ACSS, Aluminium Conductors Steel Supported (ASTM B 856)
Construction
ACSS, a non-homogenous conductor, is a concentric-lay stranded conductor made from round aluminum 1350-O wires and round, coated steel core wire(s). Steel wires are coated with Class A coating of zinc - 5% aluminum mischmetal alloy. Other Classes of coatings are also available for additional protection from corrosion. Standard, High, Extra and Ultra High Strength steel are also available.
Specifications
ACSS conductors are manufactured in accordance with the ASTM specification B856.
Features
ACSS conductors are preferred over ACSR conductors for specific transmission line applications:
With zinc - 5% aluminum mischmetal alloy coating on steel wires, ACSS conductors can be operated up to 250 °C. ACSS conductors carry more current than ACSR conductors due to:
Minimum average conductivity of 63% IACS for 1350-O aluminum wires vs. an average conductivity of 61.2% for 1350-H19 aluminum wires in ACSR.
ACSS conductors can be operated up to 250 °C vs. the maximum operating temperature for an ACSR conductor does not exceed 100 °C.
ACSS conductors are prone to resist the effects of aeolian vibration due to very little or no mechanical load on the annealed aluminum wires.
Long term creep is not a factor when designing with ACSS conductors.
Applications
ACSS conductors are useful for:
Reconductoring lines: Increase ampacity with existing tensions and clearances.
New lines: Optimize structures due to low sag. Also, provide higher emergency loading capability.
Lines: Where aeolian vibration is an issue.
 

Code Word		Stranding						Nominal Overall Diameter	Cross Section		Rated Strength
		Aluminum			Steel				Al	Total	/MA2	/MA3
	Size	No.	Diameter	Layers	No.	Diameter	Layers
	kcmil		in			in		in	in2			kip
Partridge/ACSS	266.8	26	0.1013	2	7	0.0788	1	0.642	0.2095	0.2437	8.9	9.7
Oriole/ACSS	336.4	30	0.1059	2	7	0.1059	1	0.741	0.2642	0.3259	14.8	16.3
Linnet/ACSS	336.4	26	0.1137	2	7	0.0884	1	0.720	0.2640	0.3070	11.2	12.3
Lark/ACSS	397.5	30	0.1151	2	7	0.1151	1	0.806	0.3121	0.3850	17.5	19.3
Ibis/ACSS	397.5	26	0.1236	2	7	0.0961	1	0.783	0.3120	0.3627	13.0	14.2
Hen/ACSS	477.0	30	0.1261	2	7	0.1261	1	0.883	0.3747	0.4621	21.0	22.7
Hawk/ACSS	477.0	26	0.1354	2	7	0.1053	1	0.858	0.3744	0.4353	15.6	17.1
Flicker/ACSS	477.0	24	0.1410	2	7	0.0940	1	0.846	0.3747	0.4233	13.0	14.2
Eagle/ACSS	556.5	30	0.1362	2	7	0.1362	1	0.953	0.4371	0.5391	24.5	26.5
Dove/ACSS	556.5	26	0.1463	2	7	0.1138	1	0.927	0.4371	0.5083	18.2	19.9
Parakeet/ACSS	556.5	24	0.1523	2	7	0.1015	1	0.914	0.4372	0.4939	15.2	16.6
Peacock/ACSS	605.0	24	0.1588	2	7	0.1059	1	0.953	0.4753	0.5370	16.5	18.1
Egret/ACSS	636.0	30	0.1456	2	19	0.0874	2	1.019	0.4995	0.6135	28.0	30.9
Grosbeak/ACSS	636.0	26	0.1564	2	7	0.1216	1	0.990	0.4995	0.5808	20.7	22.4
Rook/ACSS	636.0	24	0.1628	2	7	0.1085	1	0.977	0.4996	0.5643	17.3	19.0
Flamingo/ACSS	666.6	24	0.1667	2	7	0.1111	1	1.000	0.5238	0.5917	18.2	19.9
