Concentric-Lay-Stranded Self-Damping Aluminum Conductors, Steel Reinforced (ACSR/SD)

B701/B701M-13: Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Self-Damping Aluminum Conductors, Steel Reinforced (ACSR/SD)

For engineers designing and specifying overhead electrical transmission and distribution lines, managing conductor vibration is paramount to ensuring long-term reliability and safety. ASTM B701/B701M-13 provides the authoritative guidance for a specialized type of conductor engineered for superior vibration resistance. This standard is essential for professionals seeking to enhance the durability and performance of critical infrastructure.

What is B701/B701M-13?

ASTM B701/B701M-13 is the industry-leading standard specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded Self-Damping Aluminum Conductors, Steel Reinforced (ACSR/SD). Originating from ASTM's commitment to developing consensus-based engineering standards, this document details the design, material, and manufacturing requirements for ACSR/SD conductors. Its primary purpose is to ensure these conductors possess inherent damping characteristics to significantly reduce aeolian vibration, a common cause of fatigue failure in overhead power lines.

Scope & Purpose

This comprehensive standard governs the manufacturing and procurement of ACSR/SD conductors and their constituent wires. It defines the construction, including the arrangement of trapezoidal and round aluminum wires around a steel core, specifically designed to create internal damping mechanisms. The specification details acceptable materials, stranding configurations, and performance criteria. However, it does not cover installation practices, system design calculations beyond conductor properties, or specific application guidelines, which are addressed in other complementary standards.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Electrical Engineers, Materials Engineers, Quality Control Inspectors, Project Managers, and Utility Linemen involved in the design, manufacturing, and installation of overhead power transmission and distribution systems.
• • Industries affected: Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution, Electrical Manufacturing, Utilities, and Infrastructure Development.
• • Compliance nature: This is a voluntary standard, but compliance is often mandated by project specifications, utility standards, and procurement requirements.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified through factory inspections, material testing by manufacturers, and acceptance testing by the procuring entity or their designated representatives.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires manufacturers to produce ACSR/SD conductors using specific aluminum alloys and steel core wires that meet defined material properties. Professionals must ensure that the conductor's construction adheres to the specified stranding patterns, including the use of trapezoidal aluminum wires in particular layers to facilitate the self-damping mechanism. Key provisions include stringent requirements for the tensile strength, elongation, and dimensional tolerances of both aluminum and steel wires. The standard also mandates specific testing procedures to verify the conductor's electrical resistance, strength, and dimensional integrity.

Related Standards & References

ASTM B701/B701M-13 works in conjunction with several other ASTM standards. For instance, ASTM B230/B230M (Specification for Aluminum 1350-H19 Wire for Electrical Purposes) provides essential requirements for the aluminum wires used in the conductor. Similarly, ASTM B498/B498M (Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Steel Core Wire for Use in Overhead Electrical Conductors) and its related specifications for