Module 3

Typical transmission

The flow of electrical power from generating station to consumer is called an Electric Power system
consisting of generating station, transmission network and distribution system. A typical
transmission along with distribution scheme is as shown below.

Fig 1. Schematic representation of typical transmission distribution scheme

This scheme shows a generating station (generating 11kV power) which is located too far away
from cities and towns. The generated power is stepped up to 132kV, 220kV or more and transmitted
with the help of transmission lines and towers. Some of the factors like voltage levels, resistance and
inductance of lines, line performance, interference with neighbouring circuits, strength of supports,
sag calculations, tension etc have to be considered while designing transmission lines. During
maintenance or failures, an additional line runs parallel along with transmission lines called
duplicate line.

Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

The power is transmitted to substations consisting of step down transformers rated at 33kV to 6.6kV
or 3.3kV. The transfer of power from receiving station to substation with the help of conductors
called feeders. This is called secondary transmission.

From substations, power is distributed to local distribution centres with the help of distributors.
From distributors, the power is transferred directly to the loads like factories or industries called
primary distribution. And for light loads it is further stepped down to 230V or 400V using
distribution transformers. This is called secondary distribution.

Fig 2. Single line diagram of a typical transmission distribution scheme

Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

Standard voltages for transmission and distribution

Following voltage levels are commonly used for transmission and distribution
1. For Generation: 6.6kV, 11kV,22kV or 33kV
2. For primary transmission 66kV,132kV,220kV upto 1200kV
3. For secondary transmission: 11kV, 22Kv or 33kV
4. For primary distribution: 6.6kV or 11kV
5. For secondary distribution: 230V and 400V

Advantages of high voltage transmission

The high voltage transmission is preferred because of following advantages:

1. Reduction in current
Power transmitted is given by
P=√3VIcosф
Where V is the transmission voltage
I is the load current
cosф is the load power factor
Hence load current is given by
𝑃
I=
√3Vcosф

From above equation it is clear that for constant power factor the load current is inversely
proportional to the voltage. As voltage increases, current gets reduced, thus reducing the size of the
conductor for transmitting same amount of power.

2. Reduction in losses
Power loss in a line is given by

2
2
P
𝑤 = 3𝐼 R = 3 [ ] R
√3Vcosф
𝑃2 𝑅
=
𝑉2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 ф

From the above expression, it is observed that power loss is inversely proportional to transmission
voltage i.e., greater the transmission voltage lesser the loss in the line.

Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

 3. Reduction in volume of conductor material required
𝑃2 𝑅
w.k.t. 𝑊=
𝑣 2 cos2 𝜙
𝑙
but 𝑅 = 𝜌
𝑎

𝑃2 𝜌𝑙
∴𝑊 =
𝑉 2 𝑊cos2 𝜙
𝑃 2 𝜌𝑙
𝑎=
𝑉 2 𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜙
Volume of conductor material required
= 3 × area of conductor × length of line
= 3×a×𝑙
3×𝑃2 𝜌𝑙 2
Volume =
𝑤𝑣 2 cos2 𝜙

It is clear that as transmission voltage increases, volume of conductor material reduces.

4. Decrease in voltage drop and improvement of voltage regulation

Voltage drop in transmission line is given by 3IR i.e., with reduction in current due to increase in
voltage, voltage drop in line reduces.
𝑣oltage drop
And voltage regulation = × 100
sending voltage
3𝐼𝑅
=
𝑉
𝜌𝑙
3𝐼( 𝑎 )
=
𝑣
𝐼
3(𝑎)𝑙𝜌 3𝐽𝜌𝑙
= =
𝜈 𝑉

As J, ρ, l are constants, regulation of line improves with increase in voltage.

Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

 5. Increase in transmission efficiency

Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

 6. Increased power handling capacity

Power transmitted is given by

𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑅
𝑃= · sin𝛿
𝑥

Assuming VS=VR, then power transmitted is proportional to square of voltage which increases
power handling capacity of line.

