In just nine months from conception, we expect to deliver. Not a new baby, but a new specialty transmission block, the load rating of which, to our knowledge, has never been built before. Sherman+Reilly is known for supporting specialty block needs, and early this year a customer came to us with a big need, a really big need, a load rated bundle block that can support 60,000 lb. for sharp running angles on a large renewable transmission line project. This specific job is for a 3-conductor bundle with a large running-angle in the layout and very-high tension requirements - only 7-feet of allowable sag of a conductor that weighs 2.5 lb. per foot. Thus, there was the need for a high-capacity load rated block, but there was also a caveat: the block needs to be light enough to be picked up by a light duty helicopter. Challenge accepted. We’ve been building blocks for over 85 years, including some large ones. With our in-house engineering and manufacturing capability to tackle this, making a 60K block in and of itself would not be difficult, but making one that would not weigh more than a light duty helicopter could lift made it more challenging.
North America’s transmission grid is growing along with large renewable energy projects to support the demand for more energy. This growth is spurring the installation of larger diameter transmission lines like the 2156-ACSR BLUEBIRD for which this block is designed. These jobsites are more frequently occurring where land use requirements have created spatial, developmental, and environmental restrictions. This is where the need for high-capacity blocks that can support challenging jobsite conditions with large running angles and steep dead-ends comes into play.
It's not every day that a customer asks for a 60,000 lb. capacity block and we are thrilled to be asked to design and manufacture it for them. We are also excited to bring this product to market for other customers in need of high-capacity and lightweight transmission blocks. If you have a specialty block need, know that Sherman+Reilly has the experience and in-house engineering knowledge to work with you to address high-tension challenges of your next big transmission job.
Contact us for assistance with a specialty block quote at 423-756-5300 or sales@sherman-reilly.com.
