Conductor Design

For the DTL, aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) has been selected. About 9,500 km of this
conductor would be required for the project. The size of the conductor chosen is ‘Rail’ that has a
diameter of about 29.59 mm. A bundle of six Rail conductors (i.e., hexabundled conductor) will be used
for each phase. Two shield wires will be installed above the phase conductors; one of them will be
optical ground wire (OPGW), a tubular wire with optical fibers inside it for communication. 8 Existing
transmission lines in northern areas of Pakistan are generally built using Aluminum Conductor Steel
Reinforced (ACSR) type of Conductors. However, lines falling in southern area beyond Guddu are using
All Aluminum Alloy Conductor (AAAC). Since the 765 kV transmission line from Dasu to Islamabad will be
north of Islamabad area, the existing philosophy of NTDC will be retained. Therefore, only ACSR
conductor has been considered suitable for this transmission line in view of ease in operation and
maintenance work.

In order to determine the optimum conductor size and configuration, the following approach has
been employed: • Determine the minimum conductor size based on electrical performance and thermal
capacity. • Develop range of conductors by increasing size of conductor starting from the minimum size.
• Evaluate transmission line capital cost of each conductor considered. • Evaluate cost of losses for each
conductor at the design loading level. • Combine the transmission line capital cost and the capital
equivalent of the annual cost of losses to give total economic cost of the line for each conductor. • Select
the minimum cost alternative as the optimum conductor size. During study of conductor optimization,
various types and sizes of conductors have been examined and analyzed to ascertain and optimize
technically adequate and most economical conductor option for 765 kV double circuit transmission line
from Dasu to Islamabad via Mansehra. The study carried out was based on the conductor technical
performance as well as its impact on the construction cost and the impact of losses over the life of
project. As 765 kV double circuit transmission line is being constructed for the first time in Pakistan’s
power system, all the parameters with respect to electrical performance and environmental effects for
this transmission line have been examined and applied based on the international standards and
experience of Utilities that have adopted 765 kV system in the world. The climatic considerations for the
designing of conductors are given in Table 4.2. These have been estimated based on the prevailing
climatic conditions in the project area, climate change and guidelines provided by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards Association

Insulators

Guaranteed protection of transmission lines against over-voltages is virtually impossible. However, line
insulation must have enough strength to meet the stresses produced by overvoltages. In all cases (power
frequency, switching and lighting), the insulation should be able to withstand failure or disruptive
discharges. Insulator units shall be made of high-quality alumina porcelain, and shall comply in all
aspects with IEC publications 60120, 60305 and 60815 or equivalent standards. They shall be of the cap
and pin type, and have ball and socket couplings. All insulators shall be equipped with a zinc anti-
corrosion ring and a stainless-steel pin.

Design of Transmission Line Towers

 The towers will be of lattice steel design, similar to the ones which are commonly used for high voltage
transmission lines in Pakistan. The outline drawing of a typical suspension tower to be used for this
project is shown in Figure 4.3. A total of six types of tower designs will be used for the project.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Dasu Transmission Line Project National Transmission and
Despatch Company (NTDC) 4-4 Figure 4-3: Typical Design of 765 kV DTL Tower