Abdel-Salam et al.

99

Assessment of Induced Voltage on an Object underneath Stressed Overhead

Conductors (Theory versus Experiment)

M. Abdel-Salam1, A. Hashem2, and A. Ahmed1

1
Electrical Engineering Department, Assiut University, Egypt
2
Physics Department, Assiut University, Egypt

Abstract—This paper is aimed at evaluating the induced voltage on an object underneath a stressed conductor. The
method of analysis is based on the charge simulation technique and takes into account the disturbances of the electric field
due to the presence of the object. This is a three-dimensional field problem and care is devoted to the choice of the number
and coordinates of the simulation charges. To measure the induced voltage, a model of an overhead conductor is strung in
the laboratory with different spherical, wire and human-model objects underneath the conductor. The calculated induced
voltages are compared with those measured experimentally.

I. INTRODUCTION II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND TECHNIQUE

The calculation of the electric fields around three-
phase overhead transmission lines has been discussed
thoroughly [1]. The electric field at the ground level is,
practically speaking, uniform and vertical to ground
plane. Underneath the conductors of a 525 kV-lines, the
maximum electric field at the ground plane is about 9
kV/m. The corresponding maximum field values beneath
the conductors of 275 kV and 132 kV lines are about 6
kV/m and 2 kV/m, respectively with still lower values for
lower voltage distribution lines. In the presence of an
object beneath the line conductors, the electric field is
highly perturbed with an enhancement of the field
strength by a factor that may reach eight or even more [2].
For an object insulated from the ground, the object will
acquire a potential depending upon its position relative to
the stressed overhead conductors [3-5].
This paper is aimed at evaluating the induced voltage
on an object underneath a stressed conductor. The
method of analysis is based on the charge simulation
technique [6, 7] and takes into account the disturbances
of the electric field due to the presence of the object body.
This is a three-dimensional field problem and care is
devoted to the choice of the number and coordinates of
the simulation charges. To measure the induced voltage,
a model of an overhead conductor is strung in the
laboratory with different spherical, wire and human-
model objects underneath the conductor. The calculated
induced voltages are compared with those measured
experimentally.
Corresponding author: A. Hashem
e-mail address: dr_azzahashem@yahoo.com
Received; May 25, 2009
A. Experimental Setup
This section describes the experimental setup and the
measuring technique used for estimating the induced
(pick up) voltage on objects under stressed transmission
line. The setup was built in H.V. laboratory of Assiut
University. The schematic diagram of the experimental
setup is shown in Fig. 1.
The setup consists mainly of a high-voltage
transformer rated 220 V/100 kV, whose primary voltage
is variable in the range 0-220 V using an auto-
transformer.
A model of an overhead conductor is strung in the
laboratory at a height of 2 m above the ground plane. The
conductor is stressed by a dc voltage up to 200 kV. A
model of the human is built as composed of a sphere of
8-cm diameter, a cylindrical neck of 0.5 cm height, a
cylindrical waist/crotch of 15cm height and cylindrical
legs of 15 cm height. The human model was positioned
underneath the stressed conductor and at different
locations in the direction away from the conductor.
B. Experimental Technique
1) A high-voltage probe was used to measure the
induced voltage on the object (using digital voltmeter
with high input impedance connected to the probe
terminals). This was made at a constant supply voltage
(20 kV ± 1 %).
2) The spherical objects were hanged by an
insulated thread. The floating wire was stretched between
two wooden stands.
3) The height for the spherical and wire objects was
varied over the range 0.08 - 1.25 m. The lateral distance
for the spherical and wire objects as well as the human
body model was varied over the range 0.0 - 1.3 m. Fig. 2
represents a schematic for measuring the induced current
flowing in a human body mode3l underneath a stressed
conductor.
100 International Journal of Plasma Environmental Science and Technology Vol.3, No.2, SEPTEMBER 2009

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of the experimental setup.

