Transmission Line Design Standard

Summary

This standard defines the performance design parameters for overhead transmission lines constructed to
connect to and form part of the TransGrid network.
TransGrid publishes this information under clause 5.2A.5 of the National Electricity Rules.

Document Control

Date of issue July 2018 Update Initial version

Disclaimer and important notice

This document and the information in it is for general guidance only and may be subsequently updated or
amended. This document does not constitute technical or other professional advice, and should not be relied
on as a substitute for obtaining detailed technical and professional advice about its subject matter.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, TranGrid and its officers, employees and consultants involved in the
preparation of this document:
 make no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the currency, accuracy, reliability or
completeness of the information in this document
 are not liable (whether by reason of negligence or otherwise) for any statements or representations in this
document, or any omissions from it, or for any use or reliance on the information in it.

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Contents

1. Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

2. Scope ......................................................................................................................................................... 3

3. Objectives.................................................................................................................................................. 3

4. Definitions ................................................................................................................................................. 3

5. Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. 4

6. General ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
6.1 Design parameters ........................................................................................................................... 4
6.2 Safety in design ................................................................................................................................ 5
6.3 Design drawings ............................................................................................................................... 5

7. Operational Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 6

8. Electrical Design....................................................................................................................................... 7
8.1 Insulation........................................................................................................................................... 7
8.2 Electrical clearances ......................................................................................................................... 7
8.2.1 Clearance to ground and roads ......................................................................................... 7
8.2.2 Clearance to structures ...................................................................................................... 8
8.2.3 Maintenance clearances .................................................................................................... 8
8.3 Transpositions .................................................................................................................................. 8
8.4 Earthing............................................................................................................................................. 8
8.4.1 Earthing metalwork ............................................................................................................ 8
8.4.2 Footing resistance.............................................................................................................. 8
8.4.3 Earthing safety ................................................................................................................... 8
8.5 Electric and magnetic fields .............................................................................................................. 8
8.6 Induction ........................................................................................................................................... 8
8.7 Vibration ............................................................................................................................................ 8

9. Structural Design...................................................................................................................................... 9
9.1 General requirement ......................................................................................................................... 9
9.2 Loadings ........................................................................................................................................... 9
9.3 Structure and design ........................................................................................................................ 9
9.4 Footing design .................................................................................................................................. 9
9.5 Prototype and testing ........................................................................................................................ 9
9.6 Fauna consideration ....................................................................................................................... 10

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1. Purpose

This standard for Transmission Line Design specifies the minimum structural, electrical and geotechnical
design required for overhead transmission lines used in TransGrid’s network. This standard complies with
AS/NZS 7000 and any exceptions are explicitly noted.

2. Scope

This standard specifies the requirements that shall be met for the design of new towers, poles or similar
structures that support the conductor of TransGrid overhead transmission lines.
This standard is not intended as a substitute for AS/NZS 7000 or other Regulatory Standards, Codes or Acts.
Every effort has been made to ensure that this standard complies with AS/NZS 7000 except where explicitly
stated, however it remains the users’ responsibility to ensure that all relevant regulatory requirements are
satisfied, particularly where recent amendments have been made.

3. Objectives

TransGrid requires works to be carried out in accordance with this standard to ensure:
 That relevant Australian legal requirements are met
 That the requirements of the National Electricity Rules are met
 Personnel and public safety
 Safety of TransGrid’s assets
 Ease in operation and maintenance
 Reliability and continuity of power supply from the power transmission network
 Minimum disruption to the power supply system following a fault
 Alignment with TransGrid’s network management strategies and TransGrid’s established maintenance
practices
 That the exposure of TransGrid’s business to risk is minimised.

4. Definitions

The meanings and interpretations of terms and phrases used in this document are as listed below.

Term Definition

Conductor This is generally a reference to the phase conductors on a transmission line but is also a
generic term for the uninsulated cables that are used for either phase conductor or
overhead earthwire.

Span The horizontal distance between two adjacent structures.

Suspension A structure that primarily supports the transverse and vertical load of the conductors and is
Structure subject to minimal longitudinal load. The conductor is supported by insulation that is usually
perpendicular to the conductor. Insulator types include I string, D string, V string, horizontal
V, line post, braced line post.

Tension Structure A structure where the conductors are terminated with insulators in-line with the conductor
and supports longitudinal conductor loads in addition to the transverse and vertical loads.
The structure is incapable of resisting termination loads on one face of the structure alone.

Termination (Dead- A tension structure that is capable of resisting terminated conductor loads on one face of

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end) Structure the structure.

