Radio interference voltage measurement system for the

measurement of corona

Siphesihle Nkosi
Discipline of Electrical Engineering, Electronic & Computer Engineering
University of KwaZulu–Natal

Student Name : Siphesihle Nkosi - 217012929

Course : Electrical Design 5
Code : ENEL4EA

Design of a radio interference voltage measurement system for the

measurement of corona

Phase 3 Report
Abstract

Various conductor corona test techniques have been applied to forecast the corona performance
of high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission lines. This report discusses
investigating and designing a radio interference voltage measurement system to measure the
corona of alternating current (AC) power lines. A corona cage test system measured a thin
conductor wire's radio interference excitation function values inside the corona cage. Uniform
procedures for measuring radio noise generated by corona from overhead power lines and
substations are established in the IEEE Standard Procedures for Measuring Radio Noise from
Overhead Power Lines and Substations and other standard procedures. The electromagnetic
environment (such as audible noise, radio interference, and total electric field) caused by corona
discharge restricts the conductor selection and structural design of transmission line parameters
and often brings environmental issues; therefore, it is necessary to do this investigation for
reasons as such. This report aims to support the proper understanding and setup of the Radio
Interference Voltage (RIV) measurement system for the measurement of corona in High Voltage
(HV) systems. The limitations of RIV measurements and their relation to Partial Discharge (PD)
measurements are described and discussed. The components used for the circuit design and the
available devices will ensure repeatable results and simplified comparisons and help detect test
object failures. The leading theory and principles of PD measurement are explained, followed by
a short description of the PD and RIV processing blocks and a comparison of the calibration
methods. Furthermore, the differences in RIV standards are covered. Important
recommendations will be given on which fundamental parameters to be stored in the
measurement records for future analysis of test objects. Those recommendations will provide a
plausible overview of the potential aging effects and failure development which helps to improve
final product quality management.

i|Page
ii | P a g e
List of Abbreviations
HVAC - High Voltage Alternating Current

AC - Alternating Current

RIV - Radio Interference Voltage

HV - High Voltage

PD - Partial Discharge
RN - Radio-Noise
MWP - Megawatt Park

iii | P a g e
Contents
Abstract........................................................................................................................................................i
List of Abbreviations....................................................................................................................................ii
1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................................1
1.1. Background..................................................................................................................................1
1.2. Problem Statement......................................................................................................................2
2. Literature review.................................................................................................................................3
3. Methodology.......................................................................................................................................4
4. Findings...............................................................................................................................................5
4.1. Advantages of Corona..................................................................................................................5
4.2. Disadvantages of Corona.............................................................................................................5
5. Discussion............................................................................................................................................5
6. Recommendations...............................................................................................................................6
7. Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................7
References...................................................................................................................................................8

iv | P a g e
 1. Introduction
In order to produce experimental data for the study of corona physics and to forecast the corona
performance of high-voltage (HV) transmission lines, corona test methods are frequently used.
The ability to predict a transmission line's radio-noise (RN) performance is necessary to verify
the reliability of the line design. Eskom’s principal conductor corona test method is the large
outdoor corona cage situated at an altitude of 1550m at Eskom Megawatt Park (MWP),
Johannesburg, South Africa [1]. The large corona cage and a small laboratory corona cage test
method have proven valuable for radio-interference (RI) predictions on HV alternating-current
(HVAC) transmission lines [2]. Electrode geometries, such as point-to-plane, sphere-to-plane,
and concentric spheres, have been used to study corona discharges [3]. The main criterion for a
small laboratory corona test cage is to have an adequate margin between the corona inception
and breakdown level. Smooth and stranded conductors can be evaluated in a small cage, and
artificial corona sources can simulate conductor imperfections and water drops [4]. The
movement of space charge will accompany the corona discharge around the wire, which will
then produce corona discharge phenomena including radio interference and auditory noise.

