Test Line Assessment of Mechanical Power Flow in Overhead Conductors and Efficiency of Damping Devices

This paper deals with a method for evaluating the flow of vibration power in single overhead conductors along a full-scale test line. Aeolian vibrations of these conductors are represented by two opposite-moving traveling wave trains which convey vibration energy. The method leads to the determination of vibration power flow as well as the spectral content of these waves. Whenever a damping device is attached to the conductor, an average traveling wave reflection coefficient can be calculated, yielding the damping device efficiency. The efficiency of three different devices is calculated: a Stockbridge-type damper, a bretelle damper and a typical suspension clamp. The magnitude of the inherent error in the method is also evaluated.