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How To Determine The Sag in Transmission Lines

This document provides instructions for determining the sag in transmission lines. It explains that transmission lines form a catenary shape between towers and must have some sag, but not too little or too much. It then provides a 5-step process to calculate sag using measurements of horizontal distance between towers, weight per unit length of the conductor, and tension in the line. The equation incorporates these factors to determine the vertical sag between the lowest point and attachment points.

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Vipin Sharma
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788 views4 pages

How To Determine The Sag in Transmission Lines

This document provides instructions for determining the sag in transmission lines. It explains that transmission lines form a catenary shape between towers and must have some sag, but not too little or too much. It then provides a 5-step process to calculate sag using measurements of horizontal distance between towers, weight per unit length of the conductor, and tension in the line. The equation incorporates these factors to determine the vertical sag between the lowest point and attachment points.

Uploaded by

Vipin Sharma
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to Determine the Sag in Transmission

Lines
X

DougL
This article was created by a professional writer and edited by experienced copy editors, both
qualified members of the Demand Media Studios community. All articles go through an editorial
process that includes subject matter guidelines, plagiarism review, fact-checking, and other steps
in effort to provide reliable information.
By DougL, eHow Contributor

updated: February 09, 2011

Transmission lines must have some sag to them.

Transmission lines do not connect between their supporting towers in a straight line. The shape
formed by a line strung between two supports is called a catenary. If there is too much tension,
the sag will be too little and the line can snap. However, if there is too much sag, it will increase
the amount of conductor used, increasing the cost more than is necessary. The more space there
is between transmission towers, the more the transmission line will sag.

Difficulty:
Moderate

Instructions
1.
o 1
Measure the horizontal distance between the tower attachment points. This will be
denoted by the letter L.

o 2

Determine the weight per unit length of the conductor. This is signified by the
letter w.

o 3

Find the tension in the line, represented by the letter T.

o 4

Substitute these values into the equation T x y = (wx)(x/2) where T is the tension,
y is the vertical distance between the attachment point and the lowest point in the
parabola, and wx is the weight that acts at a horizontal distance x/2 from the
attachment point.

o 5

Solve the equation for y. This yields y = wx²/(2T). Substitute L/2 for x since the
center between the towers is the low spot to get y = w/(2T) x (L/2)², which
simplifies to y = wL²/8T. For example, the sag for a cable with a weight equal to 1
kilogram per meter tensioned to 10,000 kg between towers 500 meters apart
would have a sag equal to (1)(500²)/(8)(10,000) = 250,000/80,000 = 3.125 meters.
Transmission & Distribution (Overhead)
Line -
Sag & Tension Software
 

ETAP Transmission & Distribution Line Sag and Tension Analysis module is an important tool
to perform sag and tension calculation for transmission and distribution lines to ensure adequate
operating condition for the lines. If the tension applied on a line is beyond its limit, the line
conductor could be damaged, and the transmission capacity and life span of the line will be
reduced. If the sag is too large, it may cause a short circuit between the line and objects below it
or a short circuit between lines in extremely windy conditions.

  Sag & Tension Analysis Software Key Features

 Calculate line sag and tension vs. temperature


 Handle multiple overhead line spans between dead-end structures
 Allow transmission line spans with unequal length
 Allow spans on different horizontal levels
 Include effects of wind, temperature, & k factor

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