CSE 024

Comparison of electrical clearance

between Japan and other countries

AUTHORS

T. YAMANAKA - Electric Power Development Co., Ltd., Japan

Y. SHIMOMURA -  Kyushu Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Co., Inc.,
Japan (Former af liation: The Japan Electric Association)
S. MURAKAMI - J-POWER Transmission Network Co., Ltd., Japan
K. FUJITA - Tohoku Electric Power Network Co., Inc., Japan
Y. KOYAMA - Chubu Electric Power Grid Co., Inc., Japan

Summary
The electrical clearance (D) in Japan is calculated from the sum of Safety distance
(Ds) and Minimum air clearance required to prevent a disruptive discharge between
phase conductors and objects at earth potential during fast front or slow front
overvoltages (Del). Del is ‘clearance increment’ and depends on the system voltage.
This is the same idea as in foreign countries. The interpretation of the technical
standards (Ministerial Ordinance) for electrical appliances and materials (hereinafter
referred to as ‘Interpretation of Technical Standards’) stipulates a clearance value
that increases with rising voltage (hereinafter referred to as ‘clearance increment’).
The clearance increment varies depending on the safety distance and has been set
as 12 cm / 10 kV above 60 kV for other structures and trees, and 15 cm / 10 kV above
35 kV for buildings.

The clearance increments in other countries are generally set to about 6 cm / 10 kV,
so as the voltage rises, Japan's clearance is clearly larger than in other countries.
When the clearance was established in Japan in 1959, there were no 500 kV
overhead transmission lines (hereinafter referred to as ‘OHL’), and the clearance of
extra-high voltage OHL had not been suf ciently studied. Since then, the number of
OHL of 170 kV class and above has been increasing rapidly. It was thought that if
these clearances could be reviewed to be comparable to those in other countries, the
height of towers would be reduced and the area of tree trimming that interferes with
OHL would be reduced, leading to cost savings in the construction and maintenance
of OHL. Based on these circumstances, in order to explore the possibility of
reviewing the electrical clearance of EHV OHL in Japan, we conducted overseas
survey on the regulations of Germany, France, Canada, and the United States and
then not only the electrical clearance values but also basis for their setting were
investigated and compared to Japanese one. The overseas survey con rmed that

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 1

there would be no safety problem with relaxing the electrical clearance of OHL
exceeding 170 kV, hence we applied to the regulatory authority to change it. As a
result, on February 25, 2020, it was approved to amend the clearance increment
(Del) to 6 cm / 10 kV with respect to the electrical clearance between overhead
transmission line exceeding 170 kV and building, road, other electric wire, tree.

This amendment of the electrical clearance will reduce the height of 500 kV towers
by about 2 m, thereby reducing the cost of materials, transportation, and assembly of
the towers. In addition, by reviewing the electrical clearance from the conductor to
the tree, the area of trees to be cut down as obstacles can be reduced, especially
when the conductor swings sideways in the wind. Therefore, it will reduce not only
the compensation cost of new OHL, but also the maintenance cost of existing OHL.

This paper describes the results of the studies and investigations that formed the
basis for the rst revision of Japan's electrical clearances in 61 years, and the effects
of the regulatory changes on the design and cost of OHL.

KEYWORDS

Overhead transmission line - Clearance - Minimum insulation gap - Interpretation of technical

standards for electrical facility in Japan - National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) - CSA - EN 50341-1 -
EN 50341-2-4 - EN 50341-2-8 - VDE - UTE C11

1. Introduction
The interpretation of the technical standards (Ministerial Ordinance) for electrical
appliances and materials (hereinafter referred to as ‘Interpretation of Technical
Standards’) stipulates a clearance value that increases with rising voltage
(hereinafter referred to as ‘clearance increment’). The clearance increments vary
depending on the type of object approaching the conductor, with ‘other
structures*1 and trees’ set at 12 cm / 10 kV and ‘buildings’ at 15 cm / 10 kV. However,
in other countries, they are generally set at around 6 cm / 10 kV, and as the voltage
class increases, the deviation from the Japanese clearance becomes more
pronounced.

This standard value was set in 1959, but at that time, 500 kV overhead lines did not
exist and the clearance for EHV lines was not fully considered. Since 1959, the
number of EHV OHL above 170 kV has been increasing rapidly. Therefore, if this
clearance can be revised, the cost of construction and maintenance of OHL will be
reduced.

