Engineering Standard

SAES-P-107 01 February 2022

Overhead Distribution Systems
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards
Committee

Contents

1 Scope ...................................................... 3
2 Conflicts and Deviations .......................... 3
3 References .............................................. 3
4 General .................................................... 5
5 Supporting Structures .............................. 8
6 Armless Construction............................... 9
7 Guys and Anchors ................................. 10
8 Insulator Requirements.......................... 11
9 Primary Conductors ............................... 12
10 Accessory Equipment ............................ 16
11 Protective Devices ................................. 16
Previous Issue: 05 July 2020 Next Planned Update: 13 May 2024
Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 26
Contact: Mahayni, Rakan (MAHAYNRX) on phone +966-13-880-9651

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Revision Summary ...................................... 17

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1 Scope

This Standard prescribes minimum mandatory requirements for the design and
installation of Overhead Distribution Lines (OHDL) rated up to and including 34.5 kV.
This document may not be attached to nor made a part of purchase orders.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the
EK&RD Manager.

2.2 Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company
procedure SAEP-302.

2.3 The designation “Commentary” is used to label a sub-paragraph that contains

comments that are explanatory or advisory. These comments are not mandatory,
except to the extent that they explain mandatory requirements contained in this
SAES.

3 References

All referenced Standards, Specifications, Codes, Forms, Drawings, and similar material
shall be of the latest issue (including all revisions, addenda, and supplements) unless
stated otherwise.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Waiver of a Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-B-062 Onshore Wellsite Safety
SAES-B-064 Onshore and Nearshore Pipeline Safety
SAES-B-055 Plant Layout
SAES-P-104 Wiring Methods and Materials

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SAES-P-111 Grounding
SAES-Q-005 Concrete Foundations

The following SAMSSs and drawings are applicable to overhead line

construction:

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

14-SAMSS-603 Octagonal Steel Poles for Overhead Distribution
Systems

Saudi Aramco Standard Drawings

AA-036142 Series Sheets 1 through 23

3.2 National Standards

20-SDMS-03 Prestressed Spun Concrete Pole for Distribution
System
SDCS-01 Construction Standard for Overhead lines

3.3 Industry Codes and Standards

American National Standards Institute

ANSI/IEEE C2 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
ANSI C29.1 Electrical Power Insulators - Test Methods
ANSI C29.2A Insulators - Wet-Process Porcelain and Toughened
Glass - Distribution Suspension Type
ANSI C29.4 Wet-Process Porcelain Insulators - Strain Type
ANSI/ C29.7 Porcelain Insulators - High-Voltage Line-Post Type
ANSI C29.9 Wet-Process Porcelain Insulators - Apparatus,
Post-Type
ANSI C29.13 Insulators Composite - Distribution Dead End Type
ANSI C29.18 Insulators Composite - Distribution Line Post Type

American Society for Testing Materials

ASTM B549 Standard Specification for Concentric-Lay-Stranded
Aluminum Conductors, Aluminum- Clad Steel

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Reinforced (ACSR/AW) for Use in Overhead

Electrical Conductors

International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE)

CIGRE TB 324 Sag-Tension calculation methods for overhead lines

4 General

4.1 Overhead distribution systems shall be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE C2

(NESC), as supplemented by this Standard and the Saudi Aramco standard
drawings listed above.

4.2 Overhead lines shall be designed and constructed according to specifications and
loading conditions stipulated in 14-SAMSS-603.

4.3 Overhead line design shall be based on the following environmental conditions:
Minimum ambient temperature : 0°C
Maximum ambient temperature : 50°C

4.4 The following shall be submitted for review during detailed design of new
overhead distribution lines:
(1) Sag and tension calculations
(2) Plan and profile drawings
Commentary Note 4.4:

Distribution line spans should normally not exceed 90 m in length.

Vertical clearances required by Section 4.7 must be maintained regardless of
terrain variations.

4.5 Compression type (gripping force is provided by compressing the connector onto
the conductor using a tool designed for the purpose and is non-reversible)
connectors shall be used for splicing and tapping. Connectors for aluminum
(ACSR/AW) conductors shall be filled with an oxide inhibiting and sealing
compound.

