The standards will aim to enhance steel wire strength for improved efficiency.
Jul 15, 2025
ASTM International is developing proposed standards (WK94849) and (WK94850) that will create options for higher capacity transmission line designs that meet real world challenges.
The proposed standards are being developed by the conductors of ferrous metals subcommittee (B01.05), part of ASTM’s electrical conductors committee (B01).
According to ASTM member David Berta, these standards will help to define the requirements for a new, higher strength grade of steel wires for steel core conductors.
The wires outlined in the standards can then be used to support new conductor designs in the conductor standards based on steel cores, including ACSR, ACSR/TW, ACSS, and ACSS/TW.
“Conductor designs are taken as options when designing transmission lines. The designers look to meet capacity goals while balancing the cost of structures, hardware, and the conductors themselves,” says Berta, technical engineering manager, Bekaert. “New conductor designs are an additional tool for solving the design constraints. As the steel is not itself the primary conductor, higher strengths allow for less steel and consequently more aluminum, meaning more effective conductors.”
This effort directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7 Affordable and Clean Energy
ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN.
September / October 2025