Redwing/ACSS	715.5	30	0.1544	2	19	0.0926	2	1.081	0.5617	0.6897	30.8	34.0
Starling/ACSS	715.5	26	0.1659	2	7	0.1290	1	1.051	0.5620	0.6535	23.3	25.2
Mallard/ACSS	795.0	30	0.1628	2	19	0.0977	2	1.140	0.6245	0.7669	34.3	37.9
Condor/ACSS	795.0	54	0.1213	3	7	0.1213	1	1.092	0.6240	0.7049	21.7	23.3
Tern/ACSS	795.0	45	0.1329	3	7	0.0886	1	1.063	0.6242	0.6674	14.2	15.2
Drake/ACSS	795.0	26	0.1749	2	7	0.1360	1	1.108	0.6247	0.7263	25.9	28.0
Cuckoo/ACSS	795.0	24	0.1820	2	7	0.1213	1	1.092	0.6244	0.7053	21.7	23.3
Canary/ACSS	900.0	54	0.1291	3	7	0.1291	1	1.162	0.7069	0.7985	24.6	26.4
Ruddy/ACSS	900.0	45	0.1414	3	7	0.0943	1	1.131	0.7066	0.7555	15.8	17.0
Cardinal/ACSS	954.0	54	0.1329	3	7	0.1329	1	1.196	0.7491	0.8462	26.0	28.0
Rail/ACSS	954.0	45	0.1456	3	7	0.0971	1	1.165	0.7492	0.8011	16.7	18.0
Curlew/ACSS	1033.5	54	0.1383	3	7	0.1383	1	1.245	0.8112	0.9164	28.2	30.3
Ortolan/ACSS	1033.5	45	0.1515	3	7	0.1010	1	1.212	0.8112	0.8673	18.1	19.5
Finch/ACSS	1113.0	54	0.1436	3	19	0.0862	2	1.293	0.8746	0.9854	30.4	33.2
Bluejay/ACSS	1113.0	45	0.1573	3	7	0.1049	1	1.259	0.8745	0.9350	19.5	21.1
Grackle/ACSS	1192.5	54	0.1486	3	19	0.0892	2	1.338	0.9365	1.0553	32.6	35.5
Bunting/ACSS	1192.5	45	0.1628	3	7	0.1085	1	1.302	0.9367	1.0014	21.4	23.5
Pheasant/ACSS	1272.0	54	0.1535	3	19	0.0921	2	1.382	0.9993	1.1259	34.1	37.3
Bittern/ACSS	1272.0	45	0.1681	3	7	0.1121	1	1.345	0.9987	1.0678	22.3	24.0
Martin/ACSS	1351.0	54	0.1582	3	19	0.0949	2	1.424	1.0614	1.1958	36.2	39.6
Dipper/ACSS	1351.0	45	0.1733	3	7	0.1155	1	1.386	1.0614	1.1348	23.7	25.5
Plover/ACSS	1431.0	54	0.1628	3	19	0.0977	2	1.465	1.1241	1.2665	38.4	41.9
Bobolink/ACSS	1431.0	45	0.1783	3	7	0.1189	1	1.427	1.1236	1.2013	25.1	27.0
Falcon/ACSS	1590.0	54	0.1716	3	19	0.1030	2	1.545	1.2489	1.4072	42.6	46.6
Lapwing/ACSS	1590.0	45	0.1880	3	7	0.1253	1	1.504	1.2492	1.3355	27.9	29.6
Chukar/ACSS*	1780.0	84	0.1456	4	19	0.0874	2	1.602	1.3986	1.5126	35.4	38.2
Bluebird/ACSS*	2156.0	84	0.1602	4	19	0.0961	2	1.762	1.6931	1.8310	42.1	45.5
Kiwi/ACSS*	2167.0	72	0.1735	4	7	0.1157	1	1.735	1.7022	1.7758	29.0	30.8
Thrasher/ACSS*	2312.0	76	0.1744	4	19	0.0814	2	1.802	1.8155	1.9144	35.6	38.1
Oriole/ACSS	336.4	317.7	208.7	526.4	60.35	39.65	0.0488	0.0499	0.0601	0.544	0.084	0.0255
Linnet/ACSS	336.4	316.6	145.4	462	68.53	31.47	0.0492	0.0503	0.0605	0.549	0.085	0.0244
Lark/ACSS	397.5	375.3	246.5	621.8	60.36	39.64	0.0413	0.0423	0.0509	0.533	0.082	0.0277
Ibis/ACSS	397.5	374.1	171.9	546	68.52	31.48	0.0416	0.0426	0.0512	0.539	0.084	0.0265
Hen/ACSS	477.0	450.4	296	746.4	60.34	39.66	0.0344	0.0353	0.0424	0.517	0.080	0.3040
Hawk/ACSS	477.0	449	206.3	655.3	68.52	31.48	0.0347	0.0355	0.0427	0.522	0.081	0.0290
Flicker/ACSS	477.0	449.4	164.5	613.9	73.20	26.80	0.0348	0.0357	0.0429	0.524	0.082	0.0283
Eagle/ACSS	556.5	525.5	345.2	870.7	60.35	39.65	0.0295	0.0303	0.0364	0.505	0.079	0.0328
Dove/ACSS	556.5	524.2	241	765.2	68.50	31.50	0.0297	0.0305	0.0367	0.510	0.080	0.0313
Parakeet/ACSS	556.5	524.3	191.8	716.1	73.22	26.78	0.0298	0.0307	0.0368	0.512	0.080	0.0306
