Electrical Design of

Overhead Transmission
Lines
Transmission Line Parameters/Line Constants/Electrical Parameters

An equivalent circuit of line can be represented by

four electrical parameters:

Series resistance (R) Series inductance (L) Shunt conductance (G) Shunt capacitance (C)

Depends on the Due to the magnetic Due to the leakage Due to the electrical field
physical composition properties of the current flowing across properties between
of the conductor at a conductor. Power insulators. The leakage conductors
given temperature and transmission capacity of currents are negligible
causes actual power
loss in the conductor. It
is important for
T. L is basically
governed by
inductance.
compared to the
transmission line current. 
transmission efficiency
evaluation and
economic studies.  Electrical performances of T. L. i.e. efficiency and voltage
regulation depend on the value of line parameters.
Therefore, for designing a line, knowledge of calculating
and setting the values of these parameters is very
important.
Inductance of Overhead
Transmission Line
 Inductance

Magnetic flux is produced around current

carrying conductor

When the current in the T. L. changes

with time, the magnetic flux also varies For a constant permeability, flux linkage
with time (𝜓) is proportional to the current (𝑖).

On the other hand, induced voltage (e) is

Voltage (e) induced due to change in flux 𝑑𝜓 proportional to the change of current (𝑖).
linkage in the circuit 𝐿=
𝑑𝑖 𝑑𝑖
𝑑𝜓 The inductance (L) of a 𝑒∝ (2)
𝑒= (1) circuit is defined as the 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡 flux linkages per unit 𝑑𝑖
𝜓=number of flux linkages of the circuit current. 𝑒= 𝐿 (3)
𝑑𝑡
in weber-turns (Wb-T)
L= constant of proportionality (inductance of the circuit), H
(Henry) and e = induced voltage, V
If the flux linkages of the circuit vary linearly with current, which means that
𝜓
the magnetic circuit has a constant permeability, then 𝐿 = or 𝜓 = 𝐿𝑖.
𝑖
 Outlines of Inductance Section

Calculation of flux linkages of a conductor due to internal flux

Flux linkages between two points external to an isolated conductor

Inductance of a single phase 2 wire line

Flux linkages of one conductor in a group

Flux linkages of composite-conductor line

Inductance of a 3 phase overhead line with Symmetrical /Unsymmetrical spacing

Inductance of Bundle conductors

 Internal flux and external flux

• Consider an infinitely long, solid cylindrical conductor with radius r, carrying current I

• The current is assumed uniformly distributed (no skin effect)

• Then the generated internal and external magnetic field lines are concentric circles around the conductor

External flux line

Internal
flux line
 Ampere’s Law

The line integral of the magnetic flux around a closed loop is exactly equal to the algebraic sum of currents enclosed by that
loop.

H=magnetic field intensity in ampere turns per meter

𝒎𝒎𝒇 = 𝑯. 𝒅𝒔 = 𝑰 (𝟏) S= distance along the path in meter
I=current enclosed

How much is the magnetic field at a distance 𝒙

𝐻𝑥 =magnetic field intensity at a distance 𝑥 meters from the centre of the conductor in ampere
turns per meter. Also, 𝐻𝑥 is symmetrical.
𝐼𝑥 =current enclosed by the loop

𝑯𝒙 . 𝒅𝒔 = 𝑰𝒙 (2)

2𝜋𝑥𝐻𝑥 = 𝐼𝑥 (3) The path length of radius x equals to the

𝐼𝑥
𝐻𝑥 = 2𝜋𝑥 (4) circumference of a circle, 2πx.
 Calculation of flux linkages of a conductor due to internal flux

A magnetic field with radius 𝑥 inside the conductor of length 𝑙 is chosen

Assume, the fraction of the current 𝐼𝑥 enclosed by the chosen loop

𝜋𝑥 2
Assume, uniform current density. i.e. 𝐼𝑥 = 𝜋𝑟 2 I (5)

