Lecturer

Hamend REDDY

EE321|POWER SYSTEMS ANALYSIS

Power Transmission
Line Parameters, Model and Performance

1
 CONTENTS
i. AWG (American Wire Gauge), mils and cmils
ii. Line Resistance
iii. Line Inductance
iv. Line Capacitance

2 © H.Reddy
 AWG (American Wire Gauge), mils and cmils
AWG
By definition, No. 36 AWG is 0.005 inches in diameter, and No. 0000 is 0.46 inches in diameter.
The ratio of these diameters is 1:92, and there are 40 gauge sizes from No. 36 to No. 0000, or
39 steps. Because each successive gauge number increases cross sectional area by a constant
multiple, diameters vary geometrically. Any two successive gauges (e.g., A & B ) have diameters
39
in the ratio (dia. B ÷ dia. A) of 92 (approximately 1.12293), while for gauges two steps apart
(e.g., A, B, & C), the ratio of the C to A is about 1.122932 = 1.26098.

mils and cmils

Used for all wire gauges but was introduced to specify wire gauges bigger than No. 0000.
1inch 1000mils eg :567,000cmils  millimeters
d  [mil ] d[mils]  567,000  752.99mils
A  [cmil ]
Ad2 inch  752.99mils  0.753inch
1000mils / inch
mm  0.753inch  25.4mm / inch 19.13mm

Source: Wikipedia
3 © H.Reddy
 Transmission Line Parameters
Properties of transmission lines:
i. Resistance Aluminum
ii. Inductance
iii. Capacitance
Steel
iv. Conductance

Selection of line (or line sizing) is based on

economical voltage levels and power to be
transported over the long distance.
Factors to be considered:
i. 𝐼2 𝑅 losses
ii. Audible noise
iii. Radio interference levels
Figure: ACSR conductor showing the
(shaded or black) steel reinforcement
at the centre.
Common conductors used for
overhead lines are the ACSR
(Aluminum Conductor Steel
Reinforced)

4 © H.Reddy
 Transmission Line Parameters – Line Resistance
LINE RESISTANCE
DC resistance is given by:
𝜌𝑙
𝑅=
𝐴
where
 = conductor resistivity
l= conductor length
A = conductor cross-sectional area

• Resistance is affected by three factors: frequency, spiraling, and temperature

• Effect of frequency:
• When AC current flows, the distribution is not uniform over the cross section of the conductor. Instead
current density around the surface is greater known as skin effect.
• Typically at 60 Hz, the ac resistance is about 2 percent higher than the dc resistance.

5 © H.Reddy
 Transmission Line Parameters – Line Resistance

• Effect of temperature: conductor resistance increases as temperature increases. This change can be
considered linear over the range of temperature normally encountered and may be calculated from

𝑇 + 𝑡2
𝑅2 = 𝑅1
𝑇 + 𝑡1
where R2 and R1 are conductor resistances at t2 and t1-oC, respectively. T is a temperature constant that
depends on the conductor material.
• For aluminum T  228.
• Effect of spiraling:
• Since a stranded conductor is spiraled, each strand is longer than the finished conductor. This results in
a slightly higher resistance than the value calculated from the relationship of Rdc.

Due to the above 3 factors, it is recommended that exact resistance /m or /km to be read off the
manufacturer’s datasheet.

6 © H.Reddy
Transmission Line Parameters – Line Resistance

Table: Resistivity and Temperature Constants of different materials used to manufacture

transmission lines

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 Transmission Line Parameters – Temperature changes due to
weathering
Single Parameter variation experimental results

Source: Bockarjova M, Andersson G. Transmission line conductor temperature impact on state estimation accuracy. InPower Tech, 2007
IEEE Lausanne 2007 Jul 1 (pp. 701-706). IEEE.
8 © H.Reddy
 Example

From: Hadi Saadat (2nd Ed. P4.1)

A solid cylindrical aluminum conductor 25 km long has an area of 336,400 circular mils. Obtain the
conductor resistance at
(a)20OC and
(b)50OC.
The resistivity of aluminum at 20OC is 2.8 × 10−8 Ω − 𝑚

