EE265

POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING I

1
 Review of Electric Fields
To develop a model for transmission line capacitance
we first need to review some electric field concepts.
Gauss's law relating electric flux to enclosed charge):
∫A Dda = qe (integrate over closed surface)
where
D = electric flux density, coulombs/m 2
da = differential area da, with normal to surface
A = total closed surface,
qe = total charge in coulombs enclosed
2
 Gauss’s Law Example
•Similar to Ampere’s Circuital law, Gauss’s Law is
most useful for cases with symmetry.
•Example: Calculate D about an infinitely long
wire that has a charge density of q
coulombs/meter. Since D comes
radially out,
integrate over the
cylinder bounding
the wire.
∫A Dda= D 2π Rh= q=e qh D is perpendicular
to ends of cylinder.
q
D = ar where ar radially directed unit vector
2π R 3
 Electric Fields
•The electric field, E, is related to the electric flux
density, D, by
• D = εE
•where
• E = electric field (volts/m)
• ε = permittivity in farads/m (F/m)
• ε = εo εr
• εo = permittivity of free space (8.854×10-12 F/m)
• εr = relative permittivity or the dielectric
constant
(≈1 for dry air, 2 to 6 for most dielectrics)
4
Electric Potential

5
 Potential at a charged single
conductor

As x approaches infinity, the value of E approaches zero. Therefore,

the potential difference between conductor A and infinity distant neutral
plane (where E is zero) is given by

6
Potential at a conductor in a group of charged
conductors
Potential at A (VA) due to its own charge QA is

7
 Line Capacitance
For a single capacitor, capacitance is defined as
qi = CiVi
But for a multiple conductor case we need to
use matrix relationships since the charge on
conductor i may be a function of V j
 q1   C11  C1n  V1 
   =       
    
 qn  Cn1  Cnn  Vn 
q = CV
8
 Line Capacitance, cont’d
We will not be considering the
cases with mutual capacitance. To eliminate
mutual capacitance we'll again assume we have
a uniformly transposed line, using similar arguments
to the case of inductance. For the previous
three conductor example:
qa 2πε
Since qa = C Va ⇒ C = =
Va ln D
r

9
 Assignment Part II
• Capacitance of 2 wire line
• Capacitance of 3-phase overhead line a)
symmetrical and b) unsymmetrical spacing
• What are different types of conductors used in
overhead ac line?

10
Bundled Conductor Capacitance
Similar to the case for determining line
inductance when there are n bundled conductors,
we use the original capacitance equation just
substituting an equivalent radius
1
Rbc = (rd12  d1n ) n

Note for the capacitance equation we use r rather

than r ' which was used for Rb in the inductance
equation

11
 Line Capacitance, cont’d
For the case of uniformly transposed lines we
use the same GMD,
GMR, Dm , as before.
2πε
C =
 Dm 
ln  c
 Rb
where

[d ab d ac d bc ]
1
Dm = 3

1
Rbc = ( rd12  d 1n ) n (note r NOT r ')
ε in air
= ε=
o 8.854 × 10-12 F/m
12
 Line Capacitance Example
•Calculate the per phase capacitance and susceptance
of a balanced 3φ, 60 Hz, transmission line with
horizontal phase spacing of 10m using three conductor
bundling with a spacing between conductors in the
bundle of 0.3m. Assume the line is uniformly
transposed and the conductors have a a 1cm radius.

13
Line Capacitance Example, cont’d
1
Rbc = (0.01 × 0.3 × 0.3) =
3 0.0963 m
1
Dm = (10 × 10 × 20) 3 = 12.6 m
2π × 8.854 × 10−12
C= = 1.141 × 10−11 F/m
12.6
ln
0.0963
1 1
=
Xc =
ωC 2π 60 × 1.141 × 10−11 F/m
= 2.33 × 108 Ω-m (not Ω / m)

14
 Line Conductors
 Typical transmission lines use multi-strand
conductors
 ACSR (aluminum conductor steel reinforced)
conductors are most common. A typical Al. to
St. ratio is about 4 to 1.

