ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced) and ACCC (Aluminum Conductor Composite Core) are two types of electrical conductors commonly used in overhead power transmission lines, but they differ significantly in terms of structure, performance, and applications. Here’s a detailed comparison:
1. Conductor Structure
ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced): ACSR conductors consist of aluminum wire wrapped around a steel core. The steel core provides mechanical strength, while the aluminum conductor carries the electrical current. The structure is made by twisting the aluminum and steel wires together.
ACCC (Aluminum Conductor Composite Core): ACCC conductors are made from aluminum wires combined with a composite core, typically made from carbon fiber or other high-strength composite materials. The composite core offers much greater tensile strength than steel, enabling the conductor to carry higher mechanical loads without increasing weight.
2. Electrical Performance
ACSR: ACSR conductors have a relatively high electrical resistance due to the combination of aluminum and steel, which leads to higher line losses, especially over long distances.
ACCC: ACCC conductors have a lower electrical resistance compared to ACSR, which reduces line losses and enhances the overall efficiency of the power transmission. The use of a composite core results in better electrical performance, particularly for long-distance transmission and high-power applications.
3. Mechanical Performance
ACSR: The steel core of ACSR provides good mechanical strength, but the conductor is relatively heavy. This added weight can cause sagging in the lines, especially under adverse weather conditions (e.g., high winds or ice storms). More support structures, such as towers, may be needed to handle the weight.
ACCC: The composite core of ACCC conductors is much lighter and stronger than steel, which allows the conductor to carry higher loads without significant sagging. The reduced weight means fewer support structures (towers) are needed, which can lower installation and maintenance costs.
4. Corrosion Resistance
ACSR: The steel core in ACSR conductors is prone to corrosion, particularly in environments with high humidity, salt, or other corrosive conditions. Regular maintenance and monitoring are needed to prevent degradation.
ACCC: The composite core used in ACCC conductors is more resistant to corrosion compared to steel, providing longer-lasting performance and reducing the frequency of maintenance. This makes ACCC more suitable for harsh environmental conditions.
5. Weight and Support Structure
ACSR: Due to the weight of the steel core, ACSR conductors are relatively heavy. This means that more robust support structures are required to support the lines, which increases installation costs and the need for more towers, especially over long distances.
ACCC: ACCC conductors are lighter than ACSR, which means they require less structural support. This results in fewer towers and reduced costs for transmission line construction and maintenance.
6. Ampacity (Current-Carrying Capacity)
ACSR: The current-carrying capacity (ampacity) of ACSR conductors is limited due to their higher electrical resistance. To transmit higher amounts of power, multiple parallel lines may be required, which can add to infrastructure costs.
ACCC: ACCC conductors have a much higher ampacity compared to ACSR. The lower electrical resistance allows for higher current transmission without the need for larger conductor sizes, making them ideal for power-hungry applications and long-distance transmission.
7. Applications
ACSR: ACSR is commonly used for medium-distance transmission and in areas where the demand for power is relatively lower. It is suitable for standard transmission lines but may not be ideal for modern, high-demand grids.
ACCC: ACCC is used for high-voltage, high-capacity, and long-distance power transmission. It is especially suitable for situations where transmission line upgrades are needed, as it can increase the power transfer capacity without the need for major infrastructure changes.
Summary Comparison
| Feature | ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced) | ACCC (Aluminum Conductor Composite Core) |
| Conductor Structure | Aluminum conductor + Steel core | Aluminum conductor + Composite core (carbon fiber or similar) |
| Electrical Performance | Higher resistance, more line losses | Lower resistance, reduced line losses, higher efficiency |
| Mechanical Performance | Strong, but heavier, more sag | Lighter, stronger, less sagging |
| Corrosion Resistance | Susceptible to corrosion, requires maintenance | High corrosion resistance, low maintenance |
| Weight | Heavy, requires more support structures | Light, fewer support structures required |
| Ampacity | Lower current capacity | Higher current capacity, can carry more power |
| Applications | Medium-distance, lower demand areas | High-voltage, long-distance, high-demand applications |
The ACCC (Aluminum Conductor Composite Core) is a new type of overhead transmission line conductor characterized by its light weight, high tensile strength, good thermal stability, low sag, high ampacity, and excellent corrosion resistance. These features make it particularly suitable for environments with high corrosion and contamination, such as coastal areas and mining regions, where the conductor is also prone to oscillation. It meets the requirements for building energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly power grids and holds great application potential in county-level electrical networks. ACCC carbon fiber composite conductors are an ideal replacement for traditional ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced), AAS (Aluminum Alloy Steel), aluminum-clad steel conductors, and imported invar conductors in global power transmission and transformation systems.
Traditional ACSR conductors are affected by terrain, temperature differences, wind speed, and other factors, and are highly prone to ice accumulation in weather conditions such as snow and freezing rain. In contrast, ACCC overhead conductors have a smooth surface with a dense internal structure, making them resistant to ice accumulation. They can also be used with line de-icing devices, allowing for quick ice melting without any significant change in the sag of the conductor.
The ACCC overhead conductor uses carbon fiber composite materials to reinforce the core. Its tensile strength is seven times that of traditional steel-core aluminum conductors, yet its weight is only 60% to 80% of that of ACSR. This allows the conductor to be installed between towers that are farther apart and lower in height, adapting to more complex terrains while reducing the cost of tower construction.
ACSR is a more traditional conductor that is well-suited for medium-distance transmission with lower electrical demands. However, it has limitations in terms of efficiency, weight, and corrosion resistance.
ACCC, on the other hand, offers superior performance in terms of electrical efficiency, strength-to-weight ratio, and corrosion resistance. It is especially ideal for high-demand, long-distance, and high-voltage transmission lines, as it can carry more power with fewer infrastructure needs.
For modern power transmission networks, ACCC is increasingly being used to replace ACSR in areas that require more power and longer distances, or where existing transmission lines need to be upgraded to meet growing energy demands.
Post time: Dec-18-2024