tension (EDT) and Maximum Working Tension
(MWT).
ENATS 43-40 [2] describes EDT as The design stress in
an unloaded conductor at 5 C. Used in sag / tension
calculations to limit harmful conductor vibrations. EDT is
calculated as 20 % of the rated tensile strength (RTS, also
called the breaking load) for aluminium based conductors and
33 % for copper conductors. It is not desirable for EDT to be
exceeded as this can result in excessive vibration with an
increase in fatigue and consequential reduction in life of the
conductor and fittings.
MWT includes for wind and ice loadings on the conductor
at a temperature of -5.6 C [2]. This gives the maximum
design tension physically allowed to be applied to the
conductor in maximum load cases. MWT is calculated by;
( (1)
o and wind speed is taken as 0 m/s.
Where the factor of safety (FoS) is normally greater than 2.
The FoS allows for the occasional overload due to excessive
climatic events and for the natural loss of strength over the
lifetime of the conductor.
The following equation is used to calculate the tensioning
value [2].
(t t ) ( ) ( ) (2)
Where;
E Modulus of elasticity of the conductor (N/m2)
A Conductor cross-sectional area (m2)
Coefficient of linear expansion of the conductor (/C)
t1 Initial conductor temperature (C)
t2 Final conductor temperature (C)
W1 Initial conductor total weight (N/m)
W2 Final conductor unit effective weight (N/m)
L Basic or equivalent span length (m)
T1 Initial conductor tension (N)
T2 Stringing conductor tension (N)
The Modulus of Elasticity is a ratio of the strain placed
upon the conductor to the change in length of the conductor
when a load is applied until limit of proportionality of the
conductor material is reached [4, 5]. The differing materials
of composite conductors mean an apparent modulus must be
used based on the combined Elasticity Modulus of the
different materials.
ensile tress
odulus of lasti ity ( a) (3)
ensile train
ensile train (4)
or e on the ondu tor
ensile tress ( a (5)
rea of the ondu tor
The Coefficient of Linear Expansion, often referred to as
thermal elongation, is the increase in unit length of the
conductor per degree temperature rise [4]. An apparent
Coefficient of Linear Expansion is again used for composite
conductors.
The initial temperature is the temperature at which EDT
and MWT are calculated (5 C and -5.6 C respectively).
The final temperature is the Maximum Operating
Temperature (MOT) of the conductor as specified by the
designer (subject to the maximum allowable temperature
specified by the manufacturer) in degrees Celsius (C). When
used in the tension equation, this will give the tension used to
design the overhead line in compliance with the required
ground clearance. This is important for greased conductors
where excessive temperature can result in melting and
migration of the grease used to coat the conductor strands.
For EDT, the initial conductor total weight and final
conductor unit effective weight are the bare weight of the
conductor as EDT is taken at 5 C where ice is not considered
For MWT, the initial conductor total weight is the bare
weight at -5.6 C augmented for wind and ice loadings. The
weight is calculated as follows [1];
nitial ondu tor ei ht
(6)
( ondu tor i e) ind load ( m)
This is a resultant force as the weight of the loaded
conductor is taken as being 90 to the wind loading and
where the wind loading acts transverse to the conductor.
 The final conductor unit effective weight for MWT is the
same as that for EDT as it is in still air, ice free conditions.
The basic or equivalent span length is defined as [3] The
basic (or normal) span is the most economic span for which
the line is designed over level ground. It will be determined
by the allowable sag for the particular conductor as shown
on the final sag and tension chart, taking account also of
basic clearances and height and strength of supports.
The initial conductor tension depends on the ruling case of
the lesser of either EDT or MWT. This ruling tension will
ensure that the conductor is not subject to dangerous vibration
which could weaken and ultimately damage conductors and
fittings.
The stringing tension is calculated at the erection (ambient)
temperature of the conductor. It is used when installing a new
line or verifying the height of an existing line.
III. CONDUCTOR SAG AT THE MID-POINT OF THE SPAN
There are two methods for calculating the sag of a
conductor;
Catenary Method gives an exact value of sag, and can
be used for level and non-level spans.
Parabolic Method gives an approximate value of sag
for level spans only (although the basic formulae can be
modified to allow for changes in level).
This paper explores the use of the Parabolic Method. This
decision was made based on the difference in accuracy
between the two methods being minimal for wood pole
overhead lines.
The sag of a conductor is calculated using the following
equation [7];
(m (7)
Where W2 is the final conductor unit effective weight, L is
the actual span length and T2 is the tension at the maximum
likely operating temperature of the conductor.
The actual span length is the distance between the two
supports of the conductor. The actual span length is not
normally greater than 10 % of the recommended basic span as
denoted by individual distribution network operators.
IV. CONDUCTOR SAG AT ANY POINT ALONG THE SPAN
In some cases, the maximum sag of the conductor may not
be located at the mid-point of the span. For instance, there
may be a wall located a quarter of the way along the span at
which a clearance check is still required. Due to the sag of a
conductor being non-linear (the closer to the pole the sag is
measured, the steeper the slope), it can be determined using
the parabolic equation;
(8)
Fig. 1. Conductor Sag at any point along Span Length
V. SAG AT MAXIMUM OPERATING TEMPERATURE
Utilising the formula for a basic parabola, X represents the
distance from the mid-point to the user defined position, Y
represents the distance between a horizontal line drawn below
the conductor to the conductor itself and k is a constant.
Manipulation of and substitution into this parabolic
expression creates an equation for the sag of a conductor
anywhere along the span length;
mot
udp mot ( )( udp) (9)
Where Sudp and Smot are the sag at a user defined position
(udp) and sag at maximum operating temperature
respectively.
VI. SAG AT USER DEFINED TEMPERATURE
Utilising (9), the only difference for a user defined
temperature is that the maximum operating temperature (mot)
is no longer used and must be replaced by Sudt (Sag at user