1.1. Background
The first electric power company was introduced in the year 1882, by Thomas A. Edison [5].
The first transmission line was of DC type with a length of 59 km operating at 2.4 kV.
Subsequently, electricity demand and transmission distances increased, making DC transmission
impracticable. A few years later, the introduction of AC machines (transformers, induction, and
synchronous motors and generators) made AC transmission more attractive for transmitting large
amounts of power over long distances with the use of HV transformers [6]. For many years AC
transmission remained the best available method of power transmission over long distances.
However, as time went, technological advances and unavoidable economic factors emerged and
DC systems became more comparable to AC systems, and DC transmission was re-introduced in
the 1950s [7].

1|Page
1.2. Problem Statement

2|Page
2. Literature review

3|Page
 3. Methodology
3.1. NEMA-ANSI and CISPR discussion
The limitations of voltage calibration according to NEMA-ANSI were partially rectified by the
CISPR definition of current calibration. At the same time, however, a certain confusion arose
due to the current calibration of voltage measurement. CISPR also defines a rather complex
measuring circuit with a defined relationship between the coupling capacitor and the measuring
impedance characteristic. In addition, an elaborate calibration procedure is required. But in
practice, most requirements are ignored because some are too difficult or impossible to fulfil.

Figure 1: CISPR measuring circuit diagram [8].

In Figure 1 according to [8] the total impedance Zs+ RL shall be 300 Ω+¿−40 Ω with a
maximum phase angle of 20° at the measuring frequency. If only a single capacitor is to be used,
then C3 must be five times the overall stray capacitance to the ground, which is difficult to
measure or verify. C3 is recommended to be 1 nF or L 2=200 μH and C2 = 50 to 100 pF with the
resonance corresponding to the measuring frequency. The measuring impedance shall consist of
R 2=275 Ω, R 1=50 Ω (same as detector impedance), and L 1=1 mH . Calibration with a 50 µA
current (1 V /20 kΩ) is recommended.

4|Page
 4. Findings
4.1. Advantages of Corona
Corona’s mechanism has been studied in detail over the years. By introducing new equipment
capable of producing controllable corona (or plasma equipment), some industrial usage for
corona has been found. Corona-based equipment is used in industrial applications;

 Ozone manufacturing (with negative corona)

 Air, and water sanitizers with plasma technology
 Air ionizers for different health applications
 Photocopy machines
 Nitrogen laser
 Surface flattening
 Solid-state fans for cooling microchips

4.2. Disadvantages of Corona

Corona is one of the major problems of power transmission engineering. Specific safety
measures should be implemented in relation to the corona. The negative effects of the corona can
be reduced but they cannot be eliminated. The expense of the transmission line and the
conductor's corona level are traded off. Eliminating the corona totally will cost an expensive
transmission line. Consequently, careful research should be done before designing the
transmission lines.

5. Discussion

5|Page
6. Recommendations

6|Page
7. Conclusion

7|Page
References

[1] A. J. O. a. H. C. Reader, “Wideband and Narrowband HVDC Conductor Corona Test Methods for
Radio Noise Prediction,” IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, 2010.

[2] R. G. Urban, “Power line corona noise prediction for small cage measurement,” Ph.D. dissertation,
Univ. Stellenbosch,, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, 2004.

[3] W. S. Z. a. J. K. E. Kuffel, High Voltage Engineering: Fundamentals, 2nd ed., Oxford, U.K :
Butterworth-Heineman, 2005.

[4] P. S. Maruvada, “Corona performance of high-voltage transmission lines,” Research Studies Press
Ltd,, London, UK., 2000.

[5] J. D. G. a. M. Sarma, Power System Analysis & Design, USA: PWS Publishing Company, 1994.

[6] A. Britten, V. L. Chartier and L. Zafanella, Audible Noise, EPRI AC Transmission Line, 2005.

[7] B. M. W. a. B. J. Cory, Electric Power Systems, 4th edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1998.

[8] C. T. 18-2, “Radio interference characteristics of overhead power lines and high-voltage equipment –
Part 2: Methods of measurement and procedure for determining limits,” IEC, 2017.

8|Page