Date 31-Mar-17

Lecture-31: Transmission line Capacitance

Line Capacitance
 Transmission line conductors exhibit capacitance with respect
to each other because of the potential difference between
them. A potential causes charges on the surface.
 The amount of capacitance between conductors is a function
of conductor spacing and height above the ground.
 By definition the capacitance C is the ratio of charge q to
voltage V, given by,
𝑞
𝐶 = ; [𝑓𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑑]
𝑉

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 Consider a long round conductor with radius ‘r’ carrying a
charge of ‘q’ Coulombs as shown in the figure,
 The charge on the conductor gives
rise to an electric field with radial flux
lines.
 The total electric flux is equal to the x 1D

value of charge on the conductor. q D2

 The intensity of the field at any point

is defined as the force per unit charge
and is termed as the electric field Figure: Electric field of long
round conductor
intensity designated as E.
 Consider cylinders surrounding a conductor, which are
equipotential surfaces and have the same electric flux density.

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 From Gauss’s law, for one meter length of the conductor, the
electric flux density at a cylinder of radius-x is given by,
𝑞 𝑞 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏
𝐷= = ; [ 2
]
𝐴 2𝜋𝑥 × 1 𝑚
 The electric field intensity E may be found from the expression
relating the intensity with the electric flux density as,
𝐷 𝑉
𝐸= ; [ ]
𝜖0 𝑚
 Here 𝜖0 is the permittivity of free space which is a universal
constant given by,
𝐹
𝜖0 = 8.85 × 10−12 ; [ ]
𝑚

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 Thus the electric field of the round cylindrical conductor of 1-
meter length is given as,
𝑞 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠
𝐸= ; [ ]
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑥 𝑚
 The potential difference between cylinders from position 𝐷1 to
𝐷2 is defined as the work done in moving a unit charge of 1-
coulomb from 𝐷2 to 𝐷1 through the electric field produced by
the charge on the conductor.
 This is given by,
𝐷2 𝐷2
𝑞 𝑞 𝐷2
𝑉12 = ∫ 𝐸. 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ . 𝑑𝑥 = ln
𝐷1 𝐷1 2𝜋𝜖0 𝑥 2𝜋𝜖0 𝐷1

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  Where 𝑉12 implies the voltage drop from 1 relative to 2, that is
1 is understood to be positive relative to 2. The charge q
carries its own sign too.
Capacitance of Single Phase Line
 Consider one meter length of r r
single phase line consisting of
two long solid round conductors D
each having a radius ‘r’ and as
Figure: Single phase two wire line
shown in the figure.
 Two conductors are separated by a distance D.
 Conductor-1 carries a charge-𝑞1 ; [𝐶/𝑚], and conductor-2
carries a charge-𝑞2 ; [𝐶/𝑚].

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 The presence of second conductor and the ground disturbs
the field of the first conductor.
 Since the distance of separation of the conductors D is much
larger than the radius ‘r’ and the height of the conductors
above ground is also much larger compared with D.
 Therefore the distortion effect is small and the charge is
assumed to be uniformly distributed on the surface of
conductors.
 Assuming conductor-1 alone to have a charge of 𝑞1 , the
voltage between conductor 1 & 2 is,
𝑞1 𝐷
𝑉12(𝑞1) = ln
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟

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 Now assuming only conductor-2 having a charge 𝑞2 the
voltage between conductors 2 and 1 is,
𝑞2 𝐷
𝑉21(𝑞2) = ln
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟
 In case of single phase lines, since the charges on the two
cylinders will be equal and opposite, hence,
𝑉12(𝑞1) = −𝑉12(𝑞2)
 Thus we have,
𝑞1 𝐷 𝑞2 𝑟
𝑉12 = 𝑉12(𝑞1) + 𝑉12(𝑞2) = ln + ln
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 2𝜋𝜖0 𝐷
 For single-phase line 𝑞2 = −𝑞1 = −𝑞, thus

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 𝑞 𝐷 𝑞 𝑟 𝑞 𝐷 𝑞 𝐷 2𝑞 𝐷
𝑉12 = ln − ln = ln + ln = ln
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 2𝜋𝜖0 𝐷 2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟
𝑞 𝐷
𝑉12 = ln
𝜋𝜖0 𝑟
 Therefore the capacitance between the conductors is,
𝑞 𝜋𝜖0 𝐹
𝐶12 = = ; [ ]
𝑉12 ln 𝐷/𝑟 𝑚
 The above equation gives line-to-line capacitance between
the conductors.
 For the purpose of transmission line modeling we find it
convenient to define a capacitance C between each conductor
and neutral as illustrated in the figure.