7. Equipments required for HVAC is simple and can be adopted without need of high
technology.
8. The total line cost/MW/km decrease with increase in voltage.
9. Lines can be easily tapped and extended.
10. Operation of HVAC system is simple and can be adopted easily.

Overhead transmission line

The main objective of designing a high voltage transmission line is to transmit electrical energy at
the lowest cost with required reliability and satisfactory performance both from the point of its
electrical and mechanical considerations.

Factors affecting mechanical design are:

• Selection of line route.
• Types of towers/poles
• Right of way.
• Ground and conductor clearance.
• Tower spacing, spa length.
• Mechanical loading etc.
Factors to be considered for electrical design are:
• Sufficient current carrying capacity to avoid overheating.
• Minimum line resistance to keep voltage drops and losses as minimum as possible.
• Adequate insulation to withstand not only system voltage during normal conditions but also
transient voltages due to faults, lightning strokes etc.

Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

It is observed that a transmission line conductor of uniform cross section made of homogeneous
materials which is feasible but not elastic, hanging freely between 2 supports, due to its own weight
and other weather conditions takes the form of a catenary or parabola as shown in figure.

From economical point of view, the length of transmission line should be ‘l’ but due to sag, it
requires more conductor material and extra height of supporting poles which increases the overall
cost but if sag is too low then the wire gets subjected to an extra tension and maximum stress due to
factors like temperature, wind pressure etc. But without sufficient sag it is possible that conductor
will undergo mechanical failure hence it is necessary to design sag value considering all severe
conditions.

Definition of sag
Sag: the difference in levels between points of support and the lowest point on the conductor is
called sag.
Calculation of sag and tension
Two cases are considered. They are:
i. The supports supporting the conductor are located at equal level.
ii. The supports supporting the conductor are located at unequal level.

Supports at equal level

Fig 3. Supports at same level

Consider a conductor supported A & B which are at same level as shown in figure.
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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

 Let L be the length of span in mts.
w is the weight per unit length of the conductor in kg/m.
T is the tension in the conductor in kg.
Point O is the lowest point on the trajectory or origin.
Now consider a point P on the conductor and let its co-ordinates be p(𝑥,y). The length of span L
is large compared to sag S and hence the shape of the conductor takes the form of parabola.
𝐿
Let l=half span of length=
2
Assuming the length OP of the conductor is same as the x co-ordinate of point P.
[∵curve is small due to sag]
∴ l(OP)= 𝑥
Two external forces acting on the portion OP of the conductor,
1. The tension T
2. The weight w𝑥 which acts at a distance of x/2 from the point O or P, as OP=𝑥.

Taking moments of these two forces about point P and equating them we get,
𝑥
𝑇 ∗ 𝑦 = 𝑤𝑥 ∗ [moment = force ∗⊥ distnace from fixed axis]
2

𝑊𝑥 2
∴ 𝑦= ------------------------------- 1
2𝑇
The equation shows that the trajectory is parabolic in nature. At the support A and B, the vertical
distance y from the origin O indicates the sag S.
𝐿
∴ At A or B, 𝑥 = 𝑙 = 2 and y=S
Substituting in equation 1
𝑤 𝐿 2 𝑤𝐿2
𝑆= ( ) = ------------------------------- 2
2𝑇 2 8𝑇
where L is the total span length, and
T is the tension in conductor.
The sag at any point P of the conductor is
Sag at P = S-y
𝑤𝐿2 𝑊𝑥 2
= -
8𝑇 2𝑇
𝑤
∴ Sag at P = 8𝑇 [𝐿2 − 4𝑥 2 ] -----------------------3

Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

 Supports at unequal levels

In hilly areas or at rivers it is not possible to have supports at equal levels, then it becomes
necessary to use supports at unequal levels as shown in figure

Let L be the total span length.

