Coils on power lines
Coils on power lines
(OP)
I've been in electricity and electronics for 50 years, but I have almost no knowledge of the details of the power grid.
On a recent trip to Minnesota, I noticed some power lines that had coils that surrounded the primary conductors. Imagine a few turns wound tightly to the conductor, then an increase in diameter for a time, then a constant diameter, then a decreasing diameter leading to a few turns tightly wound to the conductor. The turns are widely spaced. These coils are affixed to all three conductors, and multiples of them are attached between each tower pair. What the heck are these things? I have only one serious theory -- something about being able to visually locate the location of a lightning strike by the failure -- deformation, evaporation, or whatever -- of the coils when subjected to the massive currents of a bolt from the blue. OK, it's a crazy idea, but I can't stand not being able to rationalize things, and I have at least SOME imagination...
Can anybody tell me what these are?
Thanks in advance,
Paul
Newbie in Wisconsin)
On a recent trip to Minnesota, I noticed some power lines that had coils that surrounded the primary conductors. Imagine a few turns wound tightly to the conductor, then an increase in diameter for a time, then a constant diameter, then a decreasing diameter leading to a few turns tightly wound to the conductor. The turns are widely spaced. These coils are affixed to all three conductors, and multiples of them are attached between each tower pair. What the heck are these things? I have only one serious theory -- something about being able to visually locate the location of a lightning strike by the failure -- deformation, evaporation, or whatever -- of the coils when subjected to the massive currents of a bolt from the blue. OK, it's a crazy idea, but I can't stand not being able to rationalize things, and I have at least SOME imagination...
Can anybody tell me what these are?
Thanks in advance,
Paul
Newbie in Wisconsin)






RE: Coils on power lines
Could they have been for allowing expansion and contraction in that thermally challenged state?
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Coils on power lines
https://www.google.com/search?q=spiral+vibration+d...
But this shows a bird flight diverter.
http://www.ecvv.com/product/4056002.html
RE: Coils on power lines
In the very early 1970's I worked for an large electrical contractor in central WI. He had several line construction crews and did a lot of work in U.P., N. WI., and iron mines in MN. When I was first reading of the spec's for on a lot of the jobs that could only be done in the winter (frozen ground). I questioned why the loops. They are for for expansion and contraction as "itsmokes" stated above. Remember the temps vary greater than 110Fo if not more.
Remember that International Falls, MN. is known to be the coolest spot in the lower 48 states.
I do not know if this is the correct answer for your question or not, but it is a very interesting answer.
Hopes this helps,
Dave
RE: Coils on power lines
RE: Coils on power lines
RE: Coils on power lines
What I stated is true, but for coils at every other pole or tower for the expansion/contraction. On long spans required vibration dampers. The owners of the lines with the coils would keep an eye on them for about 2 years, and remove all or part of the coil if everything checked out ok. The strain guages of the that time where not accurated at -30Fo.
Sorry for the mistake,
Dave
RE: Coils on power lines
Si duri puer ingeni videtur,
preconem facias vel architectum.
RE: Coils on power lines
RE: Coils on power lines