Alcan Cable introduces ACSR Twisted Pair Conductors to mitigate transmission line galloping

ATLANTA, GA, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ – Alcan Cable, a business unit of Rio
Tinto, launched today its ACSR Twisted Pair (TP) conductors for use in power transmission line applications to
reduce galloping due to the formation of ice on the conductor.  Ice
galloping of transmission lines results in violent conductor movements
that damage transmission towers and hardware.

“We have several customers that are located in regions prone to ice
formation on their conductor and require this solution to prevent
galloping,” said Steve Waller, Director of Utility Sales – North
America, Alcan Cable.  “As a major supplier of transmission cable, we
are pleased to add ACSR Twisted Pair conductors to our family of
transmission cable products.”

As the most recent addition to Alcan Cable’s line of aluminum
transmission cable, ACSR TP conductors are two bare concentrically
stranded conductors wound about one another with a twist length of nine
feet.  ACSR TP has been shown as the most cost effective means to
mitigate galloping, Aeolian vibration, and subconductor oscillation. 
Typical installation for TP conductors is where ice forms along the
line in the middle of the country where cold Canadian air collides with
warm air from the Gulf of Mexico producing ice and wind.

Alcan Cable’s ACSR TP conductors are manufactured in accordance with
ASTM B 911 standards.  ACSR TP conductors can be installed per NEC Code
limits to reduce sag and structure height or allow for longer ruling
spans.

Recognized as the only fully integrated aluminum cable supplier in North
America, Alcan Cable has provided its customers with quality products
and outstanding customer service for over 100 years. With its
headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Alcan Cable is a leading manufacturer
of aluminum cable and aluminum rod and strip products, and has six
manufacturing operations – five in North America and one in China.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the
UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio
Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto’s business is finding, mining, and processing mineral
resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal
and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt,
talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly
represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses
in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

SOURCE Alcan Cable