H be the difference in levels.
T be the tension in conductor.
𝑥1 be the distance of point O from the support A.
𝑥2 be the distance of point O from the support B.
𝑤 be the weight/unit length of the conductor.
𝑤x21
𝑤. 𝑘. 𝑡 S1= =Sag at A ----------------------------------------1
2𝑇
𝑤x22
𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒 S2 = = Sag at B ----------------------------------------2
2𝑇
The sum of 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 gives the total span length L

∴ L= 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 -----------------------------------------------3

If 𝑥1 & 𝑥2 are known, then sags S1 and S2 can be obtained using equations 1 & 2, by
subtracting equation 1 from 2.
𝑤
∴ S2-S1 = 2𝑇 (𝑥22 − 𝑥12 )
𝑤
= 2𝑇 (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥2 + 𝑥1 )

Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

 𝑤
= 2𝑇 (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 ) 𝐿 --------------------------------------- 4 [using 3]

From figure it is also seen that distance h which is difference in levels is also the difference
between 2 sags S1 and S2.
∴ S2-S1= h -----------------------------------------------5
Now from equations 4 & 5
𝑤
h = 2𝑇 (𝑥2 − 𝑥1 ) 𝐿
2𝑇ℎ
∴𝑥2 − 𝑥1 = --------------------------------- 6
𝑤𝐿
Solving equations 3 and 6 simultaneously, we get
𝐿 𝑇ℎ
𝑥1 = − -------------------------------------7
2 𝑤𝐿
𝐿 𝑇ℎ
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥2 = + ----------------------------------------8
2 𝑤𝐿

Once 𝑥1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥2 is known, sags S1 and S2 can be calculated easily.

Effect of atmospheric conditions on transmission line

The performance of transmission line gets affected by atmospheric conditions in areas where
they are situated. In some areas where winter is severe or the areas experiencing snowfall, there
are chances of ice coating on transmission line. Also in some hilly areas the transmission line
gets subjected to tremendous force of wind. Thus while designing the transmission line; all these
varying conditions have to be taken into consideration.
The effect of 2 severe atmospheric conditions on sag and tension calculations now
considered are:
i. Effect of ice coating.
ii. Wind pressure.
Effect of ice coating

Fig. Ice coated conductor

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

When the transmission line is coated with ice, the thickness, weight and size of the conductor increases. The
increase in weight increases the vertical sag i.e., weight acts downwards in same direction as that of
conductor.
Consider a conductor with diameter ‘d’ coated with ice of thickness ‘t’ as shown in figure. The
overall diameter of the coated conductor is D, given by
D= d +2T ------------------------------------------1
𝜋
And area of coated conductor = 𝐷2
4

Hence the area of ice covering,

𝜋
Ai = 4 [𝐷2 − 𝑑 2 ] ------------------------------------------------------2

Considering density of ice to be 915kg/m3 and if d and D are in mts, then area in m2 i.e., volume of
ice in m3/metre length of conductor. Then total weight of ice can be obtained as,
𝜋
Eight of ice/unit length = wi =915 * [𝐷2 − 𝑑2 ] kg/m ---------------3
4

This weight acts vertically downwards.

Now substituting 1 in 3
𝜋
wi = *915 ∗ [(𝑑 + 2𝑇)2 − 𝑑2 ]
4
𝜋
= 915 * 4 [𝑑2 + 4 𝑇 2 + 4𝑑𝑇 − 𝑑2 ]

∴wi = 915 𝜋t[d+T] kg/m -------------------------------------------------- 4

In general,
wi =weight of ice/unit length = density of ice * 𝜋𝑡(𝑑 + 𝑇) kg/m
where d is the original diameter of conductor.
t is the thickness of ice coating.
Effect of wind pressure

Since the wind flow horizontally, its pressure on conductor is considered to be acting perpendicular
to conductor. Thus force due to wind acts at right angles to the projected surface of the conductor as
shown in figure.
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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

The wind force ww can be obtained as,
ww = wind force/unit length in kg/m
= (wind pressure/unit area) x (projected surface area/unit length)
= wind pressure x [(d+2t)*1]
∴ ww = P[(d+2t)]
Where p is the wind pressure in kg/m2
d is the diameter of the conductor
t is the thickness of ice coating if exists.
Hence, the conductor gets acted upon by two additional forces, the one vertically downwards w i and
one in horizontal direction ww.

