Alcan Cable introduced a new family of track resistant coverings for its aluminum overhead line wire products that protect the conductor from electrical degradation as a result of contact with trees. These special track resistant cables are used where frequent tree contact is expected. Track resistance helps to preserve the life of the covering from electrical degradation that is caused by contact with trees on an energized covered conductor. The conductor acts as a capacitor and when a tree contacts the power line, the capacitor is discharged. This repeated discharging current can damage the covering over time.

The special heavy wall, two-layer, track resistant cables are available in thermoplastic 75°C HDPE (black) and thermoset 90°C XLPE (grey) coverings and typically range between 150 to 175 mils. These insulations can be applied to All Aluminum Conductor (AAC), All Aluminum Alloy Conductor (AAAC), and Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) cables as listed in the Aluminum Association Publication 50 – Code Words.

The new track resistant products comply with ANSI/ICEA S- 70-547 (Standard for Weather-Resistant Polyethylene Cover Conductors) and the special coverings meet both ASTM 2303 Inclined Plane and ASTM D3132 Dust-and-Fog standards.