2038 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 20, NO.

3, JULY 2005

Parameter Determination for Modeling System

Transients—Part I: Overhead Lines
IEEE PES Task Force on Data for Modeling System Transients of IEEE PES Working Group on Modeling and Analysis
of System Transients Using Digital Simulation (General Systems Subcommittee)

J. A. Martinez, B. Gustavsen, and D. Durbak

Abstract—Overhead line parameters are calculated, taking into

account the length of the line and the frequency range of the tran-
sient to be simulated. Depending on the frequency range and the
origin of the transient, several parts of the line (phase conductors,
shield wires, towers or poles, footing impedances, insulators) have
to be included in the model. In all cases, the most important part
is phase conductors. This paper describes an input requirement
for obtaining electric overhead line parameters and investigates the
sensitivity of these parameters with respect to some input data. The Fig. 1. Single-conductor overhead line.
aim is to conclude on the accuracy with which input values must be
specified. An illustrative example is included to support the main
conclusions. Assuming that the line conductors are parallel to ground, the
Index Terms—Modeling, overhead lines, power system tran- time-domain equations of a single-conductor line can be ex-
sients, simulation. pressed as follows:

I. INTRODUCTION (1)

P RESENTLY, overhead line parameters are calculated using

supporting routines available in most transients programs.
The parameters to be calculated depend on the line model to be where and are the voltage and the current of the
(2)

applied, but they invariably involve the series impedance and the
shunt capacitance of the line.
Two types of time-domain models have been developed for
overhead lines: lumped and distributed parameter models. The
appropriate selection of a model depends on the line length and
the highest frequency to be simulated.
Lumped-parameter models represent transmission systems
by lumped elements whose values are calculated at a single
frequency. These models are adequate for steady-state calcula-
tions, although they can also be used for transient simulations
in the neighborhood of the frequency at which parameters were
evaluated.
The most accurate models for transient calculations are those
that take into account the distributed nature of parameters [1],
[2]. Two categories can be distinguished for this type of model:
constant parameter and frequency-dependent parameter models.
Fig. 1 shows the reference frame and the equivalent circuit of
a differential section of a single-conductor overhead line.
line, respectively, while , , , and are the line parameters
expressed in per-unit length.
These parameters are frequency dependent, although can
be assumed constant, and can usually be neglected. Given the
frequency dependence of the series parameters, the approach to
the solution of the line equations, even in transient calculations,
is performed in the frequency domain. The behavior of a mul-
ticonductor overhead line is described in the frequency domain
by two matrix equations
(3)
(4)
where and are, respectively, the series impedance
and the shunt admittance matrices per-unit length.
The series impedance can be decomposed as follows:
(5)

