With the advent of technology, the problems faced by previous generations were reduced to a great extent. One such issue was the electricity losses that power generation companies had to face a few years back. However, now with the rapid development in the field of transmission, this problem was addressed with the development of new cables. Now with cables, Aerial bundled cables ABC cables, the electrical losses were greatly reduced. These cables are actually overhead power lines that use several insulated conductors tightly bind together using neutral conductors. They don’t rely on the old conventional method of uninsulated conductors that were separated by gaps and had a lot of difficulties and challenges. Additionally, these cables produce much better results in comparison with the conventional OH distribution systems that use bare conductors for the transmission of electricity.
Moreover, the OH distribution method isn’t practical in areas such as coastal regions, dense forests, and hills. The traditional usage of multiple conductors is becoming a major cause of short-circuiting just by facing some extreme weather situations such as high winds. The high winds can cause these cables to touch each other, thus causing short-circuits. Because of such reasons, the use of ABC cables is gaining popularity as these cables are safer and more reliable and show lower power losses. Likewise, these cables provide higher stability in voltage regulation, benefiting the system economy ultimately as the installation, maintenance, and operations cost is less.
You might be wondering what an ABC cable is? An ABC Cable, also known as Aerial Bundled Cable, is an overhead power line. This cable consists of numerous insulated conductors, bundled and wrapped together tightly. It also comes along with a bare neutral conductor. The use of insulation is the ABC cable is in contrast with the traditional transmission cables that were uninsulated. Additionally, these cables can transmit power in low voltages.
If we talk about the ABC cable sizes and types, then ABC cables have three classes. Additionally, each class is available in different sizes that we are going to discuss below:
Low Voltage ABC cables work well for overhead power lines and room entrance. They can usually bare pressure of 1kv and below. These cables come with a benefit of the low maintenance cost, installation, and operating cost. The cables consist of aluminum, copper, or aluminum alloy as a conductor. The standard low voltage Aerial bundled cables come in: IEC 61089, BS 7870, DIN 48201, ASTM B399, BS EN50183, NFC33-209.
Medium Voltage, Aerial Bundle Cables, are the most effective for power grid transformation in urban, forest, and coastal areas. It also works great for overhead power transmission. The system is more efficient, reliable, and economical. These types of cables have the ability to bare voltage levels of 10kv and below, 6.35/11kv, 12,7/22 kV, 19/33kv, etc. The conductor used is aluminum and has a circular shape. The insulation material mostly used is XPLE. The material used for inner and outer semiconductor is compound, but the bedding material is semi-conducting. The screen comprises a copper tape or a copper wire. Moreover, the outer sheath is HDPE. The standard medium-voltage aerial bundled cables come in: IEC60502, NF C33-209, GB 12527-90 ASTM
These duplex or triplex service drop wire has a high tensile strength capability to carry the load of 120V for overhead service applications. It also uses PVC or XPLE cable as an insulation material. The main composition is 1350-H19 aluminum, along with phase conductors twisted concentrically. Its neutral core is made up of AAC, ACSR, or 6201 aluminum alloy. These duplex services drop wires are applicable to street lighting, outdoor lighting, and building temporary services. The conductor temperature of PVC insulated doesn’t exceed 75 degrees. And the conductor temperature of XPLE insulated doesn’t exceed 90 degrees. The standard duplex/triplex voltage wire comes in: ASTM B230, B231, B232, and B-399, B498, ICEA S-76-474.
ABC Cable Network introduced a number of benefits that you get to avail when you use ABC cables instead of conventional ones. Here are some of them:
· Increased Safety:
ABC cables are more safe, secure, and reliable than any conventional transmission lines.
· Low Maintenance Costs:
These cables have low power costs, low installation costs, and, most importantly, low maintenance. It has all of it. This is why aerial bundle cable has started to replace the obsolete bare copper and aluminum conductor worldwide.
· Wide Area Coverage:
Unlike traditional uninsulated transmission cables, you can use ABC cables in all areas. Knowing about ABC cable specifications, it is perfect for areas where the installation is quite a task. These cables are the best choice for installation in congested urban areas, where it is very difficult to lay the lines in between the narrow gaps of buildings. It is totally not possible to install bare conductors there. They are also quite ideal for places such as hilly areas or dense forest. ABC Cable Company ensures that they lay power lines there without trimming any trees.
· Secure from Short Circuits:
Moreover, because of its excellent insulation, it reduces the risk of many accidental electrocutions.
· Affordable Prices:
Additionally, the ABC cable price is quite economical, which makes it more attractive than other traditional cables.
· Easy Detection of Faults:
As these cables are visible, so it is quite easy to detect any fault in their system. Additionally, the problem of waterlogging is not a problem anymore with ABC cables. The risk of electricity theft is a major problem in this system, but when you use ZW cables, you don’t have to worry about it. The company has made it harder and more obvious to detect.
· Easy Installation:
No crossbars or insulators are required, so the installation has become way easier.
Along with all the advantages of using ABC cables, there are some downsides to this amazing product as well. Therefore, beneath we are going to discuss some of the disadvantages of ABC cables.
· Insulation of ABC cables can also be a source of damage sometimes. Due to sun exposure, insulation degrades, causing certain problems.
· ABC cables are unsuitable for places, where tree falling or branches is a routine. As it can cause line breaks and damage the insulation.
· Over time, ABC cables can cause ground fires due to line breakages.
· As these cables are somehow heavy, therefore you can’t use them for longer spans without poles. Because of its weight, these cables need more poles that too on shorter spans.
· In hilly domains, the repairing of ABC cables is a lengthy and burdensome task. The main reason behind this is the heavyweight of these cables because of which they need specialized equipment for repair.
