Bare All Aluminum Alloy Conductor AAAC Superior Corrosion Resistance & Lightweight Strength for Long-Span Grids

AAAC stands for All Aluminium Alloy Conductor. It is a specialized type of overhead power line conductor widely used in medium, high, and extra-high voltage transmission and distribution networks. Unlike the more common ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced), AAAC is composed entirely of strands of high-strength aluminium alloy, with no steel core.

Service Performance

(1).The permissible long-time operating temperature for aerial conductor is 70oC.

(2).Under the circumstance that rare climate is occuring and ice coverage rate low in heavy ice area,the biggest stress of cable at the lowest point of the sag should not exceed 60% of the short-time destructive power.

(3).When connecting conductors,the conductor beside the connecting tube cant be prominent.Otherwise,the force on the operating conductors will be unbalanced.After connectors are install,the connecting tube should be painted by moisture-proof varnish in order to protect it from corrosion.

(4).Under installaion,the arc downing stress of all the conduct ors should be the same.With in the permissible distance of crossing buildings or dropping to the ground,the stress can be 10-15% higher than regular stress.

Core Concept and Material:

The key innovation lies in its material. AAAC is not made from pure aluminium (EC Grade) but from an aluminium alloy, typically from the Aluminium-Magnesium-Silicon (Al-Mg-Si) series. The most common alloy is 6201, known for its optimal balance of strength and conductivity.

• Alloying (adding elements like Mg and Si) significantly improves mechanical properties—primarily tensile strength and fatigue resistance—while retaining aluminium's inherent advantages of lightweight and good conductivity.

• The conductor is manufactured through processes like continuous casting and rolling, followed by age-hardening (heat treatment). This treatment precipitates fine intermetallic compounds (e.g., Mg₂Si) within the structure, giving the wire its final high strength.

CONSTRUCTION PARAMETERS of 2/0 AWG All aluminium alloy conductor

(*) Note: The values of current rating mentioned in above Table are based on wind velocity of 0.6 metre/second, solar heat radiation of 1200 watt/metre2, ambient temperature of 50° C & conductor temperature of 80°C.

Applications:

• Corrosive Environments: Coastlines, offshore wind farm connections, chemical industrial areas.

• Areas Requiring Lightweight Construction: Mountainous terrain, long-span river crossings (with proper design), areas with weak soil conditions.

• Urban Distribution Lines: Valued for its compactness, aesthetics (no rust staining), and reduced electrolytic corrosion impact on nearby structures.

• Forest Fire-Prone Areas: Considered safer as it tends to produce lower-temperature molten droplets during fault conditions.

• Line Upgrading/Reconductoring: Can sometimes replace existing ACSR conductors at the same diameter to increase capacity without overloading existing structures, provided sag is meticulously recalculated.