AERIAL BUNCHED CABLES

Aerial Bundled Cable (ABC) is designed for residential and rural areas for reducing bushfire hazards. Aerial Bunched Cables is a very novel concept for Over Head Power distribution when compared to the conventional bare conductor over-head distribution system. ABC provides higher safety and reliability, lower power losses, and ultimate system economy by reducing installation, maintenance, and operative cost. This system is ideal for rural distribution and especially attractive for installation in difficult terrains such as hilly areas, forest areas, coastal areas, etc.
Aerial Bunched Cables are also considered to be the best choice for power distribution in congested urban areas with narrow lanes and by–lanes. In developing urban complex, Aerial Bunched Cables is the better choice because of flexibility for rerouting as demanded by changes in the urban development plan.

Application

Aerial Bunched Cables can be conveniently used:

As a replacement for bare lines in Rural Areas, in woods, and in other localities & narrows streets where the space is limited.
In hilly terrains where the cost of the erection of overhead lines or underground cables becomes very high.
As replacement of bare lines where a high degree of stability of supply voltage is of importance.
As reinforcement of existing system without increasing voltage
As replacement of bare lines where the reliability of supply is of prime importance

Construction of cable

The phase conductor can be of single phase or three phases. A lighting conductor can be also incorporated for street lighting. A messenger conductor supports the weight of the cable and keeps the assembly strung under tension. Phase conductors are made of concentrically stranded Aluminium Wires having 7 or 19 wires. Messenger conductors are made of Aluminium Alloy having 7 or 19 wires.
Phase and lighting conductors may be insulated with XLPE compound using Sioplas Technology. Messenger conductors are kept either bare or insulated. Phase and lighting conductors are twisted around the messenger conductor. In special cases a neutral conductor and a street light cable may also be provided separately. Generally, the messenger acts as earth and neutral.

Design

Configuration

Single Phase or Three Phase systems with or without Neutral Conductor and Street Light line.

Conductor

Phase or Lighting conductor: Electrical grade Aluminium of H2 or H4 grade as per IS: 8130
Messenger conductor: Aluminium Magnesium and Silica Alloy confirming to IS:398 (Part – 4)

Insulation

XLPE with Sioplas Technique.

Identification of Phase

Ridges provided on the insulation of Phase Conductors: 1 ridge for the 1st phase, 2 ridges for the 2nd phase and 3 ridges for the 3rd phase. The Neutral phase may have 4 ridges if required.

Colour of Insulation

As the cable remains exposed to environmental elements such as UV rays from sunlight, the insulation is mixed with a small amount of carbon black to prevent the deterioration of polythene.