friends, today I am going to tell you that the What is Conductor- its Types, Properties, Properties of a Good Conductor, Types of Conductor : If you also want to know, then keep reading this article completely.
What Is Conductor ?
The medium which is needed to carry the electricity from one place to another is called a conductor. In other words, it can be said that a substance in which electrons or current can flow easily is called a conductor. The resistance of such materials is meager, and the conductivity is very high, so such materials are used to conduct more electricity.
Properties of a Good Conductor
- The conductivity of a good Conductor should be excellent, and the resistivity should be very low.
- A good Conductor must be strong enough mechanically as well
- A good conductor should also have the property of being soft to heat it and bend it easily.
- A good walk should cost less
- A good conductor should have tensile properties.
Types of Conductor
An essential and primary component of overhead and underground transmission lines is the conductors. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the right shape and material of the conductor. Based on structure, the Conductor is divided into three parts. which is as follows-
- Hollow conductor
- Stranded conductor
- Solid conductor
1. Hollow Conductor
Since the skin effect affects the alternating current the most. As a result of which current flows through a minimal area of the solid conductor. Therefore, due to less current flowing through solid conductors, hollow conductors are used in their place. These hollow conductors have low mechanical strength and tensile strength. In this type of conductor, the resistance value increases when a band is produced in any part of the conductor. Due to which a local hot spot arises. Hollow conductors are used in gas-filled conductors.
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2. Stranded Conductor
In these conductors, the wires are wrapped around each other. As a result, the actual length of the wires increases, and the flexibility of these conductors. Strong conductors are used to carrying maximum current.
3. Solid Conductor
Such Conductor are not used in transmission lines. These conductor wires are used only as earthed wires.
There are several types of line Conductor used in transmission lines. But their choice is critical because the right choice of conducting material depends on the electrical properties, mechanical strength, cost, size, etc.
Following are the different types of line conductor
(a) Copper conductor
(b) Aluminum conductor
(c) Galvanized steel and iron conductor
(d) Aluminum conductor steel reinforced
(e) Cadmium Copper Conductor
(a) Copper Conductor
A copper conductor is an ideal conductor for overhead and underground lines. Because in a copper conductor, the tensile strength and electrical conductivity of the wire are high. The current density of the copper conductor is high. That is, the per-unit current carrying capacity of copper is high. Rigid stretch copper is commonly used in the transmission and distribution of electrical power.
Following are the properties of copper conductor-
(i) They require less area of cross-section.
(ii) The wind load of these conductors can be reduced.
(iii) These conductors are homogeneous.
(iv) These conductors are not permanent.
(v) Its tensile strength is maximum.
(vi) They have high conductor corrosion resistance.
Disadvantages of Copper Conductor
(i) high cost
(ii) Low availability of copper conductor.
Copper conductor is considered an ideal conductor for transmission and distribution, but the aluminum conductor is being used in place of copper conductor.
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(b) Aluminum Conductor
Aluminum is cheaper and lighter than copper. But its conductivity and tensile strength are less than that of copper. That is, the conductivity of aluminum is 60% that of copper. The cross-sectional area of aluminum conductor wire is greater than that of copper. Due to the lightweight aluminum conductors, they swing more in the air. Hence, it requires a large cross arm. Its use is more useful in high transmission lines.
It has the following properties.
(i) It is light in weight.
(ii) They cost less.
(iii) They have more diameter.
(iv) Their availability is more accessible than that of copper.
Disadvantages of Aluminum conductor
(i) Connecting and soldering aluminum conductor wires is more complex than copper.
(ii) Their tensile strength is less than that of copper.
(iii) It has high resistivity.
(c) Galvanized Steel and Iron Conductor
The tensile strength of steel is high, so galvanized steel conductors can be used for long stretches; this type of conductor is more useful in rural areas. Due to its low conductivity and high resistivity of steel, it is not used for long-distance and high power transmission, and they are used in greater quantity in short distance and low power transmission.
They have the following properties.
(i) It has the highest tensile strength.
(ii) It is cheap and easily obtained.
Disadvantages of Iron Conductor
(i) Vortex losses and hysteresis losses occur in this type of conductor.
(ii) The conductivity of iron is 1/9 that of copper.
(d) Steel-Reinforced Aluminum Conductor (ACSR)
Due to the low tensile strength, aluminum conductors have maximum bending, due to which aluminum conductors are not suitable for wide use. Therefore, to increase the tensile strength of aluminum line conductors, galvanized steel is applied in their central core. Hence it is called the main center steel-reinforced aluminum conductor (ACSR). This Conductor is used for high voltage transmission. The ratio of the cross-sectional areas of an ordinary steel and aluminum conductor is 1:6 to 1:4. The design of an ACSR Conductor is shown in the figure below.
Following are the properties of this Conductor
(i) It is cheaper.
(ii) For the same current density, the corona effect is relatively small as the diameter of the conductor is maximum.
(iii) These Conductor can be used for more detailed purposes.
(e) Cadmium Copper Conductor
In some exceptional cases, the tensile strength of the conductor is increased by mixing copper with cadmium. Adding 1% or 2% cadmium to copper increases the tensile strength by 50%. But the conductivity of pure copper decreases by 15%. This type of Conductor is used for long distances. These conductors are economical only for the low cross-sectional area.
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what did you learn today:-
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