*1In Interpretation of Technical Standards, structures other than ’buildings, roads (except those
with infrequent vehicular and human traf c), pedestrian bridges, railroads, tracks, cableways,
overhead  communication lines, low-voltage (600 V or less) or high-voltage (7,000 V or less)
overhead electric  lines, low-voltage or high-voltage train lines, and other electric lines
exceeding 7,000 V’ are de ned as ‘other structures’.

2. Comparison of clearance distance in EHV

overhead transmission lines

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 2

The clearance (D) is calculated from the sum of Safety distance (Ds) and Minimum air
clearance required to prevent a disruptive discharge between phase conductors and
objects at earth potential during fast front or slow front overvoltages (Del). Del is
‘clearance increment’ and depends on the system voltage. (Table 1).

The safety distance (Ds) was calculated from model cases in each country, and there
was no signi cant difference between Japan and other countries for buildings and
other structures. On the other hand, the clearance increment (Del) is 6.4 cm / 10 kV
in the United States and Canada, 6.2 cm / 10 kV in Germany (average of 35 kV or
more), and 7.5 cm / 10 kV in France, so the clearance increment in Japan is
remarkably large. As a result of this, the divergence from Japan's clearance becomes
striking as the voltage class grows larger (Figure 1 and 2).

Table 1 - Calculation formula for the clearance (D) and References

Calculation formula for the

Country clearance (D) Reference

United States D*2 = Ds + Del - National Electrical Safety Code

(NESC)

Canada D*2 = Ds + Del - CSA standard C22.3 No.1-15

Overhead Systems

Germany D = Ds + Del - EN 50341-1, EN 50341-2-4

(VDE 0210-1, VDE 0210-2-4)

France D = Ds + Del*3 - EN 50341-1, EN 50341-2-8

(UTE C11-001, ARRÊTÉ
TECHNIQUE)

Japan D = Ds + Del*4 - Technical standards for electrical

facility in Japan

*2  Phase to ground voltage

*3 Consider the probability of approaching the conductor
*4 This value varies depending on the object that must be kept away from the conductor

3. The clearance increment (DEL)

3.1.  Clearance increments in Japan (old standard)

The clearance increment in Japanese old standard was set to increase 15 cm per
every 10 kV exceeding 35 kV for buildings, and 12 cm per every 10 kV exceeding 60
kV for other structures and trees [1]. This value was set by the Electric Construction
Standards of 1959. According to the description in the standard, the basis of the
clearance increment of 12 cm / 10 kV is as follows. It had to have a safety margin
slightly greater than the Minimum insulation gap*5 of 6 cm / 10 kV and the Standard

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 3

insulation gap*6 of 10 cm / 10 kV and also refer the other countries values. Therefore
the value was decided to adopt the intermediate value between those up to 1958 (20
cm / cm) and the Minimum insulation gap (Figure 3). Furthermore, since it was
considered that the value for buildings needed a safety margin more than other
structures, 15 cm / 10 kV was adopted.

*5 ‘The minimum insulation gap’ is de ned as the air gap that does not cause ashover for the
assumed switching surge and short-time overvoltage.
*6 ‘The standard insulation gap’ is de ned as the air gap that allows lightning-induced ashover

to occur between the arc horns and not between the wires and the tower.

Figure 1*7: Comparison of electrical Figure 2*7: Comparison of electrical

clearance with other countries (other clearance with other countries
structures) (buildings)

*7Figures 1 and 2 are taken from Figures 3.1 and 3.3 in Electrical clearance for extra high
voltage overhead transmission lines exceeding 170 kV, JESC E2012 (2013), (in Japanese) [13]

3.2.  Clearance increment in the U.S.

The current U.S. clearance increment is set to 1.0 cm / kV above the ground voltage
of 22 kV [2]. In 1949, it was to 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) / kV, but in the 1980s it was
amended to a 0.4 inch (1.0 cm) / kV [3]. The 0.5 inch and 0.4 inch per 1 kV of ground
voltage can be calculated from the Guard Zone speci ed in the NESC. Guard Zone
means the Minimum insulation gap to the charged section (Figure 4). The Guard
Zone has been updated with the advancing research and technology on switching
surges since around 1960, and presumably as a result, the clearance increment was
amended from 0.5 inch / kV to 0.4 inch / kV. In addition, considering the switching
surge factor used in EHV OHL, the clearance increment exceeding 35 kV is 0.64 cm /
kV.

