Inductance of Transmission Line

Dr. C.N Bhende

School of Electrical Sciences
IIT Bhubaneswar
• The four parameters which affect the performance of a transmission line
as an element of power system are
Inductance
Capacitance
Resistance
Conductance

• Shunt conductance, which is normally due to leakage over line insulators

is neglected in overhead transmission lines.
Inductance
• Voltage induced in the circuit is given by
𝑑𝜓
𝑒=
𝑑𝑡
• The above equation can also written as
𝑑𝜓 𝑑𝑖 𝑑𝑖
𝑒= * = L*
𝑑𝑖 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Where,
𝜓=flux linkages of the circuit in the weber-turns
𝑑𝜓
L= is inductance of the circuit in henrys (function of current 𝑖)
𝑑𝑖
• In a linear magnetic circuit i.e., a circuit with constant permeability,
flux linkages vary linearly with current such that inductance is
constant and it is given by
𝜓
𝐿=
𝑖
• If the current is alternating ,
𝜆 = 𝐿𝐼
where, 𝜆 and 𝐼 are the rms values of the flux linkages and current
respectively.
Flux linkages of an isolated current carrying conductor
• Transmission lines practically are very long and for this analysis they can be
considered as infinitely long.
• Let us develop the expression for flux linkage of a long isolated current carrying
cylindrical conductor with return path lying at infinity.
• Assume that return path for the current in this conductor is so far away that it does
not appreciably affect the magnetic field of the conductor (i.e., they are not
distorted). Then, the lines of flux are concentric (circular lines) to the conductor.
• The total flux is divided into two parts:
1. Flux which is internal to the conductor (flux exists inside the conductor
as well, skin effect)
2. Flux which is external to the conductor
Flux linkages due to internal flux
Fig. 1. shows the cross-sectional view of long cylindrical conductor carrying current I.

Fig. 1: Flux linkages due to internal flux (cross-sectional view)

• The mmf (in amp turns) round a concentric closed circular path of
radius 𝑦 internal to the conductor as shown in the figure is
‫ 𝑦𝐻 ׯ‬. 𝑑𝑠 = 𝐼𝑦 (ampere’s law) ---------------------------- (1)
where, 𝐻𝑦 =magnetic field intensity(AT/m), 𝐼𝑦 =current enclosed (A)
• Since, the field is symmetrical, 𝐻𝑦 is constant at all points equidistant
from the center of the conductor.
• 𝐻𝑦 is constant over the path and tangent to it and is in direction of ds
all along the circular path. Therefore, from above equation we have
2π𝑦𝐻𝑦 = 𝐼𝑦 ------------------------- (2)
• Assuming uniform current density over entire conductor
𝐼𝑦 𝐼
=
π𝑦 2 π𝑟 2
π𝑦 2 𝑦2
𝐼𝑦 = 𝐼= 𝐼
π𝑟 2 𝑟2
• From the above equations ,
𝑦𝐼
𝐻𝑦 = AT/m
2π𝑟 2
𝜇𝑦𝐼
𝐵𝑦 = 𝜇𝐻𝑦 = Wb/m2 ---------------------------- (3)
2π𝑟 2
where, 𝜇 is the permeability of the conductor

• Now consider an infinitesimal element of tubular element of

thickness dy and length one meter.  Area= dy × 1
• The flux per meter of length in the tubular element {Flux = B × Area}
𝐼𝑦
𝑑𝜑 = 𝐵𝑦 𝑑𝑦 webers links the fractional turn ( = 𝑦 2 /𝑟 2 )
𝐼
resulting in the flux linkages of
2 2 2 2 𝜇𝑦𝐼
𝑑𝜆 = (𝑦 /𝑟 )𝑑𝜑 = (𝑦 /𝑟 ) 𝑑𝑦 Wb-T/m
2π𝑟 2
• Integrating, we get the total internal flux linkages as
𝑟 𝜇𝐼 𝜇𝐼
𝜆𝑖𝑛𝑡 = ‫׬‬0 2π𝑟 4 𝑦 3 𝑑𝑦 =
8π
Wb-T/m ---------------------------- (4)

• For a relative permeability 𝜇𝑟 =1 (non- magnetic conductor),

𝜇 = 4𝜋 ∗ 10−7 H/m, then

---------------------------- (5)
Flux linkages due to flux between two points external to conductor

Fig. 2 shows two pts P1 and P2 at distances D1 and D2 from a conductor which carries a
current of I amperes.