where is a complex and symmetric matrix, whose elements

are frequency dependent.
Manuscript received March 1, 2004; revised August 9, 2004. Paper no. Most EMTP-like tools are capable of calculating and ,
TPWRD-00105-2004. taking into account the skin effect in conductors and ground.
Task Force Members: J. A. Martinez (Chairman), D. Durbak, B. Gustavsen,
B. Johnson, J. Mahseredjian, B. Mork, R. Walling. In some programs, this is achieved using Carson’s ground
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/TPWRD.2005.848678 impedance [3] or Schelkunoff’s surface impedance formulae
0885-8977/$20.00 © 2005 IEEE
MARTINEZ et al.: PARAMETER DETERMINATION FOR MODELING SYSTEM TRANSIENTS—PART I: OVERHEAD LINES
TABLE I
MODELING GUIDELINES FOR OVERHEAD LINES
for cylindrical conductors [4]. Other programs base the calcu-
lations on closed-form approximations [5], [6]. Reference [7]
gives a detailed description of the procedures.
The shunt admittance can be expressed as follows:
(6)
where elements can be usually neglected, except at very low
frequencies.
Table I shows a summary of modeling guidelines for overhead
lines; it is a revised version of those guidelines proposed by
CIGRE [2].
These guidelines are related to phase conductors only. If the
aim of a transient simulation is to determine whether the line
will flashover or not, then a representation of line insulations
must be included. Specific transients are those related to stresses
caused by an external source represented as a current source
(i.e., a lightning stroke). In such cases, other pieces of the line
(shield wires, towers or poles, footing impedances) must be in-
cluded in the model.
The length of an overhead line that must be included in a
model depends on the type of transient to be duplicated or, more
specifically, on the range of frequencies involved in the transient
process. As a rule of thumb, the lower the frequencies, the more
the length of line is to be represented. For low and mid frequency
transients, the whole line length is included in the model. For
fast and very fast transients, a few line spans will usually suffice.
This paper deals with data input that is required for proper
modeling of overhead lines in transient simulations.
Users of EMTP-like tools obtain overhead line parameters by
means of a dedicated supporting routine that in this document
will be denoted “Line Constants” (LC) [7]. In addition, several
routines are presently implemented in transients programs to
derive line models considering different approaches [8]–[10].
The next section describes the most basic input requirements of
LC-type routines. It is followed by a section that investigates the
sensitivity of line parameters ( , , , ) to variations in the
representation of an overhead line and by an example that shows
the influence that some parameters can have on the transient
response.
2039
II. DATA INPUT
Since transient studies evolved after load flow, short circuit,
and stability studies, existing databases of transmission-line
parameters may consist of only synchronous frequency (50- or
60-Hz) line impedances. Short-circuit line data are often just
the positive, negative, and zero impedances. Load-flow line
databases might contain only a per-phase positive-sequence
representation. In all cases, line data are stored only as
impedances.
LC routine users enter the physical parameters of the line,
select the desired type of line model, and the model is created.
Since all models are developed from physical transmission-line
parameters, it is highly recommended that a database of physical
line parameters be created.
In order to develop line models for transient simulations, the
following input data must be available:
• (x,y) coordinates of each conductor and shield wire;
• bundle spacing, orientations;
• sag of phase conductors and shield wires;
• phase and circuit designation of each conductor;
• phase rotation at transposition structures;
• physical dimensions of each conductor;
• DC resistance of each conductor and shield wire (or resis-
tivity);
• ground resistivity of the ground return path.
Other information, such as segmented grounds, can be
important.
Note that all of the above information, except conductor re-
sistances and ground resistivity, is from geometric line dimen-
sions; therefore, the availability of these parameters should not
be a problem.
LC routine users can request the following models:
• lumped-parameter equivalent or nominal pi-circuits at the
specified frequency;
• constant distributed-parameter model at the specified fre-
quency;
• frequency-dependent distributed parameter model, fitted
for a given frequency range.
2040 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 20, NO. 3, JULY 2005

Fig. 2. A 345-kV single-circuit overhead line configuration (values between

brackets are midspan heights).

In addition, the following information can be usually

provided:
• capacitance or the susceptance matrix;
• series impedance matrix;
• resistance, inductance, and capacitance per-unit length for
zero and positive sequences, at a given frequency or for
the specified frequency range;
• surge impedance, attenuation, propagation velocity, and
wavelength for zero and positive sequences, at a given fre-
quency or for a specified frequency range.
Line matrices can be provided for the system of physical con-
ductors, the system of equivalent phase conductors, or symmet-
rical components of the equivalent phase conductors.

III. EXAMPLE
A. Test Line
An example case is included to illustrate
• proper input of physical parameters;
Fig. 3. Relationship between overhead line parameters and ground resistivity.
• examination of line constants output; (a) Zero-sequence resistance (ohm/mi). (b) Zero-sequence inductance (H/mi).
• benchmarking impedances , ; (c) Positive-sequence resistance (ohm/mi). (d) Positive-sequence inductance
• benchmarking for frequency response; (H/mi).
• application considerations.
Fig. 2 shows the geometry of the 345-kV transmission line B. Sensitivity Analysis of Line Parameters
studied in this example. Conductor data for this line are pre- A parametric study of sequence parameters was performed.
sented in the following table. To obtain the frequency dependence of the resistance and the
MARTINEZ et al.: PARAMETER DETERMINATION FOR MODELING SYSTEM TRANSIENTS—PART I: OVERHEAD LINES 2041

Fig. 5. Relationship between overhead line parameters and conductor heights.