3.3. Clearance increment in Canada

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 4

The clearance increment in Canada is set at 1.0 cm / kV when the ground voltage
exceeds 22 kV, and is equivalent to the United States clearance increment [4]. The
CSA standard adopted in Canada cites a number of IEEE standards, and the
clearance increment has presumably been set in the same way as the US NESC
standard.

Figure 3 - Clearance increment and

insulation gap that change with Figure 4 - Clearance from live parts
increasing system voltage

3.4.  Clearance increment in Germany

The German clearance increment is based on the European reference EN standards
[5][6][7]. This value is speci ed as the Minimum insulation gap based on the
European empirical method, and was determined by analyzing values from about 30
countries that cooperated in establishing the standard (Table 2).

Table 2 - Minimum air clearance Del

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 5

 Highest system voltage
Us (kV) Del (m)

36 0.35

52 0.60

72.5 0.70

100 0.90

123 1.00

145 1.20

170 1.30

245 1.70

300 2.10

420 2.80

525 3.50

3.5.  Clearance increment in France

The clearance increment in France considers the probability of approaching the
conductor. The adopted value depends on the circumstances, so if the probability of
approaching the conductor is low, there is an increase of 0.25 cm / kV, for medium
probability the increase is 0.50 cm / kV, and for high probability the increase is 0.75
cm / kV [8][9].

4. Minimum isolation gap in Japan

In 1958, Japan's rst proposed recommendation for the insulation design standard
was drafted. This proposed recommendation was drafted with reference to the
technical documents and test data of other countries, and the Minimum insulation
gap is set as the clearance to withstand switching surges and sustained abnormal
voltages [10]. Later, based on advances in research and technology on switching
surges, insulation design guidelines were published in 1966 and 1986 [11] [12].
When the clearance increment is calculated from Minimum insulation gap against
switching impulse voltage in Japan, it is 5.2 cm / 10 kV (Figure 5). A more
conservative value would be 6.0 cm / 10 kV, which is equivalent to the clearance
increment in other countries.

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 6

Figure 5 - Calculation the clearance increment from Minimum insulation gap against switching impulse
voltage in Japan

5. Comparison of electrical clearance between

new and old standards
Comparing the clearance increment before and after the amendment of the
interpretation of the Japanese technical standards, the clearances could be reduced
by about 2 to 3 m for 500 kV (Figure 6 and 7). As a result, tower height of 500 kV OHL
can be reduced by about 2 m.

Figure 6 - Clearance distance before and after amendment (other structures)

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 7

 Figure 7 - Clearance distance before and after amendment (buildings)

6. Potential for flashovers resulting from the

amendement of the clearance increment
The possibility of ashover from the conductor to other objects after the clearance
amendment was examined as follows, in the case of lightning striking the conductor
(lower phase). The standard insulation gap is an airgap set to ensure that ashovers
caused by lightning occur between arcing horns rather than between conductor and
tower, and it is calculated by the following equation [12].

L=1.115 x Z＋0.021

Where,
L: Standard insulation gap (m), Z: Arcing horn gap (m)

In the new standard, a clearance exceeding the standard insulation gap has been
assured, and there is no  potential for ashovers to other objects (Table 3, Figure 8
and 9).

Table 3 - Standard insulation gap and clearance

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 8

 System voltage Standard Clearance to objects (m)
(kV) insulation
gap (m) [10] New standard Old standard

Other Buildings Other Buildings

structures  6 cm / 10 kV structures 15 cm / 10 kV
6 cm / 10 kV 12 cm / 10 kV

187 1.53 (100%) 3.44 (225%) 5.22 (341%) 3.56 (233%) 5.40 (353%)

220 2.36 (100%) 3.62 (153%) 5.40 (229%) 3.92 (166%) 5.85 (248%)

275 3.03 (100%) 3.98 (131%) 5.76 (190%) 4.64 (153%) 6.60 (218%)