𝜋𝑥 2
From eqn. (4), replacing 𝐼𝑥 𝑏𝑦 2𝜋𝑥𝐻𝑥 , 𝑖. 𝑒. 2𝜋𝑥𝐻𝑥 = 𝜋𝑟 2
𝑥
and Magnetic field intensity, 𝐻𝑥 = 2𝜋𝑟 2 I (AT/m) (6)

𝜇𝑥
Magnetic flux density, 𝐵𝑥 = 𝜇𝐻𝑥 = 2𝜋𝑟 2 I (Wb/m2) (7)

𝜇𝑥𝐼
Magnetic flux, 𝑑𝜑 = 𝐵𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋𝑟 2 𝑑𝑥 (Wb/m) (8) 𝜑 = 𝐵𝐴 [A=Thickness (𝑑𝑥)*length (1 meter)]
 Calculation of flux linkages of a conductor due to internal flux

𝜋𝑥 2 𝐼𝑥 𝜋𝑥 2
Magnetic flux linkage,𝑑𝜓 = 𝑑𝜑 𝜋𝑟 2 (Wb-T/m [𝑑𝜓 = 𝑁𝑑𝜑, 𝑁 = 𝐹𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 = = 2 ]
𝐼 𝜋𝑟
𝜇𝐼𝑥 3
= 2𝜋𝑟 4 𝑑𝑥 (Wb-T/m) (9)

𝑟 𝜇𝐼 𝑟 3
Total flux linkage inside the conductor,𝜓𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 𝑑𝜓 = 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0 2𝜋𝑟 4 0
𝜇𝐼
= 8𝜋
(Wb-T/m) (10)

𝐼
Total flux linkage inside the conductor,𝜓𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 2 × 10−7 (Wb−T/m) (11)
For a relative permeability 1,
𝜇 = 4π × 10−7 H/m
𝜓𝑖𝑛𝑡 1
Total inductance inside the conductor,𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑡 = = × 10−7 (H/m) (12)
𝐼 2
 Flux linkages between two points external to an isolated conductor

Assume that the total current 𝐼 is concentrated at the conductor surface (maximum skin effect)

At any point on an external magnetic field circle of radius x (suppose between P1 and P2), the
𝐼 𝜇𝐼
magnetic field intensity 𝐻𝑥 = 2𝜋𝑥 (A/m) and the magnetic field density 𝐵𝑥 = 𝜇𝐻𝑥 = 2𝜋𝑥 (Wb/m2)

I
𝜇𝐼
Magnetic flux, 𝑑𝜑 = 𝐵𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋𝑥 𝑑𝑥 (Wb/m) (1)

𝜇𝐼 As the total current 𝐼 flows

Magnetic flux linkage, 𝑑𝜓 = 𝑑𝜑 = 2𝜋𝑥 𝑑x (Wb/m) (2) in the surface conductor,
then the differential flux
linkage d𝜓 equal to the
differential flux 𝑑𝜓.
𝐷2 𝜇𝐼 𝐷2 1 𝜇𝐼 𝐷2 i. e. flux external to the
Total flux linkage between P1 and P2, 𝜓12 = 𝐷1
𝑑𝜓 = 2𝜋 𝐷1 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 ln (Wb-T/m) (3)
𝐷1 conductor links (encloses)
all the current in the
conductor once and only
once.
 Flux linkages between two points external to an isolated conductor

𝐷2
Total flux linkage between P1 and P2,𝜓12 = 2𝐼 × 10−7 ln (Wb−T/m) (4)
𝐷1

I
𝜓12 𝐷2
Total inductance between P1 and P2,𝐿12 = =2× 10−7 ln 𝐷1 (H/m) (5)
𝐼

Flux linkages of a conductor due to external flux

Now the flux linkage from the surface of conductor to an external point D will be

𝐷
𝜓𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 2𝐼 × 10−7 ln (Wb−T/m) (6)
𝑟