Fig. 2: Flux linkages due flux between external points 𝑃1 , 𝑃2

• Magnet field intensity at distance 𝑦 from the conductor is
Iy
Hy = AT/m
2y

• The flux 𝑑𝜑 contained in the tubular element of thickness 𝑑𝑦 is

• The flux 𝑑𝜑 external to the conductor links all the currents in the
conductor which forms a single return, such that its flux linkages are
given by
• Therefore, the total flux linkages of the conductor due to flux between
points 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 is

---------------------------- (6)
The above equation can be written as
---------------------------- (7)

{‘ln’ stands for natural logarithm (base e)}

• The inductance of the conductor contributed by the flux included between
points 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 is

---------------------------- (8)
Flux linkages due to flux up to an external point

• Let the external pt be at distance D from the center of conductor.

• Flux linkages of the conductor due to external (from the surface of the
conductor upto the external point) is obtained from Eq. (7) by
substituting, 𝐷1 = 𝑟 and 𝐷2 = 𝐷 i. e. ,
---------------------------- (9)

• Total flux linkages of the conductor due to internal and external flux are

---------------------------- (10)
 Let

Inductance of the conductor due to flux to an external point is:

---------------------------- (11)
Inductance of a single phase two-wire line
Consider a simple two-wire line composed of solid round conductors carrying
currents 𝐼1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼2 as shown in fig.3.

Fig.3: single-phase two-wire line and the magnetic field due to

current in conductor 1 only
• In a single-phase line,
𝐼1 + 𝐼2 = 0 or 𝐼2 = -𝐼1
{One conductor is return circuit for other}

• Let us first consider the flux linkages of the circuit caused by current in
conductor-1 only.
• A line of flux set up by current in conductor-1 at a distance greater than
(𝐷 + 𝑟2 ) from the center of conductor-1 does not link the circuit. i.e., flux
beyond (𝐷 + 𝑟2 ) links a net current of zero.
• For calculating the total inductance due to current in conductor-1, a
simplifying assumption will now be made. If D is much greater than
𝑟1 and 𝑟2 (which is normally the case for overhead lines), it can be
assumed that the flux from (𝐷 − 𝑟2 ) to the center of conductor-2 links
all the current 𝐼1 and flux from center of conductor-2 to (𝐷 + 𝑟2 ) links
zero current.
• based on the above assumption, the flux linkages of the circuit caused
by current in conductor-1 as

• The inductance of the conductor due to current in conductor-1 only is

then
• Similarly, the inductance of the circuit due to current in conductor-2 is

• Using the superposition theorem, the flux linkages and likewise the
inductances of the circuit by current in each conductor considered
separately may be added to obtain the total circuit inductance

---------------------------- (12)
Flux linkages of one conductor in a group
• Consider group of n parallel round conductors carrying currents I1, I2, … In whose
sum equals zero.
• Two wire line is presented by one conductor in a group of conductors where sum
of currents in all conductors is zero.
• Distances of these conductors
from external (remote) point P
are indicated as D1, D2, …. Dn.

Fig.4: Arbitrary group of N parallel round conductors

carrying currents
• The flux linkages of 𝑖𝑡ℎ conductor due to its own current 𝐼𝑖 (self linkages )
are given by (referring Eq. 11)
---------------------------- (13)

• The flux linkages of conductor-i due to current in conductor-j is

(referring Eq. 7)
---------------------------- (14)

where 𝐷ij is the distance of ith conductor from jth conductor carrying
current 𝐼𝑗 .
• From Eq. 13, and repeated use of Eq. 14, the total flux linkages of
conductor-i due to flux up to point P are

The above equation can be reorganized as

------------ (15)
1
• Substituting for 𝐼𝑛 in the second term of above Eq. 15 and simplifying,

• In order to account for total flux linkages of conductor-i, let the point P now
𝐷1
recede to infinity. The terms such as ln , etc. approach ln(1) = 0.
𝐷𝑛
Also for the sake of symmetry, denoting 𝑟𝑖′ as 𝐷𝑖𝑖, we have

------------ (16)
Inductance of composite conductor lines
Figure shows a single phase line comprising composite conductors A and B
with A having n parallel filaments and B having 𝑚′ parallel filaments.

