Proc.

of the 2014 International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC Europe 2014), Gothenburg, Sweden, September 1-4, 2014

Measuring of Voltages and ELF Electric Fields of

High-Voltage Network in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A. Carsimamovic,
Independent System Operator in B&H
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
a.carsimamovic@nosbih.ba
A. Mujezinovic, S. Carsimamovic, A. Muharemovic, Z. Bajramovic
University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Electrical Engineering Sarajevo
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
adnan.mujezinovic@etf.unsa.ba, scarsimamovic@etf.unsa.ba,
amuharemovic@etf.unsa.ba, zbajramovic@etf.unsa.ba

Abstract—In the paper the results of measurements of
voltages and electric fields of extra low frequency (ELF) below
400 kV transmission lines in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) are
presented. In the high-voltage network in B&H there were
registered a significant number of power frequency overvoltages
in the regime of small loads after its reconnection in common
energy system UCTE (Union for the Coordination of
Transmission System Operators for Electricity), and today
ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System
Operators for Electricity) in October 2004. Increased voltages in
the high-voltage network causes increase in the value of electric
field and exposure of human bean to electric fields. On the other
hand, high voltages in the network causes higher power losses
due to AC corona. Therefore, it is important to determine the
value of electric field in the vicinity of high-voltage lines to assess
their effects on people and equipment as well as value of electric
field at increased voltages to accurate determined power losses
due to AC corona. The results of measurements of electric fields
in the spatial profiles at 1, 2 and 3 meters above ground at
distances up to 20 meters from line are presented.
Key words—ELF electric field; electric field measuring; corona
power loss; international safety standards
I. INTRODUCTION
Electric and magnetic fields (EMF), generated from
electrical equipment are very important from the aspect of their
impact on people and other living organism, as well as on
surrounding objects (pipelines, IT communication lines, etc.).
In the public there is a socio-phenomena opinion about
negative influence of emission from overhead lines, and it is
very important to investigate real values of that ELF EMF.
Using digital measuring equipment and software it is
possible to confirm real values of electric fields. Because B&H
still does not have standards in this field, it is important to look
into the situation in European countries and initiate the creation
of the necessary standards documentation in this field. During
this process it is very important to take into account: ICNIRP
[1] (International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation
Protection) and European Parliament recommended referent
level for public exposure in the range of 5 kV/m for 50 Hz.
In 400 kV networks of B&H after reconstruction and its
reconnection in common energy system (UCTE) and today
ENTSO-E in October 2004, there were registered a significant
the appearance of the power frequency overvoltages, especially
in the regime of small loads. The IEC 60038 [2] defines a set of
nominal system voltages and the highest voltages for
equipment. The highest voltages for equipment for nominal
system voltage of 110 kV, 220 kV and 400 kV are 123 kV, 245
kV and 420 kV, respectively. Independent System Operator in
Bosnia and Herzegovina operates with network in accordance
with ENTSO-E, Grid Code [3] and IEC 60038. Voltage control
in the technical limits of the declared values also contributes to
the optimal operation of equipment and consumers, as well as
reducing the losses in transmission from source to the final
users. The greatest influence are loads on the 400 kV overhead
lines below the natural capacity (loads do not exceed 20 % of
thermal capacity), as well as very limited opportunities for
compensation of surplus reactive power in electric power
system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It should be noted that the
voltages above the allowed values (that last continuously for
several hours, even days) adversely affecting the insulation
level of equipment, shortening its lifetime, and at the same time
increase power losses due to AC corona. Duration of these
power frequency overvoltages are significant and represent a
potential risk to the operation of power system with possibility
of breakdown of insulation, which can cause outage of
elements of the system and its stability and supply consumers
with electricity.
II. POWER FREQUENCY OVERVOLTAGES IN BOSNIA AND
HERZEGOVINA POWER SYSTEM
Continuous monitoring of voltages in B&H power system
is done with the details showing the voltage condition at
characteristic points of 400 and 220 kV network in the period
of one year – from January 1st till December 31st (8760 hours).
In that period, hourly values of voltages are analyzed on the
buses at the following substations – Table I [4].