9 © H.Reddy
 TRANSMISSION LINE PARAMETRS: Inductance of a Single Conductor
A current-carrying conductor produces a magnetic field around the conductor. The
• magnetic flux lines are concentric closed circles with direction given by the right
hand screw rule.
• When the current changes, the flux changes and a voltage is induced in the
circuit. By definition, for nonmagnetic material, the inductance L is the ratio of r
its total magnetic flux linkage to the current I, given by
𝜆 Ix
𝐿= x dx
𝐼
where  is the flux linkage in Weber-turns (Some texts use ψ for flux linkage)
Consider a long round conductor with radius r, carrying a current I as shown in dl
I
Figure.
• The magnetic field intensity Hx, around a circle of radius x, is constant and
tangent to the circle. The Ampere's law relating Hx to the current Ix is given by
2𝜋𝑥
𝐼𝑥
𝐻𝑥 ∙ 𝑑𝑙 = 𝐼𝑥 or 𝐻𝑥 =
0 2𝜋𝑥
where Ix is the current enclosed at radius x.
Recall: the right hand screw rule
10 © H.Reddy
 TRANSMISSION LINE PARAMETRS: Inductance of a Single Conductor
The inductance of the conductor can be defined as the
sum of contributions from flux linkages internal and
external to the conductor.
INTERNAL INDUCTANCE
A simple expression can be obtained for the internal flux
linkage by neglecting the skin effect and assuming
uniform current density throughout the conductor cross
Section
𝐼 𝐼𝑥
= 2
𝜋𝑟 2 𝜋𝑥
Substituting for Ix in Hx gives:
𝐼
𝐻𝑥 = 𝑥
2𝜋𝑟2
For a nonmagnetic conductor with constant permeability
𝝁𝟎 , the magnetic flux density is given by 𝑩𝟎 = 𝝁𝟎 𝑯𝒙 , or
𝜇0𝐼
𝐵𝑥 = 𝑥
2𝜋𝑟 2

where 𝝁𝟎 is the permeability of free space (or air) 𝝁𝟎 = 𝟒𝝅 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝐇/𝐦

11 © H.Reddy
 TRANSMISSION LINE PARAMETRS: Inductance of a Single Conductor
The differential flux 𝒅𝝓 for a small region of thickness dx and one meter length of the conductor is
𝜇0𝐼
𝑑𝜙𝑥 = 𝐵𝑥 . 𝑑𝑥. 1 = 𝑥. 𝑑𝑥
2𝜋𝑟2
The flux 𝒅𝝓, links only the fraction of the conductor from the center to radius x.Thus, on the assumption
of uniform current density, only the fraction 𝝅𝒙𝟐 /𝝅𝒓𝟐 of the total current is linked by the flux
𝑥2 𝜇0𝐼 3
𝑑𝜆𝑥 = 2 𝑑𝜙𝑥 = 𝑥 . 𝑑𝑥
𝑟 2𝜋𝑟 4

The total flux linkage is found by integrating 𝑑𝜆𝑥 from 0 to r:

