What does conductor creep refer to?

Conductor creep refers to the gradual elongation or stretching of a conductor under sustained tension over time. This phenomenon typically occurs after the initial installation and tensioning of the conductor and is due to various factors, including the material properties of the conductor and any environmental conditions it may be exposed to, such as temperature changes and weather effects.

In the context of the other options, the initial stretching of the conductor pertains to the immediate effects of applying tension when first installing it, which does not encompass the longer-term changes referred to by conductor creep. A tensile failure involves a complete breaking of the conductor due to excessive stresses, which is not the gradual process described by creep. Conductor resistance over time may relate to factors like temperature and oxidation but does not specifically address the physical changes in the conductor's length or structure. Thus, the correct answer highlights that conductor creep specifically describes the final stretching and settling of strands, capturing the long-term behavior of conductors under continuous load.