Aluminum Hotline Clamps
Live-Line Aluminum Hotline Clamps for Hot Stick Tapping, Jumpering and Temporary Grounding
Cable Glands India manufactures Aluminum Hotline Clamps (also called hot line clamps, live-line taps or aluminum line taps) cast and machined from high-strength aluminum alloy for hot-stick installation on energized overhead conductors. Used by power utilities and EPC line crews for temporary jumpers, portable grounding sets, bypass taps and maintenance connections, our hotline clamps are supplied at US$ 17.90/kilogram CIF/FOB Indian port, manufactured to C-shaped bolted-clamp design compatible with standard hot stick universal fittings and eye-screw operation.
Product Overview
Aluminum Hotline Clamps are quick-connect line taps designed for installation on live overhead aluminum and ACSR conductors without de-energizing the circuit. The clamp body is gravity die cast or gravity-and-pressure cast from aluminum alloy, precision machined on the conductor grooves, and fitted with a captive eye-screw or wing-nut mechanism that a lineman can operate remotely using a standard hot stick and universal hot stick fitting, eliminating the need to work directly at line potential.
Cable Glands India supplies hotline clamps in single-conductor and dual-groove configurations, sized for conductor ranges from small distribution conductors (AWG #6) through large sub-transmission ACSR and AAC conductors up to 500 MCM, with groove profiles matched to round-strand and compressed conductor geometries to ensure full contact area and minimize hot-spot heating under load.
Typical uses include temporary bypass jumpers during conductor splicing or pole-top maintenance, portable personal protective grounding set connections for line crews, temporary construction power taps, and permanent low-current instrumentation taps on distribution feeders. The clamp’s bolted, reusable design allows repeated installation and removal across multiple job sites without damage to the conductor strands, provided the correct groove size and torque are used.
Aluminum hotline clamps are typically supplied bare or with an electro-tin plated contact surface, and internally treated with an oxide-inhibiting joint compound at the conductor interface to maintain low contact resistance on aluminum conductors, which otherwise form an insulating oxide layer within minutes of exposure to air.
Because these clamps are handled directly by hot stick at line potential, dimensional consistency of the eye-screw diameter, thread engagement and grip geometry is critical for compatibility with the full range of hot stick clamp sticks, shotgun sticks and universal tool heads used across different utility fleets; Cable Glands India manufactures to the common eye and universal fitting dimensions used industry-wide.
Clamps are also supplied with an optional ratchet-style or shear-head torque-limiting mechanism for applications where consistent installation torque must be assured without a torque wrench, reducing the risk of under-tightened taps or over-compressed conductor strands.
Key Features
- Gravity die cast high-strength aluminum alloy body for live-line hot stick installation
- Compatible with universal hot stick eye and clamp stick fittings
- Grooved jaw profile sized for distribution and sub-transmission ACSR/AAC conductors
- Bare or tin-plated contact surface with oxide-inhibiting compound option
- Priced at US$ 17.90/kilogram, custom groove sizing available
- Reusable, bolted design suitable for repeated field installation
Hot Stick Compatible Eye Design
Every hotline clamp is manufactured with a standard universal eye or ring designed to accept common utility hot stick clamp sticks and shotgun stick tool heads, allowing linemen to install and remove the clamp entirely from ground potential or bucket-truck distance without direct contact with the energized conductor.
Conductor Groove Sizing
Jaw grooves are machined to match specific conductor diameter ranges for ACSR, AAC, AAAC and copper conductors, ensuring maximum contact surface area and even clamping pressure across all strands, which reduces localized heating and prevents strand damage during repeated installation cycles.
Aluminum-to-Aluminum and Aluminum-to-Copper Contact
Standard aluminum hotline clamps are optimized for aluminum-to-aluminum conductor taps; tin-plated variants are available where the clamp must bridge an aluminum line conductor to a copper jumper or grounding cable, reducing the galvanic corrosion risk inherent in direct aluminum-copper contact.
Torque-Controlled Installation
Clamps can be supplied with a calibrated shear-head bolt or ratchet mechanism that provides a clear, repeatable indication of correct installation torque, an important feature for maintaining consistent contact resistance across a utility’s entire hotline clamp inventory regardless of which crew installs the tap.
Corrosion Resistance for Outdoor Service
All aluminum hotline clamps are supplied with a corrosion-resistant finish suited to continuous outdoor exposure, including coastal and industrial atmosphere service, and are compatible with standard silicone or petroleum-based oxide-inhibiting joint compounds used in utility maintenance programs.