Effect of ice and wind

Let w be the weight of conductor itself acting vertically down.

wi be the ice acting vertically down.
ww be the wind force acting horizontally.
The total force acting on the conductor is vector sum of the horizontal and vertical forces given by

wt= 𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 = √(𝒘 + 𝒘𝒊 )𝟐 + 𝒘𝒘 𝟐

Note:
1. The sag direction is at an angle θ measure with respect to vertical called as slant sag. From
earlier expression and considering the total weight wt
𝑤𝑡 𝐿2
∴Slant sag, S=
8𝑇

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

 2. The conductor adjusts itself in a plane which is at an angle θ w.r.t. vertical. The angle is
given by,
𝒘 𝒘
∴ 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽 = (𝒘+𝒘 ) 𝒊

3. And the vertical sag is cosine component of the slant sag[ as it is direction at an angle θ w.r.t.
vertical]
∴vertical sag = Scosθ
Factor of safety
Every conductor has certain ultimate strength to withstand beyond which mechanical failure of
conductor occurs. Thus while calculating sag and tension, a particular factor of safety is to be
considered.
Factor of safety is defined as the ratio of breaking stress (ultimate stress) to working stress (normal
stress) denoted by Sf.
Mathematically,
𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
Sf =
𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉
=
𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑻

[The stress is generally expressed in kg/m2 or kg/cm2 hence it must be multiplied by area of the
conductor to express it in kg]

Transmission line parameters

Transmission lines are used to transmit electrical power from generating station to distribution units.
They transmit voltage and current from one end to another. these transmission lines are made up of
conductors having uniform cross section along the line. A transmission line is represented by its
resistance, inductance, capacitance and conductance. The impedance of transmission line consists of
resistance and inductance in series with the line. The admittance of the line consists of he line
capacitance and conductance connected in shunt. Representation of single-phase transmission line
using line parameters is as shown below

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

Line inductance
The inductance of a circuit is defined as the flux linkages per unit current
𝝍
i.e., 𝑳 = henry. Where 𝜓 is the flux linkages(weber-turns) and I is current (Amps)
𝑰
Inductance of a single phase Two wire Transmission line

Fig shows two wire transmission line a and b at distance ‘d’ m apart and of radius ‘r’ m each. The
flux linkages on anyone conductor say ‘a’ is due to
1. The internal flux linkages 𝜆𝑖𝑛𝑡 .

2. The flux linkages between r and (d-r); 𝜆𝑒𝑥𝑡 .

3. The flux linkages between the region (d-r) and (d+r) i.e., over the surface of the conductor b.
4. The flux linkages beyond (d+r). [ is zero as total current enclosed is zero]

Inductance of a conductor due to internal flux

Consider a long, cylindrical conductor as shown.

Let H be the magnetic field intensity(amp-turns/metre) at any point distance 𝑥 (metres) from the centre
of the conductor.

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

According to Ampere’s law “the mmf (ampere-turns) around any closed path equals the current enclosed by
the path.

∮ 𝑯𝒙 𝒅𝒔 = 𝑰𝒙
Where ∮ indictaes the integration around a closed path and

𝐼𝑥 is the current enclosed.

But integration of 𝑑𝑠 round the closed circular path is 2𝜋𝑥.

