Elektrotehniški vestnik 70(1-2): 17–21, 2003

Electrotechnical Review, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Skin effect impact on current density distribution in

OPGW cables

Miro Žunec1 , Franc Jakl1 , Igor Tičar2

1
ELES-Elektro Slovenija, 2000 Maribor, Vetrinjska 2, Slovenija
2
Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko, 2000 Maribor, Smetanova 17, Slovenija
E-mail: miro.zunec@eles.si, franc.jakl@eles.si, ticar@uni-mb.si

Abstract. The paper describes an analytical approach to the issue of skin effect on current or current density
distribution over the cross-section of the tube type conductors. The same cross-section can analogously be taken
for any multi-layer conductor of different construction designs. Due to the skin effect, the current flows towards
the conductor surface, the result being an uneven current distribution over the conductor cross-section. A
mathematical algorithm is given enabling determination of the current density distribution over the tube type
conductor cross-section. It is computed with the Maxwell’s equations from the theory of electromagnetic fields
and by using Bessel’s functions of the first and second order. With thus implemented model the authors developed
an algorithm for the current density determination with consideration of the skin effect in a multi-layer optic cable
of the OPGW type. Results are shown of the current density distribution and temperature variations as detected in
individual layers of such conductor during heating at the short-circuit current of 15.4 kA and in the duration of 1 s.
Key words: overhead transmission lines, conductors, optical cables, skin effect, current density distribution, short
circuit, adiabatic heating

Vpliv kožnega učinka na porazdelitev tokovne gostote pri kablih

OPGW

Povzetek. Članek obravnava analitičen pristop vpliva kožnega
učinka na porazdelitev toka oziroma tokovne gostote po pre-
rezu cevastega vodnika, ki ga je mogoče analogno prevesti
tudi na poljubne večplastne vodnike različnih konstrukcijskih
izvedb. Zaradi kožnega učinka je tok izrinjen proti površini
vodnika, pri čemer je porazdelitev toka po prerezu vodnika
neenakomerna. Podan je matematični algoritem za določitev
porazdelitve tokovne gostote po prerezu cevastega vodnika na
podlagi Maxwellovih enačb iz teorije elektromagnetnih polj in z
uporabo Besselovih funkcij prve in druge vrste. Na podlagi tega
modela je bil razvit algoritem določitve porazdelitve tokovne
gostote z upoštevanjem kožnega učinka na večplastnem svet-
lovodnem kablu tipa OPGW. Podani so rezultati porazdelitve
tokovne gostote in temperaturnih sprememb ob segrevanju pri
toku kratkega stika 15.4 kA in času 1 s po posameznih slojih
takšnega vodnika.
Ključne besede: daljnovod, vodniki, svetlovodni kabel, kožni
pojav, porazdelitev tokovne gostote, kratek stik, adiabatsko seg-
revanje
effect that drives the current towards the conductor sur-
face, individual layers inside multi-layer type conductors
are unevenly heated. The general practice is that when
calculating the temperature state, an even current distri-
bution over the conductor cross-section is taken into ac-
count paying no regard to the skin effect or any other
effect, such as for instance the vicinity effect or similar.
In overtemperature calculations developed for adiabatic
heating, a simplified approach is taken assuming that all
the generated Joule heat is used for the conductor temper-
ature rise [1, 2]. During the short-circuit process, the heat
outlet is hereby neglected and so is also the skin effect.
Laboratory investigations, providing for appropriate heat-
ing measurement results under conditions in which these
effects are taken into account, are very helpful and useful
because they enable comparisons of results [3].

