Comparison of volume of copper used for different

systems of transmission of power (Maximum

voltage between two outer conductors)
(underground cable)
 The following assumptions are made for comparison:
1- The power transmitted over all the system is same (Ptransmitted =
constant).
2- The distance over which the power is transmitted is same (Length =
constant).
3- The power losses in all the systems are same (PLoss = constant).

4- The maximum voltage between the two conductors is same (Emax =

constant).
 Two-wire DC system
P : The power supplied. l
R ,A
Em : Maximum voltage between conductors. +
I
A : Cross section area of the conductor.
R : Resistance per conductor.
Em
P
P =    E m  I    I =      
Em
I
Q PLoss = 2  I R   
2
–

2
æP ö
÷ rl
= 2ç
ç ÷
÷ ´   
ç
èE ÷
ø A
m

2  P 2 r  l
\ A = 2
  
PLoss   E m
 Two-wire DC system

The volume of copper used in 2-wire DC system is: l

R,A
+
I
V ol =   2  A l   
Em
æ 2  P 2 r  l ö
÷
=   2 ç
ç ÷
÷ l        ...(1)
ç
è P   E 2
÷
ø
Loss m I
–
 Two-wire DC system with mid-point earthed
R1 , A1
P +
P =   E m  I 1    I 1 =      I1
Em
Q PLoss = 2 I 12 R 1   
Em
2
æP ö rl
÷
= 2ç
ç ÷
÷ ´   
ç
èE ÷
ø A1
m

I1
2 –
2P r  l
\ A1 = 2
  
PLoss   E m
 Two-wire DC system with mid-point earthed
R 1 , A1
The volume of copper used in 2-wire DC system with I1 +
mid-point earthed is:

V ol 1 =   2  A1l   

æ 2P 2 r  l ö Em
=  2 ç
 ç ÷
÷ l        ...(2)
ç 2 ÷
÷
è P   E
Loss m ø
For the comparison: I1
–
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system with mid - point earthed V ol1
=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol

= 1 
 Three-wire DC system
R 2 , A2
At balanced loads I n =   0  
I2 +
P
P =   E m  I 2    I 2 =     
Em R n , An –
E
In= 0 + m
Q PLoss = 2  I 22 R 2   
2
æP ö
÷ rl
= 2ç
ç ÷
÷ ´    I2 –
ç
èE ÷ A2
ø
m

2P 2 r  l
\ A2 = 2
  
PLoss   E m
 Three-wire DC system
R 2 , A2
 At An = 0.5 A2 I2 +
The volume of copper used in 3-wire DC system is:

V ol 2 =   2.5  A 2 l    R n , An –
In= 0 + Em
æ 2  P 2 r  l ö÷
ç
=   2.5´  ç ÷ l      ...(3)
çè P   E ø 2 ÷
÷
Loss m
For the comparison: I2 –

volume of copper used in 3 - wire DC system V ol 2

=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol

5
=        =  1  .25
4
 Three-wire DC system
 At An = A2 R 2 , A2
I2 +
The volume of copper used in 3-wire DC system is:

V ol 2 =   3 A 2 l   
R n , An –
E
æ 2  P 2 r  l ö
÷
In= 0 + m
=   3ç
 
ç ÷
÷ l     
ç
è P   E
2
÷
ø
Loss m

For the comparison: I2 –

volume of copper used in 3 - wire DC system V ol 2

=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol
6
=    = 1.5
4
 Single-phase two-wire AC system
R 3 , A3
I3
P =    E rms  I 3 cos f   
Em
Em 2   P
=     I 3 cos f   I 3 =     
2    E m cos f I3

Q PLoss = 2  I 32 R 3   
2
æ 2   P ö
÷ rl
= 2ç
ç
ç
÷
÷ ´   
ç
è E m cos f ÷ A3
ø

4P 2 r  l
\ A3 = 2 2
  
PLoss   E m cos f
 Single-phase two-wire AC system
R 3 , A3
The volume of copper used in single phase 2-wire AC I3
system is:

V ol 3 =   2  A 3l    Em

æ 4P 2 r  l ö
÷
I3
=  2´ çç  ÷
÷ l       ...(4)
çè P   
E 2
cos 2
f ÷
ø
Loss m

For the comparison:

volume of copper used in single phase 2 - wire AC system V ol 3

=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol
2
=  2
 
cos f
 Single-phase two-wire AC system with mid-point earthed
R4 , A 4
P =    E rms  I 4 cos f    I4

