All conductors that use core materials that are different from the outer conductive strands have a thermal knee-point. Initially, the tensile load of an installed conductor is shared by the core and conductive strands. As the conductor's temperature rises with increased current, the coefficient of thermal expansion ("CTE") of the outer strands causes them to elongate faster than the lower CTE core. As temperatures rise the outer strands relax and transfer their tensile load to the 'tighter' core. The apex of this transfer is referred to as the thermal knee-point. Because the CTE of the core is lower than the CTE of the outer strands, conductor sag above the thermal knee-point decreases. The ACCC conductor's lower CTE and lower thermal knee-point offers reduced thermal sag under any operating condition. For more information please download a free electronic copy of CTC Global's Engineering Manual.

CTC Global created CCP to help system planners and engineers compare the ampacity, line losses, thermal and ice load sag, and economic aspects of nearly any conductor type and size, so the numerous advantages of the ACCC® conductor can be fully realized. The user simply selects the conductor types and sizes from drop down menus and enters the appropriate values & assumptions highlighted in the yellow boxes. The program is fully functional and uses standard industry formulas (such as IEEE 738-2006). Outputs are readily comparable to Sag10®, PLS CADD™ and other similar programs.