Corona Effect in Power System r of electrical ene Electric power transmission practically deals in the bulk tran: from generating stations situated many kilometers away from the main consumption centers or the cities. For this reason the long distance transmission cables are of utmost necessity for effective power transfer, which in-evidently results in huge losses across the system. Minimizing those has been a major challenge for power engineer of late and to do that one should have a clear understanding of the type and nature of losses. One of them being the corona effeet in power system, which has a predominant role in reducing the efficiency of EHV(extra high voltage lines) which We are going fo concentrate on, in this article. What is Corona Effect in Power System and Why it Occurs? For corona effect to occur effectively, two factors here are of prime importance mentioned below:~ 1) Alternating electrical potential difference must be supplied across the line, 2) The spacing of the conductors, must be large enough compared to the line diameter. = SPT : B2When an alternating current is made to flow across two conductors of the transmission line whose spacing is large compared to their diameters, then air surrounding the conductors (composed of ions) is subjected to di-clectric stress. At low values of supply end voltage, nothing really occurs as the stress is too less to ionize the air outside. But when the potential difference is made to increase beyond some threshold value of around 30 kV known as the criti disruptive voltage, then the ficld strength increases and then the air surrounding it experiences stress high cnough to be dissociated into ions making the atmosphere conducting. This results in electric discharge around the conductors due to the flow of these ions, giving rise to a faint luminescent glow, along w ith the hissing sound accompanied by the liberation of ozone. which is readily identified due to its characteristic odor. This phenomena of electrical discharge occurring in transmission line for high values of voltage is known as the corona effect in power system. If the he lines is still’ increased the glow becomes more and more intense vollage across thjong With hissing noise, inducin; ig very high power loss int system which mi is : Ww Ss into th e system which mu s b factors Affecting Corona Effect in Power System. As mentioned earlier, the line voltage of fe eae Pee i; oltage of the conductor is the main determining factor annie toltabeyike ae ines, at low values of voltage (lesser than critical eESei eth ® stress on the air is to less to dissociate them, and hence 10 Se se es Since with increasing voltage corona effect in a Cbieatiee RaISIY attic ae . the ioni ion of atmospheric air surrounding the SFE ne cEee tee ‘d by the conditions of the cable as well as the physical state phere. Let us look into these criterion now with greater details : Atmospheric Conditions for Corona in Transmission Lines i pis ren physically proven eet voltage gradient for di-electric breakdown of air s ly proportional to the density of air. Hence in a stormy day, due to continuous air flow the number of ions present surrounding the conductor is fer more than normal, and hence its more likely to have electrical discharge in transmission lines on such a day, compared to a day with fairly clear weather. The system has to designed taking those extreme situations into consideration. Condition of Cables for Corona in Transmission Line. on the conductors and its physical relationship with the diameter of the of corona in power system This particular phenomena depends highly condition. It has an inverse proportionality conductors. i.e. with the increase in diameter, the effect reduces considerably. ‘Also the presence of dirt or roug! yoltage, making the conductors mo industrial areas having high pollution, counter the ill effects it has on the system. ness of the conductor reduces the critical breakdown xe prone to corona losses. Hence in most cities and this factor is of reasonable importance to Spacing between Conductors acing between the lines As already mentioned, for corona to occur effectively the sp: d beyond should be much higher compared to its diameter, but if the length is increas a certain limit, the di-clectric stress on the air reduces and consequently the e! corona reduces as well. If the spacing is made too large then corona for that region of the transmission line might not occur atall. -“Short-fransmission-bine— a aa