Utility and EPC Export Supply
Cable Glands India exports hotline clamps in bulk utility stores quantities and smaller EPC contractor lots, with full mill certification, dimensional inspection reports and export packing suitable for long-distance shipment to utility warehouses.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum Alloy Gravity Die Casting (LM6/A360 equivalent) |
| Conductor Range | AWG #6 to 500 MCM (custom ranges available) |
| Conductor Type | ACSR, AAC, AAAC, Copper (tin-plated variant) |
| Operation | Hot stick / universal eye, bolted or shear-head |
| Surface Finish | Bare Mill Finish or Tin Plated |
| Standard Reference | ANSI C119.4 (dimensional/performance reference), IEEE 837 |
| Price | US$ 17.90/kilogram, CIF/FOB Indian port |
Aluminum Casting Alloy Grades
| Grade | Composition | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| LM6 / A413 | Al-Si eutectic casting alloy | High fluidity, corrosion-resistant clamp bodies |
| A360 / LM24 | Al-Si-Cu die casting alloy | High-strength pressure die cast clamps |
International Equivalent Standards
| Country/Region | Standard Body | Equivalent Reference |
|---|---|---|
| USA | ANSI | ANSI C119.4 |
| International | IEC | IEC 61238-1 (connector performance) |
| India | BIS | IS 5561 (reference, distribution line hardware) |
Product Types and Variants
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Single Groove Hotline Clamp | Single conductor tap, hot stick operated |
| Dual Groove Hotline Clamp | Main line and tap conductor in a single body |
| Ratchet Hotline Clamp | Ratchet torque-limiting installation mechanism |
| Grounding Set Hotline Clamp | Sized for portable personal protective grounding cables |
Applications in Industry
| Sector | Application |
|---|---|
| Power Utilities | Temporary and permanent live-line conductor taps |
| EPC / Line Construction | Bypass jumpers during conductor splicing |
| Utility Safety Programs | Portable personal protective grounding sets |
| Distribution Maintenance | Temporary instrumentation and metering taps |
Manufacturing Process
Key process stages: (1) alloy melting and gravity or pressure die casting of the clamp body; (2) trimming of casting flash and gates; (3) CNC machining of conductor grooves, eye-screw bore and threads; (4) assembly of eye-screw, wing-nut or shear-head hardware; (5) surface finishing (bare or tin plating); (6) functional cycling test; (7) dimensional inspection and packing with corrosion-inhibiting wrap.
Aluminum hotline clamps are produced by gravity die casting or pressure die casting of the selected aluminum alloy into the clamp body mould, followed by trimming of casting flash, CNC machining of the conductor grooves and eye-screw threads, and drilling of the bolt or shear-head bore. Machined castings are deburred, surface finished (bare or tin plated), assembled with the eye-screw or shear-head hardware, and functionally tested for smooth operation before dimensional inspection and packing.
Quality Standards and Certifications
Each casting lot is sample-tested for hardness and visual porosity, and every finished clamp undergoes a functional cycling test of the eye-screw and jaw mechanism to confirm smooth hot stick operation before packing. Customers requiring third-party pre-shipment inspection may nominate SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or an equivalent agency for witnessed dimensional and functional verification prior to container loading.
- ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing facility
- Dimensional reference to ANSI C119.4 and IEEE 837
- 100% functional testing of eye-screw and clamping mechanism
- Mill test certificates and casting inspection reports available on request
Why Choose Cable Glands India
- In-house aluminum casting, CNC machining and finishing under one roof in Jamnagar, India
- Custom groove sizing and eye-fitting dimensions to match any utility hot stick standard
- Competitive export pricing at US$ 17.90/kilogram
- Bulk utility stores supply and small EPC lot supply, no fixed minimum order quantity
- Full documentation package for customs clearance and utility procurement approval
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an aluminum hotline clamp used for?
It is used to tap, jumper or ground a live overhead conductor using a hot stick, without requiring the line to be de-energized.
What conductor sizes are supported?
Standard groove sizing covers AWG #6 through 500 MCM; custom groove profiles are available for other conductor sizes.
Can the clamp be used on copper conductors?
Yes, tin-plated variants are recommended for aluminum-to-copper taps to reduce bimetallic corrosion.
Is the clamp reusable?
Yes, the bolted design allows repeated installation and removal provided the correct groove size and torque are applied each time.
What is the price of aluminum hotline clamps?
Standard pricing is US$ 17.90/kilogram CIF/FOB Indian port, depending on size and order quantity.
What standard governs hotline clamp performance?
ANSI C119.4 is the common reference standard for connector performance and current-cycling test requirements.
Can clamps be supplied with a torque-limiting mechanism?
Yes, ratchet and shear-head torque-limiting options are available for consistent installation torque.
Do you supply hotline clamps for grounding sets?
Yes, clamps sized specifically for portable personal protective grounding cable connections are available.
What is the standard surface finish?
Bare mill finish is standard; tin plating is available for enhanced corrosion resistance and bimetallic compatibility.
Do you provide mill certificates?
Yes, mill test certificates and casting inspection reports are issued with every export shipment.
Equivalent Terms in Other Languages
| Language | Equivalent Terms |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Grapas de linea viva de aluminio, Conector de derivacion en caliente, Pinza hotline |
| Russian | Алюминиевые зажимы для работы под напряжением, Горячие зажимы |
| French | Pinces de derivation sous tension en aluminium, Connecteur hotline, Pince de ligne vivante |
| Portuguese | Grampos de linha viva de aluminio, Conector hotline, Grampo de derivacao energizada |
| Italian | Morsetti hotline in alluminio, Connettore per derivazione in tensione, Morsetto di linea viva |
Related Aluminum and Line Hardware Products
- Aluminum Terminal Bars, Aluminum Grounding Bars
- Hotline Clamps, Bronze Hotline Clamps
- Bronze KUL Type Clamps, Bronze Bonding Clamps
- Aluminum Wedge Connectors, Aluminum Wedge Type Tap Connectors (related product)
- Aluminum Lay-in Lugs, Aluminum Lay-in Ground Lugs (related product)
Request a Quote
Cable Glands India supplies Aluminum Hotline Clamps to power utilities, EPC contractors and distributors worldwide at US$ 17.90/kilogram. Submit your conductor size, groove profile and quantity for a formal export quotation. Email: sales@cableglandsindia.com | Phone: +91-22-43449300