Peacock/ACSS	605.0	570.1	208.7	778.8	73.20	26.80	0.0274	0.0282	0.0339	0.505	0.079	0.0319
Egret/ACSS	636.0	600.5	386.7	987.2	60.83	39.17	0.0258	0.0266	0.0319	0.495	0.077	0.0351
Grosbeak/ACSS	636.0	599	275.2	874.2	68.52	31.48	0.026	0.0268	0.0321	0.500	0.078	0.0335
Rook/ACSS	636.0	599.1	219.1	818.2	73.22	26.78	0.0261	0.0269	0.0323	0.502	0.079	0.0327
Flamingo/ACSS	666.6	628.2	229.7	857.9	73.23	26.77	0.0249	0.0257	0.0308	0.498	0.078	0.0335
Redwing/ACSS	715.5	675.3	434	1109	60.88	39.12	0.023	0.0237	0.0284	0.486	0.076	0.0372
Starling/ACSS	715.5	674	309.7	983.7	68.52	31.48	0.0231	0.0238	0.0286	0.490	0.077	0.0355
Mallard/ACSS	795.0	750.7	483.2	1234	60.84	39.16	0.0207	0.0213	0.0256	0.477	0.074	0.0392
Condor/ACSS	795.0	748.4	273.6	1022	73.23	26.77	0.0209	0.0216	0.0267	0.484	0.076	0.0368
Tern/ACSS	795.0	748.6	146.4	895	83.64	16.36	0.021	0.0218	0.0263	0.488	0.076	0.0352
Drake/ACSS	795.0	749.1	343.9	1093	68.54	31.46	0.0208	0.0215	0.0258	0.482	0.076	0.0375
Cuckoo/ACSS	795.0	748.8	274.2	1023	73.20	26.80	0.0209	0.0216	0.0259	0.484	0.076	0.0361
Canary/ACSS	900.0	847.7	310.3	1158	73.20	26.80	0.0184	0.0192	0.0236	0.474	0.074	0.0392
Ruddy/ACSS	900.0	847.4	165.6	1013	83.65	16.35	0.0186	0.0194	0.0233	0.479	0.076	0.0374
Cardinal/ACSS	954.0	898.3	328.8	1227	73.21	26.79	0.0174	0.0181	0.0223	0.470	0.076	0.0404
Rail/ACSS	954.0	898.5	175.5	1074	83.66	16.34	0.0175	0.0183	0.0221	0.474	0.075	0.0385
Curlew/ACSS	1033.5	972.8	356.2	1329	73.20	26.80	0.0161	0.0168	0.0206	0.464	0.073	0.0420
Ortolan/ACSS	1033.5	972.8	190.2	1163	83.65	16.35	0.0162	0.017	0.0204	0.468	0.074	0.0401
Finch/ACSS	1113.0	1053.9	376.1	1430	73.70	26.30	0.015	0.0157	0.0193	0.458	0.070	0.0436
Bluejay/ACSS	1113.0	1048.7	205.3	1254	83.63	16.37	0.015	0.0159	0.019	0.462	0.073	0.0416
Grackle/ACSS	1192.5	1128.6	402.4	1531	73.72	26.28	0.014	0.0147	0.018	0.452	0.071	0.0451
Bunting/ACSS	1192.5	1123.0	219	1342	83.68	16.32	0.014	0.0149	0.0178	0.456	0.072	0.0431
Pheasant/ACSS	1272.0	1204.3	429.7	1634	73.70	26.30	0.0131	0.0139	0.0169	0.447	0.070	0.0466
Bittern/ACSS	1272.0	1197.7	234.3	1432	83.64	16.36	0.0132	0.014	0.0167	0.451	0.072	0.0445
Martin/ACSS	1351.0	1279.2	455.8	1735	73.73	26.27	0.012	0.013	0.016	0.442	0.070	0.0480
Dipper/ACSS	1351.0	1272.9	248.1	1521	83.69	16.31	0.0124	0.0132	0.0158	0.447	0.071	0.0459
Plover/ACSS	1431.0	1354.6	483.4	1838	73.70	26.30	0.012	0.012	0.015	0.438	0.069	0.0495
Bobolink/ACSS	1431.0	1347.5	263.5	1611	83.64	16.36	0.012	0.013	0.015	0.442	0.070	0.0472
Falcon/ACSS	1590.0	1505.0	537	2042	73.70	26.30	0.011	0.011	0.014	0.430	0.068	0.0521
Lapwing/ACSS	1590.0	1498.1	291.9	1790	83.69	16.31	0.011	0.012	0.014	0.434	0.069	0.0498
Chukar/ACSS*	1780.0	1685.5	386.5	2072	81.35	18.65	0.009	0.01	0.012	0.424	0.067	0.0534
Bluebird/ACSS*	2156.0	2040.4	467.6	2508	81.36	18.64	0.008	0.009	0.01	0.409	0.065	0.0588
Kiwi/ACSS*	2167.0	2051.4	249.6	2301	89.15	10.85	0.008	0.009	0.01	0.411	0.068	0.0570
Thrasher/ACSS*	2312.0	2187.9	335.1	2523	86.72	13.28	0.007	0.009	0.01	0.405	0.065	0.0600