Em 2   P
=     I 4 cos f   I 4 =      Em
2    E m cos f

Q PLoss = 2  I 42 R 4   
I4
2
æ 2   P ö
÷ rl
= 2ç
ç
ç
÷
÷ ´   
ç
è E m cos f ÷ A4
ø

4   P 2 r  l
\ A4 = 2 2
  
PLoss   E m cos f
 Single-phase two-wire AC system with mid-point earthed
R 4 , A4
The volume of copper used in single phase 2-wire AC
I4
system with mid-point earthed is:

V ol 4 =   2  A 4 l   
Em
æ 4   P 2 r  l ö
÷
=  2 ´ çç  ÷
÷ l       ...(5)
çè P   E 2 cos 2 f ÷
ø
Loss m
I4
For the comparison:

volume of copper used in single phase 2 - wire AC system with mid-point earthed V ol 4
=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system Vol

2
=  2
 
cos f
 Single-phase three-wire AC system
R 5 , A5
At balanced loads I n =   0  
I5
P =    E rms  I 5 cos f   
R n , An
Em 2   P I n= 0 Em
=     I 5 cos f   I 5 =     
2    E m cos f

Q PLoss = 2  I 52 R 5    I5

2
æ 2   P ö
÷ rl
= 2ç
ç
ç
÷
÷ ´   
ç
è E m cos f ÷ A5
ø

4   P 2 r  l
\ A5 = 2 2
  
PLoss   E m cos f
 Single-phase three-wire AC system
R 5 , A5
 At An = 0.5 A5
I5
The volume of copper used in single phase 3-wire AC
system is:
R n , An
V ol 5 =   2.5 A 5 l    I n= 0 Em

æ 4   P 2 r  l ö
÷
=   2.5´  ç
ç ÷
÷ l      ...(6)
ç
èP   
E 2
cos 2
f ÷
ø I5
Loss m

For the comparison:

volume of copper used in single phase 3 - wire AC system V ol 5
=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol
2.5
=   2   
cos f
 Single-phase three-wire AC system
R 5 , A5
 At An = A5
I5
The volume of copper used in single phase 3-wire AC
system is: In
R n , An
V ol 5 =   3 A 5 l    I n= 0 Em
æ 4   P 2 r  l ö
÷
=   3´ ç ç ÷
÷ l  
çè P   E 2 cos 2 f ÷
ø I5
Loss m

For the comparison:

volume of copper used in single phase 3 - wire AC system V ol 5
=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol
3
=   2    
cos f
 Two-phase three-wire AC system
R 6 , A6
I n =    I 2
6 + I 2
6 I6
Em
 
2
=    2   I 6 Em
2 I 6
P =   E m I 6 cos f  
P
I 6 =     
 E m cos f
I6
Q PLoss = 2 I 62 R 6  +  I n2 R n

( )
2
= 2  I R 6  +   2  I 6
2
6 Rn
 Two-phase three-wire AC system

 Assuming current density is constant (Jn= J6) R 6 , A6

I6
In I6 Em
J n =   J 6 =    2
 
An A6 Em
R6 2 I 6
\ A n =   2  A 6 \ Rn =    
2
Hence:
R6 I6
( )
2
PLoss = 2  I R 6  +   2   I 6
2
6 ´
2
(
=  2+ )
2    I 62 R 6
2
æ P ö rl
(
=  2+ ) ç
2    ´ ç ÷
÷´
çè E cos f ÷
÷
ø A6
  
m
 Two-phase three-wire AC system

\ A6
(
=   
2+ )
2    P r l
2 R 6 , A6
I6
2 2 Em
PLoss  E cos f
m
 
2
Em
The volume of copper used in two phase 3-wire AC 2 I 6
system is:

(
V ol 6 =    2 + )
2  A 6 l    I6

çç( )
æ 2 + 2    P 2 r l ÷ ö
÷
(
=    2 + )
2 ç ç ÷
÷
çè PLoss  E m cos f ÷
2 2
l          ...(7)     
÷
ø
 Two-phase three-wire AC system
R 6 , A6
For the comparison:
I6
Em
volume of copper used in two phase 3 - wire AC system Vol 6  
= 2
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol Em
2 I 6

