A wire, busbar, or cable core that carries load current or fault current through an electrical system. In power systems, they are usually made of copper, aluminum, or steel-reinforced aluminum and are sized based on their ampacity and thermal limits. The term distinguishes the active current-carrying metal from its surrounding insulation, shielding, or mechanical support.
We need to upgrade the phase conductors to handle the new peak load, but the existing towers can take the extra weight.
When sizing a conductor, engineers must account for both the steady-state thermal limit and the mechanical stress of short-circuit magnetic forces.
Do not mix it up with
- Insulation: A conductor carries the current, whereas insulation blocks it to keep the current contained.
Related terms
Cable core
The central current-carrying conductor and its immediate insulation within a larger cable.
Bus
Rigid conductor or common node in a substation or switchboard where several circuits connect and share power.
Line conductor
A wire or cable that carries normal operating current from a power source to a load.
Live wire
An informal term for an energized, ungrounded phase conductor.