Question

State two properties of high tension wires.

Answer 1

In order to answer the above question, we need to understand what do we mean by high tension wires? Where are they used? And their construction. Discussing all of this, we will be stating the properties of these high tension wires and learn them in detail.

Complete answer:
As we all know that to pass electrical power at high voltage, high tension wire is used. When we travel outside of the town, we often come across a high-tension cable. The wires are held in place by the large transmission tower. It is used to transport a significant amount of electrical energy from power plants to our homes. Since these wires transmit electricity at a high voltage or potential, they are referred to as high tension wires.
A high tension wire usually transmits voltages of $50\text{ }kV$or higher. It's created by twisting together a variety of thin, insulated wires to create a wide surface area that can more easily radiate the heat emitted than a single thick wire.
Two characteristics of these wires are as follows:
(A) They possess low resistances.
As we all know , high tension wires transfer high voltage electricity. And due to this high voltage, there is a significant amount of heat radiated due to the resistance of the wire. Now, in order to keep the wires cool and radiate less heat, it is important that the resistance of the wires is very low.
(B) They are non-corrosive.
The insulated wires are very costly and it makes the transport of electricity very costly and difficult. Therefore, to reduce the cost and make the transmission more effective, the wires are non-insulated as the air forms a natural insulation around them. Now, for such wires, it is very important to make them non-corrosive to protect them from adverse effects on the environment.
One or more conductors, insulators, and a protective jacket make up the structural components of high tension wire. The cable system must keep the high-voltage conductor from coming into contact with other objects or people, as well as contain and monitor leakage current.

Note:
It is very important to note that the high tension cables are not only used in power lines but they are also used in spark plugs and also transmitting high DC voltage. These wires are not only used in power lines above the head, they are also used in underground power lines but the only difference is that they are insulated.