Overview

ACSR lines degrade over their lifetime. Industrial pollutants and salt sea air cause corrosion in the conductors. This corrosion determines the useful life of the conductor. Corrosion occurs on the steel core bundle and between the steel and aluminum strands of the conductor.

Our Conductor Corrosion Assessment System measures the volume of zinc on the steel core bundle to define the condition of the conductor. This method is a comparative test that uses a reference model of the aging conductor. The information collected is presented in graphic form. The data shows the length of the span and the condition of the galvanizing on the steel core bundle.

Our assessment process defines the condition of conductors by collecting data from scans taken at intervals along the circuit totaling 10% of the length of the circuit. Each individual span tested is analyzed to assess its condition profile and these profiles are combined to provide an assessment of the circuit. Any anomalous conditions such as severe, localized loss of galvanizing are also reported. The Remaining Service Life projection is derived from the Circuit Condition Assessment, service history provided by the client and STC's experience gained over more than 15 years of conductor testing.