Hence, 2𝜋𝑥𝐻𝑥 = 𝐼𝑥 .
Assuming a uniform current density in the conductor,
𝝅𝒙𝟐
𝑰𝒙 = 𝑰
𝝅𝒓𝟐
𝑰 𝝅𝒙𝟐 𝒙
∴ 𝑯𝒙 = 𝟐𝝅𝒙
𝒙
=
𝝅𝒓𝟐 . 𝟐𝝅𝒙
𝑰=
𝟐𝝅𝒓𝟐
· 𝑰 𝑨𝑻/𝒎

If (µ = µ0 µ𝑟 ) is the permeability of the conductor, then flux density (𝐵𝑥) at a distance 𝑥 from the
centre of the conductor is given by
µ𝒙 𝑰
𝑩𝒙 = µ𝑯𝒙 = 𝒘𝒆𝒃𝒆𝒓/𝒎𝟐
𝟐𝝅𝒓𝟐
Now the flux enclosed in element thickness dx and per metre (axial) length of the conductor is given by
µ𝒙𝑰
𝒅𝝓 = 𝐝𝐱 . 𝟏 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝟐𝝅𝒓𝟐
This flux links with current Ix so that flux linkages per metre length of the conductor is given by
𝝅𝒙𝟐 µ𝒙𝟑
𝒅𝝍 = 𝒅𝝓 = ( 𝑰𝐝𝐱) wb-turns
𝝅𝒓𝟐 𝟐𝝅𝒓𝟒
𝒓
µ𝒙𝟑 µ𝑰
∴ 𝝍𝒊𝒏𝒕 = ∫ 𝑰𝐝𝐱 = wb − turns
𝟐𝝅𝒓𝟒 𝟖𝝅
𝟎

If relative permeability (µ𝑟 ) of the conductor is taken as 1 and µ0 = 4𝜋 × 10−7 ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑦𝑠/𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒

𝟏
∴ 𝝍𝒊𝒏𝒕 = × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝒘𝒃 − 𝑻/𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒆
𝟐

𝜳𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝟏𝟎−𝟕
∴ 𝑳𝒊𝒏𝒕 = = ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑦/𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑒
𝑰 𝟐

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

Inductance of a conductor due to external flux

Now consider the flux linkages of an isolated conductor due to that portion of flux that lies between
two points distant 𝐷1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷2 mts from centre of conductor 𝑃1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃2 .
The conductor shown in figure carries current I. the flux paths are concentric circles around the conductor
between 𝑃1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃2 . Consider a tubular element which 𝑥 mts from center of the conductor. The field intensity
at this point is 𝐻𝑥 . The m.m.f around the element is
𝟐𝝅 × 𝑯𝒙 = 𝑰
The flux density 𝐵𝑥 at this point is given by
µ𝑰
𝑩𝒙 = µ𝑯𝒙 = 𝒘𝒃/𝒎𝟐
𝟐𝝅𝒙

The flux element 𝑑𝜙 in the tubular element is given by,

𝒅𝝓 = 𝑩𝒙 × 𝐝𝐱 × 𝟏𝒎 (𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠 1𝑚)

µ𝑰
∴ 𝒅𝝓 = 𝟐𝝅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

The flux linkages d𝜓/meter are equal to 𝑑𝜙 since flux external to the conductor links all the current
in the conductor. the total flux linkage between P1 and P2 are obtained by integrating 𝑑𝜓 from
𝐷1 𝑡𝑜 𝐷2.
𝑫𝟐
µ𝑰 µ𝑰 𝐷2 𝐝𝐱 µ𝑰
𝐷2
𝝍𝟏𝟐 = ∫ 𝒅𝒙 = ∫𝐷 = 𝒍𝒏 ( ‾ )and µ = µ𝟎 µ𝒓
𝟐𝝅𝒙 𝟐𝝅 1 𝒙 𝟐𝝅 𝐷1
𝑫𝟏