2 Calculation of the skin effect impact

1 Introduction algorithm for the tube type conductors
Our calculations of the current density distribution over
Due to an uneven current or current density distribution
the tube type conductor cross-section were based on the
over the conductor cross-section, resulting from the skin
electromagnetic field theory by using Maxwell’s equa-
Received 20 February 2002 tions. Such approach assumes that due to the skin effect,
Accepted 30 September 2002 the current is driven towards the conductor circumference
18 Žunec, Jakl, Tičar

for which reason the current density is there greater [4, 5,

6, 7]. ∂ 2 E ef 1 ∂E ef
+ + k 2 E ef = 0 (4)
∂r2 r ∂r
Here, the complexor is

k 2 = −jωµγ
3 √ (5)
k = j 2 k ⇒ k = ωµγ

The current density over the conductor cross-section,

as a function of radius r and its effective current value,
can now be determined with the below expressions:

J ef = γ · E ef (6)

rz
I ef = 2π J ef r dr (7)
rn

The value of the inner inductance is calculated by

combining magnetic connections with the current over the
entire cross-section, or, by applying the poynting vector
over the entire conductor (tube) coating. The impedance
value is obtained from the energy equivalence; its real part
represents the pure ohmic resistance, whereas its imag-
inary part depicts the value of the inner inductive resis-
tance. The impact of the skin effect gives rise to an in-
creased ohmic resistance and, compared to the direct cur-
rent, the inductive resistance decreases.

Figure 1. Magnetic and electric field strength distribution in the

tube type conductor
The following Maxwell’s equations apply for the cur-
rent aspect of the tube type conductor (Fig. 1):
3 Results of investigations in skin effect impact
in OPGW cables
The construction composition of the optic cable of the
ground wire OPGW is shown in Fig. 2.

 = J = 1 E
rot H  =γE
 (1)
ρ
and


∂H
 = −µ
rot E (2)
∂t
Due to the rotational symmetry, the electric field
strength E z pursues only the current direction, whereas
the magnetic field strength H ϕ takes the tangential posi-
tion onto magnetic forces.
The final expression for the changed electric field
strength can be obtained in the below differential form
Figure 2. OPGW cable of the OPTOFLEX ASB 1.2.3s (Ay/ACS
  2
151/29-15.3) type:
1 ∂ ∂E ef ∂ E ef 1 ∂E ef 1. 3 pieces of stainless steel tubes of ◦
/ = 3.0 mm of 16 fibers
jωµγE ef = r = 2
+ (3) each
r ∂r ∂r ∂r r ∂r
2. Alumoweld wire core of ◦ / = 3.05 mm
3. 3 Alumoweld wires of ◦ / = 3.05 mm
from which the known Bessel’s differential equation is 4. Aldrey hollow wire made of segments of ◦ / = 9.15/12.0 mm
now obtained 5. 15 Aldrey wires of ◦
/ = 3.0 mm
 Skin effect impact on current density distribution in OPGW cables
The procedure with which the current density, or the
total electric current, is distributed over layers of such
conductors is similar to the one used for classic bi-metal
multi-layer conductors. For each wire layer the Bessel’s
differential equations are set. It should be noted that in
the central part, i.e. in the core made of coated steel
wires, we have to deal only with the Bessel’s function of
the zero order and that the modified Bessel’s function of
the second order of the zero order is omitted. This is a
marginal condition that should be duly observed. In the
opposite case, the electric field strength in the conductor
axis would have been infinitely great, which of course is
not possible. Needless to say, it is necessary to take into
account all the physical properties of the used material.
This means also properties of the core made of coated
wires, which, compared to pure aluminium or aluminium
alloys, exhibit ferromagnetic properties. The above given
values change - together with variations in the current or
current density distribution over the cross-section of such
composite conductor - as a function of relative permeabil-
ity of the steel core. The steel core, too, changes reflect-
ing the current value variations and thereby also corre-
spondingly to the pertaining current share in the central
part of such conductor. In our investigations, aiming at
highlighting the issue of the current density distribution
and the resulting heating in the OPGW optic cables of the
OPTOFLEX ASB 1.2.3 s (Ay/ACS 151/29-15.3) type, the
current applied was I=15.4 kAeff in the duration of 1 s.
Figure 3 shows the development of the magnetic field
strength over individual layers of the OPGW cable pre-
sented in Figure 2. In the first approximation it is pos-
sible to have individual conductor layers - which are in
fact composed of segmented and round wires - replaced
by concentric circles. It is then assumed that the devel-
opment of the electric and magnetic field strength at the
contact points among individual layers is a step function
of a derivable character. This means that there is a left
and a right derivative. Contacts among individual layers
are actually insulated (micro intercontacts among individ-
ual wires) thus causing here additional eddy currents.
Figure 4 gives an insight into the development of the
current density over the OPGW conductor layers as a
function of the layer radius or thickness. Section 1 means
the outer circle, section 2 the middle circle and section 3
the inner part of conductor.
A strong non-linear driving of the current towards the
outer circle can be observed at relatively low current or
current density values in the conductor steel part.
Figure 5 shows the temperature development over
the OPGW conductor cross-section. For the purpose of
our investigation we employed a simplified model of the
OPGW conductor and the short-circuit current of 15.4 kA
in the duration of 1 s.
The above diagrams show that due to the skin effect,
the current density is unevenly distributed over the entire
19
H éê A ùú
ëmû
r [m]
Figure 3. Development of the magnetic field strength in the
optic OPGW cable of the OPTOFLEX ASB 1.2.3 s (Ay/ACS
151/29-15.3) type
conductor cross-section. The greatest current density is
detected in the outer part (the 1st layer) of the conductive
part of the OPGW conductor; it ranges from 98.1 A/mm2
to 98.4 A/mm2 . The next is the second part (the middle
layer) within the limits from 97.9 A/mm2 to 98.1 A/mm2 .
The “coolest” section is the inner steel part (the 3rd layer)
within the limits from 0.1 A/mm2 to 73.2 A/mm2 . As
expected, the current densities in the steel core are con-
siderably lower than elsewhere.
The graph in Figure 5 clearly shows that the outer
layer, i.e. section 1, is the one that is thermally most
stressed. To a certain degree less stressed is the middle
section, whereas the inner conductor, which is made of
steel, is the least stressed section. A sudden drop in tem-
perature (a steep decline in the temperature curve) is ob-
served at the contact between the alumoweld circle (sec-
tion 2) and the steel conductor (section 3).
The obtained results exhibit good matching with the
research laboratory results [8].
4 Conclusion
Our mathematical model, which enables determination of
the current or current density distribution over individual
layers of multi-layer conductors, was based on the deriva-
tion of the Maxwell’s equations from the electromagnetic
field theory and was developed by using Bessel’s func-
tions. Due to the uneven current or current density distri-
bution over the conductor cross-section, being the result
of the skin effect, the current is to a certain extent driven
towards the outer surface of the conductor thus producing
the effect of increasing the resistance. Results obtained
through our research in heating optic cables of the OPGW
type well match results of the experimental laboratory re-
search. Generally speaking, such investigations are very
important for determination of the thermal stress in indi-
20 Žunec, Jakl, Tičar

