CAPACITANCE OF TRANSMISSION LINES Note: Three-phase TL, 3-subconductor bundle per

(Overhead Transmission Line Conductors) phase, arranged either in vertical or horizontal

configuration
Capacitance of Single-Phase and Three-Phase
Overhead Transmission Lines Distance between phases: (phase spacing)

Formula: Cn = 0.05563/ln (GMD/GMRC), µF/km DAB = 10 m, DBC = 10 m, DCA = 20 m

100 cm
Where: GMD = 3 √ (10)(10)(20) = 12.6 m x 1 m = 1260

cm
Cn = Capacitance per line to neutral or capacitance per
phase (for three-phase)
3-subconductor bundle: (bundle spacing)
CL = line to line capacitance or capacitance between
lines 0.175 inch 2.54 cm
d = 45 cm; r= x =0.222 cm
2 1 inch
CL = Cn/2 or Cn = 2CL

Note: The capacitance per phase contained terms

GMRC3b = √3 DS x d 2 = √3 (0.222)(45) 2 = 7.66 cm
analogous to those derived for inductance per phase.
However, unlike inductance where the conductor 0.05563 0.05563
Geometric Mean Radius (GMRL = 0.7788r, solid Cn = GMD µF/km = 1260 cm =
conductor or GMR or Ds for stranded conductor, ln ( ) ln ( )
considered as fictitious radius) is used, while in
GMR C 7.66 cm
0.010896 µF/km
capacitance formula, the Geometric Mean Radius
(GMRC = GMR = Ds = r), the actual radius r is used,
XCn = capacitive reactance (ohms-km)
regardless whether the conductor is solid or stranded)

Sample Problems 10 6 10 6
XCn= = Ω-km x
2∏f(Cn) 2∏(60)(0.010896)
Problem #1. A 115 kV line has a vertical configuration 1 kΩ
with 9 ft spacing. The diameter of the 336.4 MCM
ACSR conductor used is 0.721 inch. What is the total 1000 Ω
capacitance if the length of the line is 20 km?
A. 0.282 µF C. 2.20 µF XCn = 243.44 kΩ-km (Answer A)
B. 0.187 µF D. 5.25 µF
Problem #3. The charging reactance of a 50 km length
of a line is 1500 ohms. The charging reactance for a
Solution: 100 km length of the line will be ____.
A. 1500 Ω C. 750 Ω
B. 3000 Ω D. 600 Ω
Note: Three-phase TL, 1-conductor (stranded) per
phase, arranged in vertical configuration
Solution:
1st condition: L1 = 50 km, XCn1 = 1500 Ω
d = diameter = 0.721 inch
2nd condition: L2 = 100 km, XCn2= ?
d 0.721 inch
r = radius = = = 0.3605 inch
2 2 Note:
XCn1’ ≠XCn2’(capacitive reactance in ohms are NOT the
DAB = DBC = 9 ft and DCA = 9 x 2 = 18 ft same or equal)

XCn1 = XCn2 = constant = (XCn’)(L) (capacitive reactance

GMD = √3 D AB D BC D CA = √3 (9)(9)(18) = 11.339 ft per unit length are the same or equal and is constant
12 inch regardless of the length of the line)
x GMD = 136.068 inch
1 ft Formula:
Capacitive reactance per unit length (Ω-km or Ω-mile)
0.05563 0.05563 = Capacitive reactance (Ω) times length (km or miles)
Cn = GMD µF/km = 136.068 µF/km x
ln ( ) ln ( ) XCn1 = (XCn1’)(L1); XCn2 = (XCn2’)(L2)
GMR C 0.3605
20 km (1500)(50) = (XCn2)(100)

Cn = 0.187 µF (Answer B) XCn2 = 750 Ω (Answer C)

Problem #2. Calculate the capacitive reactance in kilo-
ohm-km of a bundled 60 Hz, three-phase line having
three conductors per bundle with 45 cm between
conductors of the bundle. The outside diameter is
0.175 inch and spacing between bundle centers is 10
m, 10 m, and 20 m, respectively.
A. 243 C. 486
B. 765 D. 382
Solution:
Problem #4. The capacitive reactance of a 40 km,
34.5 kV, three-phase distribution lines is 90,000 ohms
per km
I) What is the capacitive reactance in ohms per km if
the length of the line is 100 km?
II) What is the charging reactance in ohms if the
length of the line is 100 km?
Solution:
1st condition: XCn1’ = 90,000 Ω-km; L1 = 40 km
 0.05563
2nd condition: L2 = 100 km
I. Find: XCn2’ =?
Cn = GMD µF/km
ln( )
GMR C
XCn2’ = XCn1’ = 90,000 Ω-km (Ω per km)
0.05563
II. Find: XCn2 =? Charging reactance in ohms 1.609 km
Cn = 1512 µF/km x x 125 miles
ln ( ) 1 mile
X Cn2 ' 90,000 Ω - km 1.64
XCn2 = = = 900 Ω
L2 100 km
Cn = 1.639 µF

10 6 10 6
XCn = =
2∏f(Cn) 2∏( 60 )(1.639)

XCn = 1619.27 Ω (Answer B)

Problem #5. Calculate the line to line capacitance of a
100 km single phase overhead transmission line
having copper conductor of 1 m apart and diameter of
Problem #7 (Double circuit line: taken from the book
1.2 cm each.
A. 0.517 µF C. 0.525 µF problem 3.29)
B. 0.543 µF D. 0.442 µF
Note: Using the same data as in the previous problem
Solution: in solving the inductance per phase (problem #3.28)

Note: Single-phase transmission line with one (1) solid Note:

conductor per line GMD (inductance) = GMD (capacitance) = 6.61 m
GMRL = 0.316 m
GMD = D = 1 m x 100 cm/1 m = 100 cm GMRC = 0.358 m

d 1.2 cm
GMRC = DS = r = = = 0.6 cm
2 2
Formula:

0.05563 0.05563
Cn = GMD µF/km = 100 µF/km x
ln ( ) ln ( )
GMR C 0.6
100 km

Cn = 1.08678 µF

Cn 1.08678 µF
CL = = = 0.543 µF (Answer B)
2 2
Problem #6. A 3-phase, 60 Hz line has a flat horizontal
spacing. The conductors have an outside diameter of
3.28 cm and 12 m between conductors. Determine the
capacitive reactance to neutral of the line in ohms if its
length is 125 miles.
A. 1550 Ω C. 1430 Ω
B. 1620 Ω D.1360 Ω

Solution:

Note: Three-phase TL, 1-conductor per phase, single-

circuit and horizontal configuration

DAB = DBC = 12 m, and DCA = 2 x 12 m = 24 m

GMD = √3 D AB D BC D CA = √3 (12)(12)(24)
GMD = 15.12 m x 100 cm/m = 1512 cm

d 3.28 cm
GMRC = r= = = 1.64 cm
2 2
Formula: