Wiktor Wise
Electricity pylons, also known as electricity transmission and distribution towers, are tall structures that support high-voltage overhead power lines. They are typically made of steel due to its strength, but can also be made of other materials such as wood, concrete, or aluminium. The basic latticed A-frame structure has remained largely unchanged for over 100 years, with adjustments made for higher voltages and landscape requirements. These towers must be designed to withstand various external forces, including wind, ice, and seismic activity, while safely carrying high-voltage transmission lines that transport electricity from generating stations to electrical substations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 36m (118ft) to 190m (623ft) |
| Material | Steel, Steel Tubes, Concrete, Wood, Aluminium, Galvanized Steel, Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics, Iron |
| Design | Lattice, Portal, Delta, Wintrack |
| Lifespan | 80 years |
| Conductors Lifespan | 40 years |
| Use | Support high-voltage overhead power lines |
| Safety | Tall enough to avoid human or machine contact |
| Insulators | Porcelain, Glass, Non-conductive materials |
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What You'll Learn
Steel is the most common material
The first steel pylons were erected in the UK in the 1950s and 1960s, as the country expanded its national electricity network to meet post-war demand. Steel pylons are used to support high-voltage overhead power lines, which transmit electricity from power stations to regional substations, and then on to homes and businesses.
The height of transmission towers typically ranges from 15 to 55 meters (49 to 180 feet), but taller towers are sometimes used when longer spans are needed, such as when crossing water. The shape of the towers can vary depending on the country and the voltage and number of circuits they carry. Delta pylons, with their V-shaped bodies and horizontal arms, are the most common design for single-circuit lines due to their stability.
While steel is the predominant material, there are other materials used in the construction of electricity pylons. In some cases, wooden structures are used in countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, and Scandinavia. Composite materials such as fiber-reinforced plastics are also being researched as a potential substitute for traditional iron towers due to their lightweight, high strength, and good aging performance.
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Insulators are made of porcelain or glass
Electricity pylons, also known as electricity transmission and distribution towers, are structural supports for high-voltage overhead power lines. They are typically made of steel due to its strength. However, steel is a conductor of electricity, so "insulators" are used to prevent the steel pylons from conducting an electrical current.
Insulators are made of materials that do not conduct electrical currents, such as porcelain or glass. These insulators ensure that the high-voltage electricity flowing through the overhead power lines does not pass through the pylons into the ground. This is crucial for safety, as it prevents accidental electric shocks or electrocution.
Porcelain and glass are commonly used for insulators because they possess excellent electrical insulation properties. They have high electrical resistivity, meaning they oppose the flow of electric current effectively. Additionally, these materials can withstand high voltages without breaking down or conducting electricity. They also have good mechanical strength, which is necessary to support the weight of the power lines and any external forces, such as wind or ice.
Over time, other materials have been explored for insulators. For instance, glass fibre reinforced plastics have been used in non-conductive power pylons, providing a direct cable-pylon connection. Composite materials, such as fibre reinforced plastics, offer advantages such as lightweight construction and strong insulation performance. However, further research is needed to assess their long-term performance, particularly regarding ageing and degradation.
In summary, insulators play a critical role in electricity pylons by preventing the conduction of electrical currents through the steel structures. Porcelain and glass are the traditional materials of choice for insulators due to their insulating properties, mechanical strength, and ability to withstand high voltages. As technology advances, new materials may emerge as alternatives, but for now, porcelain and glass remain the standard for ensuring the safe transmission of electricity.
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Lattice design
Lattice towers are the most common type of tower for high-voltage transmission lines. They are typically made of galvanised steel, although aluminium may be used to reduce weight in mountainous areas where structures need to be placed by helicopter, or in environments that would be corrosive to steel. The design of aluminium lattice towers is similar to that of steel towers, but must account for aluminium's lower Young's modulus.
Lattice towers are used for power lines of all voltages. They are usually constructed from steel sections, although tubular steel poles are typically used in urban areas. Lattice towers are marked with signs to discourage public access due to the danger of high voltage.