978-1-4799-3226-9/14/$31.00 © 2014 IEEE 611

Proc. of the 2014 International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC Europe 2014), Gothenburg, Sweden, September 1-4, 2014

TABLE I. NUMBER OF HOURS IN 2013. WITH VOLTAGES HIGHER THAN

ALLOWED VALUES [4]
The
Maximal Number Number of
Voltage highest
voltage, of hours hours when
Substation level measured
Um when U>Um
[kV] voltage
[kV] U>Um [%]
value [kV]
Mostar 4 400 420 4534 51.75 437.97

Sarajevo 10 400 420 3564 40.68 434.16

Sarajevo 20 400 420 3178 36.27 437.05

Tuzla 4 400 420 2866 32.71 434.13

Visegrad 400 420 568 6.5 429.05

Prijedor 2 220 245 784 8.95 251.34

Data in Table I present the number of hours in 2013 when

those substations were working at the high voltage above the
allowed limits defined in the Grid Code for 400, 220 and 110
kV voltage levels. Also, the percentage of increased voltages in
the analyzed year and the highest measured voltage values are
presented. Data presented in Table I for substations (SS) 400
kV Mostar 4 and 220 kV Prijedor 2 are shown in Fig. 1 and
Fig. 2 [4], respectively.
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show hourly values of voltage,
representing all hourly values with periods when voltages were
higher, and 15 minute period of the hour with the highest
voltage value.
Figure 1. Diagram of changes of 400 kV voltages in SS Mostar 4 in 2013. [4]
Figure 3. Diagram of duration of 220 kV and 400 kV voltages in 2013.[4]
Figure 3 represents a diagram of voltage arranged by hourly
voltage value from the highest to the lowest in the considered
period and shows the duration of a certain voltage values.
Figure 1 presents voltage diagram of 400 kV SS Mostar 4, and
Figure 2 presents voltage diagram of 220 kV SS Prijedor 2.
The highest 400 kV voltage of all considered substations are
recorded in SS Mostar 4 (437.9 kV) and the longest duration of
non-allowed overvoltages (51.75 %). The highest 220 kV
voltages as well as duration of such overvoltages are recorded
in SS Prijedor 2 (251.3 kV) and duration of non-allowed
overvoltages of 8.95 %.
The power frequency overvoltages in nodes of the B&H
power system typically happen during night, mostly in the
minimum load regimes. The overvoltages may occur
throughout the year, but they are most likely to happen in third,
fourth and fifth month of the year.
In considered work regime, most lines of B&H power
system are loaded below the natural transmission power that
are 550 and 130 MW for 400 kV and 220 kV grids,
respectively, what causes production of significant capacitive
charge. Production of reactive charge power, relatively low
losses of reactive power in the system and low system load by
active power, particularly during the non-working days and
night time, cause the occurrence of power frequency
overvoltage in B&H power system.

III. MEASUREMENT OF ELF ELECTRIC FIELD

Measurements of electric field under sets of conductors of
400 kV overhead line SS Sarajevo 10 – SS Sarajevo 20 at 1, 2
and 3 meters above ground are performed. The electric field
vectors of three-phase high-voltage lines rotating in space and
the peaks of vectors describe the ellipses. Plane of ellipses is
normal to the plane of propagation of lines. Electric field lines
are vertical to the surface of the same potential and therefore
the perpendicular to the plane of ground. On the surface of
ground electric field is oriented vertically and the horizontal
component is neglected, Fig. 4 [5].
Figure 2. Diagram of changes of 220 kV voltages in SS Prijedor 2 in 2013. [4]

