Ask a procurement manager what slows down an overhead line order and the answer is rarely price. It’s the spec sheet. One document says “Dove,” another says “240/40,” and a third lists a nominal area in mm². Aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) is a long-established choice for overhead lines, but its size data is spread across ASTM, BS, DIN, GB/T and IEC standards.
This guide puts the key information in one place. You’ll see how to read an ACSR chart, compare example sizes across standards, and check what to confirm before you request a quote. It’s written for procurement managers, distributors, contractors and project buyers.
What Is Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR)?
Aluminum conductor steel reinforced is a bare stranded conductor. One or more concentric layers of hard-drawn aluminum wire are twisted around a galvanized steel core. The two materials split the work:
- Aluminum is light and highly conductive, so it carries most of the current.
- Steel supplies tensile strength, so the line can hold higher tension.
The result is a conductor that can span longer distances with less sag than an all-aluminum design. ACSR is used on overhead power transmission and distribution lines at various voltage levels and is installed in open air.
How to Read an ACSR Size Chart
Size charts look dense, but each column answers a simple question.
Code names and nominal sizes
Each standard names conductors differently:
- ASTM B232 uses bird names (Sparrow, Hawk, Dove, Condor) alongside AWG or kcmil sizes.
- BS 215 Part 2 uses animal names (Fox, Panther, Zebra) with a nominal area in mm².
- DIN 48204 and GB/T 1179 use an aluminum/steel area pair. A “240/40” is roughly 240 mm² of aluminum around about 40 mm² of steel.
- IEC 61089 uses the nominal aluminum area, with separate rated-strength columns for different steel core options.
Stranding
Stranding tells you how the conductor is built. “26/3.44 + 7/2.67” means 26 aluminum wires of 3.44 mm and 7 steel wires of 2.67 mm. Two conductors with similar nominal areas can still be built differently, so always check the stranding as well as the name.
Breaking load and units
This column catches many buyers out. ASTM tables list breaking load in daN, while BS, GB/T and IEC tables use kN. One daN is 10 N, so 10,103 daN is roughly 101 kN. Convert before comparing quotes from different standards.
DC resistance and steel ratio
Maximum DC resistance at 20°C (in Ω/km) is the reference figure for electrical performance. Steel ratio matters too. In the GB/T 1179 table it runs from about 5% to 58%. Higher steel content generally means more strength and weight, with a smaller share of the cross-section carrying current.
ACSR Size Chart: Example Sizes by Standard
The tables below show selected rows from HNBF Power’s published ACSR data. They’re a starting point, not a substitute for the full tables or the standard itself.
ASTM B232 examples
| Code | Size | Stranding (Al + steel) | Overall dia. (mm) | Weight (kg/km) | Breaking load (daN) | Max. DC resistance at 20°C (Ω/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparrow | 2 AWG | 6/2.67 + 1/2.67 | 8.01 | 136 | 1,270 | 0.8535 |
| Raven | 1/0 AWG | 6/3.37 + 1/3.37 | 10.11 | 216 | 1,932 | 0.5364 |
| Hawk | 477 kcmil | 26/3.44 + 7/2.67 | 21.79 | 978 | 8,665 | 0.1199 |
| Dove | 556.5 kcmil | 26/3.72 + 7/2.89 | 23.55 | 1,140 | 10,103 | 0.1027 |
| Grosbeak | 636 kcmil | 26/3.97 + 7/3.09 | 25.15 | 1,302 | 11,180 | 0.08989 |
| Condor | 795 kcmil | 54/3.08 + 7/3.08 | 27.72 | 1,524 | 12,445 | 0.07191 |
BS, DIN, GB/T and IEC examples
| Standard | Example | Stranding (Al + steel) | Overall dia. (mm) | Weight (kg/km) | Rated / breaking strength | Max. DC resistance at 20°C (Ω/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BS 215 Part 2 | Panther (200 mm²) | 30/3.00 + 7/3.00 | 21.00 | 974 | 92.25 kN | 0.1363 |
| DIN 48204 | 240/40 | 26/3.45 + 7/2.68 | 21.9 | 987 | 8,640 daN | 0.1188 |
| GB/T 1179-2008 | 240/40 | 26/3.42 + 7/2.66 | 21.7 | 962.8 | 83.76 kN | 0.1209 |
| IEC 61089 | 400 mm² (54/7) | 54/3.07 + 7/3.07 | 27.6 | 1,510.3 | 123.04 kN (A1/S1A) | 0.0723 |
Notice that DIN and GB/T both list a “240/40,” yet the wire diameters, weight and strength differ. That’s why the standard must be named on every enquiry and purchase order.
Values are typical catalog figures. Confirm them against the current datasheet and the applicable standard before ordering.