The potential Vj at space point P(r, z) due to a line

charge of density λi C/m of coordinates (rj, zj) can be
expressed as:
i  ( z  z ) 2  (r  r ) 2 
Vj  ln 
j j
 (1)
2   ( z  z j ) 2  (r  r j ) 2 
 

A3. Field Equations

The electric field components at the point P(r, z) can

be expressed as follows:
j  r  rj r  rj 
Exj    2
2  ( z  z j )  (r  rj ) ( z  z j )  (r  rj ) 
2 2 2

j  z zj z zj  (2)
E yj    2 
2  ( z  z j )  ( r  r j )
2 2
( z  z j )  ( r  r j ) 
2

Fig. 2. Schematic of a human-body model underneath stressed

conductor with a circulating current flow. A4. Boundary Conditions

The boundary condition at the surface of the stressed

III. CALUCULATION METHODOLOGY
The pickup (induced) voltage on a floating object
underneath a stressed conductor is calculated using the
accurate charge simulation method [6, 7].
A. Charge simulation technique in conductor to plane
gap
conductor is:
Conductor voltage is equal to the applied voltage.
A5. Boundary Points
To determine the unknown simulation charge, one
boundary point is selected to satisfy the boundary
conditions at the surface of the stressed conductor, Fig. 3.

A1. Simulation charge A6. Solution of the Describing Equations

The conductor of radius rc = 3.25 mm is simulated
by line charges, which may be finite and/or infinite line
charges. In our case, one infinite axial line charge λ1 is
used for simplicity. The line is displaced from the centre
toward the ground plane with Z-coordinate equal a as
shown in Fig. 3, where
2 2
a  h c  rc
hc is the conductor height above ground plane, and rc is
the conductor radius. As the conductor height hc = 1.275
m, then a = 1.25 m.
A2. Potential Equation
Satisfaction of the boundary condition at the
boundary point results in an equation for determining the
magnitude of the unknown simulation charge λ1.
B. Charge simulation technique in conductor-to-plane
gap with floating object
B1. Case A: Spherical object
B1.1 Simulation charge
The conductor is simulated as described above. The
spherical object of different radius can be simulated by
point charges and/or ring charges. The ring charges may
Abdel-Salam et al. 101

The boundary conditions at the surface of the

stressed conductor and the floating object:

 Conductor voltage is equal to the applied voltage.

 The floating object being a metal is assumed of
equal potential Vf.
 The summation of the charges simulating the
floating object is equal to zero.

B1.4 Describing the equations

The potential Vj at space point P(r, z) due to a ring of

charge Qj of coordinates (rj, zj) can be expressed as:

Qj 2  K (k1 ) K (k2 ) 
pj  .   (3)
4   1 2 

where K (k) is the complete elliptic integral of first kind.

Fig. 3. Conductor to-plane-geometry.
r j .r r j .r
k1  k 
1 
2
, 2

 1  (r  r j ) 2  ( z  z j ) 2
 2  (r  r j ) 2  ( z  z j ) 2

The components of the electric field can be expressed as

follows:

 
 r j2  r 2  ( z  z j ) 2 . E ( k 1 )   12 .K ( k 1 ) 
 
n Qj 1   1 . 12 
E r   .  
j 1  
4 r  r j2  r 2  ( z  z j ) 2 .E ( k 2 )   22 .K ( k 2 ) 

  2 . 22 
 
n Qj1  ( z  z j ) E (k1 ) ( z  z j ) E (k 2 )  (4)
E z   .
  
j 1 4 r   1 . 12  2 . 22 

where E(k) is the complete elliptic integral of second

kind.

Fig. 4. Conductor-to-plane with floating sphere. 1  (r  rj )2  (z  z j )2 2  (r rj )2 (z  zj )2

,

be of uniform or non-uniform charge density. Uniform
ring charges are used for simplicity. The radius of the
ring charge is a fraction β of the object radius at the same
y-coordinate.
B1.2 Boundary points
To determine the unknown simulation charges,
boundary points are selected to satisfy the boundary
conditions at the surface of the sphere, Fig. 4.
B1.5 Solution of the describing equations
Satisfaction of the boundary conditions at the
boundary points results in a set of equations whose
solution determines the magnitudes of the unknown
simulation charges. The set of equations is expressed in
a matrix form as follows.

B1.3 Boundary conditions

102 International Journal of Plasma Environmental Science and Technology Vol.3, No.2, SEPTEMBER 2009

Fig. 6. Conductor-to-plane with floating line.

