Aerial Bunch Cable (ABC)

Aerial bundled cables (also aerial bundled conductors or simply ABC) are overhead power lines using several insulated
phase conductors bundled tightly together, usually with a bare neutral conductor. This contrasts with the traditional
practice of using uninsulated conductors separated by air gaps.
Aerial Bunched Cables are used in theft prone areas, or as a replacement of bare conductors in rural areas, forest, hilly
terrains etc. These AB cables give highly reliable performance, good protection against line and ground fault and good
adaptability. Manufactured from quality raw material, these cables are durable and are safe for different electrical
environments. These functional cables are available in standard dimensions and can also be customized as per client's
requirement.

CONSTRUCTION OF ABC

XLPE/HDPE insulated power conductors of Aluminum (Neutral conductor and street lighting conductor if and when
necessary) are laid together (twisted) around a high tensile standard and galvanized steel (Aluminum Alloy may be used)
insulated or bare messenger wire to form the Aerial Bunched Cable. This assembly is directly strung on to distribution
pole/towers by means of standard hardware available in the market but care shall be taken to render the messenger
wire completely insulated from Earthing at any point of distribution in case of HT ABC.
The XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene) insulation is black in color and is stabilized against deterioration caused by
exposure to direct sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. XLPE is cross-linkable low-density polyethylene, which is made
thermo set by special formulation from base polymer of thermoplastic low-density polyethylene. XLPE combines the
best electrical properties of LDPE and superior thermo mechanical properties.

MATERIALS

Aluminum conductors conform to IS: 8130(Class-II)

Standard high tensile galvanized steel messenger wire conforms to IS: 398 (Part 2). Alternatively Aluminum Alloy
messenger wire conforms to IS: 398 (Part 4)
XLPE and HDPE insulation of power conductors specify IS: 7098 (Part I & II) and IS: 6474 respectively.

Since, the tension from the current carrying conductor is totally removed by introduction of messenger wire the
operating temperature of the conductor is 90.C as against 75.C of the bare conductor of the same size.

Applications
ABC can conveniently be used:

In theft prone areas

As replacement of bare conductors in rural areas, in forest and in other localities like narrow streets where the space
is limited
As replacement of bare conducts where reliability of supply is of prime importance
As replacement of bare lines where high degree of stability of supply voltage is of importance
In hilly terrains where cost of erection of overhead lines or underground cable becomes very high
As reinforcement of existing system without increasing voltage
For temporary supplies
Reduces burning of transformers and maintenance

Advantages
In comparison to bare overhead distribution lines, AB Cables have very high reliability during the services. As the power
and neutral conductors are insulated with the best dielectric material, resulting in the following advantages:

Less fault rate on account of good protection against line and ground fault by high winds or falling trees or birds
especially in hilly areas & forests as encountered in Rural distribution networks
High Insulation resistance to earth in all polluted atmosphere. Negligible currents and low losses
Multiple circuits of Power and Telephone Cables could be strung in the same set of poles or any other supports like
walls etc
Better adaptability to run concurrently with existing over-head bare conductor system without any interference
High capacitance and low inductance leading to low impedance of lines
Lower voltage drop, higher current carrying capacities, vis-a-vis better Voltage Regulation
Longer spans and longer distance lines are possible with better systems stability
AB Cables are much safer then bare Conductors
It can be over hung in dense vegetation and forests
Additional connections can be easily and quickly made with hot-line connectors
Total lines costs are reduced
Maintenance costs are reduced
Very difficult to tap the AB cables, thus reducing theft which leads to lower distribution loses