( )    
2
2+ 2
= 
4  cos 2 f I6

2.9142
=    2
   
cos f
 Two-phase four-wire AC system
P
=   E rms  I 7 cos f    R 7 , A7
2 I7
2  E m 2   P
\ P =    I 7 cos f   I 7 =      Em
2 2  E m cos f
I7
I7
Q PLoss = 4  I R 7   
2
7
Em I7
2
æ 2  P ö
÷ rl
ç
= 4´ ç ÷ ´   
ç
ç ÷
÷ A7
è 2   E m cos f ø

2   P 2 r  l
\ A7 = 2 2
  
PLoss   E m cos f
 Two-phase four-wire AC system

The volume of copper used in two phase 4-wire AC R 7 , A7

system is: I7

V ol 7 =   4  A 7 l    Em

æ 2   P 2 r  l ö I7
= 4´ çç    ÷
÷
÷ l       ...(8) I7
çè P   E 2 cos 2 f ÷
ø
Em I7
Loss m

For the comparison:

volume of copper used in two phase 4 - wire AC system V ol 7

=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol
2
=  2
 
cos f
 Three-phase three-wire AC system
R 8 , A8
P =    3   E ph   I ph cos f    I8
Em
 
æ E m ö 3
÷ 6   P
=   3çç ÷
÷ I 8 cos f   I 8 =      N Em
çè 6   ø 3   E m cos f
I8

Q PLoss = 3 I 32 R 3   
I8
2
æ 6   P ö
÷ rl
ç
= 3ç   ÷ ´   
ç
ç ÷
÷ A8
è3   E cos f
m ø

6  P 2 r  l
\ A8 =   
3  PLoss   E m cos f
2 2
 Three-phase three-wire AC system

The volume of copper used in three phase 3-wire AC R 8 , A8

system is: Em I8
 
V ol 8 =   3 A 8 l    3
N Em

æ 6     P 2
r  
l ö÷
= 3´ çç 
I8
    ÷  l      ...(9)
çè3  P   E cos f ø÷
2 2
÷
Loss m
I8
For the comparison:

volume of copper used in three phase 3 - wire AC system V ol 8

=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system Vol
1.5
=  2
 
cos f
 Three-phase four-wire AC system
R 9 , A9
P =    3   E ph   I ph cos f    I9

æ E m ÷ö 6   P R n , A n Em
ç
=   3ç ÷ I 9 cos f   I 9 =      N
÷
çè 6   ø In= 0
3   E m cos f
I9

Q PLoss = 3 I 92 R 9   
I9
2
æ 6   P ö
÷ rl
ç
= 3ç  ÷ ´   
ç
ç ÷
÷ A9
è3   E cos f
m ø

2  P 2 r  l
\ A9 = 2 2
  
PLoss   E m cos f
 Three-phase four-wire AC system

 At An = 0.5 A9 R 9 , A9
I9
The volume of copper used in three phase 4-wire AC
system is:
N
R n , A n Em
V ol 9 =   3.5  A 9  l    In= 0
I9
æ 2 P 2r  l ö÷
=   3.5´  çç   ÷÷ l    ...(10)
çè P   E 2 cos 2 f ø÷ I9
Loss m

For the comparison:

volume of copper used in three phase 4 - wire AC system V ol 9
=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol
3.5 1.75
=  2
  =    2  
2  cos f cos f
 Three-phase four-wire AC system

 At An = A9 R 9 , A9
I9
The volume of copper used in three phase 4-wire AC
system is:
N
R n , A n Em
V ol 9 =   4  A 9  l    In= 0
I9
æ 2  P 2 r  l ö
÷
=   4´ çç  ÷
÷ l   
çè  P   E 2
cos 2
f ÷
ø I9
Loss m

For the comparison:

volume of copper used in three phase 4 - wire AC system V ol 9
=
volume of copper used in 2 - wire DC system V ol
2
=   2    
cos f
 Example 1
30,000 kW at power factor 0.8 lagging is being transmitted over a 220 kV three-
phase transmission line. The length of the line is 275 km, and the total losses are
10% of the transmitted power. Calculate the weight of copper used and also
calculate the weight of copper had the power been transmitted over a single-
phase transmission line for the same line voltage and losses. Assume that the
resistance of 1 km long conductor and 1 cm2 cross-section is 0.173 ohm and
specific gravity of copper is 8.9.
Solution
Three phase 3-wire system R1 , A1
I1
P =   30000   k W   ,  cos f =   0.8 
V
V =   220    k V (Line )  ,    L =   275   k m  
I1
PLoss =   0.1´  P   ,    g c =   8.9  
I1
R =   0.173   W    at 1   k m   long   and   1   cm 2  area
 Example 1
Q P =   3  V
   I 1 cos f