Fig. 5. Conductor-to-plane with floating sphere flow chart.

 p11 p12 p13 p14 ........... p1n 0.0 1  V 

  c

 p21 p22 p23 .... .... ..... p2n  1.0  Q1  0.0
   
p p32 p33 .... .... ...... p3n  1.0  Q2  0.0 Fig. 7. Approximation of the human body by a floating ellipsoid.
Pj   31 *  
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ....  1.0  ...  0.0 line charges. In our case, infinite axial line charges are
 
 pn1 pn 2 pn3 .... .... .. p nn  1.0  Qn  0.0 used for simplicity. The line charges are distributed
   
0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.0  V f  0.0 uniformly around a fictitious cylinder of radius β times

the wire radius, Fig. 6. The boundary points, conditions,
formulation of the describing equations and solution
where pj is the potential coefficient, Vc is the applied using MATLAB package are the same as for the case of
voltage and Vf is the floating voltage. floating sphere. A MATLAB package was used to
A MATLAB package was used to determine the determine the unknown simulation charges according to
unknown simulation charges according to the following the following flow chart.
chart Fig. 5.
B3. Case C: Human model object
B2. Case B: Wire object
The large conductivity and the large relative
B2.1 Simulation charge equivalent dielectric constant of the human body; about
0.1 S/m and about 100000 respectively [8], cause the
The conductor is simulated as described above. The external electric field near the human body to be
wire object can be simulated with finite and/or infinite
Abdel-Salam et al. 103

perpendicular to the surface. This is why the human body

is treated as a conducting body. 16

14
B3.1 Simulation charge
12

The conductor is simulated as described above. The

Pick-up voltage, (kV)

10
human body is approximated by an ellipsoid [1], Fig. 7,
with a major/minor radius ratio of 2. The ellipsoid was 8 rf = 20 mm

simulated by ring charges, the same as for floating sphere, 6

Fig. 7. The boundary points, conditions, formulation of
rf = 10 mm
the describing equations and solution using MATLAB 4

package are the same as for the case of floating sphere. 2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Lateral distance, X (m)

Fig. 9. Pick-up voltage versus lateral distance for spheres of radius

The pick-up voltage was measured for three different 10 mm and 20 mm at constant height (hf = 1.25 m).
objects; spherical object, wire object and human model
object.
5

1) For spherical object, the radius of the sphere (rf = 10, 4.5 rf = 20 mm

15 and 20 mm) was variable. The object height 4

underneath the stressed conductor (rc = 3.25 mm) was 3.5
Pick-up voltage, (kV)

also variable. This is in addition to the lateral position of 3

rf = 10 mm

the object relative to the stressed conductor.

2.5
2) For the wire object, the radius was constant at 3 mm
2
while the height and lateral position were variable.
3) For the human model, the lateral position was 1.5

variable at a spacing of 15 mm (shoes height) above 1

ground plane. 0.5

0
The object will pick-up a voltage depending on its 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
Lateral distance, X (m)
relative position with respect to the stressed conductor.
Fig. 8 shows a schematic of the spherical object Fig. 10. Pick-up voltage versus lateral distance for spheres of
underneath the stressed conductor. The pick-up (induced) radius 10 mm and 20 mm at constant height (hf = 0.925 m).
voltage is determined by the capacitance C1 (between the
stressed conductor and the floating object) and the 3.5
capacitance C2 (between the floating object and ground). rf = 20 mm
The induced voltage Vf is related to the voltage Vc 3

applied to the stressed conductor as follows:

2.5
Pick-up voltage, (kV)

rf = 10 mm
 C1  (5) 2
V f  Vc  
 C1  C 2  1.5

A. Effect of Radius for Spherical Objects 1

0.5
As the sphere radius increases, the area and the
capacitance C1 increase (for the same lateral distance X 0
and the same height hf). The capacitance C2 is almost 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
Lateral distance, X (m)
1 1.2 1.4

constant (for the same position of the object).

