---
title: "T/F: minimum wind speed for tower strength"
subject: "Transmission and Distribution System Design"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_8/transmission_and_distribution_system_design:tf-tower-strength-min-wind"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/transmission_and_distribution_system_design/tf-tower-strength-min-wind
site: BCT Engineering
---

# T/F: minimum wind speed for tower strength

Transmission and Distribution System Design · Chapter 4: Conductor and Support Selection

- Asked in: 2078 Kartik, 4 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/transmission_and_distribution_system_design/tf-tower-strength-min-wind
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/transmission_and_distribution_system_design/chapter-4

## Question

State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE. Justify your answer with a brief explanation: For determination of tower strength, minimum wind speed is taken into account.

## Answer

**FALSE.**

Tower strength must be enough for the **worst (maximum) loading** the tower may face during its life. So the **maximum design wind speed or pressure** of the zone is used (for example the basic wind speed with a return period of 50 years or more, as in IS 802), together with the minimum temperature and ice where applicable.

- Wind on the conductors, earth wires, insulators and tower body gives the transverse load and the overturning moment. Both rise with the square of the wind speed.
- Minimum wind speed would underestimate the loads and the tower could collapse in a storm.

Minimum (low) wind speed is used for a different purpose: **ampacity** (thermal rating) calculations, where low wind means poor cooling and is the conservative case. It is also used in the still-air, maximum-temperature condition that gives the maximum sag for ground clearance.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. For tower strength, minimum wind speed is taken into account. This is:
   A. True
   B. False, maximum design wind is used
   C. True in storms
   D. False, no wind is considered
   Answer: B. The tower must withstand the worst loading. (Key point: Verdict)

2. How do wind loads vary with wind speed?
   A. Linearly
   B. With the square of speed
   C. Not at all
   D. Inversely
   Answer: B. Pressure is proportional to V^2. (Key point: Wind and loads)

3. Where is low wind speed used instead?
   A. Tower foundation design
   B. Ampacity ratings (poor cooling) and maximum-sag conditions
   C. Insulator design
   D. Corona
   Answer: B. Low wind gives the conservative thermal rating. (Key point: Use of low wind)

## Related in Transmission and Distribution System Design

- [T/F: maximum wind speed for ampacity](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftransmission_and_distribution_system_design%3Atf-ampacity-max-wind-speed) — Transmission and Distribution System Design, chapter 4
- [T/F: tower height independent of span](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftransmission_and_distribution_system_design%3Atf-tower-height-independent-span) — Transmission and Distribution System Design, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [T/F: tower height function of voltage only](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftransmission_and_distribution_system_design%3Atf-tower-height-voltage-only) — Transmission and Distribution System Design, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [T/F: tower height same for single/double circuit](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftransmission_and_distribution_system_design%3Atf-tower-height-single-double-circuit) — Transmission and Distribution System Design, chapter 4
- [T/F: V-type string for 400 kV lines](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftransmission_and_distribution_system_design%3Atf-v-string-400kv-mechanical) — Transmission and Distribution System Design, chapter 3
- [T/F: ACSR preferred over AAAC](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftransmission_and_distribution_system_design%3Atf-acsr-vs-aaac) — Transmission and Distribution System Design, chapter 4

## Related in other subjects

- [True/false: derivative controllers always used with others](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcontrol_systems%3Aderivative-always-with-others) — Control Systems, chapter 7, asked 3×
- [True/false: CT secondary kept open](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Felectrical_machine%3Atf-false-ct-secondary-open) — Electrical Machine, chapter 2
- [True/false: series motor started at no load](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Felectrical_machine%3Atf-dc-series-motor-start-noload) — Electrical Machine, chapter 4
- [True/false: rotor core loss neglected](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Felectrical_machine%3Atf-rotor-core-loss-neglected) — Electrical Machine, chapter 5