Wind Tunnel Test Investigation on Unsteady Aerodynamic Coefficients of Iced 4-Bundle Conductors

Abstract

Iced conductor motion is induced by the aerodynamic instability of these conductors. The unsteady aerodynamic characteristics are different from the steady aerodynamic characteristics. The unsteady aerodynamic coefficients of typical iced conductors’ models under torsional motion are measured by the unsteady wind tunnel test. The unsteady aerodynamic coefficients of crescent-shape and sector-shape iced 4-bundle conductors under different torsional motion frequencies, wind velocities, and ice thicknesses are obtained. Wind test results show that there are significant differences between the unsteady and steady aerodynamic coefficients. The unsteady aerodynamic coefficients curve is a loop which is different from the steady aerodynamic coefficients. In addition, the obvious differences exist between unsteady aerodynamic coefficients of crescent-shape and sector-shape iced bundle conductors. Critical parameters, including torsional motion frequencies, wind velocity, ice shape, and ice thickness, have significant influences on unsteady aerodynamic coefficients. It shows that the wind tunnel experiment results are able to provide necessary data for the investigation of iced bundle conductor motion and their prevention techniques.