5. Acronyms and Abbreviations

Term Definition

ALS Aerial Laser Survey

CBL Calculated Breaking Load (kN)

EDMS Electronic Document Management System
EMF Electromagnetic Field
ICNIRP International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection
MOT Maximum Operating Temperature
OHEW Overhead Earth Wire

OPGW Optical Fibre Ground Wire

RMS Root mean square
RSL Residual Static Load (kN)
SC/AC Steel Conductor/Aluminium Clad
SC/GZ Steel Conductor/Galvanized
SVD Spiral vibration damper or impact damper
SWP Standard Work Practices

TAMIS TransGrid Asset Management Information System

TLS Terrestrial Laser Survey
VAR Reactive or apparent power (volt – ampere reactive)

6. General

6.1 Design parameters

The design scope shall include consideration of the following inputs:
 Approved line route and route length
 Climatic conditions (wind region, wind speed, wind direction, temperatures, lightning ground flash
density)
 Seismic conditions (if they apply)
 Topographical features (terrain category, altitude)
 Pollution level
 Environmental and cultural heritage requirements
 Operating voltage
 Number of circuits
 Conductor type and size
 Overhead earthwire type and size

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  Optical Fibre Overhead earthwire (if applicable)
 Structure type
 Line importance – Security Level
 Design working life for the line
 Lightning performance requirements
 OPGW requirements
 Details of the connection or terminal points of the line
 Maximum load
 Earth fault level at terminal substations
 Construction issues such as:
o Outage restrictions and recall times
o Overcrossings, undercrossings and traffic management
o Construction staging if required
o Induction from parallel transmission lines

6.2 Safety in design

Designs shall be in accordance with the Safe Work Australia Safe Design of Structures Code of Practice.

6.3 Design drawings

Where required design drawings for construction shall include the following:
 Plan & profile drawings. These shall include conductor type, maximum design temperature and the
minimum clearance provision
 Line schedules shall be in a tabulated format, summarising the details of the line
 Stringing/sagging tables (including offset clipping if applicable)
 Vibration damper schedule and installation dimensions
 Construction staking tables
 Structure drawings (if utilising non-standard structures)
 Rail crossing drawings (if applicable)
 Other powerline crossing drawings (if applicable)
 Navigable waterway crossing drawings (if applicable)
 Landing span drawings for non-standard structures
o General arrangement
o Steelwork fabrication details
o Pole manufacturing details
o Insulator and earthwire arrangements and details
o Electrical clearances
o Design loading capacity with load factors
o Structure test reports

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7. Operational Requirements

The following issues shall be addressed in the transmission line design to ensure that the line meets the
operation requirements of the TransGrid network:
 Structure security is required to limit the consequential damage in the event of a structural failure and
particularly to reduce the risk of cascade failures
 Network Reliability should be maximised for all transmission line designs through all aspects of
construction, operation and maintenance
 Thermal Rating – phase conductors and maximum operating temperature shall be selected to
minimise annealing and maximise conductor life. All lines shall maintain statutory ground clearances
at the maximum design operating temperature
 Fault Currents – current, future and ultimate fault levels should be considered in the selection of
conductors and earthwires to ensure they are adequately rated
 Lightning Performance - The lightning performance of a transmission line shall be managed through
control of earthwire shielding angle, structure earth resistance and insulation level to achieve the
lightning outage rates shown in the table below:

Radial Lines Parallel Lines

Line
Voltage
Each Circuit Double Circuit Each Circuit Double Circuit

500 kV 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.15

330 kV 0.3 0.15 0.6 0.3

220 kV 0.5 1.2

132 kV 0.6 0.3 1.2 0.6

66 kV 1.2 0.6 2.4 1.2

Table 1: Design Lightning Outage Rates (outages/100 kilometre/year)

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  Easement Widths are sized to ensure standard safety clearances under high wind conditions, provide
an area where vegetation heights can be controlled and provide ease of access for ongoing
maintenance and repairs. Easements shall be acquired for all transmission lines on private land
according to the table of minimum easement widths below:

Transmission Line Easement Width

500kV double circuit 70m
500kV single circuit 80m
330kV single or double circuit 60m
220kV single or double circuit 50m
132kV single or double circuit 45m
66kV single or double circuit 30m
Up to 33kV single or double 20m
circuit
Table 2: Easement widths

 Required Clearances Around Structures - The following are the minimum requirements to provide for
a safe work area around each type of structure:
o 15m from any crossing power line structure or conductors
o 15m to any road carriageway, or barricade outside the edge of the carriageway
o 15m to the property boundary of any rail corridor
o Consideration of conductor blowout towards structures to maintain safe electrical clearances
o All parts of structures and conductors of any parallel electricity line to be outside the
easement, overlapping easements are acceptable

8. Electrical Design

8.1 Insulation
Insulation co-ordination shall be in accordance with AS 1824.

8.2 Electrical clearances

8.2.1 Clearance to ground and roads
Minimum Clearance to ground and over the carriageway of roads for new transmission lines shall be in
accordance with AS/NZS 7000.
Also when designing a new line, the following considerations should be given to for additional clearances:
 Include a margin to allow for minor inaccuracy in surveying and construction, as well as some small
movement over time
 Additional clearance should be allowed if there is likely to be a future lower circuit constructed along
the road or in special circumstances such as private roads and adjacent parts of public roads
especially in mining and heavy industrial sites
Greater clearances over roads may be required where regular high loads are likely (National and State
Highways and other major roads) and to allow for vehicle maintenance or breakdown activities (a person on
top of the vehicle) which are not allowed for in the standard clearances.

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8.2.2 Clearance to structures
Clearance to structures for conductors and insulator arrangements shall be shall be designed in accordance
with AS/NZS 7000.