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4.5.1 Compression type lugs shall be used for overhead line connections to
equipment furnished with pad type terminals.

4.5.2 Compression lugs or splices used for connections of insulated or covered

cables to overhead lines shall have a closed barrel or solid center stop to
prevent ingress of water into the insulated cable.
4.5.3 To avoid the development of galvanic corrosion copper-aluminum rated
only shall be used for compression lugs or splices used for Copper to
aluminum conductors in all Copper to Aluminum connections.

4.6 Pole ground conductors shall be minimum 4 AWG (25 mm2), stranded, soft
drawn, PVC insulated copper. Refer to AA-036142 for details.

4.7 Vertical clearances above grade for desert installations of conductors shall be
minimum 8.5 m under normal service conditions using 80°C total conductor
operating temperature for designs using emergency service conditions, minimum
vertical clearance shall be calculated using 120°C total conductor operating
temperature. In plants, construction camps, residential areas, and other non-desert
areas minimum clearance shall be per Table 1. .

4.8 Vertical clearances above grade for plant entrances shall be determined by the
proponent. Minimum clearance shall be 8.5 m under the conditions specified in
paragraph 4.7 above.

4.9 Aerial-to-underground transitions, cable run, shall be incased in a rigid

galvanized steel conduit or PVC coated galvanized rigid steel conduit in
accordance with the requirements of SAES-P-104.

4.10 Requirements related to horizontal clearances and crossing angles between

pipelines or hydrocarbon facilities and powerlines rated below 69 kV shall be
based on SAES-B-064 and SAES-B-062.

4.11 Designs for single phase circuits shall include provisions for future conversion
to three phase without requiring additional design work. Clearances, pole
heights, guys, crossarm dimensions, pole loadings, etc., shall be designed
assuming addition of a third phase conductor identical to those being installed.
Exception:

Not required if proponent of the line verifies that future upgrade of the line will not
be necessary.

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4.12 Referenced Saudi Aramco Standard Drawings shall be utilized during design
and installation as applicable.

4.13 Overhead obstruction warning signs for powerlines crossing roads shall be
provided in accordance with SAES-B-055. Tell-tale poles shall be installed 60
meters before and after an overhead line crossing at a paved road or railway. If
there are several crossings, only one tell-tale pole shall be installed at the road
entry and one at the road exist points. These tell-tale poles shall indicate the
height of the lowest power line being crossed.

4.14 Where the distribution line routes cross paved roads, highways and railways; the
angle of intersection shall be as close to 90 degrees as possible, and poles
adjacent to the paved road and rail ways shall be tangent or angel structure type.

4.15 Overhead shield/ground wires (OGW) or Optical Ground Wire(OPGW) rated as

a minimum 13kA shall be installed as required by the project specification.
OGWs shall be a minimum of Quail (2/0, (67.4 mm2)) ACSR/AW or equivalent
AACSR/AW conductor type.

4.16 Where new lateral distribution lines will be constructed, these shall be tapped
off an existing tangent pole and shall be set at 90 degrees to the existing line. If
the existing tap-offpole is wooden, it shall be replaced with a steel one.

4.17 Phase identification labels shall be provided on the terminal poles identification

4.18 Overhead Conductor and Pole Clearances from other structures and ground for
overhead conductors shall not be less than the values in meters given in Table 1.

Table 1 - Overhead Conductor and Clearance Requirements

Layout Description 34.5 kV 13.8 kV

Overhead Line Conductor Spacing single circuit and double circuit

Horizontal Configuration (m) 1 0.76

Vertical Configuration (m) 1.2 1

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Spacing between power

conductor/jumper and grounded metal 0.55 0.46
part (m)

Lowest Conductor Vertical Ground Clearances

Above Desert Area (m) 8.5 8.5

Above Pipeline Crossing (as per

9 9
SAES-B-064) (m)

Above Paved Road (m) 12 12

Drilling Rig Road (as per SAES-B-

14 14
062) (m)

Above MOT Highway (m) 15 15

Railroad (m) 12 12

Vertical clearance at crossings with

2.5 2.5
Power Lines (SDCS-01) (m)

Pole Horizontal Clearance from

The edge of paved Road * (m) 12 12

Gasoline stations (m) 10 10

Railroad (m) 15 15

Right of way Clearances from other

8 8
structures (m)

Note:
* If 12 meter cannot be met, refer to cluase 5.3

5 Supporting Structures

5.1 Supporting structures for overhead lines shall be hot dipped galvanized steel
poles for industrial facilities. Fiberglass or spun concrete poles can be used for
non-industrial locations.

