METHOD OF MEASURING SAG

AT SITE
 INTRODUCTION

SAGGING CONDUCTORS

The amount of sag in each conductor shall be in accordance with stringing sag (Initial
sag) tables. The proper sag for a given span length at a given temperature can be
ascertained from appropriate table by interpolation. The temperature should be obtained
each time the sag is made by an accurate ‘Centigrade’ thermometer inserted in a short
sample length of conductor and suspended freely in the open air at a height of not less
than 1.5m above the ground level.

A tolerance of plus or minus 1.5 percent of the sag will be maintained in sagging the
conductors as per specification. On long flat pulls the sag will be checked at not less than
three spans.

In case of short spans between two heavy angle towers sag adjustments will be made
since the length of spans of the two circuits varies considerably.

One of the five methods described in sub paragraphs will be used to determine the sag in
conductors.

SAGGING & CLAMPING

As the line is passing through hilly terrains, different types of sag observation methods
shall be made as illustrated below.

SEQUENCE OF WORK

1. Sag adjusting is made by Hand-Winch through wire ropes and snatch blocks
equipped between come-along clamps and cross- arm tension plates.

2. Sag observation will be made in a manner shown in method-1 through method-5

in accordance with the configuration of the terrain.

3. After final adjustment of the sag measurement is made, the earthwire and
conductor are cut to the measured length and compressed with a tension clamp,
and terminated to the tower or the tension insulator string.

4. Suspension insulator sets will be adjusted in consideration of clipping off sets so

that the strings will be vertical within 20mm/m.
METHODS OF CHECKING SAG

Method - 1

Supports are at Equal or Unequal Elevations and the Lowest Point of Sag Is above
the Bases of Supporting Structures:

1. Obtain the required sag ‘D’ from the Sag-Ten tables corresponding to the span
and the ambient temperature.

2. At one end of the span, measure distance ‘D’ vertically down the structure from
the conductor support point and place a mark on the structure.

3. Repeat the measurement on the structure at the other end of the span and place a
mark on the structure.

4. Mount Sag-scope at the mark on one structure, sight to the mark on the adjacent
structure and adjust the conductor sag tangent to the line of sight.
Method - 2

Supports at Equal or Unequal Elevations and a Tangent line to the Conductor can
be set above the Bases of Supporting Structures:

1. Obtain the required sag ‘D’ from the Sag-Ten tables corresponding to the span
and the ambient temperature.

2. Select a value for the distance ‘a’ and calculate the value for distance ‘b’ from the
equation below

a1/2 + b1/2 = 2*(D)1/2

3. At one end of the span, measure distance ‘a’ vertically down the structure from
the conductor support point and place a mark on the structure.

4. Repeat the measurement on the structure at the other end of the span for figure ‘b’
and place a mark on the structure.

5. Mount Sag-scope at the mark on one structure, sight to the mark on the adjacent
structure and adjust the conductor sag tangent to the line of sight.
Method - 3

Supports are at Unequal Elevations and the Lowest Point of Sag is above the Base of
the Lower Supporting Structure:

1. Obtain the required sag ‘D’ from the Sag-Ten tables corresponding to the span
and the ambient temperature.

2. Determine the difference in elevation between the upper and lower conductor
supports (h).

3. Determine ‘a’ as shown by the following formula,

a = D[1-h/4D]²

4. Measure the distance ‘a’ vertically down the lower structure from the conductor
support point and set up a level with its telescope at this elevation.

5. Set the level for a horizontal line of sight and adjust the conductor sag tangent to
this line of sight.
Method - 4

Support are at Unequal Elevations and the Lowest Point of the Sag is below the Base
of Lower Supporting Structure:

1. Obtain the required sag ‘D’ from the Sag-Ten tables corresponding to the span
and the ambient temperature.

2. Find out the difference in elevation between the upper and lower conductor
supports points (h).

3. Determine ‘a’ as in Method-3.

a = D[1-h/4D]²

4. Set a leveling Instrument with line of sight at distance ‘a’ below the lower
conductor support.

5. Set the level for a horizontal line of sight and adjust the conductor sag tangent to
this line of sight.
Method - 5

Conductor Sagging by Calculated Angle of Sight:

This method will be used as an alternative to the above methods 1, 2 & 3.

1. Obtain the required sag ‘D’ from the Sag-Ten tables corresponding to the span
and the ambient temperature.

2. Set up a Sag-scope at the structure at the lower end of span.

3. Measure the vertical distance ‘a’ from the conductor support to the line of sight of
the Sag-scope.

4. Calculate the angle of sight ‘Φ’ by the formula,

TanΦ = [h - 4D + 4*(D.a)1/2]/S

Where,
h = Difference in elevation between the conductor supports
D = Sag
a = Distance to the Sag-scope from the conductor support
S = Horizontal Span

5. Set the Sag-scope at the angle of sight calculated above.

6. Adjust the conductor sag tangent to the line of sight.