ABC CABLE

An ABC Cable, also known as Aerial Bundled Cable, is an overhead power line. This cable consists of numerous insulated conductors, bundled and wrapped together tightly. It also comes along with a bare neutral conductor. The use of insulation is the ABC cable is in contrast with the traditional transmission cables that were uninsulated. Additionally, these cables can transmit power in low voltages.

TYPES OF ABC CABLES:

If we talk about the ABC cable sizes and types, then ABC cables have three classes. Additionally, each class is available in different sizes that we are going to discuss below:

• Low Voltage Aerial Bundle Cables:

Low Voltage ABC cables work well for overhead power lines and room entrance. They can usually bare pressure of 1kv and below. These cables come with a benefit of the low maintenance cost, installation, and operating cost. The cables consist of aluminum, copper, or aluminum alloy as a conductor. The standard low voltage Aerial bundled cables come in: IEC 61089, BS 7870, DIN 48201, ASTM B399, BS EN50183, NFC33-209.

• Medium Voltage Aerial Bundle Cables:

Medium Voltage, Aerial Bundle Cables, are the most effective for power grid transformation in urban, forest, and coastal areas. It also works great for overhead power transmission. The system is more efficient, reliable, and economical. These types of cables have the ability to bare voltage levels of 10kv and below, 6.35/11kv, 12,7/22 kV, 19/33kv, etc. The conductor used is aluminum and has a circular shape. The insulation material mostly used is XPLE. The material used for inner and outer semiconductor is compound, but the bedding material is semi-conducting. The screen comprises a copper tape or a copper wire. Moreover, the outer sheath is HDPE. The standard medium-voltage aerial bundled cables come in: IEC60502, NF C33-209, GB 12527-90 ASTM

• Duplex/Triplex Service Drop Wire:

These duplex or triplex service drop wire has a high tensile strength capability to carry the load of 120V for overhead service applications. It also uses PVC or XPLE cable as an insulation material. The main composition is 1350-H19 aluminum, along with phase conductors twisted concentrically. Its neutral core is made up of AAC, ACSR, or 6201 aluminum alloy. These duplex services drop wires are applicable to street lighting, outdoor lighting, and building temporary services. The conductor temperature of PVC insulated doesn’t exceed 75 degrees. And the conductor temperature of XPLE insulated doesn’t exceed 90 degrees. The standard duplex/triplex voltage wire comes in: ASTM B230, B231, B232, and B-399, B498, ICEA S-76-474.

ADVANTAGES OF USING ABC CABLES:

ABC Cable Network introduced a number of benefits that you get to avail when you use ABC cables instead of conventional ones. Here are some of them:

• Increased Safety:

ABC cables are more safe, secure, and reliable than any conventional transmission lines.

• Low Maintenance Costs:

These cables have low power costs, low installation costs, and, most importantly, low maintenance. It has all of it. This is why aerial bundle cable has started to replace the obsolete bare copper and aluminum conductor worldwide.

• Wide Area Coverage:

Unlike traditional uninsulated transmission cables, you can use ABC cables in all areas. Knowing about ABC cable specifications, it is perfect for areas where the installation is quite a task. These cables are the best choice for installation in congested urban areas, where it is very difficult to lay the lines in between the narrow gaps of buildings. It is totally not possible to install bare conductors there. They are also quite ideal for places such as hilly areas or dense forest. ABC Cable Company ensures that they lay power lines there without trimming any trees.

• Secure from Short Circuits:

Moreover, because of its excellent insulation, it reduces the risk of many accidental electrocutions.

• Affordable Prices:

Additionally, the ABC cable price is quite economical, which makes it more attractive than other traditional cables.

• Easy Detection of Faults:

As these cables are visible, so it is quite easy to detect any fault in their system. Additionally, the problem of waterlogging is not a problem anymore with ABC cables. The risk of electricity theft is a major problem in this system, but when you use ZW cables, you don’t have to worry about it. The company has made it harder and more obvious to detect.

• Easy Installation:

No crossbars or insulators are required, so the installation has become way easier.

Aerial Bunched Cables (ABC) 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 specially attractive for installation in difficult terrains such as hilly areas, forest areas, coastal areas etc.

Aerial Bunched Cables is also considered to be the best choice for power distribution 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 urban development plan.

Advantages

• Relative immunity to short circuits caused by external forces (wind, fallen branches), unless they abrade the insulation.

• Can stand in close proximity to trees and will not generate sparks if touched.

• Simpler installation, as crossbars and insulators are not required.

• Less cluttered appearance.

• Can be installed in a narrower right-of-way.

• At junction poles, insulating bridging wires are needed to connect non-insulated wires at either side. ABC can dispense with one of these splices.

• Less risk of a neutral-only break from tree or vehicle damage, increasing safety with TNC-s systems.

• Electricity theft is made harder and more obvious to detect.

Disadvantages

• Additional cost for the cable itself.

• Insulation degrades due to sun exposure, though the critical insulation between the wires is somewhat shielded from the sun.

• Shorter spans and more poles due to increased weight.

• Can lead to much longer repair times for installations in hilly areas due to much higher line weights requiring bigger and more specialized equipment to repair.

• Older installations are known to cause fires in areas where falling large trees or branches regularly cause breaks in lines and or in insulation leading to short circuits which can then lead to burning insulation dripping to ground and starting ground fires.