Power Transmission lines

Diego Flores
EE4347 Applied electromagnetics
December 10, 2014
Dr. Raymond C. Rumpf

Summery
I will be talking about transmission lines; what are they, what they do and some
components that are important to know. I will also be talking about some
problems that underground transmission lines have and the reason why we dont
use them as much as an overhead transmission line. I will also be comparting
transmission line with under ground transmission lines.

Types of power transmission lines

Transmission Nominal Voltage: +/- 400 kV HVDC

Type: Tower
Typical Tower Height:
145-180 feet
Typical Right-of-Way Width:
160-180 feet
Transmission Nominal Voltage:500 kV
Type: Tower
Typical Tower Height:
90-150 feet
Typical Right-of-Way Width:
160-200 feet
Transmission Nominal Voltage:345 kV
Type: Double Ckt Pole
Typical Tower Height:
115-150 feet
Typical Right-of-Way Width:
140-160 feet
Transmission Nominal Voltage:230 kV
Type: H-Frame
Typical Tower Height:
60-90 feet
Typical Right-of-Way Width:
100-160 feet

[2]

Transmission Nominal Voltage: 161 kV

Type: Single Pole
Typical Tower Height:
70-95 feet
Typical Right-of-Way Width:
100-150 feet

Transmission Nominal Voltage: 69 kV

Type: Single Pole
Typical Tower Height:
50-70 feet
Typical Right-of-Way Width:
70-100 feet

Transmission Nominal Voltage:115 kV

Type: Single Pole
Typical Tower Height:
55-80 feet
Typical Right-of-Way Width:
90-130 feet

[2]

What is power transmission line

A transmission line is the bulk transfer of electrical energy, from generating
power plant to electrical substations located near demand centers.

How electricity is deliver

Transformers at the generator plats increase the
voltage up to 69kv, 115kv,230kv, 500kv,765kv .
[2]
Transformers reduction
[2]
Transmission substation (69 kv,34kv)[2]
Local distribution substation (69 kv,34kv)[2]
Large industrial user (2400 to 2400 volts ) [2]
Distribution lines (120/240) or (120/208 volts)[2]

Components of the transmission line

system

3 wires
A shield wire
Spacers
Insulators

3 wires on a transmission line

The 3 wires that the transmission line has are
call conductor.
The electricity is transmitted at high voltages
to reduce the energy lost in long distance
transmission.

shield wire
Shield wires are use to protect the tower from
lighting.
They can sometimes contain fiber optics
communication cables.

Spacers
Spacers are designed to keep the individual
wires in a bundle separated by a fixed
distance, usually 18 inches.

Insulators
Transmission line insulators are devices used
to contain, separate or support electrical
conductors on high voltage electricity supply
networks.

Problems with Underground

transmission lines
Transfer high voltage
Cost
Four to fifteen times the cost

Repairs
Line length challenges
Network
Life expectancy

EMF of transmission lines

[6]

Fields surrounding wires

Electric fields are weakened by materials
,therefor, it is not dangerous.
One problem with magnetic fields is that they
can pass through most materials, therefor,
people are expose to small magnetic fields
and that can cause health problems such as
skin cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer,
leukemia.

Future of transmission lines

Smart Grid
Its a better way to communicate with the utility,
and the costumer.
It will be quicker to restore electricity after power
disturbance.
It will be a better way to save money because
there will be a better control over the electricity
been use.

References
[1] http://www.classroom-energy.org/energy_09/newwindow/4_electric_transmission.html
[2] http://www.minnelectrans.com/transmission-system.html
[3]http://www.emfs.info/sources/overhead/
[4] http://www.electrical4u.com/electrical-power-transmissionsystem-and-network/
[5]http://psc.wi.gov/thelibrary/publications/electric/electric09.pdf
[6]http://emlab.utep.edu/pdfs/Summary%20of%20Transmission%
20Lines.pdf
[7]https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid
[8] http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/emf/