Steel Supported Aluminum Conductors (SSAC) for Overhead Transmission Lines

This paper describes the properties and performance characteristics of a new type of composite aluminum-steel conductor. The aluminum wires are fully annealed in the factory, and normally all or most of the mechanical load is carried by the steel. The new conductor can operate continuously at high temperatures without detriment; it sags less at high temperatures than conventional conductors; it has a high self damping capability; it has a high degree of immunity to vibration fatigue; and its final sags are not affected by long time creep of aluminum.