Radial Thermal Conductivity of all-Aluminum Alloy Conductors

An accurate thermal rating of an overhead transmission line must take into account the higher temperatures present at the interior of the conductor. In this paper, we present our experimental study of the radial temperature profile of an all aluminum alloy conductor. We have monitored the temperature of every conductor layer as a function of electrical current, line tension, and time. We have analyzed the data using a continuous model and a layer model of the conductor. Both models closely reproduce the experimental data in the steady and transient state. Also, we discuss the effect of the higher core temperature in the thermal rating of a transmission line.