TRANSMISSION LINE PARAMETERS

Parameters in the transmission line

resistance r, inductance L, capacitance C

L and C are due to the effects of magnetic and
electric fields around the conductor

Overhead transmission line

ANSI voltage standard: 69kV, 115kV, 138kV, 161kV,

230kV, 345kV, 500kV, 765kV line-to-line
extra-high-voltage (EHV): >230kV, ultra-high-voltage
(UHV): 765kV
bundling: use more than one conductor per phase,
usually used at voltage > 230kV
advantage of bundling: increase effective radius of
line conductor, reduce electric field strength and
reduces corona power loss, audio loss and radio
interference, and reduces line reactance

Energy Conversion Lab

LINE RESISTANCE

Transmission line resistance

dc flow: resistance of solid round conductor is given

by Rdc=l/A
ac flow: the current distribution is not uniform, the
current density is greatest at surface of the conductor,
this is called skin effect, therefore, Rac > Rdc
temperature: resistance increases when temperature
increases

Transmission line inductance

definition of inductance L: L=/I, is flux linkage

magnetic field density: Hx=Ix/2x, x is the radius of
circle, Ix induces magnetic field density Hx

Energy Conversion Lab

INTERNAL INDUCTANCE

Derivation of internal inductance Lint

consider the flux linked by the portion x r of current

Ia flowing inside a cylinder of radius x, the magnetic
intensity:

Hdl = I

enclosed

x 2
x 2
Since I a = 2 I , therefore 2xH x = 2 I
r
r

magnetic flux density Bx:

Bx=oHx=oxI /2r2
o is the permeability of free space: 410-7 H/m

since current flowing into the circuit of x is only a

fraction of Ia, the effective turn is equivalent to the
fraction N = x2/r2

Energy Conversion Lab

INTERNAL INDUCTANCE

Derivation of internal inductance Lint

x2/r2 turns of the current Ia linked by flux:

dx= (x2/r2) dx = (x2/r2) (Bx1dx)
= (x2/r2) (oxI/2r2) 1dx = (oI) x3/(2r4) dx
total flux linkage in the inductor:

o I
int =
2r 4

o I
0 x dx = 8
r

inductor due to the internal flux:

Lint=o/8=(1/2)10-7 H/m
inductor Lint is independent of the conductor radius r

Energy Conversion Lab

EXTERNAL INDUCTANCE

Derivation of external inductance Lext

consider Hx external to conductor at x>r, since the

circle at radius x enclose entire current, Ix=I ( see
Fig.4.4 ): Bx=oHx=oI/2x
the entire current I is linked by the flux outside the
conductor, dx=dx = Bxdx*1=oI/(2x)*dx
external flux linkage between D1 and D2 :
D2
o I D 1
7
dx
I
ext =
=
2

10
ln
Wb/m

D1
2 D x
inductance between two points D1 and D2 due to the
external flux:
2

Lext

D2
= 2 10 ln
D1

Energy Conversion Lab

H/m

INDUCTANCE OF A SINGLE-PHASE LINE

Single-phase line inductance in conductor 1 (L1)

consider one meter length of two solid round

conductors, radius r1 and r2 in the figure below:
r1

r2
D

internal inductance: L1(int) = (1/2)10-7

inductance beyond D links a net current of zero and
doesnt contribute to net magnetic flux linkage, thus
the external inductance L1(ext)= 210-7*ln(D/r1)
total inductance of conductor 1:
L1 = L1(int) + L1( ext ) =

1
1
D
D
107 + 2 107 ln = 2 107 ln ' + 2 107 ln
2 1
1
r1
r1

where r = r1e
'
1

Energy Conversion Lab

INDUCTANCE OF A SINGLE-PHASE LINE

Single-phase line inductance

total inductance of conductor 2:

L2 = 2 107 ln

H/m

if r1=r2=r, inductance per phase per meter length of

the line:
1
D
7
7
L = 2 10 ln

1
D
7
+
2

10
ln
1
r2'

'

+ 2 10 ln

H/m

the first term is only the fraction of conductor radius

the second term is dependent only on conductor
spacing
the term r=re-1/4 is called self-geometric mean
distance of a circle with radius r by GMR
GMR is called geometric mean radius

