Tratos has come up with a specialized coating that could be applied to the power line component that can help prevent the snow and ice buildup on the cables.

Sep 22, 2023

In regions prone to severe winter conditions, the accumulation of snow and ice on high-voltage power lines can significantly impact their structural strength and cause interruptions in the electricity supply. These challenges necessitate innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of snow and ice sleeves on conductors and safety cables. Recently, Tratos has introduced a new concept that resists distinct surface properties and the ice-repellent characteristics of coating material to solve these challenges. To effectively prevent the snow and ice buildup, Tratos came up with a specialized coating that could be applied to the power line component. This protective coating, inspired by the properties of fluorinated polymers known for their ice-repellent nature, is integral to the cable’s novel design.

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Tratos’ design features alternating outer wires, where some are treated with a specially formulated fluorinated polymer and others are left untreated. The variation in surface textures helps in the efficient shedding of snow and ice and actively resists the formation of ice sleeves due to ice-repelling polymer. During an experiment in 2018-2019, the Tratos cable promoted earlier detachment of ice as compared to the unmodified cables. The outcomes of this experiment were shared at the International Workshop on Accretion on Ice and Snow (IWAIS) 2019, a prominent conference dedicated to addressing wet snow buildup on overhead conductors. The company’s innovative approach shows its commitment to technological advancement and sustainable solutions and has also contributed to achieving UN Global Goals such as sustainable infrastructure (Goal 9) and climate action (Goal 13).