defined temperature).
udt (10)
udp udt ( )( udp)
VII. CLEARANCES
The clearance of the conductor can be calculated for new
line design and for existing lines.
For new line design, the clearance is calculated to give the
erection height at the fixing points of the conductor. This is
known through knowledge of the sag of the conductor at
maximum operating temperature at any point along the span
length and statutory clearances. Simply adding these two
heights together gives the minimum erection height.
For existing lines, site measurements of the smallest
clearance and the air temperature allow for the clearance of
the conductor at its maximum operating temperature to be
calculated, and hence a statement as to whether statutory
clearances are infringed and if so how much by for
rectification purposes.
 VIII. FIELD TEST
Although the basic program (basic sag-tension calculation)
had been tested and compared with another calculation
program to prove its theoretical validity, practical testing to
include for temperature and sag at any point along the line
was a further requirement to provide evidence that the
program was functioning in the expected manor.
The practical tests were undertaken at the electricity
ompanys Overhead ine rainin hool. Appendix B
illustrates the set up of the site for test purposes.
A 58 metre section of 50 mm2 Hazel AAAC (All
Aluminium Alloy Conductor) was strung between two wood
poles at a height such that measurements could be made
easily at ground level. The conductor was fitted with a dead-
end at one end and attached through a dynamometer and
tensioning equipment at the other such that the tension of the
conductor could be altered during the test process.
A rangefinder was used to find the mid-point of the span,
the point where the distance to both poles was equal. At this
location an indicator was fixed in position.
The rangefinder was then used give an imaginary
horizontal line along the span. At the indicator, tape was
used to mark the point at which the indicator crossed the
imaginary horizontal line. The sag of the conductor could
then be measured using a tape measure between the tape
marker and the centre of the conductor.
A Linesmens thermometer was be used to measure the air
temperature, which stayed at a steady 2.5 C for the entirety
of the test.
The above procedure was then be repeated for different
points along the line and at differing tension values.
Once the tests were complete the innovative program was
used to check the field test results corresponded with the
theoretical results, however an ambient temperature of 3 C
had to be used as the program does not allow for decimal
temperature values.
IX. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
Table I in Apendix C lists the results with the final column
illustrating the difference between the two tests.
From the results it can be seen that the maximum variance
between theory and practice, excluding test 5, is 0.025
metres. This is deemed an acceptable error. The differences in
measurement could be due to a number of causes.
To find the horizontal line between the conductor fittings,
the rangefinder had to be held level looking from one pole to
the other. A second person then had to find the point on this
horizontal line where the indicator was positioned through the
use of hand signals. Tape was then marked on the indicator
where this point was believed to be and the measurement of
the sag was taken. This gave way for human error. There was
also some inaccuracy when reading from the analogue
dynamometer. The procedure could have been improved by
using a visible laser level and digital dynamometer.
The error does not occur from the use of the integer
temperature value of 3 C. The innovative program has been
run looking at the calculations at 2 C and 3 C and there is a
difference of less than 0.01 m in the resulting sag, which is
negligible for on-site measurements.
The reason for the vast difference in the fifth test is due to
the tensioning equipment. At low tensions, the tensioning
equipment causes the conductor to act less like a Catenary
curve due to its effective weight on the line (higher weight
per metre than the conductor and being at the point of load
rather than a linear load).
For future tests, a larger span length and different sizes of
conductor would be beneficial to allow for a greater range of
tests to be carried out and to reduce errors. Time would also
need to be allowed to cater for a range of temperatures to test
for its effects on the conductor.
X. CONCLUSION
An innovative Sag-Tension Calculation Program has been
successfully developed. Practical testing ensured the program
met the requirements of the electricity company of which it
has done entirely.
The following conclusions can be drawn;
Due to short span lengths on wood pole lines the
Parabolic method of calculating sag can be used in
preference to the Catenary method without loss of
accuracy. This is for easier manipulation by the end user
rather than for the ease of the innovative program
designer.
It is possible to calculate the sag of a conductor at any
point along the span length. This is important if the
smallest clearance does not occur at the mid-point of the
span.
The program has been designed in an efficient manner
such that anyone other than the designer can manipulate
it as required ith help from the asso iated users
manual.
The innovative program has compared successfully to
the already existing software design packages.
It is possible to practically test such a program to ensure
the real life aspects of the requirements are met.
The innovative program will successfully replace old
software packages and any historical sag-tension charts for
wood pole lines with no additional cost to the electricity
company in a way which is user friendly for the designers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express gratitude to the staff at SSE who
have collaborated with me over the past six months to ensure
the program was developed to a high standard, with particular
thanks given to John Baker, Overhead Line Policy Engineer
and Engineering Policy Manager, for the time and effort he
has put in with regards to gathering data sheets and technical
documentation which would have otherwise been unavailable
to me. I would also like to recognise the help provided to me
by David Judd, Overhead Line Trainer, who facilitated the
practical testing.
I would like to recognise the support and advice given by
my supervisor, Dr Hassan Nouri, whose help with the study
has enabled it to be completed to the best of its ability.

