Overhead materials are the components used in overhead electrical installations, where power lines are suspended above the ground (typically on poles or towers) to transmit and distribute electricity.
Main Overhead Materials
1. Conductors
These are the wires that carry electrical current.
* Common types: Aluminum Conductors (AAC), Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR)
* Lightweight, good conductivity, and resistant to weather
2. Poles / Towers
Used to support the conductors in the air.
* Materials: wood, concrete, or steel
* Height and strength depend on voltage level and span distance
3. Insulators
Prevent electricity from flowing from the conductor to the pole.
* Types: pin insulators, suspension insulators, strain insulators
Uses of Overhead Materials
* Power transmission (high voltage lines)