Commentary note 5.1:

For spun concrete poles, design shall be based on the requirements of 20-
SDMS-03.

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Branching from existing wooden poles using hot dipped galvanized steel poles
shall be permitted.

5.2 Supporting structure, guy, and anchor locations shall be selected based on
accessibility, limited use of guys, minimal obstructions to pedestrian and
vehicular traffic, and shall be as inconspicuous as possible.

5.3 Supporting structures located less than 12 m from the edge of the roadway shall
be protected by barriers.

5.4 Supporting structures shall have a marking/brass tag including the year of
installation, pole number and pole height located at approximately 1.5 m above
grade.

5.5 Setting depths for steel poles shall be as shown on standard drawings and
14-SAMSS-603.

5.6 Communications cables except OPGW shall not be allowed to share the poles
with the power conductors.

5.7 Support structures shall comply with 14-SAMSS-603 .

6 Armless Construction

6.1 Armless type construction shall be used for the conductor support system.
Commentary Note 6.1:

“Armless” refers to the general type of construction. Crossarms may be used for
Terminal (deadend) structures, tap-off structures, etc., in accordance with the
referenced standard drawings.

6.2 The post and tension insulator strength as specified by the manufacturer shall
not be exceeded under all loading conditions.

6.3 For angles between 3° - 15°, and 61°-90°, conductors shall be dead ended. For
16° - 30°, flying angle insulators may be considered using trunnion type
suspension clamps

6.4 Lines more than 2 km long shall be double dead-ended (DDE) at a minimum of
every 1.5 km. DDE structures to be used shall be angle type (3-30o) with two
guys, one on each side, installed in the longitudinal direction (along the line).
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6.5 Where double circuit (DC) lines are required, tangent structure configuration
shall be as illustrated on the appropriate single circuit pole drawing. Vertical
phase configuration shall be adopted for each circuit. For angle and terminal
structures, two poles shall be used (ie, one pole for each circuit).

Commentary Note 6.5:

Safety, maintenance and system access considerations shall be taken
into account during design and construction of DC lines. It is anticipated
that double circuit outages may be required to carry out any maintenance
or repair work in the absence of hot line working practices.

7 Guys and Anchors

7.1 All guy assemblies shall be able to withstand all loading conditions.

7.2 The angle between a down-guy and the supporting structure shall not exceed 60°
and shall not be less than 37°.

7.3 The use of sidewalk guys shall be limited to supporting structure loads of less
than 6.6 kN. Sidewalk guy horizontal member shall consist of a 2 in galvanized
pipe at a minimum height of 2.4 m above grade.

7.4 For light angles between (3 o - 30o )considerations shall be given to combining
two guy wires into one single anchor foundation.

7.5 All guys shall have reflective finished guy markers.

7.6 Guys from supporting structures shall be insulated with strain insulators.

7.7 Guy insulators shall not be used with guy strands having ultimate strengths
greater than 80 kN.

7.8 Guy insulators shall have a rated ultimate strength greater than the rated
breaking strength of the guy.

7.9 Guy attachment hardware shall be pre-formed type dead end fittings or
automatic guy grips.

7.10 Power-installed screw anchors or rock anchors may be used, except in hard marl
soil where expanding type anchors are permitted. Anchors shall not be loaded in

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excess of 35% of their ultimate allowable holding strength. If required for

holding in poor soils, other anchor designs may be used with the concurrence of
Manager, CSD/Electrical Engineering Division.

7.11 Anchors shall not extend above ground in excess of the length necessary for
attachment requirements.
7.12 Concrete foundations for steel structures and anchors shall comply with
SAES-Q-005.

8 Insulator Requirements

8.1 Except where specifically noted otherwise in this document or the referenced
standard drawings, minimum insulator creepage distance shall be 40 mm per kV
line-to-line nominal system voltage.