Subsequently, the induced voltage increases [Eqn. (5)] Fig. 11. Pick-up voltage versus lateral distance for spheres of
with the increase of the sphere radius as shown in Figs. 9 radius 10 mm and 20 mm at constant height (hf = 0.675 m).
through 12.
The portion of the sphere area contributing to the becomes more significant as the sphere approaches the
capacitance C1 and that contributing to C2 are varying ground plane (compare Fig. 11 and Fig. 14).
with position of the sphere with respect to the stressed
conductor. This is why the effect of the sphere radius
104 International Journal of Plasma Environmental Science and Technology Vol.3, No.2, SEPTEMBER 2009

1.8

1.6

1.4 rf = 20 mm
Pick-up voltage, (kV)

1.2

0.8 rf = 10 mm

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
Lateral distance, X (m)

Fig. 12. Pick-up voltage versus lateral distance for spheres of

radius 10 mm and 20 mm at constant height (hf = 0.375 m).

12
Fig. 8. Schematic of the spherical object underneath the stressed
*** Vmeasu.
conductor. ___Vcal.
10 Fig. 15. The capacitances between conductor and wire and
capacitance between wire and ground wire.
hf = 1.2 m
Pick-up voltage, (kV)

8
14
6
12
hf = 1.25 m
4
10
P ick-u p vo ltag e, (kV )

hf= 0.5 m
2 8

0 6
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
hf = 0.925 m
Lateral distance, X (m)
4
hf = 0.675 m
Fig. 13. Pick-up voltage versus lateral distance for wire object at
heights hf of 1.2 and 0.5 m. 2 hf = 0.375 m

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
1.4
Lateral distance, X (m)
*** Vmeasu.
___Vcal.
1.2
Fig. 16. Pick-up voltage versus lateral distance for sphere of radius
10 mm at different heights.
1
Pick-up voltage, (kV )

distance (X) and the difference between the heights of the

0.8
object and the stressed conductor.
0.6
As the lateral distance increases, the capacitance C1
decreases and subsequently the induced voltage
0.4 decreases as shown in Figs. 9-12 for spherical objects,
Fig. 13 for wire object and Fig. 14 for the human-model
0.2 object.
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 C. Effect of Object Height
Lateral distance, X (m)

According to Fig. 15 and by substitution in Eqn. 5,

Fig. 14. Pick-up voltage versus lateral distance for the human
model object (with 15 mm insulation shoes). one can conclude that:
hf
B. Effect of Lateral Distance Vf  Vc ( ) (6)
hc
According to Fig. 8, the capacitance C1 is determined It is quite clear that the induced (pick up) voltage is
by the distance between the stressed conductor and the directly proportional to the height hf of the object. This is
floating object. This distance depends on the lateral why the pick up voltage increases with the increase of the
Abdel-Salam et al. 105

16

14

hf = 1.25 m
12
Pick-up voltage, (kV)

10

6
hf = 0.925 m
4 hf = 0.675 m

2 hf = 0.375 m

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
Lateral distance, X (m)

(i) Sphere radius rf = 10 mm

Fig. 17. Pick-up voltage versus lateral distance for sphere of radius
15 mm at different heights.

1.8

1.6
The cuirculting current, I (m A )

1.4

1.2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2 (ii) Sphere radius rf = 15 mm

0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Lateral distance, X (cm) 16
Vm max
Fig. 18. Induced (circulating) current flow in the human model 14 Vm min
versus lateral distance (with 15 mm insulation shoes). Vcal
rf = 2.0 mm
12 Vm max
Vm min
height of the floating object in agreement with Fig. 13 for
P ick-u p vo ltag e, (kV )

10 Vcal
floating wire, Figs. 16-17 for spherical object of radii 10
and 15 mm, respectively. 8
rf = 1.0 mm
6
D. Induced Current in Insulated Human Object
4
Power frequency currents are induced in the body of
people who are in the presence of the electric field 2
produced by high voltage transmission lines and
0
substations [10]. 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
Height of the floating sphere, hf (m)
The exact knowledge of the distribution of these
induced currents in the body is of primary importance so (iii) Sphere radius rf = 20 mm
that biological studies of the long term exposure effects Fig. 19. Pick-up voltage versus the height for spherical object at
can be related to electric fields. The distribution of the two different values of lateral distance (X = 0.0, X = 0.15 m).
currents in the internal organs requires knowledge, which
is not yet well defined.
Fig. 18 shows the circulating current detected by a
Because the height of the human model is significant
micro-ammeter connected across the human model,
with respect to the height of the stressed conductor and
which decreases with the increase of the lateral distance
because the model is metallic, an induced current is
X. This conforms to the decrease of the induced voltage
expected to develop and circulate in the model. This has
with the increase of the lateral distance.
been confirmed by experiment where the induced voltage
showed a significant difference (about 0.3 kV) between
its value at the head and the feet.
106 International Journal of Plasma Environmental Science and Technology Vol.3, No.2, SEPTEMBER 2009

