AAC (All Aluminum Conductor) to ASTM B231 is a bare overhead conductor comprised solely of concentric-lay-stranded aluminum wires. This type of conductor is widely used in power transmission and distribution lines due to its simple construction, convenient installation, and low cost. The stranded design provides increased flexibility, making it suitable for various overhead applications, including long spans over rivers and valleys.
Key Specifications
- Standard: ASTM B231, which specifies bare concentric-lay-stranded aluminum 1350 conductors. It also references ASTM B230 for the extra hard aluminum wire used.
- Conductor Material: Made from 1350-H19 aluminum wires, known for being hard-drawn and having excellent electrical properties.
- Construction: The conductor consists of multiple layers of helically laid wires around a central wire. The number of wires per layer increases by six with each successive layer. The conductor's flexibility is directly related to the number of wires for a given cross-sectional area.
- Insulation: None; it's a bare conductor and relies on air for electrical isolation.
- Nominal Area: Available in a wide range of sizes, from 6 AWG to 3500 MCM.