Energy Conversion Lab

FLUX LINKAGE IN TERMS OF SELF AND MUTUAL

INDUCTANCES

Flux linkage in a single-phase two-wire line

flux linkage: 1 = ( L11 L12 ) I1 2 = ( L21 + L22 ) I 2

self and mutual inductance:
1
L11 = 2 10 ln ' ,
r1
7

1
L22 = 2 10 ln ' ,
r2
7

1
L12 = 2 10 ln
D
7

for a group of n conductors: I1+I2++In=0

the flux linkage of conductor i :
n

i = Lii I i + Lij I j

ji

j =1

1
1
i = 2 10 I i ln ' + I j ln
ri j =1
Dij

Energy Conversion Lab

ji

INDUCTANCE OF THREE-PHASE TRANSMISSION LINES

3-phase line with three symmetrical spacing conductors,
the single-phase inductance L

balanced three-phase currents: Ia+Ib+Ic=0

total flux linkage of phase a (see fig.4.7):

a = 2 107 I a ln

1
1
1
ln
ln
I
I
+
+

b
c
r'
D
D

substituting for Ib+Ic=-Ia, flux linkage of phase a:

1
1
D

7
a = 2 10 I a ln ' I a ln = 2 10 I a ln '
r
D
r

per-phase per kilo-meter length L:

L = 0.2 ln

D
D
=
0
.
2
ln
1

r'
re 4

mH/km

inductance per-phase of a three-phase circuit with equal spacing

is the same as one conductor of a single-phase circuit

Energy Conversion Lab

INDUCTANCE OF THREE-PHASE TRANSMISSION LINES

3-phase line with three asymmetrical spacing conductors

even in balanced three-phase currents, the voltage drop due to

different line inductance will be unbalanced
the phase a, b and c flux linkages:

a = 2 107 I a ln

b = 2 107 I a ln

c = 2 107 I a ln

1
1
1

+ I b ln ' + I c ln
D12
r
D23
1
1
1
+ I b ln
+ I c ln '
D13
D23
r

use = LI
the phase a, b, and c inductances:
La =
Lb =
Lc =

1
1
1

+
+
I
I
ln
ln
b
c
r'
D12
D13

1
1
1

= 2 107 ln ' + a 2 ln
+ a ln
Ia
r
D
D
12
13

1
1
1

= 2 107 a ln
+ ln ' + a 2 ln
Ib
D
r
D
12
23

1
1
1
= 2 107 a 2 ln
+ a ln
+ ln '
Ic
D13
D23
r

where, a=1120o, the phase inductance contain imaginary term

Energy Conversion Lab

INDUCTANCE OF THREE-PHASE TRANSMISSION LINES

Transpose line

practical transmission lines cannot maintain symmetrical spacing

due to the construction considerations
one way to regain symmetry and to obtain a per-phase model is
to consider transposition
transposition arrangement: interchange phase every one-third
the length (see Fig.4.9)
for complete transposed lines, the inductance is the average
value of L=(La+Lb+Lc)/3
note a+a2=1120o+1240o=-1
1
1
1
1
2 107

3 ln ' ln
L=
ln
ln
r
D12
D23
D13
3

H/m

rearrange equation L and we obtain ( pp.114-115 ):

7

L = 2 10 ln

D12 D23 D13

GMD
7
=
2

10
ln
r'
GMR

H/m

GMD is geometric mean distance (equivalent conductor spacing)

GMR is geometric mean radius (equivalent conductor radius)
Energy Conversion Lab

INDUCTANCE OF COMPOSITE CONDUCTORS

In practical transmission line, stranded conductors and

bundled conductors are used.
The inductance of the composite conductors are analyzed
with GMR and GMD
A bundled case of single phase line with n strands in x
conductor and m strands in y conductor

current is assumed equally divided among strands (subconductor), current per strand in x is I/n, current per strand in y
is I/m
flux linkage about strand a: (from Eq. 4.43 pp.116)
a = 2 10 I ln
7

Daa ' Dab ' L Dam

rx' Dab Dac L Dan

inductance of strand a:
La =

a
I /n

Energy Conversion Lab

= 2n 10 ln

Daa ' Dab ' L Dam

rx' Dab Dac L Dan

INDUCTANCE OF COMPOSITE CONDUCTORS

inductance of strand n:
Ln =

I /n

Dna ' Dnb ' L Dnm

rx' Dna Dnb L Dnc

La + Lb + Lc + L + Ln
n

the equivalent inductance of conductor x in n

strands
Lx =

= 2n 10 ln

average of the inductance in any strand in x

Lav =

Lav La + Lb + Lc + L + Ln
GMD
7
=
=
2

10
ln
H/m
2
n
n
GMRX

where GMD and GMRx are as follow:

GMD = mn ( Daa ' Dab ' L Dam ) L ( Dna ' Dnb ' L Dnm )
GMRX = n 2 ( Daa Dab L Dan ) L ( Dna Dnb L Dnn )

Energy Conversion Lab

GMD AND GMR OF COMPOSITE CONDUCTORS

Definition of GMD:

x to strands in y

Definition of GMRX:

mn th root of Ds product about any strand in

nn th root of rx product about any strand in x

to the other strands in x

GMR of the seven identical strands in a

conductor

see example 4.1

a large number of strands in GMR calculation
would be tedious, usually GMRs are available
in manufacturers data

