Press-braked tower, a new element in the Czech transmission system

The pilot use of press-braked towers in the Czech Republic’s transmission system is part of the construction of a new double-circuit 400 kV line, designated V487/488, connecting the Vernéřov and Vítkov substations. At two locations along the line are pairs of two-shaft portal structures of underpass design, which allow V487/488 to cross other overhead double-circuit lines at the same voltage level.

All four towers are of reinforced design. Their shafts are made from sheet metal formed into a 16-sided shape, while the horizontal bridge and crossarm components are made from sheet metal formed into an 8-sided shape. The individual tower structures weigh between 36.5 and 47.5 tonnes. The above-ground components of all the towers were factory-coated with zinc and painted green.