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.