Alcan Cable, a business unit of Rio Tinto Alcan, has
introduced a new family of track resistant coverings
for its aluminum overhead line wire products that protect
the conductor from electrical degradation as a result of
contact with trees. These special track
resistant cables are used where frequent
tree contact is expected.
Track resistance helps to preserve the
life of the covering from electrical
degradation that is caused by contact with trees on an
energized covered conductor. The conductor acts as a
capacitor and when a tree contacts the power line, the
capacitor is discharged. This repeated discharging current
can damage the covering over time.