Dancing Conductors

The phenomenon of dancing cables is discussed; the merits of different theories are considered, reference being made to the theory that vibrations of small amplitude, but relatively high frequency, travel along the line to points where the constants of the line change as at dead-ending insulators and there reflect and combine into slower waves of great amplitude. The suggestion is made that much experimental work should be done with regard to these theories before drawing any definite conclusions. Reference is made to Magnus effect and to the ``lift´´ of ice-coated cables in wind storms. This lift, perpendicular to the direction of the wind, is carefully considered, and diagrams show experimental values of this lift on models similar to the ice-coated cables. The diagrams indicate variations and reversals of this thrust due to small changes of angle of the specimen to the direction of the wind. The suggestion is made that these alternate lifting and depressing effects should be considered as the cause of some, if not a large percentage, of the phenomenal movements of ice-coated conductors in relatively light winds. As in most earlier reports and discussions there does not seem to be any remedy as a result of this study, other than that of heating the conductor electrically throughout sleet-forming periods to such a temperature that the sleet cannot form on the wires.