For relative permeability, µ𝑟 =1

µ𝑰
𝑫𝟐 𝟒𝝅×𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑰
𝑫𝟐 𝑫𝟐
𝝍𝟏𝟐 = 𝟐𝝅
𝒍𝒏 ( ‾ )= 𝟐𝝅
𝒍𝒏 ( ‾ ) = 2 𝑿 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑰 𝒍𝒏 ( ‾ )
𝑫𝟏 𝑫𝟏 𝑫𝟏

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

The inductance due to flux induced between P1 and P2 only is,

𝝍𝟏𝟐
𝑫𝟐
∴𝑳𝟏𝟐 = = 𝟐 𝑿 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝒍𝒏 ( ‾ )
𝑰
𝑫𝟏

Inductance of single phase two wire line

Considered a single-phase line consisting of two conductors (phase and neutral) a and b of equal
radius r. They are situated at a distance D meters. The cross sections of conductors are shown in
the diagram below.

Let the current flow in the conductors are opposite in direction so that one becomes return path
for the other.
The flux linkages of conductor ‘a’ is given by the formula
𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂= 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 [𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 + 𝑰𝒃 ]
𝑫𝒂𝒂 𝑫𝒂𝒃

Here,
𝑰𝒂 = +𝑰
𝑰𝒃 = −𝑰
𝑫𝒂𝒂 = 𝒓𝟏
𝑫𝒂𝒃 = 𝑫

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

Substituting these values in above equation

𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂= 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 [𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝟏
− 𝑰𝒃 ]
𝒓 𝐃

𝑫
= 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑰 𝒍𝒏
𝒓𝟏
Similarly, the flux linkage with the conductor ‘b’ will be

𝑫
𝝍𝒃 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑰 𝒍𝒏 𝒓𝟏

The inductance of the conductor ‘a’

𝝍𝒂 𝑫
𝑳𝒂 = = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝒍𝒏 H/m
𝑰 𝒓𝟏
Similarly, the inductance of conductor ‘b’
𝝍𝒃 𝑫
𝑳𝒃 = = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝒍𝒏 𝟏 𝑯/𝒎
𝑰 𝒓

Inductance per conductor

𝑫
L= La =Lb = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝒍𝒏 𝑯/𝒎
𝒓𝟏

Inductance of both the conductors is given by the formula

𝑫
Loop inductance = La + Lb = 2 × 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝒍𝒏 𝑯/𝒎
𝒓𝟏

𝑫
= 4 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝒍𝒏 𝑯/𝒎
𝒓𝟏

The inductance of an individual conductor is one-half of the total inductance of a two- wire line.
Note: the radius 𝒓𝟏 is an imaginary or fictious conductor assumed to have no internal flux. The
quantity 𝜺−𝟏/𝟒 equals to 0.7788. ∴ 𝒓𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

 Inductance of symmetrical three-phaseline

In symmetrical three-phase line, all the conductors are placed at the corners of the equilateral
triangle. Such an arrangement of conductors is also referred to as equilateral spacing. It is
shown in the diagram below

The flux linkages of conductor ‘a’ is given by,

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 (𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝟏
+ 𝑰𝒃 𝐥𝐧 + 𝑰𝑪 𝐥𝐧 )
𝒓 𝑫 𝑫

If the currents are assumed to be balanced then

𝑰𝒂 + 𝑰𝒃 + 𝑰𝒄 = 𝟎

∴ 𝑰𝒂 = −(𝑰𝒃 + 𝑰𝑪 )

The above equation becomes,

𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 (𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝟏
− 𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 )
𝒓 𝑫

𝑫
= 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 (𝒓𝟏 )

The inductance of a conductor ‘a’ is given by

𝝍𝒂 𝑫
𝑳𝒂 = = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝐥𝐧 (𝒓𝟏 )
𝑰𝒂

Because of symmetry, conductors ‘b’ and ‘c’ will have same inductance as that of conductor ‘a’.
each phase consists of only one conductor. So, the above equation gives inductance/ phase of three
phase lines.
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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