8.2 Post and suspension type insulators shall be used. Porcelain Pin type insulators
shall not be used. Insulator brackets shall be metallic.

8.3 Insulators used on overhead distribution systems shall meet the requirements of
the ANSI C29 series of standards or IEC equivalent standards. Specifically:
(1) Insulators shall be tested in accordance with ANSI C29.1;
(2) Porcelain Insulators, suspension type, shall be in accordance with ANSI
C29.2A;
(3) Porcelain Insulators, strain type shall be in accordance with ANSI C29.4;
(4) Porcelain Insulators, line-post type, shall be in accordance with ANSI/
C29.7;
(5) Porcelain Insulators, station-post type, shall be in accordance with ANSI
C29.9;
(6) Composite Insulators , dead end type shall be in accordance with ANSI
C29.13.The live part of the insulator shall be ball ended and the ground part shall
be socket ended.
(7) Composite Insulators, line post type, shall be in accordance with ANSI C29.18;
(8) Preferred Porcelain insulator color is chocolate brown.

8.4 Insulators shall not be loaded in excess of 40% of their rated ultimate strength.
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8.5 Composite type insulators shall be used in areas that are within 50 km from
coastline.

8.6 Stand-off insulators shall be used for 34.5 kV Cutout Fuses.

8.7 Composite type insulators shall be used for 34.5 kV overhead power line.

8.8 The installation of composite insulators (suspension type) shall provide free
movement of the insulator assembly both horizontally and vertically. by using a
ball ended eye link and a shackle to the ground end of the insulator string.

9 Primary Conductors

9.1 Conductors shall be ACSR/AW (Aluminum Conductor, Aluminum Clad Steel

Reinforced)/AW per ASTM B549 and Table 2.
Table 2: Standard OHDL conductors
Code Word mm² Awg Kcmil

QUAIL/AW 67.4 2/0 133.1

PENGUIN/AW 107.2 4/0 211.6
MERLIN/AW 170.2 - 336.4
DRAKE/AW 402.8 - 795.0

9.2 Phase rotation shall be x y z (a b c) counterclockwise. The diagram illustrated in

Fig. 1 shall be followed.

Figure 1. Typical Illustration of OHDL Phasing Arrangement

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9.3 Phase positions shall be per Table 3. Deviation maybe allowed to avoid twisting
of conductors from pole to pole of different type of installation.

Table 3 OHDL phasing convention

Construction Phase Position
HORIZONTAL X OR A EAST OR NORTH
Y OR B CENTER
Z OR C WEST OR SOUTH

VERTICAL Shield/Ground Top

X OR A Center
Y OR B Bottom
Z OR C Below

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9.4 Bare conductor rated ampacities shall be as per Table 4.

Table 4 OHDL conductor ampacities

Service Condition
Code Word Kcmil Normal Emergency
(mm2) (Amperes) (Amperes)
QUAIL/AW 133.1 260 335
(67.4)
PENGUIN/AW 211.6 305 445
(107.2)
MERLIN/AW 336.4 440 650
(170.2)
DRAKE/AW 795.0 760 1105
(402.8)
Notes:
(1) Normal service conditions are defined as follows:
80°C conductor temperature
50°C ambient temperature
0.6 m/sec wind velocity
(2) Emergency service conditions are defined as follows:
120°C conductor temperature
50°C ambient temperature
0.6 m/sec wind velocity
(3) Radial lines shall be designed based on normal service conditions for the
maximum operating load. Distribution loops and lines feeding double-ended
substations shall be designed using normal service conditions.

Exception:

The emergency service conditions may be used for designing for abnormal
operation during outages which cause a distribution loop to be fed from only one
end or a double ended substation to be fed from one line only.

