Said zone is limited in its upper part by the protection zone of the line’s guard wire, and in its lower part by the minimum safety height established by local and international standards, as shown in Photograph 1 and in the Scheme 1.

The grounded tubular metal armor protects the Optical Fibers (or other means of application) from the effects of electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of the line’s energized conductors. It should be noted that when using this technology, the pre-existing guard wire on the line is not replaced or altered in any way.

The feasibility of the procedure, obtained from the R&D programs started in 1995, has been verified, and the Detailed Engineering and the Request for Proposals for Existing Transmission Lines have been carried out.

This new technology allows the installation, maintenance and expansion of the optical laying with the lines energized, as has been verified in Fiber Optic Cable Installations over HVTL that have been operating satisfactorily for more than 20 years.

This new technology is protected by the Argentine Invention Patent AR008368B1, and its equivalent invention patents: US Patent US6127625A, European Patent EP0872937B1, Canadian Patent CA2235240C, Australian Patent AU752241B2, etc. For more information on the Invention Patents of the First Technology access the PCSA Proprietary Technology Market Description P-1.

• Self-supporting (“ADSS”).
• Supported by “messenger thread”. In said zone it is possible to place, for example, a metal cable that serves as a messenger wire to support the fiber optic cable, since the net induced charge on the conductive element will be minimal.

Substantially reduces roof degradation due to electrostatic induction effects: ”dry-band arcing”, ”tracking”, etc.

Significantly prolongs cable life compared to pre-existing techniques.

• Eliminates the induction of parasitic currents and their effects on the transmission line.

This new technology allows the installation, maintenance and extension of the optical laying with the energized lines.

The feasibility of the procedure, obtained from the R&D programs started in 1996, has been verified, and the Detailed Engineering and the Request for Proposals for Existing Transmission Lines have been carried out.

Provides adequate protection to optical fibers both in terms of electromagnetic and environmental effects and the action of fauna, prolonging the useful life of the cable.

It reduces the electrical requirements on the fiber optic cable, since it no longer acts as a guard wire, but is located within the zone protected by it.

It separates the mechanical and electrical design requirements of the fiber optic cable, significantly lowering its cost and simplifying manufacturing.

It causes lower stresses on the towers compared to the butt laying of the structures.

In the new overhead transmission lines of high and medium voltage, it grants greater freedom for the design of the structures.

It allows reducing the initial investment and substantially increases the Rate of Return on Assets, even making profitable HVTL that would be uneconomical if they were limited only to the transport of electrical energy.

Substantially reduces the degradation of the dielectric sheath of the fiber optic cable due to electrostatic induction effects, significantly minimizing the effects: “dry-band arcing”, “tracking”, etc.

Substantially reduces the induction of stray currents in fiber optic cables with metallic or electrically conductive sheaths.

Reduces the impact on the HVTL by reducing the change in impedance caused by the Fiber Optic Cable.

It provides the designer with a greater degree of freedom in choosing the type of coating (metallic or dielectric), type of laying (Self-supporting, Messenger Wire, etc.) and the mechanical parameters of the fiber optic cable.

Significantly prolongs the useful life of the fiber optic cable compared to pre-existing techniques.

Microwave Backbone Network based on the installation of a Microwave Link Network.

It is important to point out that the following were not taken into account: the benefits that would be obtained with the commercialization and/or through the realization of some type of onerous assignment for the additional capacity of optical fibers and/or dark fibers and/or telecommunications services and /or comprehensive Internet services, etc., with third parties and/or by diversifying the business.

The Costs of Operation and Maintenance (O and M) are also lower for the New Procedure since the repairs and extensions are simpler and faster, minimizing the interruptions in the service.

If the direct and consequential costs of service interruptions (unbilled energy, etc.) and O&M costs are considered, the total difference is greater than 68%.

It is important to point out that the following were not taken into account: the benefits that would be obtained with the commercialization and/or through the realization of some type of onerous assignment for the additional capacity of optical fibers and/or dark fibers and/or telecommunications services and/or or comprehensive Internet services, etc., with third parties and/or through business diversification.

Greater efficiency in production, which causes a saving of resources for the country in question.

Cost Reductions:

• • Use of additional amounts of inputs and production factors.
  • Use of the “alternative cost” of the inputs that are no longer used by other producers to transfer them to the project in question.
  • Greater availability due to “avoided costs”.
  • Less use of resources to achieve equal benefits.
  • Potential redefinition of the feasibility of carrying out works, limited by costs.
  • The profitability of telecommunications itself, together with a significant current deficit (1997) in the provision of this service, coupled with the application of an efficient and safe system, will find few better economic and social alternatives for the use of these resources.

• • Obtain a greater number of services on the same line because the use of fiber optics in itself means a more than significant increase in “bandwidth”.
  • Quickly and efficiently increase capillarity.
  • Better and more effective management of networks and infrastructure (integrated supervision and control systems).
  • Obtain a greater number of services in the same line due to the expansion or diversification of the business.
  • Increased profits for countless sectors (utilities, production, media, health, residential, etc.).

The same trend can be seen in the Telecommunications and Information sectors (Internet, etc.), driven by the appearance of new services and the rapid growth in demand.

It is important to note that the growth in energy demand is essentially limited by demographic evolution, while the demand for communication, information and entertainment services depends fundamentally on the emergence of new applications and the increase in user purchasing power.

Consequently, deregulated electricity markets have resulted in the postponement of investments in electricity transport infrastructure, particularly in those regions where they are less profitable.

The possibility of using the electrical infrastructure for the transport of information allows part of the investment in electrical transport systems to be absorbed by the rapid growth of the Telecommunications, Information and Entertainment sectors (Internet, interactive television, etc.).

The strong trend towards more efficient and increasingly interconnected networks in the Communications, Information, Entertainment and Energy markets, coupled with deregulation, makes it possible to propose synergistic action between the different industries and government entities.

This opens numerous opportunities for the solution of global problems, facilitating the transition of a world economy whose growth is based on increased information exchange.

In short, the new technologies of PCSA, due to their many advantages and benefits, are a key tool for meeting interconnection needs at a global level, facilitating the transition to the New Information Economy to strengthen the links between different cultures, improve the quality of life of our communities, achieving sustainable growth by finding solutions for a more harmonious coexistence without neglecting the environment.

In an event held in the Conference Hall of the COPITEC, on June 2, 2000, a Special Mention was given to Ing. Rubén Carlos Castaño (COPITEC Registration No. 2818) for having been awarded a gold medal in class “C” at the 28th International Exhibition of Inventors, New Technologies and Products in Geneva, Switzerland, in April 2000. Recognition for his work on the application of Optical Fibers on Medium and High Voltage Transmission Lines, first PCSA technology. For more information, access the COPITEC of Arg.

The new technologies have had an important local and international significance as can be seen in the Distinguished repercussions received.