𝑟

𝜇0𝐼 𝑥3. 𝑑𝑥 𝜇0𝐼

𝑑𝜆𝑖𝑛𝑡 = = [Wb/m ]
2𝜋𝑟4 0 8𝜋
Hence the inductance due to the internal flux linkage is
𝜇0
𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑡 = = 0.5 × 10−7 [𝐻/𝑚]
8𝜋
Note: Lint for NONMAGNETIC conductor is
independent of the conductor radius r
12 © H.Reddy
 TRANSMISSION LINE PARAMETRS: Inductance of a Single Conductor
INDUCTANCE DUE TO EXTERNAL FLUX LINKAGE
Consider Hx external to the conductor at radius x > r as shown in Figure.
Since the circle at radius x encloses the entire current, Ix = I and in equation for Hx, Ix is replaced by I and the
flux density at radius x becomes
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵𝑥 = 𝜇0𝐻𝑥 =
2𝜋𝑥
Since the entire current I is linked by the flux outside the conductor, the flux linkage 𝒅𝝀𝒙 is numerically equal to
the flux 𝒅𝝓𝒙 .The differential flux 𝒅𝝓𝒙 for a small region of thickness dx and one meter length of the conductor
is then given by
𝜇0 𝐼
𝑑𝜆𝑥 = 𝑑𝜙𝑥 = 𝐵𝑥. 𝑑𝑥. 1 = . 𝑑𝑥
2𝜋𝑥
The external flux linkage between two points D1 and D2 is found by integrating
𝒅𝝀𝒙 from D1 to D2
𝐷2
𝜇0 𝐼 1 −7
𝐷2
𝜆𝑒𝑥𝑡 = . 𝑑𝑥 = 2 × 10 𝐼𝑙𝑛
2𝜋 𝑥 𝐷1
𝐷1
The inductance between two points external to a conductor is then
−7
𝐷2
𝐿𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 2 × 10 𝑙𝑛 [𝐻/𝑚]
𝐷1
13 © H.Reddy
 TRANSMISSION LINE PARAMETRS: Inductance of a Single Conductor
INDUCTANCE OF SINGLE-PHASE LINES
Consider 1m length of single-phase conductor consisting of 2 solid round conductors of radius r1 and r2 as shown
below.
Inductance of conductor 1 due to internal flux is already been determine
𝜇
for non-magnetic conductors as: 𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 0 = 0.5 × 10−7 [𝐻/𝑚] and
8𝜋
𝐷2
external inductance as 𝐿𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 [𝐻/𝑚]
𝐷1

Flux beyond distance D links a net current of zero and does not
contribute to the net magnetic flux linkage.
To obtain the inductance of conductor 1 due to next external flux
linkage, let D1 = r1 and D2 = D in the foregoing equation. Hence And rearranging gives:
inductance L1 due to external flux linkage is given by: 1 𝐷
−7
−7
𝐷2 𝐿1 = 2 × 10 + 𝑙𝑛
𝐿1, 𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 2 × 10 𝑙𝑛 [𝐻/𝑚] 4 𝑟1
𝑟1 1
1 𝐷
And total inductance of conductor 1 due to internal and external i.e L1 = = 2× 10−7 ln(𝑒 + 𝑙𝑛
4 + 𝑙𝑛
𝑟1 1
Lint + Lext 1 𝐷
−7 −7
𝐷2 = 2× 10−7 𝑙𝑛 + 𝑙𝑛
𝐿1 = 0.5 × 10 + 2 × 10 𝑙𝑛 [𝐻/𝑚] 𝑟1𝑒 −1/4 1
𝑟1
14 © H.Reddy
 TRANSMISSION LINE PARAMETRS: Inductance of a Single Conductor
1
−4
𝑟1′
Let = 𝑟1 𝑒 . This term is known as self geometric mean distance (GMR) of a circle with radius r. 𝑟 ′ can be
considered as the radius of a fictitious conductor assumed to have no internal flux but with same inductance as
the actual conductor with radius r. The designation will now be Ds for GMR.
Now:
1 𝐷 1 𝐷
𝐿1 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 + 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 [𝐻/𝑚] and 𝐿2 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 ′ + 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 [𝐻/𝑚]
𝑟′1 1 𝑟 2 1
Hence, in general
−7
1 −7
𝐷
𝐿 = 2 × 10 𝑙𝑛 ′ + 2 × 10 𝑙𝑛 [𝐻/𝑚]
𝑟 1

The first term in the total inductance L, is The second term is

only the function of conductor radius dependent only on conductor
where the inductance is the function of spacing and known as the
both internal flux and that external to the inductor spacing factor.
conductor up to a distance of 1 m.

