Keep up to date with our latest company news and relevant industry knowledge.
Time: 2026-07-20 09:49:33 Source: Henan Province Jianyun Cable Co., Ltd.
A bare conductor is an essential component of overhead electrical transmission and distribution systems. Unlike insulated cables, it does not have an external insulation layer. Instead, the conductor is installed in open air and supported by towers, poles, insulators, and related line hardware.
For long-distance transmission lines, ACSR is one of the most commonly specified bare conductor designs. It combines conductive aluminum strands with a galvanized steel core, providing a practical balance between current-carrying capacity, mechanical strength, weight, and cost.
Jianyun Cable supplies BS EN 50182 ACSR bare conductor for overhead transmission and distribution projects.
Recommended Product:
https://www.jianyuncable.com/bare-conductor/acsr-cable-3.html
A bare conductor is an electrical conductor without an insulating or protective outer sheath. It is mainly used in overhead lines where air acts as the primary insulation between the conductor and surrounding objects.
Common bare conductor types include:
| Conductor Type | Full Name | Main Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| AAC | All Aluminum Conductor | High conductivity and low weight |
| AAAC | All Aluminum Alloy Conductor | Improved mechanical and corrosion performance |
| ACSR | Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced | High tensile strength for longer spans |
| AACSR | Aluminum Alloy Conductor Steel Reinforced | Strength combined with alloy conductor performance |
Among these options, ACSR is widely used where overhead lines require both reliable electrical conductivity and strong mechanical support.
ACSR bare conductor consists of concentric layers of aluminum wires stranded around a galvanized steel core. The aluminum layers carry most of the electrical current, while the steel core provides the tensile strength needed to support the conductor between poles or transmission towers.
| Component | Primary Function |
|---|---|
| Aluminum strands | Carry electrical current efficiently |
| Galvanized steel core | Provides tensile and mechanical strength |
| Concentric stranding | Improves structural stability |
| Optional protective grease | Helps protect the steel core from corrosion |
The relative proportion of aluminum and steel can be adjusted according to the required current capacity, breaking load, span length, sag, and environmental conditions.
The galvanized steel core helps the conductor withstand tensile loads created by long spans, wind, conductor weight, and installation tension.
Aluminum provides good electrical conductivity while keeping the total conductor weight lower than an equivalent all-copper design.
The combination of aluminum and steel makes ACSR suitable for overhead lines crossing rivers, valleys, roads, and other locations requiring increased span length.
ACSR offers a practical balance of conductivity, strength, availability, and project cost, making it widely used in power grids.
Different aluminum-to-steel ratios and stranding arrangements allow the conductor to be adapted to specific electrical and mechanical requirements.
Bare conductor is commonly installed in:
The Jianyun Cable ACSR product is intended for long-distance overhead electrical transmission and can also be used as a supporting messenger conductor.
| Feature | Bare Conductor | Insulated Cable |
|---|---|---|
| External insulation | None | PVC, XLPE, or another insulation material |
| Main installation | Overhead transmission lines | Underground, indoor, conduit, or covered overhead systems |
| Weight | Relatively low | Higher due to insulation and sheath |
| Heat dissipation | Good in open air | Affected by insulation and installation conditions |
| Installation clearance | Requires greater electrical clearance | Can reduce accidental contact risk |
| Typical use | Utility transmission and distribution | Buildings, industrial systems, underground networks |
Bare conductor is generally preferred for open overhead lines with controlled safety clearances. Insulated cable is more suitable where direct-contact protection, restricted spacing, underground installation, or environmental separation is required.
ACSR conductors may be manufactured according to different national and international standards. Jianyun Cable lists production options based on standards including:
| Standard | Market or Application |
|---|---|
| BS EN 50182 | European overhead conductor requirements |
| BS 215-2 | British ACSR conductor specifications |
| IEC 61089 | International overhead stranded conductor standard |
| ASTM B232/B232M | Common North American ACSR requirements |
| DIN 48204 | German conductor specifications |
| JIS C 3110 | Japanese conductor requirements |
| AS 3607 | Australian overhead conductor requirements |
Project engineers should specify the required standard, conductor code, stranding, cross-sectional area, resistance, breaking load, and current rating when requesting a quotation. The product page identifies these standards as available design references.
| Selection Factor | What to Evaluate |
|---|---|
| System voltage | Transmission or distribution voltage level |
| Required current | Continuous current-carrying capacity |
| Span length | Distance between supporting structures |
| Tensile strength | Mechanical load and required breaking strength |
| Sag limit | Permitted conductor sag under operating conditions |
| Wind and ice load | Local climate and environmental loading |
| Corrosion exposure | Coastal, humid, polluted, or industrial environment |
| Applicable standard | IEC, BS, ASTM, DIN, JIS, or project specification |
| Line losses | Electrical resistance and transmission efficiency |
A conductor should not be selected only by nominal cross-sectional area. Electrical loading, line length, mechanical tension, temperature, tower spacing, and local environmental conditions must be evaluated together.
The Jianyun Cable product range includes recognized conductor code names such as:
| Code Name | Typical Structure |
|---|---|
| Mole | 6 aluminum wires and 1 steel wire |
| Squirrel | 6 aluminum wires and 1 steel wire |
| Fox | 6 aluminum wires and 1 steel wire |
| Mink | 6 aluminum wires and 1 steel wire |
| Skunk | 12 aluminum wires and 7 steel wires |
| Beaver | 6 aluminum wires and 1 steel wire |
Each code has different dimensions, sectional area, weight, breaking load, resistance, and current capacity. Buyers should confirm the complete technical data rather than relying only on the conductor name.
Jianyun Cable supplies ACSR bare conductor for overhead power transmission projects requiring dependable conductivity and mechanical strength.
Product advantages include:
View the product and request a quotation:
https://www.jianyuncable.com/bare-conductor/acsr-cable-3.html
Jianyun Cable provides power cable and conductor solutions for utility, infrastructure, industrial, and renewable energy projects.
Customers can specify:
Clear project parameters allow the manufacturer to recommend a more accurate bare conductor configuration and quotation.
A bare conductor is a cost-effective and technically proven solution for overhead power transmission and distribution. ACSR construction combines the conductivity of aluminum with the tensile strength of a galvanized steel core, making it particularly suitable for long spans and demanding overhead line conditions.
For BS EN 50182 ACSR conductor specifications, customized dimensions, drum lengths, and project quotations, review Jianyun Cable’s product page:
https://www.jianyuncable.com/bare-conductor/acsr-cable-3.html
A bare conductor is primarily used for overhead transmission and distribution lines. It carries electricity between substations, utility networks, industrial facilities, and regional power systems.
The steel core increases tensile strength and helps the conductor withstand mechanical tension, long spans, wind loads, and its own suspended weight.
No. Standard bare conductor is designed primarily for overhead installation. Underground systems normally require insulated and sheathed power cables.
AAC consists entirely of aluminum and provides high conductivity with low weight. ACSR combines aluminum strands with a steel core, offering greater mechanical strength for longer spans.
Buyers should provide the applicable standard, conductor code or cross-sectional area, stranding, required quantity, drum length, installation environment, and any electrical or mechanical performance requirements.
CE Certification 450/750v H07VVF Flexible Copper PVC Insulated Ac Cable 3*2.5 Mm
low voltage copper conductor PVC insulation underground BV BVR cable for industr
PVC electric wires are one of the most widely used electrical conductors in resi
H07V-U wire is a flexible, low voltage electrical wire commonly used in industri