7 st
1 layer [Ay]
x 10
9.85

9.84
]

9.83
2
J [A/m

9.82

9.81

9.8
6 6.5 7 r[mm] 7.5 8 8.5

7 nd
2 layer [Ay]
x 10
9.81

9.805

9.8
]
2
J [A/m

9.795

9.79

9.785
4.5 5 r[mm] 5.5 6

7 rd
3 layer [ACS]
x 10
8

6
]
2

4
J [A/m

0
0 0.5 7 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

r[mm]

Figure 4. Development of the current density over the cable sections computed with the presented algorithm for the optic OPGW
cable of the OPTOFLEX 1.2.3s (Ay/ACS 151/29-15.3) type at the short-circuit current Isc =15.4 kAeff in the duration of 1 s

almost identical results.

5 References
[1] V. T. Morgan, “Thermal Behaviour of Electrical Conduc-
tors; Steady, Dynamic and Fault Current Rating”, RSP-
Research Study Press LTD., Taunton, Somerset, England,
1991.
[2] J. S. Barrett, O. Nigol, C. J. Fehervari, R. D. Findlay, “A
New Model of AC Resistance in ACSR Conductors”, IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery PWRD-1, pp. 198-208,
1986.
[3] F. Jakl, “Problems of Bare Overhead Line Conductors and
Ground Wires”, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Maribor, Slove-
nia, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science
and Information Technology, Maribor, 1992.

