Right-of-Way and Conductor Selection for the Allegheny Power System 500-kY Transmission System

The Allegheny Power System 500-kV transmission system has been designed before commercial 500-kV lines have had any service experience. To achieve an optimum design, studies were performed in all areas. This paper presents the results of the study of right-of-way width and conductor size. The line was designed to be compatible with existing Type B (54 dB) radio station signal levels and the minimum conductor size and right-of-way width (200 feet) were selected based on comparative data from operating and test facility lines. An economic evaluation of a number of satisfactory conductor systems (2-, 3-, and 4-conductor bundles) was made resulting in the selection of a 2-conductor bundle of 1.681-inch ACSR conductors for this system.