Reliability quantification of the overhead line conductor

This chapter aims to assess and quantify the reliability of overhead line conductors as a part of ensuring their structural safety. This chapter analyses the overhead conductor reliability under harsh environments which is the cause of structural failure of overhead line conductors. This chapter considers the effects of ice and wind load that can add extra weight to the conductor on the reliability of the overhead line conductor including the uncertainties. The reliability index of the overhead line conductor is calculated using Mean Value First Order Second Moment Reliability Method (MVFOSM) and First Order Reliability Method (FORM). The sensitivity analysis also includes the influences of conductor weight, sag, and rated tensile strength. The results suggest the optimal values of the variables to withstand an extra load and make the conductor more reliable. The results can be used as benchmark safety indices to improve the reliability of overhead line conductors. The findings will also provide the structural safety criteria of the overhead line conductor and improve the standard design to mitigate the risks and unplanned maintenance due to the uncertainties.