P
\ I1 =  
3  V
  cos f

30000 ´ 103
\ I1 =  
3´  220´ 103 ´  0.8

=  98.3  A

Q PLoss =   0.1´  P   \   PLoss =   0.1´  3000   =   3000    k W  

3000
A lso ,   PLoss =   3 I  R1  
2
\   R1 =       =  103
  .5    W
1
3´ 98.3
 Example 1
103.5
\    R1   (for   1  k m   length )  =       =   0.376    W
275
R 1    A given
Q     =       
R given A1

  R given ´ A given   0.173´ 1

\    A1 = =   =   0.46     cm 2      
R1 0.376

\   V  ol1 = 3  A1   l = 3´ 0.46´ 275´ 10 =   380´ 10    c m      

    5
  5
  3

\   W
  eight   of  c opper  u sed = V ol 1 ´ g
380´ 105 ´ 8.9
                                              = =   338´ 103    k g      
1000
 Example 1
Three phase 3-wire system Single phase AC system
R 1 , A1 R 2 , A2
I1 I2

V V
I1
I2
I1

Q P =   3  V
   I 1 cos f Q P =   V
   I 2 cos f

\ 3 V
   I 1 cos f = V  I 2 cos f

\   I 2 = 3   I 1
PLoss 1 =   3  I 12  R 1 PLoss 2 =   2   I 22  R 2
 Example 1

PLoss 1 =   PLoss 2   

\    3  I 12  R1 =   2   I 22  R 2

R2 1 A2
\      =    \      =   2
R1 2 A1

V ol 2 2  A 2  l 4
    =      =   
V ol 1 3 A1  l 3
4
 \  W
  eight  o f  c opper  u sed   in   1f =      ´     W
  eight   of  c opper  u sed   in   3f
3
4
 =    ´ 338´ 103   =   450.67 ´ 103     k g
3
 Example 2
A 5 km long three-wire DC feeder has an outer conductor of 1.5 cm diameter.
The loads on the positive and negative sides are 44 kW and 36 kW,
respectively. The load voltage is 220 V. If the same power is to be supplied
with a two-wire DC system, for the same line loss and same voltage, calculate
the weight of copper used. The middle wire is of half the cross-sectional area
of that of outer conductor. Take ρ as 1.73 μΩ.cm.
Solution
3-wire DC system
2-wire DC system
R1 , A
+ I1+ R2 ,A2

44 kW 220 V I2
– Rm , 0.5A1 +
+ 80 kW 220 V
Im

36 kW 220 V –
I2
I1 -
–
 Example 2
Load  o
  n   positive   side =   44   k W    Q P2 =   80   kW   

=  V  ´ I 1+        ´    I 2   

=  V
+ 44000
\ I =     
1   =   200   A  
220 80000
\ I 2 =      =   363.6     A   
Load  o
  n   negative   side =   36  k W    220
=   V  ´ I 1-      P =   
2   
I 2
Loss 2 2   R 2    
- 36000
\ I =     
1   =   163.6  A  
220 =   2   ´ 363.6 2 ´   R 2    
\ I m =     I 1+ - I 1-   =   36.4  A  
=   2644 ´ 10 2  R 2         W
 
p ´ 1.52
A1 =       =    1.77    c m 2   
4
 Example 2
r´ l
R 1 =         
A1

1.73´ 10- 6 ´ 5´ 105

=         
1.77

=   0.489     W  

\    R m =   2´ R1      

=   0.978    W     

+ 2 2
\    PLoss 1 =   (I 1 )´ R1 + (  I 1
-
)´ R1  
                  +   I m2 ´ R m  =   33944   W
   
 Example 2
PLoss 1 =   PLoss 2   
2644 ´ 10 2  R 2  = 33944 \    R 2  =   0.1284     W

r´ l 1.73´ 10- 6 ´ 5´ 105

\    A 2  =      =    =   6.74     cm 2
R2 0.1284

  ol 2  =   2  A 2  l
\   V

=   2 ´  6.74 ´ 5´ 105   =   6.74´ 10 6  c

 m3

\   W
  eight  o f   copper  u sed   =   V  ol 2 ´ g    

67400 ´ 106 ´ 8.9

= =   59986    k g
1000