Alcan Cable introduces ACSR Twisted Pair Conductors to mitigate transmission
line galloping

ATLANTA, GA, Dec. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - Alcan Cable, a business unit of Rio Tinto, launched today its ACSR Twisted Pair (TP) conductors for use in power transmission line applications to reduce galloping due to the formation of ice on the conductor.  Ice galloping of transmission lines results in violent conductor movements that damage transmission towers and hardware.

"We have several customers that are located in regions prone to ice formation on their conductor and require this solution to prevent galloping," said Steve Waller, Director of Utility Sales - North America, Alcan Cable.  "As a major supplier of transmission cable, we are pleased to add ACSR Twisted Pair conductors to our family of transmission cable products."

As the most recent addition to Alcan Cable's line of aluminum transmission cable, ACSR TP conductors are two bare concentrically stranded conductors wound about one another with a twist length of nine feet.  ACSR TP has been shown as the most cost effective means to mitigate galloping, Aeolian vibration, and subconductor oscillation.  Typical installation for TP conductors is where ice forms along the line in the middle of the country where cold Canadian air collides with warm air from the Gulf of Mexico producing ice and wind.

Alcan Cable's ACSR TP conductors are manufactured in accordance with ASTM B 911 standards.  ACSR TP conductors can be installed per NEC Code limits to reduce sag and structure height or allow for longer ruling spans.

Recognized as the only fully integrated aluminum cable supplier in North America, Alcan Cable has provided its customers with quality products and outstanding customer service for over 100 years. With its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Alcan Cable is a leading manufacturer of aluminum cable and aluminum rod and strip products, and has six manufacturing operations - five in North America and one in China.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

For further information:

Alcan Cable, Atlanta Rhonda Buckley Tel.: [phone]
Website:   www.cable.alcan.com