Overhead Ground Wire (OPGW / Shield Wire)

One or two grounded conductors mounted at the top of transmission tower structures, designed to intercept lightning strokes before they hit the energized phase wires, significantly reducing the number of lightning-caused outages. Modern overhead ground wires are frequently constructed as OPGW (Optical Ground Wire), which incorporates fiber-optic strands within the conductor for telecommunications, protection signaling, and real-time line monitoring — allowing the right-of-way to serve dual purposes: lightning protection and high-bandwidth communications infrastructure.

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