Thus inductance per conductor in mH/km becomes

𝐷
𝐿 = 0.2𝑙𝑛 [𝑚𝐻/𝑘𝑚]
𝐷𝑠
15 © H.Reddy
 TRANSMISSION LINE PARAMETRS: Inductance of a Single Conductor

Example
A single-phase transmission line 35 Km long consists of two solid round conductors, each having a
diameter of 0.9 cm. The conductor spacing is 2.5 m. Calculate the equivalent diameter of a fictitious hollow,
thin-walled conductor having the same equivalent inductance as the original line. What is the value of the
inductance per conductor?
Solution:
1 1
−4 −4 0.9
• 𝑟1′ =𝑒 𝑟= 𝑒 = 0.35cm or 𝑑 = 0.7cm
2

2.5
• 𝐿 = 0.2 ln = 1.314 mH/km
0.35×10−2

• The inductance per conductor is: ℓ𝐿 = 35 1.314 = 46 mH

16 © H.Reddy
 FLUX LINKAGE INTERMS OF SELF- AND MUTUAL INDUCTANCES
The series inductance per phase two-wire line can be expressed in term of self-inductance of each
conductor and their mutual inductance.
Consider a 1 m length of the single phase circuit represented by 2 coils characterized by self-inductances L11
and L22 and the mutual inductance L12.
Flux linkage is given by:
λ1 = 𝐿11𝐼1 + 𝐿12𝐼2
λ2 = 𝐿21𝐼1 + 𝐿22𝐼2
Since 𝑰𝟐 = −𝑰𝟏 writing the two  in terms of their own respective currents
λ1 = (𝐿11 + 𝐿12)𝐼1
λ2 = (−𝐿21 + 𝐿22)𝐼2

We have seen that inductance due to flux linkage external to line (current carrying conductor) is
1 𝐷 1 𝐷
𝐿1 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 + 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 [𝐻/𝑚] and 𝐿2 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 + 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 [𝐻/𝑚]
𝑟′1 1 𝑟′2 1
Hence the self- and mutual inductances for single phase line is:
1 1 1
𝐿11 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 ; 𝐿22 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 and 𝐿21 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛
𝑟′1 𝑟′2 𝐷

17 © H.Reddy
 FLUX LINKAGE INTERMS OF SELF- AND MUTUAL INDUCTANCES
The concept of this self- and mutual inductance can be extended to a group of n conductors.
For n conductors carrying phasor currents I1. I2, …, In = 0.
Generalizing, the flux linkages of the conductor i are:
𝑛

λ𝑖 = 𝐿𝑖𝑖𝐼𝑖 + 𝐿𝑖𝑗𝐼𝑗 𝑗 ≠ 𝑖
𝑗=1
𝑛
1 1
λ𝑖 = 2 × 10−7 𝐼𝑖𝑙𝑛 ′ + 𝐼𝑗𝑙𝑛 𝑗≠𝑖
𝑟𝑖 𝐷𝑖𝑗
𝑗=1

18 © H.Reddy
 FLUX LINKAGE INTERMS OF SELF- AND MUTUAL INDUCTANCES
SYMMETRICAL SPACING
Consider 1 m length of a 3-phase line with 3 conductors each with radius r.
Assuming balanced 3-phase currents, we have: 𝐼𝑎 + 𝐼𝑏 + 𝐼𝑐 = 0
1 1 1
λ𝑎 = 2 × 10−7 𝐼𝑎𝑙𝑛 ′ + 𝐼𝑏𝑙𝑛 + 𝐼𝑐𝑙𝑛
𝑟 𝐷 𝐷
−𝐼𝑎 = 𝐼𝑏 + 𝐼𝑐
−7
1 1
λ𝑎 = 2 × 10 𝐼𝑎𝑙𝑛 ′ − 𝐼𝑎𝑙𝑛
𝑟 𝐷
−7
𝐷
λ𝑎 = 2 × 10 𝐼𝑎𝑙𝑛 ′
𝑟
Because of symmetry 𝜆𝑎 = 𝜆𝑏 = 𝜆𝑐 , and the 3 inductances are identical.
𝐷
𝐿 = 0.2𝑙𝑛 [𝑚𝐻/𝑘𝑚]
𝐷𝑠
where r' is the geometric mean radius (GMR), and is shown by DS.
1
−4
For a solid round conductor, 𝐷𝑆 = 𝑟𝑒 = 𝑟′
For stranded conductor in bundle x, DS can be evaluated from
𝑛2
𝐺𝑀𝑅𝑥 = 𝐷𝑎𝑎𝐷𝑎𝑏 … 𝐷𝑎𝑛 … (𝐷𝑛𝑎𝐷𝑛𝑏 … 𝐷𝑛𝑛) where 𝐷𝑎𝑎 = 𝐷𝑏𝑏 … = 𝐷𝑛𝑛 = 𝑟𝑥′
19 © H.Reddy
 LINE CAPACITANCE

