Transmission Tower Types

Transmission towers can be classified into the following main types according to different classification criteria:

1, Classified by Function

Straight tower (suspended tower)

The maximum usage (accounting for 60% -75% of the total line) is used to support straight section conductors, and the insulator string is in a hanging shape.
Mainly bearing vertical loads (wire gravity, wind load), the structure is relatively symmetrical.
Common shapes: glass shaped (single circuit horizontal arrangement), cat head shaped (compact triangular arrangement), and dry shaped (with small angle tensile function).

Tensile Tower (Tensile Tower)

Used for line corners or sections, to withstand horizontal tension of wires and prevent the spread of faults.
The structure is more robust, with insulator strings arranged horizontally, typical of a portal type tension crossing tower.
Dry type design is commonly used in 220kV and above power lines.

Special function tower

Crossing Tower: Used for crossing rivers and canyons, such as the Nanjing Yangtze River Grand Crossing Tower (193.5 meters high) and the Fengcheng Meili Project, which is the world's tallest tower at 385 meters.
Transposition tower: Adjust the position of the three-phase wires to balance the line parameters, such as a drum shaped transposition tower.
Terminal tower: located at the starting and ending points of the line, it can withstand unidirectional tension and has the strongest foundation structure.
Branch tower: Implement line tapping function.

2, Classified by appearance and wire arrangement

Cup shaped tower

The top resembles a wine glass, with wires arranged horizontally, suitable for open areas and wide corridors.

Cat Head Tower

The isosceles triangle arrangement of wires saves corridor width (reducing it by 20% compared to the wine glass type), but the structure is more complex.

Ganzi Tower

The shape resembles the Chinese character "gan" and is often used for tension towers or large angle towers, while also serving the function of a straight line.

Other types

Up shaped, V-shaped, drum shaped, etc., suitable for specific voltage levels or terrain requirements.

3, According to voltage level and number of circuits

Voltage level: covering 110kV to ± 1100kV, ultra-high voltage towers often use steel pipe structures (such as ± 800kV DC towers).
Number of circuits:

Single circuit tower: a single transmission circuit.

Double circuit/multi circuit towers: such as umbrella shaped and drum shaped towers, can carry more than 2 circuits and reduce land occupation.

4, Special scenario applications

Great Leap Tower

Crossing major rivers, with a span of over kilometers (such as 2550 meters across the Yangtze River), the tower height is 300 meters high, using steel pipes or composite structures.

Disaster resistant strengthening tower

Heavy Ice Zone Tower: Strengthen anti ice design, such as optimizing lightning protection structure with patent CN2024 *******.
Typhoon Zone Tower: Adopting biomimetic design to enhance wind resistance.

Environmentally friendly tower

Wire Protection Bird Tower: Install insulation barriers to protect birds (such as Eastern White Stork nests).
Composite material tower: using weather resistant steel or composite materials to reduce maintenance.
Additional notes
Material evolution: From angle steel (Q235/Q345) to high-strength steel pipes (Q390/Q420), exploring the application of composite materials in recent years.
Foundation type: Adopt pile foundation (soft soil), rock anchor rod (mountainous area) or protective plate foundation (goaf) according to the terrain.
Safety regulations: Strictly maintain a safe distance between the wire and the ground, with a high-risk restricted area of 10 meters around the high-voltage tower.

This classification system integrates functions, structures, and environmental adaptability. In practical engineering, the optimal tower type is often selected based on voltage levels, terrain, and load requirements.

Hot Tags: transmission tower types, China transmission tower types manufacturers, suppliers, factory, powerline towers, tower transmission, Transmission Line Tower, power line towers, towers in transmission lines, electric power towers