What Are The Types Of Power Towers

The power tower is the "steel skeleton" of the transmission line, responsible for supporting the overhead power lines and ensuring the safe transmission of electric energy. It is mainly divided into two major categories:

1. Character-shaped tower (shaped like a Chinese character)
Dry-type tower
Shaped like the Chinese character "干" with a straight cross arm, it is the main tower type for high-voltage lines of 220kV and above, combining the functions of both tangent towers and tension towers.
Shang-shaped tower
It resembles the Chinese character "上" in shape, with conductors arranged in an asymmetric triangle. It is suitable for medium and low voltage lines of 110kV and below, especially for areas with low lightning activity.
Gate-shaped tower
It resembles the Chinese character "门" and features a double-column structure. It is commonly used for ≥220kV lines and has good wind resistance.
V-shaped tower
It resembles a "V" shape with a guy wire design, using 18% less steel than conventional towers, and is commonly used for 500kV lines.
T-shaped tower
It is shaped like a "T" and is dedicated to direct current transmission. It features dual-circuit lines for both positive and negative poles, suspended from the top, and is equipped with a lightning conductor at the top.

II. Pictographic Tower (shaped like an animal or object)
Wine glass-shaped tower
The tower head resembles a wine glass, with conductors arranged horizontally. It is commonly used for lines of 220kV and above, and performs excellently in areas with heavy ice.
Cat-head tower
The tower head resembles an owl, and the conductors are arranged in an isosceles triangle. It is a commonly used tower type for lines of 110kV and above.
Drum-shaped tower
Resembling a drum body, it is commonly used in double-circuit transmission lines, with three conductors on each side constituting a three-phase AC line.

III. Special function tower
Tangent tower
With the simplest structure and good economic efficiency, it is the main tower type for transmission lines.
Strain tower
With robust physique, it is used for line turning, traversing mountains and ridges, and preventing wire swaying.
Crossing tower
Used to cross rivers and canyons, allowing power lines to safely fly over natural barriers.
Terminal tower
Located at the starting and ending points of the transmission line, it connects the power plant, substation, and transmission line.
Transposition tower
Balance three-phase current in long-distance power transmission to reduce losses.