Transmission line conductors exhibit capacitance with respect to each other due to the potential difference
between them. The amount of capacitance between the conductors is a function of conductor size, spacing
and height above the ground.
We already know by definition that capacitance C is a ration of charge q to the voltage V, given by:
𝑞
𝐶=
𝑉

Consider a long round conductor with radius r, carrying a charge of q

coulombs/meter length as shown .
The charge on the conductor gives rise to an electric field with radial
flux lines. The total electric flux is numerically equal to the value of
the charge on the conductor.
The electric field intensity E at any point is defined as the force per
unit charge.
Concentric cylinders surrounding the conductor (shown in dashed
lines) are equipotential surfaces that have same electric flux density.

20 © H.Reddy
 LINE CAPACITANCE

From Gauss Law, for 1m length of the conductor, the electric flux density at a cylinder with radius x is given by:
𝑞 𝑞
𝐷= =
𝐴 2𝜋𝑥(1)
And E (electric field intensity) is given by:
𝐷
𝐸=
𝜀0
Where 𝜀0 = 8.85 × 10−12 F/m is the permittivity of free space.
Substituting D in to E,
𝑞
𝐸=
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑥
And potential difference between cylinders from D1 to D2 is defined as work done in moving a unit of charge
of 1 coulomb form D2 to D1 through the field produced by the charge on the conductor. i.e. the potential drop
from 1 relative to 2. Here we say position 1 is positive relative to position 2 and the charge carries its own sign
(-ve for 𝑒 − and +ve for 𝑝+ )
𝐷2 𝐷2
𝑞 𝑞 𝐷2
∴ 𝑉12 = 𝐸𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑥 = ln
𝐷1 𝐷1 2𝜋𝜀 0 𝑥 2𝜋𝜀0 𝐷1

21 © H.Reddy
 LINE CAPACITANCE
CAPACITANCE OF SINGLE PHASE LINES
Consider a 1m long solid round conductor separated by distance D.
Conductor 1 carries charge q1 (coulombs/meter) and conductor 2 carries charge q2 (coulombs/meter).
Taking into consideration the realistic scenario where D >> r and ground height is much larger compared to D.
• Hence the distortion effect is small and charge is assumed to be uniformly distributed on the surface of
the conductors.
Also consider a small window of time where we can say at that particular moment only conductor 1 is carry
charge q1 to view the effect of conductor 1 only. Therefore
𝑞1 𝐷
𝑉12(𝑞1) = ln
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
In the next instant we do the same with conductor 2.
Now
𝑞 𝐷
𝑉21(𝑞2) = 2 ln
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
Since
𝑞2 𝑟
𝑉12(𝑞1) = −𝑉21(𝑞2) , ⇒ 𝑉12(𝑞2) = ln
2𝜋𝜀0 𝐷

22 © H.Reddy
 LINE CAPACITANCE
From the principle of superposition, the potential difference due to the presence of the both charges is:
𝑞 𝐷 𝑞 𝐷
𝑉12(𝑞1) + 𝑉12(𝑞2) = 1 ln + 2 ln
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
For single phase line 𝑞1 = −𝑞2 = −𝑞, hence
𝑞 𝐷
𝑉12 = ln
𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
𝜋𝜀0
And Capacitance between conductors is 𝐶12 = 𝐷 F/m
ln 𝑟
For the purpose of transmission line modelling, we find it convenient to define a capacitance C between each
conductor and a neutral as illustrated in the Figure.
Since the voltage to neutral is half of V12, the capacitance to neutral 𝐶 = 2𝐶12 or
2𝜋𝜀
𝐶 = 𝐷0 F/m
ln 𝑟
Since 𝜀0 = 8.85 × 10−12 F/m,
0.0556
C= 𝐷 μF/km
ln
𝑟

23 © H.Reddy