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 Since the voltage to neutral is half of 𝑉12 , the capacitance to
neutral 𝐶 = 2𝐶12 , or
2𝜋𝜖0
𝐶= ; [𝐹/𝑚]
ln 𝐷/𝑟
C12 C C
n
1 2 1 2

Figure: Illustration of capacitance to neutral

𝐹
 Recalling 𝜖0 = 8.85 × 10−12 ; [ ] and converting the line
𝑚
capacitance to micro-farads per kilometer, we have,

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 2𝜋 × 8.85 × 10−12 × 106 × 103 0.0556 𝜇𝐹
𝐶= = ; [ ]
ln 𝐷/𝑟 ln 𝐷/𝑟 𝑘𝑚
Capacitance of Three Phase Lines
 Consider the case of asymmetrical spacing between the
phase lines as shown in the figure.
qa a c b

D12

D12

D12
b a c
D31

D31

D31
D1
2

D23

D23

D23
D31

c b a
qb
I II III
D 23
qc

Figure: Charge on three phase Figure: Transposition done in case of

lines with asymmetrical spacing Asymmetrical Spacing

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 Each conductor is of radius r. Since we have a balanced three
phase system, therefore
𝑞𝑎 + 𝑞𝑏 + 𝑞𝑐 = 0
 We shall neglect the effect of ground. In case of underground
cables and the underwater (HVDC) cables the effect of
ground should be taken into account. We assume that the line
transposed and the voltage between a, b and c is expressed
as,
1 𝐷12 𝑟 𝐷23
𝑉𝑎𝑏,𝐼 = (𝑞𝑎 ln + 𝑞𝑏 ln + 𝑞𝑐 ln )
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 𝐷12 𝐷31
 Similarly, for the second section of the transposition we may
state the voltage as,

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 1 𝐷23 𝑟 𝐷31
𝑉𝑎𝑏,𝐼𝐼 = (𝑞𝑎 ln + 𝑞𝑏 ln + 𝑞𝑐 ln )
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 𝐷23 𝐷12
 And for the last section,
1 𝐷31 𝑟 𝐷12
𝑉𝑎𝑏,𝐼𝐼𝐼 = (𝑞𝑎 ln + 𝑞𝑏 ln + 𝑞𝑐 ln )
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 𝐷31 𝐷23
 The average value of 𝑉𝑎𝑏 is
1 𝐷12 𝐷23 𝐷31
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = (𝑞𝑎 ln
3 × 2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟3
𝑟3 𝐷12 𝐷23 𝐷31
+ 𝑞𝑏 ln + 𝑞𝑐 ln )
𝐷12 𝐷23 𝐷31 𝐷12 𝐷23 𝐷31

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 1
1 (𝐷12 𝐷23 𝐷31 )3 𝑟
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = (𝑞𝑎 ln + 𝑞𝑏 ln 1)
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟
(𝐷12 𝐷23 𝐷31 )3
 The Geometric Mean Distance is given as,
𝐺𝑀𝐷 = 3√𝐷12 𝐷23 𝐷31
 Therefore, 𝑉𝑎𝑏 is,
1 𝐺𝑀𝐷 𝑟
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = (𝑞𝑎 ln + 𝑞𝑏 ln )
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 𝐺𝑀𝐷
 Similarly we find the voltage 𝑉𝑎𝑐 as,
1 𝐺𝑀𝐷 𝑟
𝑉𝑎𝑐 = (𝑞𝑎 ln + 𝑞𝑐 ln )
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 𝐺𝑀𝐷

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 Substituting 𝑞𝑏 + 𝑞𝑐 = −𝑞𝑎 we have
1 𝐺𝑀𝐷 𝑟 𝑟
𝑉𝑎𝑏 + 𝑉𝑎𝑐 = (2𝑞𝑎 ln + 𝑞𝑏 ln + 𝑞𝑐 ln )
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 𝐺𝑀𝐷 𝐺𝑀𝐷
1 𝐺𝑀𝐷 𝑟 3𝑞𝑎 𝐺𝑀𝐷
𝑉𝑎𝑏 + 𝑉𝑎𝑐 = (2𝑞𝑎 ln − 𝑞𝑎 ln )= ln
2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 𝐺𝑀𝐷 2𝜋𝜖0 𝑟
 For balanced three phase voltages,
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 𝑉𝑎𝑛 ∠0° − 𝑉𝑎𝑛 ∠ − 120°
𝑉𝑎𝑐 = 𝑉𝑎𝑛 ∠0° − 𝑉𝑎𝑛 ∠ − 240°
𝑉𝑎𝑏 + 𝑉𝑎𝑐 = 2𝑉𝑎𝑛 ∠0° − 𝑉𝑎𝑛 (∠ − 120° + ∠ − 240°)

