Distribution Lines
Conductor for 11, 22 and 33 kV overhead feeders in urban, rural and industrial areas.
Overhead conductors for every line, up to 550 kV.
Aluminium, alloy and steel reinforced conductors, with high temperature, covered and earthwire options, for distribution, sub transmission and transmission lines.
- Lines
- Distribution to 550 kV
- Materials
- Aluminium, alloy, steel reinforced
- Types
- Bare, covered, high temperature
- Supplied as
- Drums, to your sizes
The range
The conductor is the part of an overhead line that carries the power, and the right type depends on the current, the span and the conditions it will hang in. We supply conductors for lines from 11 kV distribution up to 550 kV transmission, in the main types of stranded aluminium, alloy and steel reinforced conductor, with high temperature, covered and earthwire options.
Customised solutions available. If your project needs a conductor size, stranding, treatment or type outside the range below, tell us and we will source to your specification.
All Aluminium Conductor (AAC)
Stranded conductor made entirely from aluminium wires. It is light, carries a lot of current for its weight and resists corrosion well, so it suits short and medium spans, urban distribution lines and coastal areas.
All Aluminium Alloy Conductor (AAAC)
Stranded conductor made from a higher strength aluminium alloy. It is stronger than plain aluminium for its weight and resists corrosion, so it suits longer spans, heavier wind and snow loads, and coastal and industrial areas, without a steel core.
Steel Reinforced Aluminium Conductor (ACSR)
Aluminium wires wound around a galvanised steel core, which does the work of carrying the load. It gives the highest strength for long spans, river crossings and transmission lines, with the aluminium carrying the current.
High Temperature Low Sag Conductor (HTLS)
Conductors with a steel or composite core and heat resistant aluminium, designed to carry more current at higher temperatures with less sag. They suit uprating and reconductoring of existing lines on the structures already in service.
Covered Conductor (CCT)
Alloy conductor with a covering of insulating polymer layers. The covering reduces faults from tree contact, birds and clashing conductors, and allows closer phase spacing, which suits distribution lines through bush and in bushfire prone areas.
Earthwire (Shield Wire)
Galvanised steel stranded wire strung above the phase conductors to intercept lightning strikes and protect sub transmission and transmission lines.
Choosing a Conductor
Aluminium suits short spans and corrosive coasts. Alloy suits longer spans where strength and corrosion resistance both matter. Steel reinforced suits the longest spans and highest loads. High temperature and covered types solve specific limits on capacity and clearances. We help you match the conductor to your line.
Specifications
Typical types for the standard range. Final sizes, stranding and ratings are confirmed for each project.
Technical dataOverhead conductors
| Type | Construction and rating | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| All aluminium conductor (AAC) | Stranded aluminium wires; light and corrosion resistant | Short and medium spans, urban and coastal distribution lines |
| All aluminium alloy conductor (AAAC) | Stranded aluminium alloy wires; higher strength for its weight | Longer spans, coastal and industrial areas, distribution and sub transmission lines |
| Steel reinforced aluminium conductor (ACSR) | Aluminium wires over a galvanised steel core; highest strength | Long spans, river crossings, sub transmission and transmission lines up to 550 kV |
| High temperature low sag conductor (HTLS) | Steel or composite core with heat resistant aluminium; higher current, lower sag | Line uprating and reconductoring on existing structures |
| Covered conductor (CCT) | Alloy conductor with insulating polymer covering | Distribution lines through bush and in bushfire prone areas |
| Earthwire (shield wire) | Galvanised steel stranded wire | Lightning protection on sub transmission and transmission lines |
Fittings and hardware
A conductor works with the clamps, connectors and insulators that hold and join it.
Clamps and Connectors
Tension and suspension clamps, splices and jumper connectors that hold and join the conductor, matched to its type and size.
Vibration and Protection
Dampers, armour rods and spacers that reduce wind induced vibration and wear where a conductor is clamped.
Structures and Insulators
Conductors are carried on insulators, crossarms and poles, which we also supply.
Applications
Delstar supplies these systems for:
Sub Transmission and Transmission Lines
Alloy, steel reinforced and high temperature conductors for longer spans and higher voltage lines, up to 550 kV.
Rural Networks
Long spans and single wire earth return lines serving remote farms and communities.
Coastal and Island Networks
Corrosion resistant conductors for salt laden air and cyclone winds.
Reconductoring and Uprating
Replacing old conductors on existing structures to increase capacity or reduce sag.
Bushfire and Vegetation Areas
Covered conductor for lines through bush, forestry and fire prone country.
Sourcing and quality assurance
We source overhead conductors from established manufacturers, selected for each project against the type, stranding and standards you specify, to the AS/NZS and IEC standards for bare overhead conductors. Delstar checks each order against your requirements, including the technical confirmation of construction and test reports, and delivers across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.
Lifecycle support
- Specification and selection: we help match the conductor type, size and stranding to your line.
- Technical confirmation: review of construction, test reports and quality records before an order is placed.
- Delivery: coordinated delivery on drums to depot, site or port, including remote and island destinations.
- Support in service: technical support, and condition assessment where required through our asset management service.
Talk to our team
Planning an overhead line.
Tell us the voltage, span and conditions, and our team will recommend a conductor.