Product Construction:
A2 conductors are high strength aluminum alloy, concentric-lay-stranded conductors. They are similar in construction and appearance to the A1 or AAC all-aluminum conductors. The conductors are manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the latest applicable issue of CAN/CSA C61089. A2 or AASC (Aluminum Alloy Stranded Conductor) are CSA reference terms. The A2/AASC conductors are manufactured from a heat-treated, magnesium-silicon high strength aluminum alloy. The aluminum strands consist of a concentric stranded cable of 7, 19, 37, or more wires. The sizes and strandings listed on the following pages are common examples used in overhead lines.
Applications:
A2 aluminum alloy conductors are extensively used for overhead distribution and transmission lines adjacent to ocean coastlines where there can be a problem of corrosion in the steel of an ACSR construction. The aluminum alloy conductors are used in place of single layer ACSR conductors (i.e., 6 AWG to 4/0 AWG) to reduce power losses in overhead distribution and transmission lines. The inductive effect of the ACSR’s steel core is eliminated, hence increasing the operating efficiency of the line.