Inductance of a transmission line with unsymmetrical spacing

A three-phase line is said to be unsymmetrical when its conductors are situated at different
distances. Such arrangement of conductors is most common in practice because of their
cheapness and convenience in design and construction. Consider a three-phase
unsymmetrical line, having different spacing between their conductors where the radius of
each conductor is r. It is shown in the diagram below

Flux linkage in ‘a’ is expressed as

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂𝟏 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 (𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝒓𝟏 + 𝑰𝒃 𝐥𝐧 𝑫 + 𝑰𝒄 𝐥𝐧 𝑫 )
𝟏𝟐 𝟑𝟏

Flux linkage in conductor ‘a’ due to ‘b’ is given by

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂𝟐 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 (𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝒓𝟏 + 𝑰𝒃 𝐥𝐧 𝑫 + 𝑰𝒄 𝐥𝐧 𝑫 )
𝟐𝟑 𝟏𝟐

Flux linkage in conductor ‘a’ due to ‘c’ is given by

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂𝟑 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 (𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝒓𝟏 + 𝑰𝒃 𝐥𝐧 𝑫 + 𝑰𝒄 𝐥𝐧 𝑫 )
𝟑𝟏 𝟐𝟑

The average value of flux linkages of ‘a’ is

𝟏
𝝍𝒂 = (𝝍 + 𝝍𝒂𝟐 + 𝝍𝒂𝟑 )
𝟑 𝒂𝟏
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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

 𝟐 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂 = × 10−7 ( (𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝟏 + 𝑰𝒃 𝐥𝐧 + 𝑰𝒄 𝐥𝐧 ) + (𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝟏 + 𝑰𝒃 𝐥𝐧
𝟑 𝒓 𝑫𝟏𝟐 𝑫𝟑𝟏 𝒓 𝑫𝟐𝟑
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
+ 𝑰𝒄 𝐥𝐧 ) + (𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝟏 + 𝑰𝒃 𝐥𝐧 + 𝑰𝒄 𝐥𝐧 ))
𝑫𝟏𝟐 𝒓 𝑫𝟑𝟏 𝑫𝟐𝟑

𝟐 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂 = × 10−7 ( 𝟑𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝟏 + 𝑰𝒃 𝐥𝐧 + 𝑰𝒄 𝐥𝐧 )
𝟑 𝒓 𝑫𝟏𝟐 𝑫𝟐𝟑 𝑫𝟑𝟏 𝑫𝟏𝟐 𝑫𝟐𝟑 𝑫𝟑𝟏

𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
𝝍𝒂 = × 10−7 ( 𝟑𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝟏 + (𝑰𝒃 + 𝑰𝒄 ) 𝐥𝐧 )
𝟑 𝒓 𝑫𝟏𝟐 𝑫𝟐𝟑 𝑫𝟑𝟏

But for balanced conditions, we have

𝑰𝒂 + 𝑰𝒃 + 𝑰𝒄 = 𝟎

∴ (𝑰𝒃 + 𝑰𝑪 ) = −𝑰𝒂
𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
∴ 𝝍𝒂 = × 10−7 ( 𝟑𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 𝟏 − 𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 )
𝟑 𝒓 𝑫𝟏𝟐 𝑫𝟐𝟑 𝑫𝟑𝟏
𝟏
𝟑√𝑫𝟏𝟐 𝑫𝟐𝟑 𝑫𝟑𝟏 𝟏
∴ 𝝍𝒂 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑰𝒂 𝐥𝐧 ( ) ∵ 𝟐 𝐥𝐧𝒎 = 𝐥𝐧𝒎𝟐
𝒓𝟏

Thus the average inductance /phase is

𝟑√𝑫𝟏𝟐 𝑫𝟐𝟑 𝑫𝟑𝟏
𝑳𝒂 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝐥𝐧 ( )
𝒓𝟏
𝐷𝑒𝑞
𝑳𝒂 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝐥𝐧 ( )
𝒓𝟏
𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝐷𝑒𝑞 = 3√𝐷12 𝐷23 𝐷31

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)

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Electric Power Generation and Transmission(18EE406)