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Quoich to Broadford towers

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Overview

The line between Quoich Tee on the Scottish mainland and Broadford substation on the Isle of Skye uses a transmission tower type known only from this one line. These are “light construction” towers, designed for 0.125″ SCA (125 mm² Tiger ACSR) conductors; they are a derivative of the Inveraray–Taynuilt type (Blaw Knox T1498), adapted to carry an earthwire.

The towers are all double circuit, but are strung single circuit only.

The Energy Voice article Maybe it’s time to look to Heligoland begins, “Current plans to reinforce the power line between Fort Augustus and the Western Isles, via Skye, reminded me of the controversy that arose when the link was created in the 1980s.” At present, there is a single circuit line on double circuit lattice towers between Quoich switching station and Broadford, followed by a Trident wood pole line to Ardmore substation via the Edinbane and Dunvegan substations. (It appears that Quoich was originally connected to Invergarry power station via a K1201 line, but at the intersection with Fort Augustus–Fort William the line currently diverts to Fort Augustus on wood poles; the line from Invergarry power station now tees into the line to Fort William.)

The Inveraray–Taynuilt tower types all have an “L” prefix, possibly to denote “light construction”. The same designations are used on this page although this has yet to be confirmed by SSEN.

General data

Design contractor Blaw Knox
Found Scotland
Status Historic, in service
Class Light construction
Height (straight line tower) ?
Voltage 132 kV
Known conductors Single
Design conductor 0.125″ SCA (125 mm² Tiger ACSR)
Design earthwire None
Circuit count Double (used as single circuit)

Tower forms

The following diagrams are shown to scale at 12 pixels per metre:

T1498 D2L
T1498 D10L
T1498 D30L
T1498 D60L
T1498 D90L

The type designations are an assumption that they are the same as those of Blaw Knox T1498.

Examples

Broadford

View full-size image
D60L and D2L towers; image ©2020 India Clare, used with permission; from Pylon of the Month, December 2020