612
Proc. of the 2014 International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC Europe 2014), Gothenburg, Sweden, September 1-4, 2014
Evert
Ehoriz
Evert
Figure 4. Polarization of electric field above ground [5]
Figure 5. 400 kV tower dimensions, single-circuit horizontal configuration [6]
400 kV tower dimensions of 400 kV overhead line SS
Sarajevo 10 – SS Sarajevo 20, single-circuit horizontal
configuration are presented in Fig. 5 [6].
Longitudinal profile of 400 kV overhead line SS Sarajevo
10 – SS Sarajevo 20, tower heights and sags are presented in
Fig. 6 [6].
Figure 6. 400 kV OHL Sarajevo 10 – Sarajevo 20, longitudinal profile [6]
Evert
Figure 7. Measured vertical and horizontal component of electric field under
400 kV OHL, 1, 2 and 3 meters above ground [6]
Results of measurements of vertical and horizontal
components of electric field at the heights of 1, 2 and 3 meters
above ground with 1-D E-meter are presented in Fig. 7 [6].
Comparison and validation of measured and calculated
vertical and horizontal components of electric field under 400
kV overhead line, 1 meter above the ground, are presented in
previous papers [7], [8].
Measured values of electric fields are some higher than
reference level of 5 kV/m. For 400 kV overhead line SS
Sarajevo 10 – SS Sarajevo 20 are 6.3 kV/m at 1 meter above
ground, 8.2 kV/m at 2 meters above ground and 9.5 kV/m at 3
meters above ground, respectively.
Under the conductors of overhead line, between 1 to 3
meters above ground level, the vertical component of the
electric field is predominant and varies slightly with height. It
is therefore considered as uniform. The magnitude of vertical
component however varies along a lateral profile (depending
on the horizontal distance to the line) and a longitudinal profile
(depending on the height of the conductors). The horizontal
component of the electric field slightly increases with height
and has not significant effect on the resultant value of the
electric field vector.
With regard to the general objective of checking
compliance with human exposure guidelines, the measurement
of individual x, y and z components of electric field is rarely
necessary. For this reason, the use of a 3-D axis probe is
preferred. Single-axis probe can be helpful for finding the
r.m.s. value of the ellipse of the polarized field. This can be
useful to obtain a complete description of the field in the zone
of interest with the minimum and maximum values and also
their orientations in the plane of the ellipse [x, y].
IV. CONCLUSIONS
Increased overvoltages of power frequency occur in 220
and 400 kV Bosnia and Herzegovina power system with long
duration. The highest 400 kV voltages of all considered
substations are recorded in SS Mostar 4 (437.9 kV) and the
longest duration of non-allowed overvoltage of more than 5400
hours (51.75 %) in 2013. The highest 220 kV voltages are
recorded in SS Prijedor 2 (251.3 kV) and duration of non-
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Proc. of the 2014 International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC Europe 2014), Gothenburg, Sweden, September 1-4, 2014
allowed voltages are 784 hours (8.95 %) in 2013. These
overvoltages are harmful for the insulation of equipment with
negative impact on power quality. At the same time increased
power frequency overvoltages increase power losses due to AC
corona.
Measured values of electric field on 400 kV overhead line
Sarajevo 10 – Sarajevo 20 at 1, 3 and 3 meters above ground
are some higher than reference level of 5 kV/m for public
exposure.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and
Science of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
REFERENCES
[1] “Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric and
Magnetic Fields (1 Hz-100 kHz),” Health Physics 99(6):818-836; 2010
614
[2] IEC 60038, IEC Standard Voltages, Edition 7.0, 2009-06
[3] Independent System Operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Grid Code,”
Sarajevo, May, 2011
[4] Independent System Operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina,”
Identification on unallowable voltages on Bosnia and Herzegovina
transmission network,” Sarajevo, January 2014
[5] CIGRE Technical Brochure, “Technical guide for measurement of low
frequency electric and magnetic fields near overhead power lines”, WG
C4.203 (2008)
[6] “Measurement of electrical and magnetic fields,” Faculty of Electrical
Engineering, Report dated 24.04.2013., Sarajevo, 2013
[7] S. Carsimamovic, Z. Bajramovic, M. Veledar, M. Ljevak, S. Nuic, P.
Osmokrovic, “Impact of Tower Dimensions onto Levels of ELF Electric
and Magnetic Fields of 400 kV Overhead Lines,” CIGRE 2008, Paper
C4-105, Paris, France, 2008
[8] S. Carsimamovic, Z. Bajramovic, M. Rascic, M. Veledar, E. Aganovic,
A. Carsimamovic, “Experimental Results of ELF Electric and Magnetic
Fields of Electric Power Systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” IEEE-
EUROCON 2011, Lisbon, Portugal, 2011