Metal structures of power lines: types of supports and technical requirements for overhead line elements
Overhead power lines form the backbone of the country's energy system, stretching across thousands of kilometers. These complex engineering systems connect power plants with consumers, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to every home, factory or office building.
The metal bearing elements of the transmission line can withstand enormous mechanical and climatic loads. They withstand gusts of wind, icing of wires, temperature fluctuations from Siberian frosts to southern heat, preserving the geometry of the line for decades.
Types of support structures
Designers choose the type of support based on the specific operating conditions. Intermediate supports are installed on straight sections of the route, where they currently support the wires in a given position without changing the direction of the line. The corner supports are mounted at the turning points of the route, taking on additional lateral forces from the stretched wires.
Anchor supports divide the line into anchor spans, compensating for the weight of the wires and preventing cascading destruction in case of breakage. End supports complete the overhead line at substations or at transition points to cable sections.:
- intermediate supports for supporting wires in straight sections;
- angular structures in places where the route direction changes;
- anchor supports for dividing the line into sections;
- end elements at the connection points to substations.
The height of the supports varies from 10 to 35 meters, depending on the voltage class. Low—voltage lines require a lower suspension height, while high-voltage lines require a much higher suspension height to ensure electrical safety.
Technological elements of energy transmission systems
Power line metal structures include traverses, brackets, headpieces and auxiliary mounting parts. Traverses fix insulators with wires at a set distance from each other, preventing phase-to-phase overlap. The brackets hold the lightning protection cables above the phase wires.
The support heads accept mechanical loads from all elements of the overhead line. Bolted connections allow you to dismantle individual components for repair or modernization without replacing the entire support. Clamps and ties ensure reliable attachment of wires to insulators.:
- traverses for placing insulators with wires;
- lightning protection cable brackets;
- headrests for handling all loads;
- bolted connections for collapsible construction;
- wire clamps and clamps.
Modern technologies provide for the use of high-strength steels with anti-corrosion coatings. Hot-dip galvanizing provides corrosion protection for the entire service life, reaching