Fig. 4. Skin effect. (a) Zero-sequence resistance (ohm/mi). (b) Zero-sequence (H1 = 21:67 ft; H2 = 31:67 ft; H3 = 41:67 ft). (a) Zero-sequence resistance
inductance (H/mi). (c) Positive-sequence resistance (ohm/mi). (d) Positive-
(ohm/mi). (b) Zero-sequence inductance (H/mi). (c) Positive-sequence
sequence inductance (H/mi). resistance (ohm/mi). (d) Positive-sequence inductance (H/mi).

inductance of conductors, users can assume either a solid con- tion. Skin effect entails that the highest current density is at the
ductor or a hollow conductor and apply the skin effect correc- conductor surface. To include skin effect for hollow conductors
2042 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 20, NO. 3, JULY 2005

Fig. 6. Relationship between capacitances and conductor heights.

in a LC routine, users must specify the ratio , being the

thickness and the diameter of the conductor.
The studies presented below are aimed at determining the sen-
sitivity of line parameters with respect to frequency, ground re-
sistivity, skin effect, and line geometry.
• Fig. 3 shows the dependency of the line parameters
with respect to ground resistivity and frequency.
• Fig. 4 shows results obtained when assuming a solid con-
ductor and when assuming a hollow conductor with dif-
ferent ratios.
• Fig. 5 shows the dependency of the line parameters
with respect to frequency, using the average height of the
lowest conductors above ground as the parameter. These
results were deduced by assuming a ground resistivity of
100 -m.
• Fig. 6 shows the dependence of capacitances with respect Fig. 7. Zero-sequence energization of an untransposed overhead line
(Constant distributed parameter model Source = 1 V step). (a) Parameters
to the average height of the lower conductor. Since capac- calculated at 50 Hz. (b) Parameters calculated at 5 kHz.
itances are not frequency dependent, frequency is not used
as a parameter in this case
All calculations were performed by assuming full transposi- is more important for resistance values; in fact, the posi-
tive-sequence resistance can vary more than a 50% at high
tion of phase conductors. One can deduce from these plots, the
conclusions listed below. frequencies.
• The variation of the capacitance per-unit length along a
• The dependence of the resistance with respect to frequency line span (Fig. 6) is very small.
can be significant, and it is particularly important for the From these results, one can conclude the following.
zero-sequence resistance at high frequencies, but differ-
ences between values obtained with several ground re- • Not much accuracy is required to specify line geometry
sistivities are not very significant in this example below since a rather small variation in parameters is obtained
5 kHz. for large variations in distances between conductors and
• Inductance values are also frequency dependent, but their heights above ground.
dependence is very different for positive- and zero-se- • Since accurate frequency-dependent models are not re-
quence values. The positive-sequence inductance shows quired when simulating low and midfrequency transients
no large variation along the whole range of frequencies. (below 10 kHz), the value of the ground resistivity is not
However, for the zero-sequence inductance, the frequency critical.
dependence is much larger; on the other hand, there are Except for very short lines, the distributed nature of line pa-
no significant differences with different ground resistivity rameters must be considered, and a rather accurate specifica-
values. tion of the ground resistivity can be required when simulating
• When the skin effect is included in the calculation of line high-frequency transients, as shown below.
parameters, differences obtained by assuming either a
solid or a hollow conductor are small, and negligible for C. Transient Behavior
frequencies below 5 kHz. The test line was used to illustrate the effect that the frequency
• When the average height of conductors is varied (between dependence of parameters and the value of the ground resistivity
21.67 and 40.67 ft for the lower conductors), the varia- can have on some simple transients.
tion of the inductance values is rather small, less than 2%, Results depicted in Figs. 7 and 8 show the propagation of a
in the whole range of frequencies; however, the variation step voltage on one of the outer phases of the line when this
MARTINEZ et al.: PARAMETER DETERMINATION FOR MODELING SYSTEM TRANSIENTS—PART I: OVERHEAD LINES 2043

Fig. 8. Zero-sequence energization of an untransposed overhead line

(Frequency-dependent parameter model). (a) Source = 1 V step.
Fig. 9. Zero-sequence energization of a 30-mi untransposed overhead line
(b) Source = 1 V , 20-s pulse.
(Source = 1 V step). (a) With ground wires. (b) Without ground wires.

