Pylons of Cádiz

The Pylons of Cádiz are two tall pylons in Cadiz, Puerto Real in Spain. They carry two three- phase circuits for 132 kV across the Bay of Cádiz and lead a portion of the transmission line from the substation to substation Térmica Puerto Real ( once also power plant ) on the peninsula of Cadiz.

The two 160 meter high towers were designed by Italian engineer Alberto Toscano and are constructed unusual. Each mast has a hollow construction that is similar to a truncated cone. This tapers from 20.7 m diameter at the base to 6 m diameter equal to the beam. The towers stand on reinforced concrete foundations and carry on their head beams with rhomboidem cross section. The towers are made of galvanized steel parts, which are held together by a network of diagonal support. Within the steel structure a helical staircase leads to the trusses. The design is characterized by its aesthetics and functionality. In this regard, the towers resemble the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The unconventional design was chosen because the Spanish steel plants at this time were unable to produce long steel beam and the import of such carriers was impossible because of the Francisco Franco regime. The construction was led by Remo Scalla, a close friend of Alberto Toscano performed. Toscano and Scalla built 1956/57, the power line crossing the Strait of Messina. The overhead line across the Bay of Cadiz was built in 1957-1960.

Hyperboloid masts of similar design were realized in 1929 by Vladimir Shukhov for an overhead line crossing the Oka in Nizhny Novgorod in Russia.

It is noteworthy that despite the enormous amount of line above the Bay of Cádiz and the associated risk of lightning, no earth wire is used.

  • Coordinates of the Puntales - mast: 36 ° 30 '30 " N, 6 ° 15' 44" W36.508333333333 - 6.2622222222222
  • Coordinates of the Matagorda - mast: 36 ° 31 ' 8 " N, 6 ° 14' 57 " W36.518888888889 - 6.2491666666667
  • Distance: 1655 meters.
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