Study on the Aerodynamic Characteristics and Galloping Instability of Conductors Covered with Sector-Shaped Ice by a Wind Tunnel Test

Conductors with sector-shaped ice are susceptible to galloping. To prevent and control galloping, it is necessary to study the conductor aerodynamic characteristics. Wind tunnel tests were performed to study the influence of two shape parameters (ice thickness and ice angle) of a conductor with sector-shaped ice on the aerodynamic characteristics considering the roughness of the surface. In addition, the unstable areas for galloping are discussed according to Den Hartog theory and Nigol theory. The results show that with increasing ice thickness, the aerodynamic coefficient curves fluctuate more strongly, and galloping tends to occur; with increasing ice angle, the unstable area becomes larger according to Nigol theory, and the increasing drag coefficient will suppress the unstable areas according to Den Hartog theory. With the increasing two shape parameters, the most affected ranges of the aerodynamic coefficient curves are 150–180∘.