It is obvious that significant attenuation can be obtained in

step is applied to the three-phase conductors (zero-sequence
wave propagation, even for short distances, when overhead line
energization). Calculations presented in Fig. 7 were performed
parameters are calculated taking into account their frequency
by assuming a constant distributed parameter line model and
dependence, and it is very evident when compared to the prop-
calculating line parameters at power frequency and at 5 kHz. It
agation that is obtained if this dependency is not included in
is obvious that the propagation takes place without too much
calculations. However, since the highest frequency transients in
distortion in both cases, but the attenuation is quite significant
overhead lines usually involve the simulation of a few sections
when parameters are calculated at 5 kHz. In addition, the prop-
(spans) of the line, a very accurate representation of this effect
agation velocity is faster with a low ground resistivity. When
is not usually needed. Accordingly, the IEEE Task Force on Fast
the frequency dependence of line parameters is included in
Front Transients proposes to obtain line parameters at a constant
the transient simulation, as shown in Fig. 8, the propagation is
frequency between 400 and 500 kHz for duplicating lightning
made with noticeable distortion of the wavefront. The velocity
overvoltages [11].
of propagation decreases again as the ground resistivity is
The zero-sequence resistance and inductance, respectively,
increased. This effect is due to the increase of the inductance
increase and decrease with increasing ground resistivity. This
with ground resistivity, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
dependence is much smaller for positive-sequence quantities.
Figs. 9 and 10 demonstrate again the effect of the ground
The influence of this effect on attenuation and velocity of prop-
resistivity on transient simulations during zero-sequence ener-
agation is not negligible. Therefore, some care is needed to
gizations. These simulations were performed by using a fre-
specify the ground resistivity when high values of this param-
quency-dependent parameter model of the line. All plots present
eter are possible.
the voltage on one of the outer phases. Both figures show that
increasing the soil resistivity by a factor of 10 leads to a notice-
able reduction of the dominant frequency. IV. DISCUSSION
If simulations are performed without ground wires, one can The above simulations were performed without including
observe that the impact of the increased ground resistivity be- the corona effect. This effect can have a strong influence on
comes much stronger. the propagation of waves when the phase conductor voltage
2044 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 20, NO. 3, JULY 2005

nonuniformities can be very important for surge propagation

[15].
Line configurations more complex than that used in this work
must be often simulated. In all cases, the input data to be spec-
ified for these lines is similar to that required for the test line.
And the main conclusions from a transient study would be sim-
ilar to those derived in this paper.
Phase conductor resistances depend on temperature. This ef-
fect can add a non-negligible increase to the resistance value. It
can be easily included by specifying the correct value of con-
ductor resistances.

V. CONCLUSIONS
When only phase conductors and shield wires are to be in-
cluded in the line model, the line parameters can be calculated
from the line geometry, as well as from physical properties of
phase conductors, shield wires, and ground. A great accuracy is
not usually required when specifying input values if the goal is
to duplicate low-frequency and slow-front transients, but more
care is needed, mainly with the ground resistivity value, if the
goal is to simulate fast transients.

Fig. 10. Zero-sequence energization of a 30-mi untransposed overhead line
(Source = 1 V , 50-s pulse). (a) With ground wires. (b) Without ground wires.
exceeds the so-called corona inception voltage, see, for in-
stance, [12]. This inception voltage decreases as the travel
distance increases and depends on the propagation wave steep-
ness. Corona increases the conductor capacitance, decreases
the surge impedance, increases the coupling factor between
conductors, and increases losses. Corona causes additional
attenuation and distortion, mainly on the wavefront and above
the inception voltage, so a noncorona model will provide
conservative results. Some programs allow users to include
this effect in transient simulations. Several approaches can
be considered. The simplest one includes corona effect from
line geometry, although some models also consider the air
density factor and even an irregularity factor. In fact, corona
is a very complex phenomenon whose accurate representation
should be based on a distributed hysteresis behavior. Perhaps
the most important study for which corona can have a strong
influence is the determination of incoming surges in substations
[12]. When an accurate representation of the corona effect is
possible, then additional input parameters are required for a full
characterization of the model [13], [14].
The concept of “nonuniform line” has been introduced to
deal with line geometries where the longitudinal variation of
line parameters can be significant. Examples of this type of line
are lines crossing rivers or entering substations. In such cases,
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