by Jeon Myeong-ryeal, Oh Sei-ill, Lee Hee,Shin Chang-gyun, Electric Power Research Institute, Korea

36 Wide Are Monitoring

Analysis of
Measured
Transmission
Line Constants Impedance
measurements setup

The accuracy of line impedance data
has great impact on system analysis
Line Constants
current through the circuits and measuring the voltage
raised from the loaded test current. Because this new
measurement device is equipped with an additional feature
for selecting variable frequency for the source current, it
could advantageously perform measurement of transmission

The transmission line constants are the most important
element of data needed for the operation of an electric power
network. It comprises positive-sequence impedance (Z1),
zero-sequence impedance (Z0) and admittance.
The parameters of line constants are conventionally
computed by calculation programs, and the measured values
of transmission line constants have been utilized as reference
data when a newly built generating plant or substation
undergoes a commissioning test.
Notwithstanding, it is known that the conventional
method of reading voltage drop after applying voltage to
the transmission would not work effectively in energized
substations due to the influence of induction voltage.
However, the new type of measurement equipment
introduced hereon is unique in terms of injecting electric
constants without receiving any interference from induction
voltage of the frequency in use.
The measurement of transmission constants as described
below has been conducted with the help of the new
sophisticated measurement equipment to verify and analyze
the deviation between calculated and measured values of
transmission constants.
Representation of Line Constants Measurement
The transmission line constants are defined as the
constants showing electrical impedance values between
busbars of transmission lines in electric power networks.
These data are crucial in the electrical interpretation of power
networks. The transmission constants are also utilized in the
construction or expansion of power facilities as basic data
for areas such as the simulation review of load flow and fault

1 Line Constants 2 Measuring Schematic

Measuring Circuit for Transmission Line Constants
Captured
Line PT
A S/S
Positive Sequence Impedance Z1 Circuit (Measuring Point) CB Line DS
data was used

to examine

instantane-
Line EDS T/L
ous phase Zero Sequence Impedance Z0 Circuit
Injection

angles B S/S CB Line DS

between

Rockport and
Line EDS
Marysville

PAC.WINTER.2008
 by Jeon Myeong-ryeal, Oh Sei-ill, Lee Hee,Shin Chang-gyun, Electric Power Research Institute, Korea

37
current, voltage stability and the protection relay settings. Measurement Schematic for Line Constants Biographies
While the calculated values have been conventionally The transmission constants were measured, as shown Jeon Myeong-
used in specifying transmission constants for the reasons in Figure 3, by connecting the measurement equipment to ryeal received
of physical obstruction to the field measurement of the EDS terminal behind the line DS at measuring end of Bachelor of Science
transmission line constants, there has been growing support Substation “A”, and grounding 3-phase combined via EDS degree in Electrical
for adopting the new measuring equipment featured with a at the other end of Substation “B”. See Figure 2. Engineering from
frequency-dependent device. Computation of Transmission Line Constants In-Ha University
Therefore, we have responded by demonstrating The transmission line constants were computed, as 1983. In 1983 he
measurement of transmission line constants with the new shown in Figure 4, by using a frequency-dependent method joined KEPRI (Korea
equipment as described in this article. at frequencies of 20, 40, 80 and 100 Hz, respectively to Power Research
The new data obtained by this measurement will be find corresponding R and X values, which were averaged to Institute) in Dae-
utilized as basic materials for future management of and produce mean values. Jeon, South Korea.
policies for transmission line constants by analyzing and However, the 60-Hz setting was excluded taking His current position
comparing calculated and values measured. into account noticeable errors due to the surrounding is Leader of Power
Measurement of Transmission Line Constants electro-magnetic induction. Facility Technology
There are three methods of applying test voltage and Figure 6 clearly shows that the resistance component Service Group.
current to transmission lines, i.e., phase-to- ground, remains almost constant with variation of frequency, while
line-to-line, and 3-phase combined-to-ground. The positive the reactance linearly increases as frequency rises. Oh Sei-ill received
sequence impedance was measured by the line-to-line Measurement of Transmission Line Constants Bachelor of Science
method, while zero sequence impedance was measured by Approximately 5% of all transmission lines have been degree in Electrical
3-phase combined-to-ground method. selected for measurement of transmission constants for Engineering from
The impedance was computed by measuring the results of analysis of deviation between calculated- and measured- Seoul National Uni-
test voltage applied by the test equipment, and the admittance values. These data will be used as basic material when versity of Technol-
by measuring the transmission charging current at the time of management and policies are established for overall ogy in 1987.
initial energization. transmission constants in the future. In 1987 he joined
Measurement Equipment The transmission line circuits were tested during a 12 KEPRI (Korea Power
The measurement equipment used is as follows: weeks period between 18 September and 15 December Research Institute)
A compact multifunctional primary test set capable 2006 are as follows: in Dae-Jeon, South
of applying up to 2000V and 800 A, with a frequency range A total of 86 circuits of 154 kV transmission lines Korea and is cur-
of 10-400 Hz under jurisdiction of 11 KEPCO Power Transmission rently Senior Mem-
Coupling unit District Offices and Jeju Branch Office. (10 out of 96 circuits ber of Technical
We need to highlight that measurement is impossible are not considered due to suspended power supply) Staff in the Power
with induction voltage exceeding 500V (as is the case with 34 circuits of overhead transmission lines (cable types: Facility Technology
345kV overhead transmission lines.) See Figure 3. ACSR 330, ACSR 410, and ACSR 410B) Service Group.