8.2.3 Maintenance clearances

All structure designs shall provide climbing access. On multiple circuit structures or line corridors, access shall
be available to one circuit with the other circuit(s) live.

8.3 Transpositions
Phase conductors are transposed on long transmission lines to balance the mutual impedances and reduce
the load current unbalance.
Transpositions are usually not required in 500kV lines or 330kV lines less than 100km in length. Where
required, they will be specified by TransGrid.
For lines less than 50km transposition is not usually required. For lines greater than 50km, consultation with
TransGrid is required regarding the possible need for a transposition.

8.4 Earthing
8.4.1 Earthing metalwork
In general all metallic pole fittings such as cross-arms, insulator bases and pole bands shall be bonded to the
structure earthing system.
Step bolts are not required to be earthed.

8.4.2 Footing resistance

The design structure footing resistance or structure earth resistance shall be determined based on the
lightning performance requirements of the transmission line.

8.4.3 Earthing safety

Where structures are located in public places and are deemed to have a high exposure to persons making
frequent contact or being in close proximity for extended periods, the step and touch potentials at the
structure should be assessed in accordance with AS/NZS 7000. Where step and touch potentials are found to
be non-compliant, appropriate remediation should be determined and implemented as part of the design.

8.5 Electric and magnetic fields

Electric and magnetic fields attributable to the transmission line shall be in accordance with the ICNIRP
Guidelines For Limiting Exposure To Time-Varying Electric and Magnetic Fields (1Hz – 100kHz).

8.6 Induction
Magnetic fields due to load or fault current can couple with nearby conductive infrastructure to produce
hazardous voltages, particularly where the structure is long, parallel and close to the transmission line.
Metallic pipelines, power lines, metallic fences, conveyor belts and copper telecommunication lines are typical
examples.
The risk and mitigation measures shall be assessed in accordance with AS 4853 or HB 102.
Fences on the easement should generally be dealt with during construction according to the TransGrid
Fencing Guideline.

8.7 Vibration
Where a conductor, earthwire or OPGW is strung at a tension in excess of the limits of AS/NZS 7000 vibration
dampers shall be installed to limit fatigue.

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9. Structural Design

9.1 General requirement

The mechanical and structural design shall ensure that the line performance will comply with all relevant
National and State Legislation, that the line can be readily constructed and maintained using standard
industry practices and tools, and that routine maintenance can be carried out without loss of supply.
The design shall ensure premature failure of components does not occur from fatigue stresses, abrasion or
corrosion or other serviceability conditions that will be encountered within the design operating parameters for
the line.
Design of structures and footing shall meet the requirements specified in in AS7000 to ensure that the line is
suitable for its intended purpose and to ensure acceptable levels of safety for construction, maintenance and
operation.
Appropriate security level shall be determined considering the importance of line, impact on TransGrid
network reliability, its location, climate condition, public safety and design working life in consultation with
TransGrid unless advised otherwise by TransGrid.

9.2 Loadings
Structures shall be designed to meet the loading requirements specified in AS/NZS7000 as the minimum
including, but not limited to, the following load cases:
 Wind loads shall be calculated in accordance with AS 1170.2 and AS/NZS 7000 in conjunction with
other relevant Australian codes and standards to achieve system security levels required
 Where lines of significant length crossover wind regions, the appropriate region can be applied to
each respective section, however any change in wind pressure along the line should be done at a
termination structure, with the higher wind pressure applied to the structure itself

9.3 Structure and design

Structure design shall comply with the requirements specified in AS/NZS 7000, AS 3995, ASCE standards
and other referenced codes and standards as applicable unless advised by TransGrid.
Where load relief is provided by failure of steelwork, it should be in a ductile manner, whereby energy is
absorbed by the plastic deformation of components.

9.4 Footing design

Footing design shall comply with the requirements specified in AS/NZS 7000 and in accordance with AS
3600, AS 2159 and other referenced codes and standards as applicable.
The foundation shall be designed for all soil strength conditions likely to be experienced over the design life of
the line due to effects such as a fall or rise in the water table (including flooding) and erosion of nearby soil.
The effect of long term and short term load conditions on soil strength should also be considered
Geotechnical investigation shall be carried out to determine the soil parameters for design of footings.

9.5 Prototype and testing

All structures shall be prototyped to ensure that fabrication is as per design and to meet the quality
requirements specified on drawings and specifications.
Generally all new designs should be load tested. The decision to load test structures should be made by the
design engineer, taking into account the following factors:
 Similarity of existing designs and design principles
 Quantity of structures to be used, including consideration should be given to their utilisation on future
lines
 Confidence in the adequacy of the design

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  Cost of testing
The load testing shall confirm the overall strength of the structure as well as the strength coordination
between components.

9.6 Fauna consideration

All structures should be designed to be bird & vermin proof, including maintenance platform protection
(minimise access). Consideration is to be given to minimising the impact on local fauna, such as bird
diverters on conductors/earthwires and fauna safe anti-climbers where particular species of concern are
noted. Stock have been known to get stuck in between tower leg members, also damage has occurred to
structures from rubbing on guys etc.

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