9.5 Design conductor sag and tension calculations shall be based on the initial
conditions (sagging basis) specified in Table 5. Conductor tension under initial
conditions, at everyday temperature and excluding wind shall not exceed 10% of
the conductor ultimate strength. Maximum conductor tensions under most
onerous weather conditions shall not exceed 33% of this limit
Table 5 OHDL Conductor Sagging Details
Conductor Kcmil Nominal Sagging Basis Max. Sag @
ACSR/AW (mm2) Breaking Load 80oC, 90m Span

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(kN) (m)
QUAIL 133.1 22.5 2.25kN@15oC 2.14
(67.4)
PENGUIN 211.6 34.0 3.40kN@15oC 2.18
(107.2)
MERLIN 336.4 37.5 3.75kN@15oC 2.43
(170.2)
DRAKE 795.0 135.5 9.0kN@15oC 2.54
(402.8)
Note: The basis valaue is used during project proposal. However, the manufacturer’s
technical data sheet should be verified and used accordingly

9.6 Conductor design and stringing (erection) sag and tension tables shall be
provided.
Commentary Note 9.6
1. Typical design sag and tension tables prepared for a different ruling
spans and different sizes of ACSR/AW type conductor is attached as an
Appendix-A for illustration purposes.
2. Typical stringing sag and tension tables prepared for a different ruling
span and different sizes of ACSR/AW type conductor is attached as an
Appendix-B for illustration purposes.

9.7 To compensate for Conductor creep (permanent long term elongation)

compensation shall be taken into consideration in the calculation of sag and
tensions. A temperature shift of -10°C shall be used for ACSR conductors listed
in this standard. Very short spans and large conductor attachment level
differences between supports in a section are to be avoided. Where this is not
possible due to site restrictions, tangent poles shall be replaced with angle
structures.

9.8 Overhead shield/ground wires terminating on a substation structure shall be

connected to an equivalent cross section copper conductor which is connected to
the ground grid or bus.

9.8 Splicing of conductor shall not be allowed within the span.

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10 Accessory Equipment

10.1 Accessories, including terminating devices, shall be rated for application at line-
to-line system voltages.

10.2 Transformer primary connections shall be made with hot line clamps connected
to a bail (stirrup) compressed on the line conductor.

10.3 Minimum height between any part of a pole mounted transformer or its
mounting bracket or platform and grade shall be 4.9 m.

10.4 For 34.5 kV lines, transformer structures shall comprise twin poles and a steel
framed bridge linking the two structures as illustrated on the drawing. For lines
up to 13.8 kV, single pole structures may be used with the installation of spacer
brackets or special frame to support the transformer and provide the required
phase to ground clearances between the transformer bushing and steelwork.

10.5 Supporting structures for accessories shall have a minimum stress safety factor
of 4.0.

10.6 Loadbreak switches shall be provided at sectionalizing points.

11 Protective Devices

11.1 Surge arresters shall be installed at distribution transformer installations,

capacitor bank installations, recloser installations, metering installations, and
aerial-to-underground cable termination points.

11.2 Surge arresters shall be of the distribution class, metal-oxide, gapless type rated
per Table 6.
Table 6
System Voltage (kV) Arrester Rating (kV)
13.8 12
34.5 27

11.3 The grounding electrode for steel poles and surge arresters shall meet SAES-P-111.
The ground rod(s) shall also be bonded to the plant or substation ground grid if
located within 25 m of the rod. The resistance to ground of the steel pole and
surge arrester ground shall not exceed 25 ohms as stipulated in NEC. The surge
arrester grounding terminals shall be connected, with minimum bends, directly
to the local ground rod via a copper conductor that is no smaller than AWG No.

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4 (25 mm2). Surge arrester shall be installed in a manner that minimizes the
inductive loop to reduce insulation stress on the protected equipment.

11.4 Fused cutouts shall be provided for transformers fed directly from overhead
distribution lines.

11.5 Cutout fuses shall be installed on lateral circuits more than 5 spans or 500
meters long. These should be installed at the first pole of the new powerline.

11.6 Loadbreak switches and fused cutouts shall be provided for capacitor
installations on overhead distribution lines.

11.7 For Overhead distribution supplying Oil and gas producing wells, Auto Recloser
should be used for quick restoration of the power supply if needed.
Commentary Notes:

Over head distribution lines supplying oil & gas producing wells, a loop concept
from dual source stations with Auto Reclosers may be used to provide relaibiliy
and continuity of supply.

Revision Summary
7 April 2008 Revised the “Next Planned Update”. Reaffirmed the contents of the document and
reissued with editorial revisions.
19 October 2008 Editorial revision to replace Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards
Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman.
30 June 2014 Major revision to update references, incorporate comments accumulated over the past few
years.
16 September 2015 Minor revision to incorporate standard drawings for steel poles.

