ABSTRACT
The advantages of higher transmission line ampacity discussed in Chapter 1 include the deferment of the capital investment required for the construction of new lines and economic energy transfer. As a result of achieving higher line ampacity, electricity costs are reduced and there is less environmental impact. While there are significant benefits to increasing transmission line ampacity, its effects must be clearly understood and evaluated accurately. In this chapter the effects of higher transmission line ampacity are evaluated from the point of view of elevated temperature operation of conductors. The problem of electric and magnetic fields due to higher ampacity are presented in Chapter 6. This chapter includes a study of transmission line conductor sag and tension, permanent elongation, and the loss of tensile strength of the powerline conductor due to elevated temperature operation.