500 4.82 (100%) 5.30 (110%) 7.08 (147%) 7.28 (151%) 10.05 (209%)

Figure 8 - Comparison of the clearance

Figure 9 - Comparison of the clearance
(between conductor and other
(between conductor and buildings)
structures, trees)

7. The effect of regulatory amendment in

electrical clearances on the design and cost of
overhead transmission lines

7.1.  Estimated construction cost reduction for overhead

transmission lines
By amending the electrical clearance between the EHV OHL and the trees, the
clearance between the conductor of the 500 kV OHL in the mountainous area and the
trees can be reduced by 1.98 m. Therefore, the height of the tower can be reduced by
about 2 m (See Figure 10). The reduction of the tower height by 2 m means that
approximately 2 tons of steel per tower can be reduced, and the cost of tower
materials and erection work can also be reduced. This amendment will contribute to

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 9

a reduction of about 1 % of the total construction cost of the 500 kV OHL in Japan
[13]. Since most of the EHV OHL in Japan pass through mountainous areas, the
economic effect of the revised clearance regulation is incredibly signi cant. The
electrical clearance of OHL in urban areas (the minimum height above ground of
OHL)is determined by the regulation value of electric eld strength at the ground
surface. It has been con rmed through actual measurements that the EMF level is
not a problem if the OHL satis es this electric eld strength regulation value.

Figure 10 - Reduction effect of EHV overhead transmission line towers passing through mountainous
areas

7.2. Effect of reducing the area of trees that are cut down
as obstacles to conductor
The expected reduction in the area of tree falling on conductors due to the
amendment of electrical clearance is described as follows. The reduction ratio in the
area of tree trimming, determined from the required clearance when the conductor
swings 60 degrees and sideways in high winds, is 3.8 % for overhead transmission
lines of 170 kV and above, which can be reduce the compensation cost (see Figure
11) [13]. This is not a temporary compensation at the time of OHL construction, but
lasts as long as the facility exists, so this economic effect is also signi cant.

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 10

 Figure 11 - Comparison of falling width of obstructed trees according to new and old standards

8. Conclusions
As in Japan, the electrical clearance in other countries is calculated based on the
standard clearance value plus the clearance increment per 10 kV, but since the
Japanese clearance increment used to be larger than in other countries, there was a
maximum divergence of about 3 m in 500 kV. The Japanese electrical clearance was
amended for the rst time in 61 years on February 25, 2020 after many years of
study and recent overseas surveys. This will reduce the height of 500 kV towers by
about 2 m, which will reduce the material and assembly costs of the towers and
reduce the area of trees to be cut down as obstacles. It will not only reduce the cost of
constructing new OHL, but also the cost of maintaining the existing one, which will
have a signi cant economic impact.

References
1. Technical Standards for Electrical Facility in Japan (in Japanese)
2. National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) C2 (2017)
3. National Bureau of Standards Handbook H43
4. CSA standard C22.3 No.1-15 Overhead Systems (CSA)
5. EN 50341-1 Overhead electrical lines exceeding AC 1 kV - Part 1: General
requirements - Common speci cations
6. EN 50341-2-4 Overhead electrical lines exceeding AC 1 kV - Part 2-4: National
Normative Aspects (NNA) for GERMANY
7. VDE 0210-1 Overhead electrical lines exceeding AC 1 kV Part 1: General
requirements – Common speci cations
8. EN 50341-2-8 Overhead electrical lines exceeding AC 1 kV - Part 2-8: National
Normative Aspects (NNA) for France
9. UTE C11-001 Conditions techniques auxquelles doivent satisfaire les
distributions d'énergie électrique - Arrêté technique

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 11

10. Insulation Design Standard for Power Transmission Lines, IEEJ Recommendation,
1958 (in Japanese)
11. Insulation Design Guidelines for Overhead Transmission Lines (Part I), IEEJ
Technical Report, 1966 (in Japanese)
12. Insulation Design Guidelines for Overhead Transmission Lines (Part II), IEEJ
Technical Report, 1986 (in Japanese)
13. Electrical clearance for extra high voltage overhead transmission lines exceeding
170 kV, JESC E2012 (2013), (in Japanese)

Contact Author: T. YAMANAKA 

©2023 - CIGRE CSE N°24 February 2022 12