13 May 2019 Major revision

05 July 2020 Editorial revision to comply with SAEP-301

01 February 2022 Editorial revision to change the revision cycle from three years (13 May 2022) to five years
(13 May 2024) and to comply with SAEP-301.

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Summary of Change( 12 May 2019)

Paragraph
No. Change Type Technical Change
No.

Improve the design of the overhead lines when crossing

Modification paved road and rail ways by using tangent poles or angle
poles.

Introduce the use of Copper-Aluminum rated type

Modification compression lugs or splices used for Copper to Aluminum
1 4 conductor

New Introduce the requirements of the Overhead shield/ground

wires

Modification Improve the Overhead Conductor and Clearance

Requirements (Table.1)

3 5 Modification Remove Seamless Aluminum Alloy pole and introduce the

spun concrete pole for non-industrial locations

6 New Introduce the requirements of Double Circuit poles

4 requirements

Improve the design of the overhead lines by introducing the

9 New required specifications on the initial conditions (sagging
5 basis)

6 Appendix-A New Introduce sag and tension calculations

7 Appendix-B New Introduce stringing sag and tension calculations

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APPENDIX-A
Sample Sag and Tension Calculation

This appendix illustrates tables for sag and tension calculation in designing stage as per
the calculation guidelines represented in ANSI/IEEE C2 (NESC) and CIGRE TB 324.

Table A.1 Design sag and tension table for Quail (2/0 (67.4 mm2)) conductor
Temperature
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
(degC)

Tension
2.92 2.66 2.44 2.25 2.09 1.95 1.83 1.73 1.64 1.56 1.49
(kN)

Span Length
Sags (m)
(m)

50 0.27 0.30 0.32 0.35 0.38 0.41 0.43 0.46 0.48 0.51 0.53

60 0.39 0.43 0.47 0.51 0.55 0.59 0.62 0.66 0.70 0.73 0.76

70 0.53 0.59 0.64 0.69 0.74 0.80 0.85 0.90 0.95 1.00 1.04

80 0.70 0.77 0.83 0.90 0.97 1.04 1.11 1.18 1.24 1.30 1.36

90 0.88 0.97 1.05 1.14 1.23 1.32 1.40 1.49 1.57 1.65 1.72

100 1.09 1.20 1.30 1.41 1.52 1.63 1.73 1.84 1.94 2.04 2.12

110 1.31 1.45 1.57 1.70 1.84 1.97 2.09 2.23 2.35 2.46 2.57

120 1.56 1.72 1.87 2.03 2.19 2.35 2.49 2.65 2.79 2.93 3.06

Table A.2 Design sag and tension table for Penguin (4/0 (107.2 mm2)) conductor
Temperature
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
(degC)

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Tension
4.36 3.99 3.67 3.40 3.17 2.97 2.80 2.65 2.52 2.41 2.31
(kN)

Span Length
Sags (m)
(m)

50 0.29 0.32 0.35 0.37 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.48 0.50 0.52 0.55

60 0.42 0.46 0.50 0.53 0.57 0.61 0.65 0.68 0.72 0.76 0.79

70 0.57 0.62 0.68 0.73 0.78 0.83 0.88 0.93 0.98 1.03 1.07

80 0.74 0.81 0.88 0.95 1.02 1.09 1.15 1.22 1.28 1.34 1.40

90 0.94 1.03 1.12 1.20 1.29 1.38 1.46 1.54 1.62 1.70 1.77

100 1.16 1.27 1.38 1.48 1.59 1.70 1.80 1.90 2.00 2.10 2.19

110 1.40 1.54 1.67 1.79 1.93 2.06 2.18 2.30 2.42 2.54 2.64

120 1.67 1.83 1.99 2.13 2.29 2.45 2.60 2.74 2.88 3.02 3.15

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 Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee SAES-P-107

Issue Date: 01 February 2022

Next Planned Update: 13 May 2024 Overhead Distribution Systems

Table A.3 Design sag and tension table for Merlin 336 conductor
Temperature
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
(degC)

