How does exceeding the thermal limit affect the radial transmission line?

Exceeding the thermal limit of a radial transmission line can lead to significant degradation of the line's components. When the thermal limit is surpassed, the line can overheat, resulting in deterioration of the materials used in its construction, including insulation and conductors. This degradation increases the risk of potential outages, as the line may not be able to effectively conduct electricity.

Overheating can cause damage such as sagging of the conductor, which might interfere with safe clearance from the ground or other structures, and can lead to mechanical failure. Additionally, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can result in electrical failure, causing the transmission line to trip or become inoperable, which directly affects reliability and can lead to outages.

While there may be elements in the other options that could arise from broader considerations of transmission lines, they do not accurately capture the specific effects of consistently exceeding the thermal limit on a radial transmission line.