Energy Conversion Lab

GMR OF BUNDLED CONDUCTORS

Extra high voltage transmission lines are

constructed with bundled conductors
Advantages of the bundling:

reduce line reactance

increase power capability
reduce voltage surface gradient and corona loss
reduce surge impedance

Common conductor bundling arrangement

two sub-conductor bundling GMR: Dsb = Ds d

b
3
three sub-conductor bundling GMR: Ds = 9 ( Ds d d )
1
16
b
four sub-conductor bundling GMR: Ds = ( Ds d d d 2 2 )4

Energy Conversion Lab

INDUCTANCE OF THREE-PHASE DOUBLE CIRCUIT

A three phase double circuit line consists of two
identical three-phase circuits
The circuits are operated with a1-a2, b1-b2, c1-c2
in parallel as figure 4.13
Geometric arrangement of three-phase double
circuit

unbalanced with different spacing, cause unbalanced

voltage drop
to achieve balance, use transpose arrangement

To obtain inductance of three-phase double

circuit line, we must

consider transpose effect of L

consider bundle effect of L
combine transpose and bundle effects together

Energy Conversion Lab

INDUCTANCE OF THREE-PHASE DOUBLE CIRCUIT

Calculation of the GMD:

starting from the calculation of per-phase

GMD: group identical phase together
find GMD between each phase group
DAB = 4 Da1b1Da1b 2 Da 2 b1Da 2 b 2
DBC = 4 Db1c1Db1c 2 Db 2 c1Db 2 c 2
DAC = 4 Da1c1Da1c 2 Da 2 c1Da 2 c 2

equivalent GMD per phase is

GMD = 3 DAB DBC DAC

Energy Conversion Lab

INDUCTANCE OF THREE-PHASE DOUBLE CIRCUIT

Calculation of the GMR:

starting from the calculation of per-phase GMR:

group identical phase together
find GMR between each phase group
DSA = 4 ( Dsb Da1a 2 )2 = Dsb Da1a 2
DSB = 4 ( Dsb Db1b 2 ) 2 = Dsb Db1b 2
DSC = 4 ( Dsb Dc1c 2 ) 2 = Dsb Dc1c 2

where Dsb is the two-subconductor bundled

distance
equivalent GMR per phase is GMRL = 3 DSA DSB DSC

Energy Conversion Lab

INDUCTANCE OF THREE-PHASE DOUBLE CIRCUIT

The per-phase inductance of the transpose

line

D12 D23 D13

GMD
7
=
2

10
ln
L = 2 10 ln
r'
GMRL
7

H/m

where GMD: GMD = 3 DAB DBC DAC

where GMR: GMRL = 3 DSA DSB DSC
for the inductance per-phase in mH/km
L = 0.2 ln

Energy Conversion Lab

GMD
GMRL

mH/km

REVIEW OF LINE INDUCTANCE

Internal inductance

External inductance

D2
= 2 10 ln
D1

H/m

D
L = 2 10 ln '
r

H/m

Lext

Single-phase line inductance

Lint=o/8=(1/2)10-7 H/m

Three-phase line inductance (symmetrical

spacing

L = 2 107 ln

Energy Conversion Lab

D
r'

H/m

REVIEW OF LINE INDUCTANCE

Three-phase line inductance (transpose line)

H/m

Inductance of composite conductors in x

group (n conductor in x, m conductor in y)

D12 D23 D13

GMD
7
L = 2 10 ln
=
2

10
ln
r'
GMR
7

GMD
H/m
GMRX
GMD = mn ( Daa ' Dab ' L Dam ) L ( Dna ' Dnb ' L Dnm )

Lav = 2 107 ln

where
where

GMR X = n 2 ( Daa Dab L Dan ) L ( Dna Dnb L Dnn )

Inductance of three-phase double-circuit

line (per-phase)

L = 2 10 ln

Energy Conversion Lab

3
3

DAB DBC DCA

DSA DSB DSC

GMD
= 2 10 ln
GMRL
7

H/m

LINE CAPACITANCE

Derivation of the line capacitance

consider a long round conductor with radius r , carrying a

charge of q coulombs per meter length:
D1
x

D2

electric flux density at a cylinder of radius x:

D = q/A = q/(2x)

electric field intensity

E = D/0 = q/(20x)
o is the permitivity of free space: 8.8510-12 F/m

potential difference between cylinders from D1 to D2

D2
D2
q
D
q
ln 2
dx =
V12 = Edx =
D1
D1 2 x
2 0 D1
0

Energy Conversion Lab

CAPACITANCE OF SINGLE-PHASE LINE

Derivation of the line capacitance

consider two conductors with radius r , carrying a

charge of q1 coulombs/meter in conductor 1 and q2
q2
q1
D
in conductor 2
voltage between conductor 1 and 2 by q1 or q2
V12 ( q1 ) =

q1

2 0

ln

D
r

q2

2 0

ln

D
r

potential difference due to q1 and q2 (q1=-q2)