3 Arrangement
of Equipment for Measurement of T-line Constants
A Phase B Phase C Phase

CP CU1
I_AC
INPUT
FUSE 30 A POWER TRANS 100/2.5A CT L2
L1 L3
BOOSTER
I-OUT(0-100A)
BOOSTER V

CP GB1
V-Meter
VI_AC
INPUT V_SENSE(0-600V)

600/30V PT
CPC-100

PAC.WINTER.2008
 by Jeon Myeong-ryeal, Oh Sei-ill, Lee Hee,Shin Chang-gyun, Electric Power Research Institute, Korea

38 Wide Are Monitoring

46 circuits of underground transmission lines (Cable
types: XLPE, OF, CV, and CNCV)
Measuring the impegance
6 complex circuits of transmission lines is
Analysis and Comparison of Calculated
and Measured Values

important for improving the
The results for overhead and complex transmission lines
are summarized in Figure 4.
system model
For positive sequence impedance (Z1) transmission lines
with error rates exceeding 5% included 4 out of 40 circuits
with a maximum error rate of18.4%.
Statistics by error range are shown in row 1 of Table 1
with an average X1/R1 value equal to 6.17. The results for underground transmission lines are
As protection relay settings assume about 5% of error summarized in Figure 5.
rate for transmission line constants values, the use of present For positive sequence impedance (Z1) transmission lines
calculated values seems not problematic. with error rates exceeding 5% included 23 out of 46 circuits
For zero sequence impedance (Z0) transmission lines with a maximum error rate of18.4%.
with error rates exceeding 5% included 14 out of 40 circuits Statistics by error range are shown in row 3 of Table 1
with a maximum error rate of 18.9%. with an average X1/R1 value equal to 6.21.
Statistics by error range are shown in row 2 of Table 1 The calculated values are not suitable for application to
Line Constants

with an average X0/R0 value equal to 4.88.
For the positive sequence admittance (Y1) statistics by
error range are shown in row 1 of Table 2.
The error seems to arise from calculation error as well as
from change of the fringing field underneath transmission
lines, such as change of ground altitudes (growth of bush
and trees, etc.).
Positive effects from improving the accuracy of
admittance measurements are that when formulating
reactive power compensation plan, investment cost for
phase modifying equipment may be reduced.
For the ratio of zero sequence (Z0) to positive sequence
impedance (Z1) the following results were obtained:
Average value of calculated Z0/Z1 = 2.69
Average value of measured Z0/Z1 = 2.66
protection relay settings as error rates are high (about 10%)
and error ranges vary widely depending on the installation
condition of underground transmission lines.
For zero sequence impedance (Z0) transmission lines
with error rates exceeding 5% included all 46 circuits.
Statistics by error range are shown in row 4 of Table
1 with an average X0/R0 value equal to 1.90. 2) Zero
sequence impedance (Z0)
The transmission district offices having substantial length
of underground transmission lines require procurement
of new test equipment for physical measurement of
transmission lines. Research needs to be tasked to raise
accuracy of calculation program.
For the positive sequence admittance (Y1) statistics
by error range are shown in row 2 of Table 2. The ratio of

4 Transmission Lines 5 Transmission Lines

Overhead Lines - Overhead & Compex Lines Underground Transmission Lines
Measured / Calculated Value Rate of Overhead Measured / Calculated Value Rate of Underground
Line Constant [Unit: %] Line Constant [Unit: %]
400
1200
1000
300
800
200 600
400
100
200