REFERENCES
[1] Bayliss, C and Hardy, B (2012) Transmission and Distribution
Electrical Engineering. 4th ed. Oxford: Newnes.
[2] Energy Networks Association (2004) Specification for Single Circuit
Overhead Lines on Wood Poles for use at High Voltage up to and
including 33kV. Technical Specification 43-40. 2nd ed. London:
Energy Networks Association.
[3] Gracey, G (1963). Overhead Electric Power Lines (First Edition).
London: Ernest Benn Limited.
[4] McCombe, J and Haigh, F (1966) Overhead Line Practice. 3rd ed.
London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.
[5] Nelkon, M and Parker, P (1970) Advanced Level Physics. 3rd ed.
London: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd.
[6] Power Systems Inc (2012) PLS-CADDTM (Power Line Systems
Computer Aided Design and Drafting). Available from:
http://www.powerlinesystems.com/products/pls_cadd.html [Accessed
19 October 2012].
[7] Task Force B2.12.3 (2007) Sag-Tension Calculation Methods for
Overhead Lines [online]. Report Number: 324. Paris: Cigr. Available
from: http://www.e-cigre.org/Order/select.asp?ID=13561 [Accessed
09 October 2012].
[8] The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 Order
2002 (SI 2002/2665).

Appendicies

Appendix A

Fig. 2. Demonstration of Overhead Line Measurement Locations

Appendix B

Fig. 3. Practical Testing Setup

Fig. 4. Test Site

Appendix C
Table I
Practical Test Results