Why Use Twisted Steel Strands in High Voltage Transmission Lines?

[Aidan123]

Modern high voltage electrical transmission lines (400kV) may be constructed with cable having a core of twisted steel strands surrounded by layers of twisted aluminium strands?


What advantage is gained by using strands of steel rather than a single wire of equivalent total cross section?

 

[Studiot]

Stranded cables are more flexible than solid.

How would you wind a solid cable of that thickness on and off a drum?

 

[CWatters]

Steel for its strength, Aluminium for it's conductivity.

Stranded steel less prone to fracture as well as easier to handle.