XI International PhD Workshop

OWD 2009, 17–20 October 2009

Optimization Based Reduction of Electric and Magnetic

Fields Emitted by Overhead Lines

Klemen Deželak, University of Maribor, Slovenia

(prof. Gorazd Štumberger, University of Maribor, Slovenia)

Abstract shielding wire [5] and the clearance between the

This work focuses on the optimization of 400 lowest conductor and ground at the point of the
kV single-circuit overhead power line conductors maximal conductor sagging.
arrangement. Main conditions in the objective In order to minimize computational effort, it is
functions are values of magnetic and electric field on substantial to approximate the conductor sagging
the border of the overhead power line right of way. with a straight conductor. It was shown that the use
Parameters like clearances between individual of straight conductors can substantially reduce
conductors, clearances between conductors and required computational effort and time, while the
overhead ground wire and clearance between the increase of calculated magnetic and electric field
lowest conductor and ground in the point of the error is acceptable low.
highest conductor sagging, are in the optimization
process chosen in such a way that they complies the 2. Calculations of electric and
requirements of insulation coordination. Individual magnetic fields
parts of tower are not considered in optimization The electric field strength dE, caused by the
process. charge q placed on the differential element dl with
the length dl, can be calculated in the point of
1. Introduction interest by (1) [6]. In (1) ε0 is the permittivity of the
This work deals with the defining optimal free space while a stands for the vector with length
arrangements of 400 kV overhead line conductors. a, which is directed orthogonally from the direction
Calculations of electric and magnetic field performed of conductor element dl to the point of interest, as it
on existing overhead power lines in Slovenia show is shown in Fig. 1. The angles between the beginning
that field values on the border of the overhead lines and ending points of conductor element dl and the
right of way could be too high [1]. For that very point of interest are marked with α1 and α2 (Fig. 1).
reason, this paper deals on decrease of electric and
magnetic fields emissions by an appropriate
arrangement of overhead line conductors. The
stochastic algorithm called Differential Evolution [2]
was used to determine the appropriate positions of
conductors [2]. Differential Evolution is an evolution
algorithm based on populations of individual
subjects, where different operators like crossover,
mutation and selection are used to find optimal Fig.1. Electric field strengt h a nd magnetic field density
solution. caused by conducto r section.

The goal of optimization is to find conductors

positions that allow minimal tower height, while the
q dl
values of the magnetic and electric fields on the dE = ( sin α 2 − sin α1 ) +
border of the overhead power line right of way (± 25 4πε 0 a dl
(1)
m) are under prescribed limits [1]. In this work only q a
those conductor arrangements that fulfil the + ( cos α1 − cos α 2 )
requirements of insulation coordination [3], [4], are 4πε 0 a a
considered as possible solutions of the optimization
problem. The requirements that must be fulfilled are The magnetic flux density dB, caused by the
given in the form of the clearances between current i flowing through the straight section of the
conductors, the clearances between conductors and conductor, can in any arbitrary point of interest be

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calculated by (2) [7]. In (2) µ0 stands for the and sagging 8.86 m. It is shown that the increase of
permeability of free space, a stands for the vector computational magnetic and electric field error is still
with length a, which is directed orthogonally from acceptable low.
the direction of conductor element dl to the point of
interest, as it is shown in Fig. 1. The angles between 3. Results of optimization
the beginning and ending points of conductor The goal of optimization is to find the tower with
element dl and the point of interest are marked with minimal height where the rms values of the magnetic
α1 and α2 (Fig. 1). In the case of magnetic field flux density and electric field strength on the border
calculations dN in Fig. 1 is considered as dB while in right of way are under prescribed limits. Additional
the case of electric field calculations as dE. Vectors optimization constrains are given in the form of
dE and dB consist of components in axes x, y, and z minimum air clearances required to prevent a
(Fig. 1), denoted with dEx, dEy, dEz and dBx, dBy and, distruptive discharge between phase conductors
dBz. (3.68 m) and distruptive discharge between
conductors and objects at earth potential (3.02 m)
µ0i during slow-front overvoltages [5]. Minimum
dB = (cos α 1 − cos α 2 ) 
 dl × a 
 (2) clearance between the conductors and the ground is
4π a  dl a  Hmin = 8 m, while the shielding angle is set to the 30°
[5]. The optimization procedure tries to find
Once the lengths of electric field strength vector symmetrical distribution of overhead transmission
E and the length of magnetic field density B are line conductors in the system with only one
calculated by summing up contributions of all overhead ground wire. All results presented in this
conductor elements. In addition the three time delay work are obtained without considering individual
currents and voltages with frequency 50 Hz must be parts of tower in the optimization process.
considered. Finally root mean square (rms) values
Erms and Brms can be obtained by (3) and (4).

t
1
E 2 (τ ) dτ
T t −∫T
Erms 2 = (3)

t
1
B 2 (τ ) dτ
T t −∫T
Brms 2 = (4)

Fig. 2 shows typical 400 kV single-circuit

overhead line, with two conductors per phase,
located in Slovenia. All distances marked in the Fig.
2 are valid at the midspan, where the conductor
sagging reaches maximal value.

