With the FCCS line, Vattenfall achieves a stronger and more durable network with a long service life, capable of withstanding northern weather conditions such as snow and ice loads, which can strain the line and cause faults.
The surrounding nature, birds and small animals also play a significant role, as FCCS's space-saving design reduces the need for large-scale forest clearing and preserves natural habitats. Covered conductor (CC) enables 40% narrower clearances for line corridors through the forest compared to a standard bare line, resulting in significant space savings. With parallel FCCS line structure, the space saving is even bigger.
Excellent Solution and Good Cooperation
The FCCS is a complete solution that includes accurately planned line structures, and the accessories used in the solution are essential factors that affect the whole. One of the central accessories of the solution is the new SDI88.1M20 composite line post insulator 15kN, which is definitely one of the most durable insulators on the market. All Ensto’s accessories for covered conductor lines are electrically and mechanically designed for the best performance and safety according to the latest standards.
All this aligns with a broader trend in Sweden, where many distribution system operators (DSO) prefer Ensto's FCCS for its quality, robustness, and ease of installation, along with the dedication to excellent service.
'In addition to the excellence of the solution, we emphasize good cooperation and dialog with the partner in planning and execution. The people at Ensto are very committed to the projects; together we can develop, test, and improve materials and structures. This is important to us, and on top of that, it is fun! says entrepreneur Johan Granström, a network designer who works a lot with Vattenfall`s distribution network.
The Best Protection with the Right Accessories
Vattenfall has built many kilometers of CC line in Sweden using Ensto accessories. This was the first line to use the latest version of the line post insulator SDI88.1M20, which is extremely easy to install in addition to its durability. The insulator can be ordered with a pulley SDI88.1M20P and therefore does not require separate pulling wheels, which makes installation even easier and smoother.
‘It is important to use accessories suitable for covered conductors – it is also the conductor manufacturer's requirement. If we use the wrong accessories, water can enter the conductor, and in winter, the water freezes into ice and can cause corrosion problems. This is by no means good for aluminum,’ says Peter Melander, Product Manager of Ensto Sweden.
Ensto offers complete protection for the line. In addition to protecting the conductors, the FCCS also covers other live parts of the conductor, such as insulators, suspension and tension clamps, connectors, power arc devices (PAD), current limiting devices (CLD) and surge arresters. FCCS is guaranteed to pay for itself through fewer faults, lower maintenance costs, and higher-quality electricity.
Vattenfall in Brief
Vattenfall is a Swedish electricity grid company that owns and operates regional and local grids in western, central, and northern Sweden. They distribute just over half of all electricity produced in Sweden. The mission is to maintain, operate and, if necessary, expand a safe, reliable, and efficient electricity network at the lowest cost for our customers. The task is also to connect new customers to the electricity grid, everything from small households and new residential areas to data centers and industries that want to change and electrify operations and production.