V12 = V12 ( q1 ) + V12 ( q2 ) =

V21( q2 ) =

q1

2 0

ln

D
q
r
q
r
+ 2 ln =
ln
r 2 0 D 0 D

capacitance between conductors

0
2 0
C12 =
F/m or C =
F/m
D
D

Energy Conversion Lab

ln

ln

CAPACITANCE OF THREE-PHASE LINES

Derivation of the line capacitance

consider one meter length of a three-phase line with

three long conductors with radius r , transposed
spacing shown in figure 4.18
a balanced three-phase system: qa + qb + qc = 0
voltage between phase a and b in section I
Vab ( I ) =

voltage between phase a and b in section II

Vab ( II ) =

D
r
1
D
qa ln 12 + qb ln
+ qc ln 23
r
D12
2 0
D13

D
r
1
D
qa ln 23 + qb ln
+ qc ln 13
r
D23
2 0
D12

voltage between phase a and b in section III

Vab ( III ) =

D
r
1
D
qa ln 13 + qb ln
+ qc ln 12
r
D13
2 0
D23

Energy Conversion Lab

CAPACITANCE OF THREE-PHASE LINES

Derivation of the line capacitance (continue)

average value of Vab :

Vab =

similarly, Vac :
Vac =

1
(Vab( I ) + Vab( II ) + Vab( III ) ) = 1 qa ln GMD + qb ln r
3
2 0
r
GMD

1
(Vac( I ) + Vac( II ) + Vac( III ) ) = 1 qa ln GMD + qc ln r
3
2 0
r
GMD

for qb + qc=- qa, Vab+Vac :

Vab + Vac =

for balanced three-phase voltages

1
GMD
r 3qa
GMD
qa ln
ln
2qa ln
=
2
r
GMD 2 0
r

Vab+Vac=3Van from Eq.4.83

the capacitance per-phase to neutral

C=

qa
2 0
=
Van ln GMD
r

Energy Conversion Lab

F/m

EFFECT OF BUNDLING

Derivation of the line capacitance (bundling)

the effective radius of bundled conductor is rb

the capacitor per phase for bundled conductor
C=

2 0
GMD
ln b
r

F/m, where r b = effective bundle spacing

for two-subconductor bundle :

rb = r d
for three-subconductor bundle :
rb = 3 r d 2
for four-subconductor bundle :
r b = 1.094 r d 3

Energy Conversion Lab

CAPACITANCE OF THREE-PHASE DOUBLE-CIRCUIT LINES

Derivation of the line capacitance (three-phase)

the effective radius of bundled conductor is GMRc

the equivalent per-phase capacitance to neutral
C=

2 0
GMD
ln
GMRc

F/m, where GMR c is for phase group

GMRc per-phase to neutral :

GMRc = 3 rArB rC
effective radius for phase A, B, and C :
rA = r b Da1a 2
rB = r b Db1b 2
rC = r b Dc1c 2

Energy Conversion Lab

EFFECT OF EARTH ON THE CAPACITANCE

The electric flux lines for an isolated charged conductor

are radial and are orthogonal to cylindrical equipotential
surfaces
Earth level is like equipotential surface
To simulate effect of equipotential surface, the earth level
is replaced by a fictitious charged conductor

with charge equal and opposite to the charge on actual

conductor
at a depth below the surface of the earth the same as the height
of the actual conductor above earth

The effect of the earth can increase capacitance

normally due to the height >> distance between conductors,

therefore, effect of earth is negligible
for balanced steady-state analysis, effect of earth is neglected
for unbalanced faults, earths effect is considered

Energy Conversion Lab

INDUCTION

Magnetic field induction

Magnetic field have been reported to affect (long term

harm)

human blood
growth, behavior
immune systems
neural functions

Electrostatic induction

transmission line magnetic fields affect objects close to the line

reason: line current produce magnetic field, magnetic field
induces voltage in objects that have a long length parallel to line

transmission line electric fields affect objects close to the line

reason: high voltage produce electric field, electric field induces
currents in objects in the area of the electric field

Concern of the Electrostatic induction (instant harm)

human body may be exposed to steady current or spark

discharge from charged objects

Energy Conversion Lab

CORONA

Corona

Corona effect

produce power loss

produce audible noise
radio interference in the AM band

Corona is affected by

the partial ionization surrounding the conductor surface

reason: when surface potential gradient of a conductor exceeds
the dielectric strength of the surrounding air, ionization occurs

conductor diameter, bundling

type of conductor
condition of surface: air dust, humidity, wind

Corona can be reduced by

increasing the conductor size

conductor bundling

Energy Conversion Lab