First trial of carbon fibre OH line

8 November 2013


Nexans, the cable industry major, and RTE, the French electricity transmission system operator, are collaboratively conducting a field trial of Nexans' Lo-Sag conductor technology which uses a carbon fibre composite core. The field trial involves the upgrade of about 1 km of high voltage - 90 kV - overhead line between Bellac and Saint-Martin-Terressus in the Haute Vienne, Limousin region. This is the first time that this new design has been deployed in Europe.
If the trial is successful, such overhead line technology could be deployed to upgrade power grids for optimum performance because, says Nexans, this solution makes it possible to control costs while minimising environmental impacts. In contrast with conventional steel-core overhead line conductors, Lo-Sag™ features a carbon composite core with a much lower coefficient of thermal expansion, which allows higher power transmission capacity.
The three-phase 90 kV Limousin trial installation replaces older steel cables while making use of most of the existing infrastructure, primarily the pylons.
Comprehensive testing of the Lo-Sag technology will take place throughout the course of the year, with the objective of checking compatibility with the existing grid as well as reviewing its mechanical properties and the capability to withstand France's variable climate, including combinations of wind, ice and snow. The aim is also to evaluate the ageing of this new cable compared to a standard conductor.
The conductor for the RTE trial was manufactured at Nexans' factories in France, Belgium and Germany. Nexans has the manufacturing capability in place to ramp up production if the expected orders for major projects in Europe are received.



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