The root mean square (rms) values of magnetic Fig.2. The arra ngemen t of ov erh ead power lin e
conductors for single circuit l ine.
and electric fields on the border of the overhead
power line right of way are very important. For
Slovenian newly constructed overhead power lines Fig. 6 shows electric and magnetic fields
the rms values of magnetic and electric fields should calculated for the initial arrangements of conductors
not exceed the values 10 µT and 0.5 kV/m and for the arrangements of conductors determined
prescribed in [1]. As Figs. 3 and 4 shows, the in the optimization procedure. The calculations are
magnetic field density and electric fields strength performed for the overhead power lines at rated
along the x direction and on the border of right of voltage 400 kV and maximal conductor currents 960
way (± 25 m) reach too high values. This means that A. Its shows that the values of magnetic and electric
for the newly constructed power lines new fields on the border right of way, obtained for the
conductor arrangements must be found. optimization determined arrangements of
Fig. 5 shows the magnetic and electric fields conductors, are under allowed values [1] (Brms= 10
calculated for the sagged conductors as well as for µT, Erms = 0.5 kV/m).
the straight conductors placed at 2/3 and 3/3 of the
overhead power line sagging. All calculations are
performed for two conductors bundle at the voltage
400 kV, current 960 A per conductor, span 293.9 m

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 10 60
Erms (kV/m)
40

Brms (µT)
5
X: 25 20 X: 25
Y: 11.87
Y: 1.878

0 0
-50 0 50 -50 0 50
x (m) x (m)
E (kV/m) B (µT)
0.02 12 0.02
60
10
0.015 0.015
8
40
0.01 6 0.01
4 20
0.005 2 0.005
t (s) t (s)
0 0
-50 0 50 -50
x (m) x (m) 0 50

Fig.3. Electric field of Slovenian single overh ead line. Fig.4. Magnetic field of Slovenian single overh ead line.

10
A) and B)
50
A) and B)
Erms (kV/m)
Brms (µT)

30 5
C)

10 C)
0.5
0
-20 -10 0 10 20 -20 -10 0 10 20
x (m) x (m)

Fig.5. Magnetic and electric f ield single circuit 400 kV over head power lin e, with two co nductor bundle: straight
conductors in 3/3 (B ), 2 /3 (C ) of sagging and sagged (A) c onductors .

-5
x 10
6 10000
Erms (V/m)

4
Brms (T)

5000
2

0 0
-20 -10 0 10 20 -20 -10 0 10 20
x (m) before optimization x (m)
after optimization

Fig.6. Magnetic and electric f ield of single overh ead power line, with two conducto rs bu ndle, calculated for
conductor arrang emen ts befo re and af ter optimization process .

359
4. Conclusion Authors:
Calculations of magnetic and electric fields
performed for existing 400 kV overhead power lines Klemen Deželak
in Slovenia show that field emissions on the border University of Maribor
of the overhead power line right of way could be too Smetanova ulica 17
high. For that reason, this paper represents an 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
attempt to decrease electric and magnetic fields by an tel. (+386) 2 220 71 80
appropriate arrangement of conductors obtained in fax (+386) 2 220 72 72
an optimization process. The goal of optimization is email: [email protected]
to find the tower with minimal height where the rms
values of the magnetic flux density and electric field
strength on the border right of way are under
prescribed limits. All results presented in this work
are obtained without considering individual parts of
tower.

Bibliography:
[1] Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia
No. 70/96: The Decree on Electromagnetic Radiation
in the Natural and Living Environment, 1996,
Slovenia
[2] R. M. Storn, K. V. Price: Minimizing the Real
Functions of the ICEC’96 Contest by Differential
Evolution, IEEE Conference on Evolutionary
Computation, 1996, pp. 842-844, Nagoya,
Japan
[3] EN 60071-1 Insulation Coordination - Part 1:
Definitions, Principles and Rules, 1995, Brussels,
CENELEC
[4] EN 60071-2 Insulation Coordination - Part 2:
Application Guide, 1997 Brussels, CENELEC
[5] F. Kiessling, P. Nefzger, J. F. Nolasco, U.
Kaintzyk: Overhead Power Lines – Planning, Design,
Construction, 2003, Springer, Berlin
[6] A. R. Panicali: Calculation of Electric Fields Due to
Lines of Charge, IEEE Transactions on
Electromagnetic Compatibility, 1991, 33, (1),
pp. 67 – 68
[7] W. T. Kaune, L. E. Zaffanella: Analysis of
Magnetic Fields Produced Far from Electric Power
Lines, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery,
1992, 7, (4), pp. 2082 – 2091

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