Influence of Short-time Overload on Mechanical Properties of Overhead Conductor Wires

In order to simulate the influence of short-time overload on the overhead conductors, the hard-drawn aluminum wires, aluminum-clad steel wires and galvanized steel wires removed from the conductors were put into the ovens with different temperature and room temperature. After certain hours heat preservation, the mechanical properties of the wires were measured, and the microstructures of the wires were analyzed. The results show that with the increase of holding temperature and time, the tensile strength of the aluminum wires reduced but were still above the requirements of national standard. Besides, the tensile strength loss rate of the aluminum wires reduced with the increase of their diameters. To aluminum-clad steel wires and galvanized steel wires, the tensile strength of them slightly increased with the increase of holding temperature and time.