Figure 5. Development of the temperature rise curve as a
function of the radius computed for the OPGW cable at the
short-circuit current of Isc =15.4 kAeff in the duration of 1 s
vidual layers of optic cables made of optic fibres, whose
usage is widely spread in Slovenia and elsewhere in the
world. Results of some other similar domestic research
approaches to the issue of overhead transmission line con-
ductor heating under short-circuit conditions have yielded
[4] J. Zaborszky, J. W. Rittenhouse, “Electric Power Transmis-
sion”, New York, 1954.
[5] F. Jakl, “Raziskave induktivnosti daljnovodov s pomočjo
zamenskih geometrijskih veličin” (Research in Overhead
Transmission Line Inductance by Using Replaceable Ge-
ometric Magnitudes), Diploma Thesis No 806/62, Faculty
of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1962.
[6] M. Žunec, “Modeliranje segrevanja vodnikov in OPGW
kablov pri nadzemnih vodih” (Heating Modelling for Over-
head Transmission Line Conductors and OPGW Cables),
 M. Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer
Science and Information Technology, University of Mari-
bor, 2001.
[7] O. Biro, K. R. Ricter, “CAD in Electromagnetism”, Insti-
tute for Fundamentals and Theory in Electrical Engineer-
ing, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria, 1996.
[8] NOKIA Kabel GmbH Köln & FGH Forschungsgemein-
schaft für Hochspannungs und Hochstromtechnik E.V.
Mannheim-Rheinau, Test Report Nr. LV 97093/2E, Ger-
many, Mannheim, July 9 1997.
Miro Žunec was born in Maribor, Slovenia in 1973. He re-
ceived his B. Sc. and M. Sc. degrees in electrical engineer-
ing from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer
Science, University of Maribor, in 1997 and 2002, respectively.
Since 1998 he has been first employed with a distribution com-
pany ELEKTRO MARIBOR and later with a transmission com-
pany ELES-ELEKTRO SLOVENIJA. His main research inter-
ests include conductor heating under short circuit conditions and
operation states in distribution and transmission networks.
Franc Jakl (IEEE Member) was born at Ormož, Slovenia in
1936. He received his B. Sc.E.E. and M. Sc.E.E. degrees from
the University of Ljubljana, in 1962 and 1976, respectively, and
his Ph. D. from the University of Maribor in 1992. After work-
ing from 1962 to 1965 at the Public Electricity Transmission
Enterprise in Ljubljana, he was working between 1974-1990 as
Manager for development and investment at the Drava Hydro
Power Utility in Maribor, and from 1991 till 2002 at the ELES-
ELEKTRO SLOVENIJA. His current interest is in research, de-
velopment and construction of power transmission networks and
transmission lines. Since 1977 he has been a Visiting Professor
at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences and
Information Technology, University of Maribor. He is a Mem-
ber of IEEE/PES, Member of IEEE/PES WG15.11.06 (Ther-
mal Aspects of Conductors and Accessories), Member of CI-
GRE Paris, where he is the Member of SC22 (Overhead Lines),
Member of WG22.12 (Electrical Aspects of Overhead Lines),
Member of WG22.15 (Live Cycle Assessment and Environmen-
tal Concerns) and Member of WG22.16 (Meteorology for Over-
head Lines). He is also a Member of the Slovenian National
CIGRE Committee, where he is a Chairman of SC22 (Overhead
Lines). He is also a Member of the Austrian Electrical Associ-
ation, a Member of the Slovenian Nationl Committee WEC and
Slovenian Electrotechnical Society.
Igor Tičar (IEEE Member) was born in Maribor, Slovenia in
1949. He received his B. Sc. E. E. degree from the University
of Ljubljana in 1975, his M. Sc. E. E. and Ph. D. degrees from
the University of Maribor in 1981 and 1993, respectively. In
1977 he joined the University of Maribor as Assistant Professor.
At the moment he is Associate Professor working in the area of
numerical field calculations. He is a Member of the International
Computing Society – ICS and IEEE.