Tension
4.75 4.35 4.03 3.75 3.52 3.32 3.14 2.99 2.86 2.74 2.63
(kN)

Span Length
Sags (m)
(m)

50 0.34 0.37 0.40 0.44 0.46 0.49 0.52 0.55 0.57 0.60 0.62

60 0.49 0.54 0.58 0.63 0.67 0.71 0.75 0.79 0.82 0.86 0.89

70 0.67 0.73 0.79 0.85 0.91 0.96 1.02 1.07 1.12 1.17 1.22

80 0.88 0.96 1.04 1.11 1.19 1.26 1.33 1.40 1.46 1.52 1.59

90 1.11 1.21 1.31 1.41 1.50 1.59 1.68 1.77 1.85 1.93 2.01

100 1.37 1.49 1.62 1.74 1.85 1.96 2.07 2.19 2.28 2.38 2.48

110 1.66 1.81 1.96 2.11 2.24 2.38 2.51 2.64 2.76 2.88 3.00

120 1.97 2.15 2.33 2.51 2.67 2.83 2.99 3.15 3.29 3.43 3.57

Table A.4 Design sag and tension table for Drake 795 conductor
Temperature
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
(degC)

Tension
10.42 9.88 9.42 9.00 8.63 8.30 8.00 7.73 7.48 7.25 7.04
(kN)

Span Length
Sags (m)
(m)

50 0.46 0.48 0.51 0.53 0.55 0.57 0.60 0.61 0.64 0.65 0.68

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©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved.

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 Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee SAES-P-107

Issue Date: 01 February 2022

Next Planned Update: 13 May 2024 Overhead Distribution Systems

60 0.66 0.69 0.73 0.76 0.79 0.83 0.86 0.88 0.92 0.94 0.97

70 0.90 0.94 0.99 1.03 1.08 1.13 1.17 1.20 1.25 1.28 1.32

80 1.17 1.23 1.30 1.35 1.41 1.47 1.52 1.57 1.63 1.68 1.73

90 1.48 1.56 1.64 1.71 1.78 1.86 1.93 1.99 2.06 2.12 2.19

100 1.83 1.93 2.02 2.11 2.20 2.30 2.38 2.46 2.54 2.62 2.70

110 2.21 2.33 2.45 2.55 2.66 2.78 2.88 2.97 3.08 3.17 3.27

120 2.63 2.77 2.92 3.04 3.16 3.31 3.43 3.54 3.66 3.77 3.89

Note: For actual span and temperature values falling between those given in the tables during stringing operations,
accurate values are could be determined by interpolation.

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use

 Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee SAES-P-107

Issue Date: 01 February 2022

Next Planned Update: 13 May 2024 Overhead Distribution Systems

Appendix-B
Sample Sag and Tension Calculation

This Appendix illustrates tables for stringing sag and tension as per the calculation
guidelines represented in ANSI/IEEE C2 (NESC) and CIGRE TB 324

Table B.1 Stringing sag and tension table for Quail (2/0 (67.4 mm2)) conductor
Temperature
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
(degC)

Tension
3.56 3.22 2.92 2.66 2.44 2.25 2.09 1.95 1.83 1.73 1.64
(kN)

Span Length
Sags (m)
(m)

50 0.22 0.25 0.27 0.30 0.32 0.35 0.38 0.41 0.43 0.46 0.48

60 0.32 0.36 0.39 0.43 0.47 0.51 0.55 0.59 0.62 0.66 0.70

70 0.44 0.48 0.53 0.59 0.64 0.69 0.74 0.80 0.85 0.90 0.95

80 0.57 0.63 0.70 0.77 0.83 0.90 0.97 1.04 1.11 1.18 1.24

90 0.72 0.80 0.88 0.97 1.05 1.14 1.23 1.32 1.40 1.49 1.57

100 0.89 0.99 1.09 1.20 1.30 1.41 1.52 1.63 1.73 1.84 1.94

110 1.08 1.20 1.31 1.45 1.57 1.70 1.84 1.97 2.09 2.23 2.35

120 1.28 1.42 1.56 1.72 1.87 2.03 2.19 2.35 2.49 2.65 2.79

Table B.2 Stringing sag and tension table for Penguin (4/0 (107.2 mm2)) conductor
Temperature
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
(degC)