Fig. 5: Single phase line consisting of two composite conductors

• Though the inductances of each filament will be somewhat different (their
resistance will be equal if conductor diameters are chosen to be uniform), it is
sufficiently accurate to assume that the current is equally divided among the
filaments of each composite conductor.
• Thus, each filament of A taken to carry a current 𝐼/𝑛, while each filament of
conductor B carries the return current of -𝐼/𝑚′ .
• Applying Eq. 16 to filament-i of conductor-A, we obtain its flux linkages as
• The inductance of filament-i is then

------------ (17)

• The average inductance of the filaments of composite conductor-A is

• Since conductor-A is composed of n filaments electrically in parallel, its

inductance
------------ (18)
• Using the expression for filament inductance from Eq. 17 in eq. 18, we
obtain

------------ (19)

• The numerator of the above equation is defined as mutual geometric mean

distance (mutual GMD) between conductors-A and B and it is abbreviated
as 𝐷𝑚 .
• The denominator is defined as the self geometric mean distance (self GMD)
of conductor-A, and is abbreviated as 𝐷𝑠𝐴 . Sometimes, self GMD is also
called geometric mean radius (GMR).
In terms of above symbol, we can write

------------ (19)

• Note the similarity of the above relation with Eq. 11, which gives the
inductance of one conductor of a single-phase line for special case of
two solid round conductors. In Eq.11, r1' is the self GMD of a single
conductor and D is the mutual GMD of two conductors.
• The inductance of the composite conductor-B is determined in a
similar manner, and the total inductance of the line is
------------ (20)
Conductor types
• So far we have considered solid cylindrical conductors.
• To provide the necessary flexibility, conductors used in practice are always stranded
except for very small cross-sectional areas.
• Stranded conductors are composed of strands of wire, electrically in parallel.
• Aluminum is now the most commonly employed conductor material. It has the
advantages of being cheaper and lighter weight than copper for the same resistance
though with less conductivity and tensile strength.
• Low density and low conductivity result in larger overall conductor diameter, which
offers another incidental advantage in high voltage lines.
• Increased diameter results in reduced electrical stress at conductor surface for a
given voltage so that the line is corona free.
• The low tensile strength of aluminum is increased up by providing central strands
of high tensile strength steel. Such a conductor is known as aluminium conductor
steel rein forced (ACSR) and most commonly used in overhead transmission lines.
• Fig. 6 shows the cross-sectional view of an ACSR conductor with 24 strands of
aluminium and 7 strands of steel.
• These are known as bundled conductors and
are a common practice now for EHV lines.

Fig. 6: ACSR Conductor

Inductance of Three-Phase Lines with Symmetrical Spacing
➢ If we assume that there is no neutral wire, or
if we assume balanced three-phase phasor
current,

➢ Flux linkages of conductor-a

Wb-T/m Fig.7: Cross sectional view of

the equilaterally spaced
conductors of 3-ph line

Wb-T/m

------------ (21)
Inductance of three-phase lines with Unsymmetrical Spacing
• Fig. 8 shows the conductors of a three-phase with unsymmetrical
spacing

Fig.8: Cross sectional view of a three-phase line with unsymmetrical spacing

• Assume that there is no neutral wire, so that

• Due to unsymmetrical spacing, the flux linkages and therefore the

inductances of each phase are not same.
• Different inductance in each phase results in currents and unbalanced
receiving end voltages even when sending-end voltages are balanced.
• Balance of three phases can be restored by exchanging the positions of the
conductors at regular intervals along the line such that each conductor
occupies the original position of every other conductor over an equal
distance.
• Such an exchange of conductor position is called transposition.
• The arrangement shown in fig. 9 causes each conductor to have the
same average inductance over the transposition cycle.

