OREANDA-NEWS. March 23, 2009. A new product from the Severstal-metiz Volgograd Plant – “earth wire” – has received a positive reaction from experts of the test centre and certification commission of the Federal Grid Company of Unified Energy System of Russia*, reported the press-centre of Severstal-metiz.
 
The new type of rope, used to protect power transmission lines from direct lightning strikes – “earth wire” – was developed jointly by FGC UES, Severstal-metiz and OOO Energoservice**. Trial samples have successfully passed the full cycle of tests required for compliance with technical conditions. Following the approval by the certification commission these ropes are now recommended for use as an earth wire for power transmission lines.

The new product exceeds the performance of standard steel wire ropes (GOST  3063, 3064) which are widely used for this application at present in strength, thermophysical and electrotechnical properties and most importantly in lightning-surge protection. This is due to an increased filling ratio, linear contact of wires of different diameters and a compacted external layer. This product know-how is unique worldwide. In addition the new rope has increased anti-corrosion properties due to a more dense zinc coating and as a result, longer operating life.

Vladimir Petrovich, Managing Director of the Severstal-metiz Volgograd Plant, commenting on the forthcoming start-up of production of the new product said: “More than fifty-years of experience and advanced technologies allowed us to develop the earth wire, meeting the most stringent requirements of FGC UES. Use of these ropes will help to cut the risk of emergency situations occurring.

FGC UES is interested in increasing the reliability of the power system and cutting maintenance costs. The experts noted that the structure of the new cable not only meets all the standards and additional requirements of the Federal Grid Company but also provides new opportunities for further development of the national electricity grid.

In the near future the Volgograd Plant will produce two ropes (1,5 km each) for field testing, and will then start production of regular industrial orders.

*FGC UES was established in 2002 in accordance with the restructuring programme designed for the Russian power industry. The company manages the operation of 120 thousand km of transmission lines and 796 substations with a total transformation capacity of more than 310 thousand MVA with voltage in the range of 110-1150 kV. In 2007 the revenue of the company was 61.3 billion roubles, with net profit of 2.2 billion roubles. The Chairman of the Manangement Board is Andrey Rappoport.

**OOO Energoservice was founded in 2004. Priority activities include development, testing and certification of special-purpose ropes.