Product Data & Specifications
3M™ ACCR’s low weight and thermal expansion result in low sag at high ampacities.
The unique combination of an aluminum matrix core and heat resistant Al-Zr outer
strands provides many advantages over other conductors.
Please note: although the information presented on this page may
be useful when considering 3M ACCR for an application, its unique properties make
it important to consult with a member of our design team to select the most effective
and economical option for your application.
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3M™ ACCR Conductor Specifications English Units (PDF, 16KB)
3M™ ACCR Conductor Specifications Metric Units (PDF, 16KB)
Summary
The tremendous advantages of 3M ACCR are due to innovations in the materials used.
Compared to a conventional steel core, the composite core has:
- equivalent strength and durability,
- less weight,
- better corrosion resistance,
- high modulus for less stretch,
- higher electrical conductivity,
- and lower thermal expansion for less sag.
This permits the use of higher operating temperatures, which in turn leads to higher
ampacities. Both the composite core and the outer Al-Zr strands contribute to the
overall conductor strength and conductivity.
3M™ Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced
Physical Characteristics
Aluminum Strands
The aluminum strands are composed of an aluminum-zirconium alloy, round shape, although
trapezoidal is also available. The minimum conductivity of any individual aluminum
strand is not less than 60 percent of the International Annealed Copper Standard
(IACS).
The aluminum-zirconium strands are a hard drawn aluminum with mechanical properties
very similar to 1350-H19 aluminum (23-25 ksi, 158-172 MPa) ultimate tensile strength.
This is NOT a soft annealed aluminum. The addition of a small amount of zirconium
to the aluminum confers the property of heat resistance. That is, the aluminum-zirconium
may be heated to high temperatures, without softening (annealing) and losing its
strength like 1350-H19 aluminum would. Thus when the aluminum-zirconium cools to
ambient temperatures, it retains its strength.
Core Strands
The core strands contain aluminum oxide fibers embedded in high-purity aluminum
forming a wire. This type of material is called a fiber reinforced metal matrix.
It contains NO polymers or plastic: the base material is metallic aluminum. This
material confers the properties that make 3M ACCR conductor lightweight, while performing
with high strength and low sag at high temperatures. This is because the fiber reinforced
metal matrix composite has strength equivalent to steel, with weight (density) similar
to aluminum, but with less thermal expansion than steel and strength retention at
high temperatures. Additionally, some of the secondary properties are also favorable.
These include low creep, high electrical conductivity (from the aluminum constituent),
and corrosion resistance (similar to aluminum).
Conductor Stranding
The ACCR conductor uses constructions that are very similar to ACSR. It uses most
of the same dimensions for wire sizes and conductor sizes. Aluminum-zirconium layers
are helically stranded using the same lay lengths and lay directions as ACSR. The
core wires are also helically stranded but use longer lay lengths than the steel
cores found in ACSR.
Properties
Properties of some common conductor dimensions are provided in the table below,
along with the ampacities of each at its continuous and emergency operating temperatures.
Additional sizes are available. Many other options, including trapezoidal configurations,
and special constructions for specific applications are also available upon request.
The ampacities were calculated using IEEE Std. 738-1993, with inputs of 40° C air
temperature, 2.933 ft/s wind, and emissivity and absorptivity of 0.8.
3M™ ACCR Conductor Specifications (PDF, 16KB)
You can also
download the PLS-CADD™ cable files.
Conformance to National Standards
All materials shall conform to the applicable American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) C119.4; American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards B193,
B941, B557, or International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS)."
Field & Lab Tests
Accessories
Installation Guide