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 √3 √3
𝑉𝑎𝑏 + 𝑉𝑎𝑐 = 2𝑉𝑎𝑛 ∠0° − 𝑉𝑎𝑛 (−0.5 − 𝑗 − 0.5 + 𝑗 )
2 2
= 2𝑉𝑎𝑛 ∠0° + 𝑉𝑎𝑛 ∠0°
𝑉𝑎𝑏 + 𝑉𝑎𝑐 = 3𝑉𝑎𝑛 ∠0°
 Substituting the above expression in that of the capacitance
we get,
𝑞𝑎 2𝜋𝜖0 2𝜋𝜖0 𝐹
𝐶= = ×3= ; [ ]
𝑉𝑎𝑛 3 ln 𝐺𝑀𝐷 𝐺𝑀𝐷 𝑘𝑚
ln
𝑟 𝑟
 Hence capacitance to neutral in 𝜇𝐹/𝑘𝑚 can be written as,
2𝜋 × 8.85 × 10−12
𝐶= × 106 × 103
𝐺𝑀𝐷
ln
𝑟
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 0.0556
𝐶=
𝐺𝑀𝐷
ln
𝑟
Effect of Bundling
 The expression for capacitance of Bundle-Conductors is also
done on the similar lines of the inductance calculation.
 It may be noted that only the Geometric Mean Radius of the
conductor changes and the expression is stated as,
2𝜋𝜖0
𝐶= ; [𝐹/𝑚]
𝐺𝑀𝐷
ln 𝑏
𝑟
 As a result of the bundling the equivalent radius for the bundle
conductors is introduced in the above expression.

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  For the two-subconductor bundle it is given as,
𝑟 𝑏 = √𝑟 × 𝑑
 For three-subconductor bundle:
3
𝑟𝑏= √𝑟 × 𝑑 2
 For four-subconductor bundle:
4
𝑟 𝑏 = 1.09 × √𝑟 × 𝑑3

Capacitance of Three-Phase Double Circuit Line

 Consider a three-phase double-circuit line with relative phase
positions as shown in the figure.

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 Each phase conductor is transposed within its bundled group,
and with respect to the three parallel lines.
 The effect of the shield wires and the ground are considered
to be negligible for the balanced condition.
S11

S22

S33

Figure: Transposed double circuit lines

 Following the procedure as done for the case of three phase

single circuit lines, the expression obtained is as follows,

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 2𝜋𝜖0
𝐶= ; [𝐹/𝑚]
𝐺𝑀𝐷
ln
𝐺𝑀𝑅𝑐
0.0556
𝐶= ; [𝜇𝐹/𝑘𝑚]
𝐺𝑀𝐷
ln
𝐺𝑀𝑅𝑐
Where
𝐺𝑀𝑅𝑐 = 3√𝑟𝐴 𝑟𝐵 𝑟𝐶

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Corona
 When the surface potential of the conductor is high the
potential gradient at the surface of the conductor causes
ionization close to the surface.
 The partial ionization is called Corona.
 The dielectric strength of air at 25°C and altitude of 760 mm of
Hg is about 30 kV/cm.
 The power loss associated with the corona can be
represented by a shunt conductance.
 The amount of corona loss is generally small and hence the
effect is often neglected.

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Problems on Transmission Lines
Problem-1
A single circuit three-phase transposed transmission line is
composed of two ACSR conductors per phase with horizontal
configuration as shown in the figure. Find the inductive reactance
per km at 50 Hz. Radius of each subconductor in the bundle is
1.725 cm. Bundle separation is 0.5m and distance between
conductors is 6m as shown in the figure.
d = 0.5 m
d d d

D=6m D=6m

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Solution:
𝐺𝑀𝐷 = 3√𝐷𝑎𝑏 𝐷𝑏𝑐 𝐷𝑐𝑎
𝐷𝑎𝑏 = 𝐺𝑀𝐷 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑎 & 𝑏 = [𝐷 (𝐷 + 𝑑 )(𝐷 − 𝑑 )𝐷]1/4
𝐷𝑎𝑏 = (6 × 6.5 × 5.5 × 6)1/4 = 5.989 𝑚
𝐷𝑎𝑏 = 𝐺𝑀𝐷 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑐 & 𝑎 = [2𝐷(2𝐷 + 𝑑)(2𝐷 − 𝑑 ). 2𝐷]1/4
𝐷𝑐𝑎 = (2 × 6 × (2 × 6 − 0.5) × (2 × 6 + 0.5) × 2 × 6)1/4
= 11.994 𝑚
𝐺𝑀𝐷 = (5.989 × 5.989 × 11.994)1/3 = 7.549 𝑚

1.725 −
1
𝐷𝑠 = √𝑟 ′ × 𝑑 = √( × 𝑒 4 ) × 0.5 = 0.0819 𝑚
100

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The inductance is,
𝐺𝑀𝐷 7.549
𝐿 = 0.2 ln ( ) = 0.2 ln ( ) = 0.905 𝑚𝐻/𝑘𝑚
𝐷𝑠 0.0816

THANK YOU – END OF LECTURE 30

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