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 Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee SAES-P-107

Issue Date: 01 February 2022

Next Planned Update: 13 May 2024 Overhead Distribution Systems

Tension
5.29 4.79 4.36 3.99 3.67 3.40 3.17 2.97 2.80 2.65 2.52
(kN)

Span Length
Sags (m)
(m)

50 0.24 0.26 0.29 0.32 0.35 0.37 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.48 0.50

60 0.34 0.38 0.42 0.46 0.50 0.53 0.57 0.61 0.65 0.68 0.72

70 0.47 0.51 0.57 0.62 0.68 0.73 0.78 0.83 0.88 0.93 0.98

80 0.61 0.67 0.74 0.81 0.88 0.95 1.02 1.09 1.15 1.22 1.28

90 0.77 0.85 0.94 1.03 1.12 1.20 1.29 1.38 1.46 1.54 1.62

100 0.95 1.05 1.16 1.27 1.38 1.48 1.59 1.70 1.80 1.90 2.00

110 1.15 1.27 1.40 1.54 1.67 1.79 1.93 2.06 2.18 2.30 2.42

120 1.37 1.51 1.67 1.83 1.99 2.13 2.29 2.45 2.60 2.74 2.88

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 Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee SAES-P-107

Issue Date: 01 February 2022

Next Planned Update: 13 May 2024 Overhead Distribution Systems

Table B.3 Stringing sag and tension table for Merlin 336 conductor
Temperature
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
(degC)

Tension
5.79 5.22 4.75 4.35 4.03 3.75 3.52 3.32 3.14 2.99 2.86
(kN)

Span Length
Sags (m)
(m)

50 0.28 0.31 0.34 0.37 0.40 0.44 0.46 0.49 0.52 0.55 0.57

60 0.40 0.45 0.49 0.54 0.58 0.63 0.67 0.71 0.75 0.79 0.82

70 0.55 0.61 0.67 0.73 0.79 0.85 0.91 0.96 1.02 1.07 1.12

80 0.72 0.80 0.88 0.96 1.04 1.11 1.19 1.26 1.33 1.40 1.46

90 0.91 1.01 1.11 1.21 1.31 1.41 1.50 1.59 1.68 1.77 1.85

100 1.12 1.25 1.37 1.49 1.62 1.74 1.85 1.96 2.07 2.19 2.28

110 1.36 1.51 1.66 1.81 1.96 2.11 2.24 2.38 2.51 2.64 2.76

120 1.62 1.80 1.97 2.15 2.33 2.51 2.67 2.83 2.99 3.15 3.29

Table B.4 Stringing sag and tension table for Drake 795 conductor
Temperature
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
(degC)

Tension
11.73 11.03 10.42 9.88 9.42 9.00 8.63 8.30 8.00 7.73 7.48
(kN)

Span Length
Sags (m)
(m)

50 0.40 0.43 0.46 0.48 0.51 0.53 0.55 0.57 0.60 0.61 0.64

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Page 25 of 26
©Saudi Aramco 2020. All rights reserved.

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 Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee SAES-P-107

Issue Date: 01 February 2022

Next Planned Update: 13 May 2024 Overhead Distribution Systems

60 0.58 0.62 0.66 0.69 0.73 0.76 0.79 0.83 0.86 0.88 0.92

70 0.79 0.85 0.90 0.94 0.99 1.03 1.08 1.13 1.17 1.20 1.25

80 1.04 1.11 1.17 1.23 1.30 1.35 1.41 1.47 1.52 1.57 1.63

90 1.31 1.40 1.48 1.56 1.64 1.71 1.78 1.86 1.93 1.99 2.06

100 1.62 1.73 1.83 1.93 2.02 2.11 2.20 2.30 2.38 2.46 2.54

110 1.96 2.09 2.21 2.33 2.45 2.55 2.66 2.78 2.88 2.97 3.08

120 2.33 2.49 2.63 2.77 2.92 3.04 3.16 3.31 3.43 3.54 3.66

Note: For actual span and temperature values falling between those given in the tables during stringing operations,
accurate values are could be determined by interpolation.

Saudi Aramco: Company General Use