0 0
R1 X1 Z1 R0 X0 Z0 Y1 R1 X1 Z1 R0 X0 Z0 Y1
Average 87.9 100.1 99.7 87.6 100.2 99.5 148.0 Average 87.9 100.1 99.7 87.6 100.2 99.5 148.0
Max. 99.8 112.8 111.7 132.0 118.6 118.9 279.1 Max. 99.8 112.8 111.7 132.0 118.6 118.9 279.1
Min. 71.9 82.0 81.6 66.8 84.8 84.9 70.3 Min. 71.9 82.0 81.6 66.8 84.8 84.9 70.3
Standard Average
6.2 4.8 4.8 13.4 7.6 7.6 62.4 37.2 7.9 8.0 217.4 333.1 283.7 61.3
Deviation % Deviation %

PAC.WINTER.2008
 by Jeon Myeong-ryeal, Oh Sei-ill, Lee Hee,Shin Chang-gyun, Electric Power Research Institute, Korea

39

Wide Are Monitoring

average to calculated values is 131.9±61.3% . Table 1 Statistics by Error Range and by Average
The measured values of admittance of underground 5 10 15 20
transmission lines were found to be lower than those of row 5% 10% 15% 29% 25% Total
overhead transmission lines. 1 35 2 1 2 o 40
For the ratio of zero sequence (Z0) to positive sequence 2 25 6 7 2 o 40
impedance (Z1) the following results were obtained: 3 22 14 6 2 2 46
Average value of calculated Z0/Z1 = 0.48 4 0 14 12 3 17 46
Average value of measured Z0/Z1 = 1.87
Transmission line constants per unit length for different Table 2 Statistics by Error Range and by Average
conductors for admittance are shown in Figure 7 and for 20 50 100 200
positive and zero sequence impedance - in Figure 8. row 10% 50% 100% 200% 300% Total
The analysis of the measured data obtained in this 1 17 9 5 9 o 46
research clearly shows that: 2 5 28 9 2 2 46
The constants of overhead transmission lines are
excellent as they stay well within acceptable error range.
The constants of underground transmission lines are
remarkably high, particularly in zero sequence impedance
6 T-line Constants
due to underground cable grounding system, such as
T-line Constants with Variable Sequences
whether the close bond grounding is provided at one end

Line Constants
Impedance versus Frequency
or at both ends of cable spans. Further research must be
3.0
conducted to review the accuracy and application problem
with the calculation program for constants of underground 2.5
transmission lines.
Impedance [0 hm]

Also, as the importance of transmission line constants 2.0

is expected to be emphasized with the innovation of 1.5
power network operations and techniques, measurement
equipment will be broadly introduced to enable extensive 1.0
measurement and analysis of transmission line constants, 0.5
so that an expanded data base can be effectively utilized.
Building an accurate data base of transmission line 0.0
constants will greatly improve the quality of interpretation 0.0Hz 20.0Hz 40.0Hz 60.0Hz 80.0Hz 100.0Hz 120.0Hz
of electric power networks, and will further contribute Frequency [Hz]
to stabilization and optimum operation of electric power
R (x) X (f) Rcalc(60.0Hz) Xcalc(60.0Hz)
systems.

7 Admittance 8 Impedance
For different conductors Positive Sequence and Zero Sequence Impedance
Measured Line Constant per 1 km [unit: /km]
1.5

Measured Admitance per 1 km [unit: Mho/km]

1.0
400

300 0.5

200
0.0
100 Average R1 X1 Z1 R0 X0 Z0
A C S R

330 0.0861 0.4616 0.4696 0.2478 1.2296 1.2544

0 410 0.0702 0.4690 0.4742 0.2566 1.1855 1.2135
ACSR ACSR ACSR
410 410B XLPE OF CNCV
330 410B 0.0375 0.3323 0.3344 0.1818 0.9606 0.9757
Average 5.41 5.2320 6.3307 100.03 210.70 138.04 XLPE 0.0256 0.1676 0.1696 0.1544 0.3009 0.3412
Max. 9.30 9.4066 9.7944 173.43 329.42 207.97 OF 0.0261 0.1573 0.1598 0.1450 0.2513 0.2950
Min. 2.44 3.7320 5.0557 16.46 153.17 83.85 CNCV 0.0281 0.1321 0.1351 0.0546 0.1008 0.1149

PAC.WINTER.2008