15
 Line Conductors, cont’d
 Total conductor area is given in circular mils. One
circular mil is the area of a circle with a diameter of
0.001, and so has area π × 0.00052 square inches
 Example: what is the area of a solid, 1” diameter
circular wire?
Answer: 1000 kcmil (kilo circular mils)
 Because conductors are stranded, the inductance and
resistance are not exactly given by using the actual
diameter of the conductor.
 For calculations of inductance, the effective radius
must is provided by the manufacturer. In tables this
value is known as the GMR and is usually expressed
in feet. 16
 Line Resistance
Line resistance per unit length is given by
ρ
R = where ρ is the resistivity
A
Resistivity of Copper = 1.68 × 10-8 Ω-m
Resistivity of Aluminum = 2.65 × 10 Ω-m
-8

Example: What is the resistance in Ω / mile of a

1" diameter solid aluminum wire (at dc)?
2.65 × 10 Ω-m
-8
m Ω
R = 1609 0.084
π × (0.0127) m
2 2
mile mile
17
 Line Resistance, cont’d
 Because ac current tends to flow towards the
surface of a conductor, the resistance of a line
at 60 Hz is slightly higher than at dc.
 Resistivity and hence line resistance increase as
conductor temperature increases (changes is
about 8% between 25°C and 50°C)
 Because ACSR conductors are stranded, actual
resistance, inductance, and capacitance needs
to be determined from tables.

18
ACSR Table Data (Similar to Table A.4)

GMR is equivalent to Inductance and Capacitance

effective radius r’ assume a geometric mean
distance Dm of 1 ft. 19
 ACSR Data, cont’d

−7 Dm
X L = 2π f L = 4π f × 10 ln × 1609 Ω/mile
GMR
−3  1 
= 2.02 × 10 f ln + ln Dm 
 GMR 
−3 1
= 2.02 × 10 f ln + 2.02 × 10−3 f ln Dm
GMR

Term from table, Term independent

depending on conductor type, of conductor, but
but assuming a one foot spacing with spacing Dm in feet
20 .
 ACSR Data, Cont.
To use the phase to neutral capacitance from table
1 2πε 0
XC = Ω-m where C =
2π f C ln
Dm
r
1 Dm
= × 1.779 × 10 ln
6
Ω-mile (table is in MΩ-mile)
f r
1 1 1
= × 1.779 × ln + × 1.779 × ln Dm MΩ-mile
f r f
Term from table, Term independent
depending on conductor type, of conductor, but
but assuming a one foot spacing with spacing Dm in feet 21 .
 Example
GMR = 0.0313 feet
Outside Diameter = 0.07725 feet (radius = 0.03863)
Assuming a one foot spacing at 60 Hz
−7 1
X a 2π 60 × 2 × 10 × 1609 × ln
= Ω/mile
0.0313
X a = 0.420 Ω/mile, which matches the table
For the capacitance
1 1
X C = × 1.779 × 10 ln =
6
9.65 × 104 Ω-mile
f r
22
 Additional Transmission Topics
 Multi-circuit lines: Multiple lines often share a
common transmission right-of-way. This DOES cause
mutual inductance and capacitance, but is often
ignored in system analysis.
 Cables: There are about 3000 miles of underground ac
cables in U.S. Cables are primarily used in urban areas.
In a cable the conductors are tightly spaced, (< 1ft)
with oil impregnated paper commonly used to provide
insulation
– inductance is lower
– capacitance is higher, limiting cable length

23
Additional Transmission topics
 Ground wires: Transmission lines are usually
protected from lightning strikes with a ground
wire. This topmost wire (or wires) helps to
attenuate the transient voltages/currents that
arise during a lighting strike. The ground wire is
typically grounded at each pole.
 Corona discharge: Due to high electric fields
around lines, the air molecules become ionized.
This causes a crackling sound and may cause the
line to glow!
24
Additional Transmission topics
 Shunt conductance: Usually ignored. A small
current may flow through contaminants on
insulators.
 DC Transmission: Because of the large fixed
cost necessary to convert ac to dc and then back
to ac, dc transmission is only practical for
several specialized applications
– long distance overhead power transfer (> 400 miles)
– long cable power transfer such as underwater
– providing an asynchronous means of joining
different power systems (such as the Eastern and
ERCOT grids). 25