EXPERT OPINION
Special Low Loss Conductor Solution
for distribution network
In India, the power Distribution business has
suffered from a number of problems, which
have accumulated over the years. Further, the
country's rural power distribution networks are
characterized by high losses, poor design and
construction, inadequate maintenance, and
large numbers of interruptions. Hence, there is
an urgent need to bring in good planning
concepts for distribution network
development, technical loss assessment,
prioritizing investment, new technology
introduction, and improved construction
practices for rural networks has to be given due
importance as these improvements will also
expedite the pace of sector reform. The
technical problems indigenous to Indian rural
distribution networks have to be tackled and
effective solutions must be found.
Further, for optimising power transfer per unit
Right Of Way (ROW), the ampacity of
conductors used in the transmission lines has
to be raised by technological development.
Today, there exist many new generation
conductors, which can deliver large quantum Figure 1: Typical Distribution line
of power without any change in the existing
tower/foundation designs or minor
modifications therein.
Special Low Loss Conductor Solution for
distribution network
As is known, the distribution network has
technical losses and the commercial losses.
The commercial losses are a matter of law and
order. However, the technical losses can be
reduced by the use of new generation
conductors called 'Sterlite Eco Conductor'.
Family of these conductors has a low resistance
and therefore results in low distribution
network technical losses. Besides these
conductors have a property which offers high
resistance to the corrosion. This makes these
conductors friendly for oceanic climate and the
polluted atmosphere. Thus, they help directly
or indirectly in ecological cause.
sterlitetechnologies.com
The distribution network is the largest Technical Summary of Comparison of ACSR
segment of power network in this country with & Sterlite Eco Conductors
distribution voltage ranging from 11 kV to 33
kV. Even, 0.1 % saving in the technical losses Type of Conduct or Ampacity
- Amps
Temp - °C Line Losses
- kW/kM
will mean saving in multi million units per day
at national level. This would bring down the ACSR Dog 284 75 84.74
fossil fuel consumption. And, eco friendly Ster Eco Dog 284 68.5 57.89
conductors are a step towards this measure.
The cost of these conductors can be offset Table 1: Technical comparisons of ACSR
within a very short time by saving in losses Dog & Ster Eco Dog
offered by them. It may be important to note
Ampacity Line Losses
that these conductors may not need any Type of Conduct or - Amps Temp - °C
- kW/kM
special type of supports or line material. ACSR Panther 444 75 98.64
Ster Eco Panther 444 68 67.00
Table 2: Technical comparisons of ACSR
Panther & Ster Eco Panther
Hence with Sterlite Eco conductors I²R losses of
distribution lines can be brought down by
almost 30%.
Conclusion
The fast growing power sector needs greater
power transfer capability per unit cost of ROW.
The high temperature operating new
generation conductors, which deliver large
quantity of current as compared to the
conventional ACSR Conductors, offer best
alternative.
For specific applications of up rating the Bus
capacity and up rating of existing transmission
line new generation conductors are very much
useful. Any additional cost spent on new
generation conductors and corresponding
additional cost of supports, foundations or line
material can be offset within a small gestation
period due to increase in power transfer
capability of the transmission line.
This clearly indicates that the improvements
have to be prioritized, and those giving very
high returns with less investment, such as
replacing conductors and releasing overload
on the 11 kV line, should be identified and
taken up first.
Figure 2: 33kV Distribution line
 EXPERT OPINION

Sterlite Technologies has been in the forefront

of developing and offering this technology to
its customers, as a result of which they are able
to increase the capacity of their transmission
and distribution networks without the need to
modify the structure and/or foundation of
existing towers.
Today, Sterlite is a significant contributor to
the global power sector through indigenous
manufacture of a complete range of power
transmission conductors at extra high voltages
(400kV to 800kV), high voltages (66kV to
220kV) and power distribution conductors
(11kV- 33kV). As an industry leader, Sterlite is
committed to research and product
development. Sterlite actively explores the
latest technologies to develop conductors that
have an ability to increase the current carrying
capacity of existing lines and to significantly
improve the overall economics on new lines.

sterlitetechnologies.com