with the sphere radius as well as the sphere height above

16 the ground plane. This conforms to Fig. 11 through 14.
Vm max
14 Vm min The calculated values conform with those measured
Vcal
rf = 2.0 mm experimentally. However, there is a deviation between
Vm max
12
Vm min
the calculated and measured values. This may be
Pick-up voltage, (kV)

10 Vcal attributed to the following:

(i) In the calculations, the density of the simulation ring
8 charges is assumed constant, or in other words the rings
rf = 1.0 mm
6 are assumed of uniform charge density. This is not true
because it is a three dimensional field problem. It is
4
treated as one dimensional field problem.
2 (ii) In measurements, touching the sphere with the probe
sometimes results in a displacement of the hanged sphere
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 from its position. Subsequently, the measured value
Height of the floating sphere, hf (m) showed a scatter as shown in the next figures.
(i) X = 0.0 mm

14
Vm max V. CONCLUSION
Vm min
12
Vcal From this research work, one can conclude the
rf = 2.0 mm
Vm max
10 Vm min
following:
P ick-u p voltage, (kV )

Vcal (1) The induced (pick up) voltage increases with the
8 increase the height hf of the object whatever the shape of
the object.
rf = 1.0 mm
6 (2) As the lateral distance increases, the induced
voltage decreases irrespective of the shape of the object.
4
As the sphere radius (rf) increases, the induced
voltage increases for the same lateral distance X and the
2
same height hf.
0 (3) The calculated values of the pick-up (induced)
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
Height of the floating sphere, hf (m)
voltages conform with those measured experimentally.
(ii) X = 50 mm
However, there is a reasonable deviation between the
calculated and measured values.
9
Vm max
8 Vm min rf = 2.0 mm
Vcal
REFERENCES
7 Vm max [1] J. P. Reilly, “Electric field induction on long object A
Vm min methodology for transmission line impact Studies,” IEEE Trans.
P ick-up vo ltag e, (kV )

6 Power App. & Syst., vol. PAS-98, pp. 1841-1852, 1979.

Vcal
[2] P. S. Maruvada and R. D. Dallaire, “Environmental effect of the
5 Nelson River HVDC transmission lines-IR, AN, electric field,
rf = 1.0 mm
induced voltage, and ion current distribution tests,” IEEE Trans.
4
Power App. & Syst., vol. PAS-101, no. 4, pp. 951-959, 1977.
3 [3] M. Abdel-salam and H. Abdallah, “Transmission-line electric field
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2 Biomed. Eng., vol. 42, pp. 1105-1109, 1995.
[4] IEEE Tutorial Course, “The electric and electromagnetic effect of
1 AC transmission lines,” 79 EHD 145-3 PWR, 1979.
[5] D. Deno, “Electrostatic effect induction formulae,” IEEE Trans.
0 Power App. & Syst., vol. PAS- 94, pp. 1524-1536, 1975.
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
Height of the floating sphere, hf (m) [6] H. Singer, H. Steinbigler, and P. Weiss, “A Charge simulation
method for calculation of high voltage field,” IEEE Trans. Power
(iii) X = 150 mm Appar. Syst., vol. 93, pp. 1660-1668, 1974.
[7] M. Abdel-Salam, “Electric Fields in High Voltage Engineering:
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different values of radius (rf = 20 mm, rf = 10 mm). [8] M. Abdel-Salam and A. Al-Shahari, "Induced voltages on fenc
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Fig. 19 shows how the calculated and measured pick-

up voltages for spherical objects change with the height
of the object above the ground plane at lateral distance X
= 0.0 and 0.15 m. The larger the lateral distance X, the
smaller is the pick-up voltage in conformity to Figs.19
and 20. Fig 20 shows how the pick-up voltage increases