Overview
ACSR/TP overhead conductor consists of two standard concentric stranded ACSR conductors twisted around each other. It may be installed using techniques and equipment similar to that used to install other concentric round wire conductors. However, a few special procedures must be used to maintain equal tension between the two component conductors. The equipment recommendations and special procedures in this guide along with recommendations given in IEEE Std. 524, “Guide to the Installation of overhead Transmission Line Conductors”, should be followed.

Handling
It is important to maintain the relationship of the conductor lengths established during manufacturing. Therefore, ACSR/TP conductor should not be rewound in the field from the shipping reel to another reel. Reels containing ACSR/TP conductor should be stored upright, resting on the rims. Never lay the reel on its side.

Tensioners & Sheaves
Most methods of installation used for standard round conductor can be used to install ACSR/TP conductor. However, non-tension methods of stringing are preferred such as laying the conductor out on the ground and then lifting it into position on the poles.

If the conductor must be strung under tension then a multi-groove bull wheel tensioner MUST be used to install ACSR/TP conductor. A tensioner in which the alignment of the front and back bull wheels are offset by ½ the groove spacing is satisfactory for installing smaller sizes of ACSR/TP conductor, where the conductor will lay flat in the bottom on the groove. If improper equipment is used, the ridge between the grooves may separate the individual ACSR/TP conductors.

Another commonly used tensioner has one bull wheel tilted slightly in relation to the other. This allows the conductor to ride in the bottom of the grooves. This type of tensioner, when properly sized, is preferred.

The bottom groove diameters for sheaves and bull wheels should be sized in accordance with IEEE Std. 524; except that the bottom groove for sheaves should not be less than 14 times the maximum diameter of the ACSR/TP conductor. Note that for this type of conductor the term “Dc” should be twice the diameter of one component conductor (referred to in this guide as the ‘maximum diameter’).

The groove radius of the sheave and bull wheel must be wide enough to allow the ACSR/ TP conductor to pass through with the two individual conductors laying flat and parallel. The minimum groove radius should be 0.55 times the maximum diameter of the ACSR/ TP conductor. The use of smaller than recommended diameter sheaves and/or high stringing tensions may cause a build-up of torsional stress into the conductor.