Tension Clamp
Dealing with cables for electrical and telecommunication systems has never been easy.
There are many things that you need to take care of especially when you are planning to hang the cables on poles and towers.
Apart from ensuring that the cable transmits data or electricity smoothly, you need to be concerned about its physical structure.
The good news is there are several tools that have been designed to ensure that the conductors remain stable and well-supported when transmitting data and electricity.
One of these tools is the tension clamp.
What is a tension clamp and how does it work?
Before you buy a tension clamp, spare some moments to read through this comprehensive guide.
This is a simple device that comprises of several parts which are used for terminating conductors at different points. The device is also used to provide adequate mechanical and electrical connections to the insulator which is around the conductor.
The clamps can support conductors on the straight sections and as well as those on the twisted sections.
When in the twisted sections, tension clamps up to an angle of 90 degrees.
Uses of Tension Clamp
So what are the real-life applications of tension clamps?
We have just mentioned that tension clamps are mainly used in the electrical and telecommunication industries.
But, what exactly do they do?
Here are some of the uses of tension clamps:
Tension clamps are designed to provide strong and safe mechanical and electrical connections regardless of the conditions.
Whether the cables are having longitudinal tension or even maximum working loads, tension clamps are still able to provide an adequate connection that is coupled up with the longitudinal grip.
The design of the tension clamps enables them to protect the conductor
They provide this protection at the installation loads.
Usually, conductors and transmission lines are exposed to the vagaries of nature such as wind and storm.
Sometimes, the wind can be too strong such that it can cause movements and vibrations of the conductors.
In doing so, the vibrations can emanate from the conductor and data lines
By controlling random movements, tension clamps help to limit the vibrations that emanate from the conductor.
Although there could be other functions of the tension clamps, the three that we have mentioned are vital for any overhead lines.
Tension Clamp
Although a tension part may appear like a single unit, it is not.
Instead, it is made up of different components.
Here are the main parts of a tension clamp:
1. The wedge and body: This is the main part of the tension clamp. It supports the conductor of the overhead lines
2.Washers: This part is right next to the body. Its function is to protect the surface of the conductor when the bolt is fastened.
3.Straps: The straps are responsible for transferring the load from the axis of oscillation to the insulator ring
4.Threaded inserts: These parts are also known as the threaded bushing.
They play the fastening role whereby they add a threaded hole in an object.
5.Bolts and Nuts: Like in other mechanical objects, bolts and nuts complete connections between different objects in a tension clamp.
What type of material is used to make tension clamps?
The main materials used are aluminum and cast iron.
These two materials are preferred because they are compatible with conductors.
In addition to that, they can survive well under different conditions without corroding or rusting.
The selection of these two materials is also based on their minimum hardness.
They are extremely hard and can’t be easily affected by temperature changes.
The design of a tension clamp dictates its physical interaction with the conductor and even overhead lines.
The design of the clamp should allow it to move freely along the conductor.
Even while moving, the design should be in such a way that it does not cause any kind of fatigue on the conductor.
This is to allow the conductor to operate smoothly.
The hole at which the straps attach themselves to the body of the clamp should be of reasonable size.
It should also not cause any kind of damage.
The aspect of the design extends to the bolts and nuts that are used.
They should be able to get attached to the clamp well.
Do you want to buy a tension clamp?
Will, you may have to hold back until you decide the specific type that you want.
This is because there are different types of tension clamps.
The difference is mainly based on their designs.
Here are the main types of tension clamps that you are likely to buy
You are likely to find wedge tension clamps at the substations and on the overhead lines.
Why are they known as wedge clamps? Do they have a wedge?
The name is because the clamping on the conductor is due to the wedge action.
It converts the tension load into the compressive clamping loads.
An increase in the tension loads automatically increases the longitudinal wedge movement.
This ends up increasing the strength and clamping forces.
The friction on the wedges can be reduced by special lubrication. Low friction increases the mechanical grip of the tension clamp.
A wedge tension clamp can have a jumper connection or can still work without this connection.
The two forged bodies are connected to each other by screws.
Cone tension clamp has a similar working mechanism with the wedge clamp.
The only difference is that this time the clamping force is provided by the cones.
Also, the cones can work with or without the jumper connections.
These are just ordinary clamps only that they are well-designed to suit high-temperature conductors.
They are mechanically and structurally strong so as to withstand high temperatures without affecting the conduction.
Now that you have some valuable information about tension clamps, what next?
Of course, the next step is to contact a reliable tension clamps manufacturer and complete the purchase.
At Rax Industry, we are proud of manufacturing and supplying high-quality tension clamps
In case you need one, don’t hesitate to contact us.
The tension clamp is one type of single tension hardware fittings, it is mainly used on overhead transmission and distribution lines. The tension clamp is also called dead end clamp, it is one kind of transmission line clamps.
Here are some uses of tension clamps:
Here are the main types of tension clamps:
If you have any questions on Strain Clamp. We will give the professional answers to your questions.