Tower components

and technical specifications

Components of an SBB tower

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Tower component
Modular insulators

Modular insulators

Our polymer insulator system is a good example of modularity. These are designed to be connected to each other in order to form assemblies that can meet the different electrical needs of different voltages. An insulator for the 220 kV can be connected to a second identical one to create an insulator for the 400 kV. This way, the insulators are shorter and lighter which facilitates the work of the linemen.

1 Piece Modular Insulator Schematics on an Anchor Tower

1 Piece Modular Insulator Schematics on an Anchor Tower

2-Piece Modular Insulator Schematics on an Anchor Tower

2-Piece Modular Insulator Schematics on an Anchor Tower

Automatic Dead End Guy Link

Automatic Dead End Guy Link

Our device allows to quickly connect a guy wire to an anchor. The higher the tension is in the guy wire, the more the cable gets stuck in the device. Once the guy wire is in place, the tension adjustment can be done easily with the help of the tightening bolts.

Our device allows to quickly connect a guy wire to an anchor. The higher the tension is in the guy wire, the more the cable gets stuck in the device. Once the guy wire is in place, the tension adjustment can be done easily with the help of the tightening bolts.

The use of the automatic Dead End Guy Link has several advantages:

  1. Faster and easier connection of the guy wire to the anchors.
  2. Integrated tension adjustment of the guy wire
  3. No more Preformed Guy Grip required at the bottom of the guy wire (only one at the top of the guy wire).
  4. No need to remove the Preformed Guy Grip from one use to another and manage the number of uses (after 3 to 5 uses, the Preformed Guy Grip must be discarded).
  5. Similar initial purchase cost and long-term savings (no need to buy Preformed Guy Grip to replace the used ones).
  • Item Number: GLK-2440
  • Material: Forged steel and galvanized cast steel
  • Weight: 5.1kg/11lbs
  • Size: 0.43m x 0.10m x 0.08m

Anchors

Anchors

SBB offers anchors that can be adapted to any circumstance. Here are the different options available and their uses:

Anchor Plate

This type of anchor is highly recommended since it has a large capacity and works well in all types of excavated soil. It comes with a 2.4m long rod and an eye nut.

  • Item Number: APL-0580
  • Material: Galvanized steel
  • Weight: 42.7kg/95lbs
  • Size: 0.74m x 0.74m x 2.53m

Rock Anchor

This expansion anchor is installed in healthy rock and is offered with a 1.2m long rod and an eye nut.

  • Item No .: ARK-4B40
  • Material: Galvanized steel
  • Weight: 7.9kg/17lbs
  • Dimension: 1.38m x Ø0.03m

Helix Anchor

This type of anchor is useful in flooded areas. Its surface is smaller than the plate anchor. It must be installed deep with suitable equipment to reach the required capacity (up to 10T per Guy Wire). It might however prove difficult or impossible to install in some hard or rocky soils.

  • Item Number: AHL-T140
  • Material: Galvanized steel
  • Weight: 68kg/150lbs
  • Dimension: 2.25m x 0.35m x 0.35m

Manta-Ray Anchor

Like the Helix Anchor, its reduced surface area requires an installation at a greater depth using well-adapted equipment. This anchor may be difficult to install in harder soils.

  • Item No: AMR-0177
  • Material: Steel and galvanized cast steel
  • Weight: 24 kg/53lbs
  • Size: 0.37m x 0.18m x 4.86m

Concrete blocks (not supplied by SBB)

Concrete blocks, found locally, can be a useful solution to quickly create an anchor in less-than-favourable soil conditions. The number of blocks required for one anchor can be estimated at 1m³ of concrete per 2T of load from the Guy Wire. It is important to:

  • make sure that the blocks are consistent, for example by using a sled (available at SBB).
  • be sure to prevent the sled / blocks from sliding on the ground.
  • always perform a voltage loading test to confirm that the anchor will be stable against the expected loads.

  • Item No: CBS-0059
  • Material: Concrete
  • Weight: 315 kg/700lbs
  • Dimension: 2.76m x 1.52m x 0.20m

Anchor box

When concrete blocks are hard to reach, it is possible to replace them with our metal boxes that can be assembled on site and filled of stones, sand, or any other dense material. This anchor may be the best option in hard-to-reach and rocky mountain areas. The same instructions as for the concrete blocks apply.

  • Item No: ABX-0060
  • Material: Galvanized steel
  • Weight: 203 kg/450lbs (empty)
  • Dimensions: 1,29 mx 0,69 mx 0,68 m

Others

Other types of anchors are also available. Do not hesitate to contact our team to request more information.

Universal bracket

Universal bracket

This bracket is used to connect any component that needs to be attached to the tower such as guy wires, rigid insulators and anchors (except the top plate). It has a very large capacity thanks to the transfer of loads on both sides of the tower via 4 bolts.

  • Item Number: UNB-4100
  • Material: cast steel 8620 galvanized
  • Weight: 9kg/20lbs

Tower sections

Tower sections

Available in a regular (2.9m/10ft long) or a short (2.0m/6.5ft long) version, the 412 section is at the heart of the ingenuity of the SBB system.

A : 9 holes per face, spaced by 310mm/12', allow the climbing and the attachment of different components (guy wires, insulators, etc.).

B : The four corners of the tower serve as a rail system. They allow to slide the sliding Ginpole or the fall arrest device from the bottom to the top of the tower.

C : 8 x 3/4 'structural bolts are used to join 2 sections of the tower.

  • Item Number: MSC-4190
  • Material: Aluminum 6061-T6
  • Dimensions: 0.412m x 0.412m x 2.9m

Articulated Base

Articulated Base

The pivoting head of the articulated base facilitates installation and allows the tower to turn freely, eliminating at the same time any torsion loads that may have developed.

A : The head pivots in all directions (360º horizontal and 180º vertical).

B : The rods, used for transportation, are removed once the tower is installed.

C : 12 pre-installed bolts on the Foundation base plate allow a connection to the articulated base.

  • Item Number: ABS-4100
  • Material HDG steel and aluminum 6061-T6
  • Weight: 123 kg
  • Dimensions: 0.84m x 0.74m

Foundation Base Plate

Foundation Base Plate

Directly on a level ground, the aluminum Foundation Base Plate is all you need to install the temporary tower (concrete foundation not required). A steel stake is installed in each corner to stabilize the plate on the ground.

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Modular design for ERS transmission lines

Modularity is at the heart of the concept of SBB towers. Our goal is to allow a minimum of components to cover a maximum of needs. For example, you do not purchase towers for the 220 kV and additional towers for the 400 kV. You acquire equipment that can be recombined differently to be used for all voltages on your network.

 

Technical specifications

Our towers in numbers :

  • Tower sections: 2.90m/10ft or 1.97m/6.5ft length in 6061-T6 aluminum alloy

  • Tower height: up to 125 meters/400 ft.

  • Self-supporting capacity: up to 15-30 meters (50-100ft) depending on the loads

  • Winds: up to 270 km/h (168mph)

  • Ice: up to 60 mm ice (2.3")

  • Voltages: 69kV to 1,200kV

  • Number of conductors per phase: 1 to 6

  • Erection time: 30m / hour