Which Standard Should You Specify?
For most buyers, the tender or utility decides. A few practical rules:
- Follow the project documents. If the tender calls for IEC 61089 or ASTM B232, quote and order to that standard.
- Match existing lines. If you’re extending or repairing a line, use the same standard and size so the conductor, fittings and accessories stay compatible.
- Don’t mix naming systems. “Dove” and “556.5 kcmil” are ASTM terms. A “300/50” belongs to DIN or GB/T. Mixing them is a common source of wrong-size orders.
How to Choose the Right ACSR Size
Final conductor selection belongs with the project’s design engineer. Buyers can still gather the inputs that make a quote accurate:
- Electrical requirement. Current to be carried, acceptable losses and voltage level.
- Mechanical requirement. Span lengths, expected wind and ice loading, and allowable sag.
- Environment. Coastal, industrial or high-humidity sites may call for extra corrosion protection, so ask your supplier what options exist.
- Standard and size. Taken from the tender, the existing network or the design drawings.
- Quantity and delivery. Total length, length per reel and destination.
Having these ready usually shortens the quotation cycle.
ACSR vs AAAC and AAC
ACSR isn’t always the answer, and a good supplier will say so.
- AAC (all aluminum conductor) suits shorter spans where high tensile strength isn’t needed.
- AAAC (all aluminum alloy conductor) is an option when the design favors a lighter all-alloy conductor or corrosion resistance matters.
- ACSR fits when you need the steel core’s tensile strength for longer spans or higher tension.
HNBF Power supplies AAC, AAAC, aluminum-clad steel, galvanized steel wire and ACCC conductor, so you can compare options with one supplier.
What to Confirm Before Ordering
Use this checklist before you send a purchase order:
- The exact standard and edition (for example ASTM B232 or IEC 61089)
- Code name or size, plus stranding
- Total length and length per reel
- Packaging type. HNBF Power ships by roll or on polywood, wooden or steel-wooden reels or drums.
- Required test reports and documents
- Destination and delivery schedule
Send these details together and your supplier can quote without a round of follow-up questions.
Why Buyers Source ACSR from HNBF Power
HNBF Power is the brand of Henan Baofeng Cable Co., Ltd., a cable and wire manufacturer that combines R&D, production and sales. The factory was established in 2001 in the Science & Technology Industrial Park in Gongyi City, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
For buyers, that translates into practical advantages:
- Five standards in one place. Published ACSR data covers ASTM B232, BS 215 Part 2, DIN 48204, GB/T 1179-2008 and IEC 61089.
- A full bare-conductor range. AAC, AAAC, ACS, GSW and ACCC sit alongside ACSR, which helps when a project needs more than one conductor type.
- Flexible packaging. Rolls and several reel types are available to suit handling and shipping needs.
- Responsive communication. The company states that it replies to inquiries within 24 hours.
You don’t have to take our word for it. Review the Certificates section on the About page and ask for the documents your project requires.
Have a specification in hand? Send us your ACSR requirements and our team will respond with a quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does ACSR stand for, and where is it used?
ACSR stands for aluminum conductor steel reinforced. It’s a bare stranded conductor with aluminum wires around a galvanized steel core, used on overhead power transmission and distribution lines.
Q2. What do ACSR code names like Dove and Hawk mean?
They’re ASTM B232 designations for specific sizes and stranding. Hawk is 477 kcmil with 26/7 stranding, and Dove is 556.5 kcmil with 26/7 stranding. BS standards use animal names, while DIN, GB/T and IEC use area-based designations.
Q3. Which standards apply to ACSR?
Common standards include ASTM B232, BS 215 Part 2, DIN 48204, GB/T 1179-2008 and IEC 61089. Your tender or existing network usually decides which one applies.
Q4. How do I choose between ACSR and AAAC?
ACSR relies on a steel core for strength, which suits longer spans and higher tension. AAAC is an all-alloy design that may suit projects where weight or corrosion resistance is the priority. Your design engineer should make the final call.
Q5. What information should I send to get an ACSR quote?
Send the standard, size or code name, stranding if known, total length, length per reel, packaging preference, required documents and destination.
Conclusion
Choosing the right aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) gets much easier once you know how to read a size chart. Name the standard on every enquiry, confirm the size and stranding, convert units like daN and kN before comparing quotes, and agree on documents and packaging up front. A name like “240/40” can differ between DIN and GB/T, so clear specifications protect both your schedule and your budget.
If you’re sourcing ACSR for a utility, contractor or distribution project, HNBF Power can support you from specification to shipment. Our published data covers ASTM B232, BS 215 Part 2, DIN 48204, GB/T 1179-2008 and IEC 61089, which helps you match the right conductor to your tender requirements.