𝜓𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝐷
External inductance,𝐿𝑒𝑥𝑡 = = 2 × 10−7 ln (H/m) (7)
𝐼 𝑟
 Total inductance of a conductor due to internal and external flux

1
Internal inductance of the conductor,𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 2 × 10−7 (H/m) (12)

External inductance,𝐿𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 2 × 10−7 ln

𝐷
(H/m) (7) I
𝑟

Total inductance of the conductor, 𝐿=𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑡 +𝐿𝑒𝑥𝑡

1 𝐷
𝐿= × 10−7 +2 × 10−7 ln
2 𝑟

1 𝐷
=2 × 10−7 + 𝑙𝑛
4 𝑟

𝐷
=2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛𝑒 1/4 + 𝑙𝑛
𝑟

𝐷 𝐷 where 𝑟‘=𝑒 −1/4 𝑟 =0.7788 𝑟=Geometric Mean

=2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 =2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 (8)
𝑒 −1/4 𝑟 𝑟‘ Radius (GMR)
 Inductance of a single phase 2 wire line

Consider two solid round conductors 1 and 2 with radius 𝑟1 and 𝑟2 , respectively.

Conductors 1 and 2 carries currents 𝑖1 and 𝑖2 , respectively in such as 𝑖1 +𝑖2 =0

i.e. 𝑖1 =-𝑖2
Conductor 1:
1
For internal flux linkage, 𝐿1,𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 2 × 10−7 (H/m) (1)

For calculating external flux linkage, it is assumed that 𝐷 >> 𝑟1 and 𝑟2 .

Also, flux density is uniformly distributed and all the external flux set up by 𝑖1 extending to the center of conductor 2 links current 𝑖1
and the flux beyond center of conductor 2 links none of the current 𝑖1 . Since it is assumed 𝑖1 reduces to zero because of the negative
current 𝑖2 .

Conductor 1:
𝐷
For external flux linkage, 𝐿1,𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 2 × 10−7 ln (H/m) (2)
𝑟

Conductor 1:
Inductance due to total flux linkage, 𝐿1 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛
𝐷
(H/m) (3) [Following the procedure in slide 12]
𝑟1 ‘
 Inductance of a single phase 2 wire line

Conductor 2:
𝐷
Inductance due to total flux linkage, 𝐿2 = 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 (4)
𝑟2 ‘

Total inductance of the circuit, 𝐿 = 𝐿1 + 𝐿2

𝐷 𝐷
= 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 +2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛
𝑟1‘ 𝑟2‘

𝐷 𝐷
= 2 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛
𝑟1‘ 𝑟2‘
𝐷
=4× 10−7 𝑙𝑛
𝑟1 ‘𝑟2 ‘

𝐷
If 𝑟1 ‘=𝑟2 ‘=𝑟‘, then total inductance, 𝐿 = 4 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 (5)
𝑟‘

The value of inductance L which is due to flux linkages caused by current in both conductors (one of which is the return path for
the current in the other) is sometimes called inductance per loop length. Loop inductance is double the inductance per
conductor in a single phase line.
 Assignment

1. Calculate the loop inductance per km of a two single phase transmission line comprising of two parallel conductors one meter
apart and 1.25 cm in dia. Also calculate the reactance of the transmission line if frequency is 50 Hz.

2. A single phase line has two parallel conductors 2 meters apart. The diameter of each conductor is 1·2 cm. Calculate the loop
inductance per km of the line.

3. A single phase transmission line has two parallel conductors 3 m apart, the radius of each conductor being 1 cm. Calculate the
loop inductance per km length of the line if the material of the conductor is (i) copper (ii) steel with relative permeability of 100.

Formulas:
𝐷
𝐿 = 4 × 10−7 𝑙𝑛 where 𝜇 = 𝜇0 [as 𝜇𝑟 =1]
𝑟‘
𝑟‘=0.7788r