CORONA

Lecture # 26
Dated: 28-11-2019
 Outline
 Corona formation
 Theory of Corona
 Factors Affecting Corona
 Analysis of Corona
 Advantages and Disadvantages
 Methods of Reducing Corona
Introduction
One of the phenomena associated with all
energized electrical devices, including high-voltage
transmission lines, is corona.
The localized electric field near a conductor can be
sufficiently concentrated to ionize air close to the
conductors.
This can result in a partial discharge of electrical
energy called a corona discharge, or corona.
Phenomenon of Corona
When ac flows through the T/Line conductors,
whose spacing is large compare to the diameter of
conductor, and there is no apparent change in the
atmospheric air surrounding the conductor, if the
applied voltage is low.
But if the voltage exceeds at a certain value, called
“critical disruptive voltage” the conductors are
surrounded by a faint violet glow called CORONA.
Definition
The phenomenon of violet glow, hissing sound and
production of ozone gas in an overhead transmission line is
known as corona.
OR
Corona is the discharge of static electricity from a power
line.
Theory behind Corona
Ionization is always present in the air due to
cosmic rays, UV radiations and radioactivity.
Under normal conditions the air around the
conductor contains some ionized particles (i.e free
electrons and +ions) and neutral molecules.
When a P.D is applied b/w the conductor,
potential gradient is set up in the air, and will have
the max. value at the conductor surface.
Under the influence of potential gradient the
existing free electrons acquire greater velocities.
The greater the voltage applied, greater the
potential gradient, and more is the velocity of free
electrons.
When this potential gradient at the conductor
surface reaches about 30kV per cm (max.value),
the velocity acquired by the free electrons is
sufficient to strike the neutral molecule with
enough force.
The process of ionization continues to form
corona or spark b/w the conductors.
Sources of Corona
The amount of corona produced by a transmission
line is a function of
• the voltage of the line,
• the diameter of the conductors,
• the locations of the conductors in relation to each
other,
• the elevation of the line above sea level,
• the condition of the conductors and hardware,
• and the local weather conditions
Sources of Corona
The electric field gradient is greatest at the surface
of the conductor.
Large-diameter conductors have lower electric
field gradients at the conductor surface
and, hence, lower corona than smaller conductors,
everything else being equal. 
Factors affecting Corona
Factors that affect the phenomenon of corona
are
 Atmosphere
 Conductor Size
 Spacing b/w the conductors
 Line voltage
Corona Analysis
Critical Disruptive Voltage
Critical Disruptive Voltage:
It is the minimum phase-neutral voltage at which
corona occurs.
 Consider two conductors of radii r cm and spaced d
cm apart.
 If V is the phase-neutral potential than potential
gradient at the conductor surface is given by,
V
g  volts / cm
d
r log e
r
• Now for corona formation, the value of g must be
made equal to the breakdown strength of air.
• It is given by (at 76 cm pressure and temperature
of 25oC) 30kV/cm (max) and 21.1kV/cm (r.m.s.)
and is denoted by go.
• If Vc is the phase-neutral potential required under
these conditions, then,
Vc
go 
d d
r log e Vc  g o r log e
r r
• The expression for disruptive voltage is under
standard conditions ( i.e at 76 cm of Hg and 25oC).
However, if these conditions vary, the air density
also changes, thus alerting the value of go.
• The value of go is directly proportional to air
density. Thus the air breakdown strength at
barometric pressure of b cm of mercury and
temperature of to C becomes g o
 3.92b
•   air density factor 
273  t

• under standard conditions,  1

• So, Critical disruptive voltage, d

Vc  g o r log e
r

• Correction must also be made for the surface

condition of the conductor, which is accounted by
multiplying the above expression with the
irregularity factor mo.
• Therefore Critical disruptive voltage,

d
Vc  mo g or log e kV / phase
r
where mo= 1 for polished conductors
= 0.98 to 0.92 for dirty conductor
= 0.87 to 0.8 for stranded conductors
Visual Critical Voltage
• “It is the minimum phase-neutral voltage at which
corona glow appears all along the line conductors”.
• As the corona glow begins at Vv , not at Vc . The
phase neutral effective value of visual critical
voltage is given by following empirical formula:

0.3 d
Vv  mv g or (1  ) log e kV / phase
r r
• Where mv is another irregularity factor having a
value of 1.0 for polished conductors and 0.72 to
0.82 for rough conductors.

Power Loss due to Corona

• Formation of corona is always accompanied by

energy loss which is dissipated in the form of heat,
sound and chemical action.
• When disruptive voltage exceeded, the power loss
due to corona is given by,
 f  25 r
P  242.2( ) (V  Vc ) 2  10 5 kW / km / phase
 d

Where,
f = supply frequency in Hz
V= phase-neutral voltage(r.m.s)
Vc= disruptive voltage (r.m.s) per phase
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:

•Due to corona formation, air surrounding the

conductor becomes conducting and hence virtual
diameter of the conductor is increased.
•Corona reduces the effect of transients produced by
surges.
Disadvantages:
•Corona is accompanied by a loss of energy. This
affects the transmission efficiency.
•Ozone is produced by corona and may cause
corrosion of the conductor due to chemical action.
•Corona may cause inductive interference with
neighboring communication lines because the
current drawn due to corona is non-sinusoidal.
Methods of Reducing Corona
effect
• The corona effect can be reduced by following
methods
• By increasing conductor size
( accompanied by bundling)
• By increasing the conductor spacing
(defined spacing to reduce corona)
THANKS