The Application and Advantages of Low-Voltage Overhead Hardware

Low-voltage overhead line fittings are mainly used in distribution networks (0.4kV to 1kV) and low-voltage overhead lines, undertaking functions such as wire fixation, connection, support and protection. Compared with high-voltage fittings, low-voltage fittings place more emphasis on economy, ease of installation and environmental adaptability. The following are their typical applications and core advantages:

I. Main Applications of Low-Voltage Overhead Hardware

1. Wire Fixation and Support
Straight-line pole suspension clamps: Used in the straight sections of low-voltage overhead lines to fix insulated or bare wires (such as U-bolt wire clamps, C-type clamps). 

Tension clamps: used on terminal poles, corner poles or branch poles to withstand the tension of conductors (such as wedge-type tension clamps, screw-type tension clamps). 

2. Wire Connection and Continuation
Parallel groove clamps: used for branch connection of wires (such as CAPG type parallel groove clamps), without the need to cut the main wire. 

Insulation piercing connector: Specifically designed for insulated conductors, it pierces the insulation layer to achieve electrical connection (such as the JJC type piercing wire clamp). 

3. Insulator Accessories
Tea table hardware: Fix low-voltage porcelain insulators (such as butterfly insulators) to the crossarm. 

Wire tensioning hardware: Used for the fixation and adjustment of guy wires on utility poles (such as UT wire clamps, wedge wire clamps). 

4. Protection and Safety
Guy wire sheath: Protects guy wires from corrosion or mechanical damage. 

Insulating shield: Covers the exposed connection points of wires to prevent electric shock or short circuits. 

5. Special Scene Applications
Wind Deviation Prevention Device: Prevents conductors from detaching from insulators under strong winds. 

Bird spikes: To prevent birds from building nests on poles and towers and causing malfunctions.

Ii. Core Advantages of Low-voltage Overhead Hardware

"Economy"
Low material cost: Mostly galvanized steel, aluminum alloy or engineering plastics are used, suitable for large-scale power distribution networks.

Easy installation and maintenance: No special tools are required (such as puncture thread clips, which can be installed by hand), reducing labor costs.

2. High reliability
Corrosion-resistant design: Treated with hot-dip galvanizing or aluminum coating, suitable for harsh environments such as rural areas and coastal areas.

Moderate mechanical strength: Meets the tension requirements of low-voltage conductors (usually ≤10kN), avoiding over-design.

3. Electrical safety
Insulation protection: Designs such as puncture wire clamps and insulation covers reduce the risk of electric shock.

Low contact resistance: Pressure contact is adopted at connection points such as parallel channel clamps to reduce heat loss.

4. Wide adaptability
Compatible with various types of wires: suitable for aluminum stranded wires, copper stranded wires, and insulated wires (such as JKLYJ type).

Modular design: Such as adjustable UT type tie wire clamps to adapt to different tower structures.

5. Lightweight and Environmental protection
Aluminum alloy fittings are light in weight (30% lighter than traditional steel), reducing the load on poles and towers.

Recyclable materials (such as galvanized steel) meet the requirements of the green power grid.

Iii. Typical Examples of Low-Pressure Hardware

Type                                                   Example                                             Function

Suspension clamp                             U-bolt clamps, C-bolt clamps          Fix the straight line segment conductor

Tension clamp, Dead end clamp      NXJ type wedge clamp                    The terminal/corner bar bears tensile force

Parallel groove wire clamps               APG, CAPG                                        Wire branch connection

Insulation piercing connector            JJC                                                      Insulated wires are connected live

Overhead power fitting                       NLL                                                     Adjust the tightness of the guy wire on the electric pole

Iv. Precautions for Selection

Wire matching: The hole diameter of the wire clamp should be consistent with the cross-sectional area of the wire (for example, a 50mm² wire is matched with a JBB-50 wire clamp).

Environmental requirements: In coastal areas, enhanced anti-corrosion materials (such as aluminum-clad steel) should be selected, and in high-cold regions, brittle materials should be avoided.

Insulation requirements: For insulated conductors, piercing clamps should be preferred; for bare conductors, parallel channel clamps should be used.

Standard compliance: Conforms to ANSI, GB/T 2314 (national standard) or IEC 61284 (international standard)

Summary

Low-voltage overhead hardware is the foundation for the reliable operation of distribution networks, and its design focuses on practicality, safety and low cost. With the development of smart distribution networks, sensors (such as temperature monitoring) may be integrated in the future to achieve condition-based maintenance. For scenarios such as rural power grid renovation and urban power distribution, reasonable selection can significantly reduce the failure rate and operation and maintenance costs.