Lightning Protection & Communication All-in-One Cable for HV Transmission Lines

Release time:

2021-11-12

Source:

This article introduces OPGW (Optical Fiber Composite Overhead Ground Wire), an all-in-one cable integrating lightning protection and optical communication. Installed atop transmission towers, OPGW can replace conventional overhead lightning wires. It lowers overall engineering costs for long-distance power transmission and performs well under Africa’s severe outdoor climate.

With the ongoing grid upgrading and reconstruction of main transmission lines across East Africa, smart grids have growing demand for power communication transmission channels. As the Optical Fiber Composite Overhead Ground Wire (OPGW), it features integrated lightning protection grounding and optical communication, making it the premier communication solution for high-voltage transmission lines.

Commonly known as optical fiber composite overhead ground wire, OPGW is installed at the top of high-voltage transmission towers and can directly replace traditional overhead lightning wires. Its outer layer adopts aluminum-clad steel / aluminum alloy strands to conduct lightning current and short-circuit fault current. Inside, single-mode optical fibers are encapsulated in stainless steel loose tubes, enabling stable transmission of core data including power grid dispatching, relay protection and line monitoring. It truly realizes "one cable with dual functions".

Compared with the traditional solution of erecting ground wires and laying independent communication cables separately, OPGW simplifies tower construction schemes and reduces material input, effectively cutting the overall construction cost of long-distance transmission lines. Featuring excellent lightning resistance, tensile strength and weather resistance, the cable adapts to harsh outdoor conditions in Africa such as open-air exposure, large temperature differences between day and night, and frequent thunderstorms. It is widely applied in new and reconstructed 110kV, 220kV, 500kV transmission trunk lines, photovoltaic power transmission lines and supporting transmission projects for hydropower stations.

During equipment selection for overseas power projects, many clients confuse OPGW with ADSS optical cables. Here is a brief distinction: OPGW contains metallic structures and works as ground wire, mounted on the ground wire position at the top of towers. ADSS is an all-dielectric non-metallic optical cable only for communication, suspended at conductor positions and cannot serve as lightning ground wire. Reasonable selection shall be made in the early stage of projects according to line voltage levels and tower design schemes.

Cynid Electric Power supplies OPGW optical cables in a wide range of fiber counts. We also provide integrated supply services covering ADSS power optical cables and high-voltage power cables, to satisfy one-stop cable procurement demands for overseas power grid projects. Going forward, we will continue to deepen our presence in the East African market, delivering stable and reliable cable products as well as professional technical support for power transmission infrastructure and digital grid transformation projects in Rwanda and surrounding countries.

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