P35.004 Connector Management

Analyze Failed or Removed-from-Service Conductors and Connectors: Conductors and connectors that have failed in service or have been removed from service are evaluated in the laboratory to better understand aging and failure modes. Tests may include resistance measurements, thermal responses, infrared (IR) measurements, radiographic analysis, and dissection or mechanical tensile testing to failure. EPRI aims to include and track this information in a database to identify trends in the industry. In 2027, EPRI plans to continue evaluating aged and failed samples and update to the report Evaluation of Aged Traditional Conductors and Connectors.

Continue Accelerated Aging of Single-Stage Compression Fittings at 93°C: EPRI has provided guidelines to assist utilities with the inspection and management of line connectors based on previous EPRI empirical testing of traditional conductors and connectors. Recently, manufacturers have developed new single-stage compression connector designs for traditional conductors, however, their long-term performance is unknown. In 2027, EPRI intends to continue the accelerated aging of newly developed single-stage compression fittings for traditional conductors at 93°C to understand their performance and degradation mechanisms over a simulated 40-year lifespan.

Evaluation of Improper Installation of 2-Stage Compression Connectors: EPRI had previously evaluated the effect of not inserting the steel core fully into the steel core grip of a 2-stage compression connector. This testing was performed on Drake ACSR conductors and their associated model 2-stage compression deadends and splices. In 2027, EPRI intends on continuing this experiment with a different geometry of conductor with it’s associated deadends and splices.

Update Field Guides: Together with the Overhead Transmission Inspection and Assessment Project (35.001), three field guides with be updated for readability on mobile devices in 2027: Construction and Inspection of Compression Connectors for Overhead Transmission Lines Field Guide, Infrared Thermography for Overhead Transmission Lines Field Guide, and Inspection of Conductors for Overhead Transmission Lines Field Guide.

Provide Guidance on Inspection and Assessment of T-Tap Connectors: Guidelines help to assist utilities with managing connectors through their lifetime, including scheduling of inspections, selection inspection methods, data collection and use, prioritizing, and mitigation strategies. In 2027, EPRI intends on adding additional information on inspection methods and acceptance criteria for T-tap connectors in the Traditional Conductor and Connector Management Guide.

Provide Background on Optical Fiber Ground Wire (OPGW): In 2027, EPRI intends on cataloging the different types of OPGW on the market and detailing their known degradation mechanisms. EPRI intends on developing a test protocol to better understand degradation mechanisms and rates of degradation as well as develop guidance on inspection, assessment, and maintenance.

Provide Tools and Resources on the Transmission Resource Center: The following calculators, tools, result summaries, and references are planned to be available on the Traditional Conductors and Connectors Transmission Resource Center: