B2 Overhead Lines

Purpose

Facilitate the exchange of information and the dissemination of knowledge on the design, construction and operation of overhead lines. Develop guidelines and prepare state of the art to assist practitioners and managers in their work. This includes mechanical and electrical design of line components, validation testing, condition assessment of line components and elements, maintenance, refurbishment and life extension as well as upgrading and uprating of existing overhead lines.

Study Committee B2 covers:

• Increasing the ampacity of existing overhead lines
• Ensuring line reliability, or improving reliability of existing overhead lines
• Ensuring environmentally compatible overhead lines
• Assessment of lines, methods, new tools and maintenance practices 

Main areas of work

Study Committee B2 covers all aspects of overhead AC and DC lines including design, construction, maintenance, modification of existing lines and environmental considerations.

Specific areas of interest are: 

• Electrical Performance – which deals with utilisation of new and existing overhead power lines including modification of existing lines to allow increased power flow and economic design of new lines
• Towers, Insulators and Foundations – which seeks to improve diagnostic tools and modelling of in-service components, both dynamic and static foundation and structure loads, repair of corrosion in structures, and evaluation of new materials for line supports
• Conductors and Fittings – which covers conductor fatigue and endurance capability, protection against wind induced vibrations, assessment of aged fittings and support in the preparation of standards, such as for fittings, conductor self-damping and conductor fatigue
• Asset Management – which considers the electrical and civil aspects of line reliability and availability, including climatic loads, electrical clearances and live-line working