Aluminum Conductor

RS manufactures aluminum conductor for overhead transmission and distribution lines, including AAC, AAAC, ACSR and ACAR constructions. The page focuses on bare overhead conductors and does not include insulated aerial bundled cable.
RS configures conductor construction according to conductor code name, cross section, stranding, rated tensile strength, current requirement, corrosion environment, span length and the applicable project standard.

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Product Introduction

Aluminum Conductor Product Selection

Aluminum conductor is used where overhead power lines require a balance of conductivity, weight, tensile strength, sag behavior, corrosion resistance and route cost. AAC is usually selected for shorter spans, AAAC for corrosion resistance and improved strength, ACSR for long spans and high mechanical loading, and ACAR for projects needing both strength and ampacity.

Unlike ABC Cable, these products are normally bare conductors. Insulation, messenger configuration and bundled construction belong to a different product group and should not be mixed with bare conductor specifications.

Electrical Performance

Conductor size, aluminum grade, stranding and operating temperature affect resistance, ampacity and voltage drop.

Mechanical Strength

AAAC, ACSR and ACAR are selected when span length, wind load, ice load or terrain requires higher tensile strength.

Route Environment

Coastal, industrial, mountainous and rural routes can require different conductor material and reinforcement choices.

Aluminum Conductor Construction

RS produces aluminum conductor in concentric-lay stranded constructions. Depending on the conductor type, the stranding may use hard-drawn aluminum wires, aluminum alloy wires, galvanized steel core wires or aluminum alloy reinforcement.

AAC	Stranded hard-drawn aluminum wires for short-span overhead distribution
AAAC	Aluminum alloy wires for higher strength and corrosion resistance
ACSR	Aluminum strands around a coated steel core for higher tensile strength
ACAR	Aluminum strands with aluminum alloy reinforcement for balanced performance
Supply Form	Bare conductor on export wooden or steel-wooden drums according to project schedule

Aluminum conductor construction with stranded overhead conductor layers

Aluminum Conductor Standards and Technical Data

Aluminum conductor specifications commonly reference IEC 61089 for round wire concentric lay overhead electrical stranded conductors. ASTM standards are also used in many international projects, including ASTM B231 for AAC, ASTM B399 for AAAC and ASTM B232 for ACSR. ACAR may be specified under project, utility or applicable ASTM/IEC requirements.

Conductor Type	Common Name	Typical Standard Reference	Main Selection Point
AAC	All Aluminum Conductor	IEC 61089 / ASTM B231 project specifications	Conductivity and low weight for shorter spans
AAAC	All Aluminum Alloy Conductor	IEC 61089 / ASTM B399 project specifications	Corrosion resistance and improved strength
ACSR	Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced	IEC 61089 / ASTM B232 project specifications	Long spans and higher tensile strength
ACAR	Aluminum Conductor Alloy Reinforced	Project, utility or applicable conductor specification	Balanced strength, ampacity and weight

Manufacturing Reference Ranges

The ranges below are general production references for early product comparison. Final conductor code, area, stranding, rated tensile strength, resistance and packing are confirmed according to the approved project specification.

RS reviews conductor type, nominal area, stranding, route span, mechanical load, corrosion environment, drum length and applicable standard before confirming the conductor schedule.

Item	Reference Range	Notes
Nominal Area	10-1250mm²	Depends on conductor type and standard
Construction	Concentric-lay stranded	Single-material or reinforced designs
Material	Aluminum, aluminum alloy, coated steel core where applicable	Selected by conductor family
Application Voltage	Overhead line system dependent	Conductor itself is selected by line design, not insulation voltage
Packing	Export wooden drum or steel-wooden drum	Drum size and length according to project schedule

Overhead Line Applications

RS supplies aluminum conductor for rural distribution feeders, urban distribution reinforcement, substation outgoing lines, transmission spans, river crossings, mountainous routes and grid upgrade projects.

Route design affects the conductor selection. Long spans and heavy mechanical loading may favor ACSR. Corrosive coastal or industrial routes often make AAAC attractive. ACAR can support projects where strength and ampacity must be balanced in the same conductor design.

Overhead aluminum conductor for power transmission and distribution routes

Aluminum Conductor