Section-1 Section-2 Section-3

Fig. 9: A complete transposition cycle

By applying Eq. 16 to Conductor-a:
• For the Section-1, the flux linkages of conductor ‘a’

• For the Section-2, the flux linkages of conductor ‘a’

• For the Section-3, the flux linkages of conductor ‘a’

• Average flux linkages of conductor ‘a’ are

But,

Let,

Then,
• If ra = rb = rc , we have

• It is not the present practice to transpose the power lines at regular

intervals. however, an interchange in the position of the conductors is
made at switching stations to balance the inductance of the phases.
• For all practical purposes the dissymmetry can be neglected and the
inductance of an untransposed line can be taken equal to that of a
transposed line.
• If the spacing is equilateral, then
Inductance calculation for bundled conductors

Fig. 10: Bundled conductors: (a) 2-conductor,

(b) 3-conductor and (c) 4-conductor bundles.

Ds , 2b = 4 (Ds  d ) = Ds  d → 2-conductor
2

Ds ,3b = 9 (Ds  d  d ) = 3 Ds  d 2
3
→ 3-conductor

Ds, 4b = 16
(D  d  d 
s 2d )
4
= 1.09 4 Ds  d 3 → 4-conductor

• The inductance of the bundled conductor is then given by

GMD
L = 2  10− 7 ln
Ds ,b
Q: A conductor consists of seven identical strands each having a radius of r.
Determine the factor by which r should be multiplied to find the self GMD of the
conductor.
Solution:
Double-circuit three phase lines

• It is common practice to build double-circuit 3-ph lines so as to

increase transmission reliability at somewhat enhanced cost.
• From the power transfer point of view, it is desirable to build the two
lines with as low inductance/phase as possible.
• In order to achieve this, self GMD should be made high and mutual
GMD should be made low.
• Therefore, the individual conductors of a phase should be kept as far
as permissible (for low mutual GMD).
Fig. 11 shows the three sections of transposition cycle of two parallel (i.e.,
double-ckt) 3-ph lines. From the fig. it is noted that conductors-a and 𝑎′ in
parallel compose phase-a and similarly b and 𝑏 ′ compose phase-b and c and 𝑐 ′
compose phase-c.

Fig.11: Arrangement of conductors of a double-circuit three phase line

• Applying the method of GMD, the equivalent equilateral spacing is

where,

• Hence,
• It may be noted that Deq remains the same in each section of the transposition
cycle, as the conductors of each parallel ckt rotate cyclically.
• Self GMD in section 1 of phase a (i.e., conductor a and a’) is
• Because of the cyclic rotation of conductors of each parallel circuit
over the transposition cycle, 𝐷𝑠 also remains the same in each
transposition section.
• The inductance per phase is

• The self inductance of each circuit is given by

Where M is the mutual inductance between the two circuits

• This is a well known result for the two coupled circuits connected in parallel
𝑝
• If h>>D, leads zero and M tends zero i.e., the mutual impedance between
𝑞
the circuits becomes zero
Resistance

• Though the contribution of line resistance to series line impedance

cab be neglected in most cases, it is the main source of line power
loss.
• Thus while considering transmission line economy, the presence of
line resistance must considered.
• The effective AC resistance is given by

Where I is the rms current in the conductor in amperes.

• Ohmic or DC resistance is given by the formula

• The effective changes in temperature , the resistance increases with

temperature in accordance with the relationship

Where, R=resistance at temperature 0𝑜 𝐶

∝0 =temperature co-efficient of the conductor at 0𝑜 𝐶
SKIN EFFECT
• The distribution of current throughout the cross-section of a conductor is uniform
only when DC is passing through it.
• On the contrary when AC is flowing through a conductor, the current is non-
uniformly distributed over the cross-section in a manner that the current density is
higher at the surface of the conductor compared to the current density at its center
• This effect becomes more pronounced as frequency is increased .
• This phenomenon is called Skin effect .
• It causes larger power loss for a given rms AC than the loss when the same value
of DC is flowing through the conductor.
• Consequently, the effective conductor resistance is more for AC than for DC.
• Imagine a solid round conductor (a round shape is considered for convenience
only) to be composed of annular filaments of equal cross-sectional area.
• The flux linking the filaments progressively decreases as we move towards the
outer filaments for the simple reason that the flux inside a filament does not
link it.
• The inductive reactance of the imaginary filaments therefore decreases
outwards with the result that the outer filaments conduct more AC than the
inner filaments(filaments being parallel).
• With the increase of frequency the non-uniformity of inductive of the filaments
becomes more pronounced, so also the non-uniformity of current distribution.