Conductor

Phase or Street Lighting Conductor : Hard-Drawn aluminium H2 or H4 grade as per IS: 8130, Messenger conductor: Aluminium Silica and Magnesium Alloy used after treatment as per IS: 398 (Part 4)

Insulation

XLPE/PE Cable applied by extrusion process

Identification of Phases

By providing ridges on the insulation of phase conductors. One ridge for the 1st phase, 2 and 3 ridges for the 2nd and 3rd phases, respectively. Neutral can have 4 ridges, if desired.

Colour of Insulation

Because the cable remains exposed to the environment & sunlight, the insulation is mixed with a small amount of carbon black to stop deterioration of polyethylene due to UV radiation.

Assembling

The phase conductor, along with the lighting conductor (where applicable), is twisted around the messenger conductor.

Construction

The phase conductor can be single-phase or three-phase. A lighting conductor can also be incorporated to give a supply to the street lighting. The messenger conductor supports the weight of the cable and keeps the assembly strung under tension. The phase conductor is made of concentrically stranded aluminium wires having 7 or 19 wires. The messenger conductor is made of specially treated silica, a magnesium-aluminum alloy having 7 wires. The phase conductor and lighting conductor, where applicable, are insulated with XLPE / PE compound. The messenger conductor, as per the customer’s choice, is kept either bare or insulated. The phase conductor, along with the lighting conductor, where applicable, is twisted around the messenger conductor. Sometimes, as a special case, a neutral conductor is also provided separately. Generally, a messenger acts as a neutral path.

This type of construction has the following additional advantages:

• Easy to install
• Cables are lighter in weight
• Protection against power theft
• Can be installed on poles, on walls, etc
• Easy to make termination and branch off joints on live wire as well