Increased weight makes reconductoring much more difficult as the structures are designed to carry specific weight. Increased size can also impact structure loading from ice or wind. So, generally, reconductoring does not materially increase weight.

The primary difference between the traditional conductors and advanced conductors is temperature tolerance. Most transmission lines are aluminum conductors with a steel core for strength (ASCR). As current increases, so does temperature, causing lines to sag (or the steel anneal if too hot).

Advanced conductors use a different composition to operate at higher temperatures, or otherwise carry more current (one example: aluminum conductor, composite reinforced, or ACCR) so as to have similar weight (and profile) to the original, traditional conductor.