Power Transmission and Distribution Solutions

2.5 Power Transmission Lines

conductor tensile forces can result in torsional loading. Additionally, special loading conditions are adopted for the purpose of failure containment, that is, to limit the extent of damage. Finally, provisions have to be made for construction and maintenance.

Depending on voltage level and the acting forces of the overhead line, differing designs and materials are adopted. Poles made of wood, concrete or steel are very often used for lowvoltage and medium-voltage lines. Towers with lattice steel design, however, prevail at voltage levels of 110 kV and above (g. 2.5-20). Guyed lattice steel structures are used in some parts of the world for high-voltage AC and DC lines. Such design requires a relatively at topography and a secure environment where there is no threat from vandalism and theft. Guyed lattice steel structures offer a substantial amount of cost savings with respect to tower weight and foundation quantities. However, a wider right-of-way has to be considered. Foundations for the supports Overhead power line supports are mounted on concrete foundations. The foundations have to be designed according to the national or international standard applicable for the particular project. The selection of foundation types and the design is determined by the: Loads resulting from the tower design Soil conditions on the site Accessibility to the line route Availability of machinery Constraints of the particular country and the site Concrete blocks or concrete piers are in use for poles that exert bending moments on the foundation. For towers with four legs, a foundation is provided for each individual leg (g. 2.5-21). Pad and chimney and concrete block foundations require good bearing soil conditions without groundwater. Driven or augured piles and piers are adopted for low-bearing soil, for sites with bearing soil at a greater depth and for high groundwater level. In case of groundwater, the soil conditions must permit pile driving. Concrete slabs can be used for good bearing soil, when subsoil and groundwater level prohibit pad and chimney foundations as well as piles. Route selection and tower spotting Route selection and planning represent increasingly difcult tasks, because the right-of-way for transmission lines is limited and many aspects and interests have to be considered. Route selection and approval depend on the statutory conditions and procedures prevailing in the country of the project. Route selection nowadays involves preliminary desktop studies with a variety of route alternatives, environmental impact studies, community communication hearings and acceptance approval from the local authorities.

Fig. 2.5-20: Typical Central European AC line design with different voltage levels

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Siemens Energy Sector Power Engineering Guide Edition 7.0