HVCRC® LITE is a unique Standard Temperature Low Sag conductor technology, offering significant savings on upfront capital expenses and electrical losses.
This patented composite core conductor takes advantage of the properties of carbon fiber without the cost premium associated with composite HTLS conductors.
It is especially optimized for new lines (allowing CAPEX savings thanks to the reduction of foundations and towers) as well as private developers or utilities looking to minimize their electrical losses and CO₂ emissions.
Why HVCRC® LITE?
Even though HVCRC® conductors are sometimes used in the construction of new overhead lines, when building a new line it is generally possible to design it in a way that accommodates the thermal limitations of traditional metallic conductors (ACSR, ACSS, AAAC…), with lower upfront expenses than when using existing HTLS conductors such as HVCRC®.
For this reason, HTLS conductors are primarily used for reconductoring, where their low sag and superior conductivity make them particularly advantageous, and where the higher cost of the conductors is by far offset by other benefits.
By maintaining the high dimensional stability of composite cores while adapting the conductor design to standard operating temperatures, it is possible to achieve significant reductions in the overall cost of new line construction.
To provide grid operators with an advanced conductor option specifically designed for new line construction and the reduction in electrical losses, Epsilon Cable has developed and patented the HVCRC® LITE technology. This range of composite-core conductors is designed to operate at standard temperature (up to 90 °C, and possibly more according to requirements).
Contact our experts for a custom study on your project
Faster and cheaper erection of new Transmission & Distribution lines
HVCRC® LITE conductors are a particularly attractive option for new transmission and distribution lines, offering a short and long-term optimized solution in terms of flexibility, efficiency, resilience, and cost-effectiveness.
Despite a generally higher conductor cost, HVCRC® LITE helps reduce total project expenses. Its low thermal expansion, smaller diameter (thanks to its trapezoidal wires), and low weight (-30% compared to ACSR) enables significant savings on the foundations and towers by minimizing their size and/or allowing for increased span lengths, significantly reducing both costs, installation time and environmental impact.
We contracted EFLA, an independent design office to do a complete study comparing ACSR, Al59 and HVCRC LITE conductors for the construction of a 400 kV line following specific design rules and various options.
Request to access the results of the EFLA study
Reduction of electrical losses up to 30% on new lines or existing lines
HVCRC® LITE conductors can also be designed to minimize electrical losses, thanks to its lightweight composite core (density of 1.8), 30% more aluminum can be added to the conductor without increasing the weight of the conductor. This reduces electrical resistance and Joule losses by 30%, offering a ROI over a few years which can be especially interesting for private developers, or utilities willing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, while keeping outstanding sag performance.
This last point is especially important in comparison with other high-conductivity conductors made only of aluminum (AAC and AAAC), which have a high coefficient of thermal expansion and poor mechanical performance.
We can design HVCRC® LITE conductors either:
- To match ACSR aluminum cross-section, therefore reducing weight by 30%,
- To match ACSR weight, therefore reducing electrical resistance by 30%
- Anywhere between those two options, with a custom design to benefit from both sides (weight and electrical resistance)