The basic latticed A-frame structure has remained the same for over 100 years, although adjustments have been made for higher voltages requiring longer insulator strings, and landscape requirements such as lower heights near airfields.
In some European countries, smaller lattice towers are used for medium-voltage transmission lines. In Germany, steel tube pylons are used for medium-voltage lines, and in France, steel tube pylons are used for 380 kV lines.
In 2021, the first T-pylon was installed in the UK, marking the first major redesign of electricity pylons since 1927. The new tubular T-shaped design features electricity cables strung below a cross-arm atop a single pole, reducing the visual impact on the environment compared to lattice pylons.
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Other materials include wood, concrete, aluminium, and fibre-reinforced plastics
Steel is the most common material used for electricity pylons due to its strength and ease of manufacturing and installation. However, other materials such as wood, concrete, aluminium, and fibre-reinforced plastics have also been used in pylon construction.
Wooden pylons are sometimes used in Australia, Canada, Germany, and Scandinavia. Portal pylons, which stand on two legs and have one cross arm, giving them an H-shape, are often made of wood for voltages up to 110 kV. However, higher voltage lines typically require steel pylons for increased stability.
Concrete pylons are preferred by some utilities due to their durability. They are often used for medium-voltage lines, and their use depends on the country and voltage requirements. For example, steel tube pylons are commonly used for high-voltage transmission lines in France and the United States.
Aluminium is another material used in lattice towers, which are frameworks constructed from metal sections. Lattice towers are the most common type for high-voltage transmission lines and can be made from aluminium or galvanised steel.
Fibre-reinforced plastics, also known as fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP), are being explored as a potential substitute for traditional iron towers. FRP has characteristics such as lightweight, high strength, good aging performance, and strong insulation performance. Research is ongoing to understand the electrical properties and aging performance of FRP transmission towers fully.
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Height and shape vary by country and voltage
The height and shape of electricity pylons vary depending on the country and voltage. In the United States, for instance, the term “transmission tower” is used for the structure, while in the United Kingdom, it is commonly referred to as a "pylon."
In the UK, National Grid's transmission pylons have a minimum height of 118 feet (36 meters), while the tallest ones stand at 623 feet (190 meters), crossing the River Thames between Essex and Kent. The standard height range for transmission towers is between 15 and 55 meters (49 to 180 feet), but taller towers are sometimes used when longer spans are required, such as when crossing water bodies.
The shape of transmission towers also varies by country and voltage. For instance, Delta pylons with a V-shaped body and a horizontal arm at the top are commonly used for single-circuit lines due to their stability. Portal pylons, which have an H-shape with two legs and one cross arm, are widely adopted in the USA, Ireland, Scandinavia, and Canada. These portal pylons are often made of wood for voltages up to 110 kV, while higher voltage lines utilize steel pylons.
In Germany, steel tube pylons are predominantly used for medium voltage lines up to 110 kV and are also employed for 380 kV lines. France and the United States use steel tube pylons for 380 kV and 500 kV lines, respectively. Lattice towers, made of steel or aluminum sections, are versatile and used for power lines of all voltages, especially high-voltage transmission lines.
The design of electricity pylons has also evolved over time. The traditional steel lattice structure has been replaced by newer designs, such as the T-pylons in the United Kingdom, which are about 50 feet shorter but can still transmit 400,000 volts. Y-pylons, with a "Y" shape supported by a guy-wire or beam, are another modern concept. Germany has also introduced Christmas-tree-shaped towers with three cross arms for four or six circuits.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity pylons, also known as electricity transmission and distribution towers, are typically made of steel due to its strength.
There are four categories of transmission towers:
- Suspension tower
- Dead-end terminal tower
- Tension tower
- Transposition tower
Steel is used for its durability and ease of manufacturing and installation. In recent years, many utilities have preferred the use of monopolar steel or concrete towers over lattice steel for new power lines and tower replacements.
Yes, in some cases, wooden pylons are used, particularly in Australia, Canada, Germany, and Scandinavia. There has also been research into the use of composite materials, such as glass fibre reinforced plastics and fibre reinforced plastics, as an alternative to steel.
