Ampacity

Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 1

Geometric Mean Radius (GMR)

µ0 ⎛ µ r D ⎞ µ0 ⎛ µ r 1 D⎞
L1' =
⎜ + ln ⎟ = ⎜ + ln + ln ⎟
2π ⎝ 4 r ⎠ 2π ⎝ 4 r 1⎠
µ 1
Inductance of conductor L'GMR = 0 ln
up to a distance of 1 unit 2π GMR
(e.g. 1 foot)
µ0 D Inductance of conductor in H
L1' = ln per meter length with return
2π GMR
path at distance D
Per definition the GMR of a specific conductor or
conductor arrangement is the radius of an infinitely thin
tube with the same internal inductance as the conductor
itself out to a 1-foot radius
Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 2

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 Alternative Formula used in Practice

µ0 D f µ0 D
X ' = 2π f ln = 2π 60 ln
2π GMR 60 2π GMR
Substituting ln (base e) by log (base 10)
Inserting µ0 = 4π10-7 Vs/Am
Expanding 1 mile = 1609.344 m
f 4π 10−7 1609.344 D
X ' = 2π 60 log
60 2π log(e) GMR

f D
X ' = 0.2794 log in Ω/mile (per conductor)
60 GMR

Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 3

Example: Line Impedance

z Calculate the impedance of a two phase T-line at 60° C built
from AAC conductor that shall carry 100 A at an ambient
temperature of 40°C, no wind. The phases are 3 m apart and
the line is operated on a 60 Hz system.

Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 4

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 Transposed 3-phase T-Line
z Reactance of 3-phase T-Line per phase
(w/o proof)
f D µ D
X ' = 0.2794 log Ω/mile X ' = 2π f 0 ln Ω/m
60 GMR 2π GMR
z Restoring balanced conditions by the method of
transposition of lines
‹ Average inductance of each phase will be the same
position
a c b a c b
1
b a c b a c
2
c b a c b a
3

‹ Each phase occupies each position for the same fraction of the
total length of the line

Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 5

Capacitance per length of Two-Wire

T-Line
a b
Between phases r n
q πε
Cab = = +q -q
Vab ln D D
r h

g ε = ε0 = 8.85·10 As/Vm
-12

Between phase and Ground Plane

neutral (at Van = Vab/2)
Between phase h
q 2π ε and ground
Can = =
Van ln D q 2π ε
Cbg = =
r Vbg ln 2h b’ +q
r
Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 6

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 Equivalent Balanced Capacitance -
Equilateral Spacing
a
C GMDφ = geometric mean distance
between conductors
rφ= conductor radius
C n C
GMDφ = 3 d ab dbc d ca
c b
Practical Equation
2π ε 2π 8.85 ⋅10−12 log10 (e)
C ='
an = 0.0389
ln
GMD
log10
GMD C=
r r ⎛ GMD ⎞
log10 ⎜ ⎟
0.0241 ⎝ r ⎠
'
Can = nF/m
GMD µF/mile
log10
r
Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 7

Line Shunt Admittance

z Admittance per length from C’
e.g. in µS/mile f 14.665
YC' = j 2π f C ' =
‹

60 ⎛ GMDφ ⎞
−j log10 ⎜
⎜ r ⎟⎟
X = '
'
C ⎝ φ ⎠
YC in MΩ/mile

z Large spacing between phases decreases Y’

‹ High voltage lines tend towards smaller Y’
‹ Cables have much larger Y’ than overhead lines
z Increasing the conductor radius increases Y’
‹ Bundling of conductors of HV lines increases charging current
z Additional influencing parameters
‹ Line sag, tower geometry, etc.
‹ Very elaborate calculations → tabulated values

Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 8

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 Example

Calculate the resistance, inductive reactance, and capacitive

reactance per phase and for the overhead line shown. Assume
the line operates at 60 Hz
GMDφ = 3 d12 d 23 d13 = 3 (45.6 ) (88) (45.6 )
44 in 44 in 12 in
= 56.8 in = 4.73 ft

Z a = (0.3263) + j 0.2794
(60) log ⎛ 4.73 ⎞
10 ⎜ ⎟
60 ⎝ 0.0244 ⎠
= 0.326 + j 0.639 Ω / mi
conductor rφ = 12 dia = 1
2 (0.720 in )⋅ 121 = 0.03 ft
R: 0.3263 Ω/mile
0.0389
GMR: 0.0244 ft
C= = 0.177 µF/mi/phs
Dia.: 0.720 in log10 (4.73 0.03)
X C = 1 (2π 60 ⋅ 0.177 µF) = 149.9 Ω mi

Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 9

HW #8
z A balanced 3-phase impedance type load is rated 3 MVA at
4.16 kV, with a lagging power factor of 0.75. It is supplied by
a generator via a 2 km long overhead transmission line. The
GMD of the conductors is 50 in. The generator is rated 4
MVA at 4.16 kV with a synchronous impedance of j1pu.
‹ Size the conductor for that load assuming an ambient temperature
of 25°C, no wind, and allowing a conductor temperature of 100°C.
‹ For 4.16 kV at the load what is the voltage regulation of the T-Line?
‹ What is the magnitude of the induced voltage of the generator in
pu?

Fundamentals of Power Systems Lecture 15 10

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