Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R.

Gupta Senior Member IEEE

Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

Before starting these examples, a KCL node equation at P is shown. The exercises use
node equations at each insulator's top point. Here the current coming out of node is +ve
and going into node is -ve. The figure below serves to demonstrate this. Figure has 3
insulator forming a string for an overhead line insulator string.

Figure for example 4.5

Example 4.1
An insulator string for 66kV line has 4 discs. The shunt capacitance between each joint and
metal work is 10% of the capacitance of each disc. Find the voltage across the different
discs and string efficiency.

Solution:

Remember: Capacitance in parallel are

added like resistors in series.
V=IZ. Xc = 1/jwC. I=V/Xc = VjwC
KCL --> I = jwCV

Let the capacitance of each unit be C, the each shut capactiance equals
0.1C (10%).

Voltage from P to top of cross arm = V1

Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

KCL at junction P: (From P going down to next node Q this segment voltage is V2)
wCV2 = w (CV1 + 0.1CV1)
V2 = 1.1 V1

KCL at junction Q:
wCV3 = w (CV2 + 0.1(CV1+CV2))
V3 = 1.1V2 + 0.1V1
Substitute V2 = 1.1V1
V3 = V1(1.1 x 1.1) + 0.1V1 = 1.21V1 + 0.1V1 = 1.31 V1

KCL at junction R:
wCV4 = w (CV3 + 0.1(CV1+CV2 + CV3))
V4 = 1.1V3 + 0.1V1 + 0.1V2
Substitute V3 and V2
V4 = V1(1.1 x 1.3) + 0.1V1 + (0.1 x 1.1)V1 = 1.441V1 + 0.1V1 + 0.11V1
V4 = 1.651 V1

Voltages at each junction:

V1 1 V2 1.1 V3 1.31 V4 1.651 all voltages with respect to V1

VT V1 + V2 + V3 + V4 = 5.061 voltage Vt wrt V1

System Voltages:

3
VLL 66 10 kV
VLL 3
VLN VLN = 38.105 10
3

Vt = V ln
Solve for V1
VLN
V1
VT

3
V1 = 7.529 10 kV

3
V2 1.1 V1 = 8.282 10 kV

3
V3 1.31 V1 = 9.863 10 kV

4
V4 1.651 V1 = 1.243 10 kV lower most disc insulator
Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

String efficiency = voltage across string / n x voltage across lowest insulator (disc)

n 4 number of insulator
VLN
Effstring 100
n V4
Effstring = 76.635 % Answer

Example 4.2
A 3 unit insulator string is fitted with a guard ring.

The capacitance of the link pins to metal work and guard ring can be assumed to be 15%
and 5% of the capacitance of each unit.

Determine the voltage distribution and string efficiency?

Solution:
Static sheilding: this method uses a large metal
ring surrounding the lower most insulator unit
connected to the line. This ring is known as guard
or grading ring it introduces capacitance between
different joints and line. This has the effect of
increasing the effective capacitance of the unit.

Similar to previous example applying KCL at each junction.

At junction P:
wCV2 = wCV1 + 0.15wCV1 - 0.05wC(V2 + V3) - current coming out of P +ve, in is -ve,
the ring is adding capacitance to
junctions P and Q, both of which are
injecting C into node (junction) P and
Q where the voltage is V2 btwn P and Q
V2 = V1 + 0.15 V1 - 0.05 V2 - 0.05 V3
1.05V2 = 1.15 V1 -0.05 V2 - 0.05 V3
Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

At junction Q:
wCV3 = wCV2 + 0.15wC(V1 + V2) - 0.05wC(V3)
V3 = V2 + 0.15 V1 + 0.15V2 - 0.05 V3
1.05V3 = 0.15 V1 + 1.15 V2

Substituting the value of V3 from junction Q to P:

1.05V2 = 1.15 V1 - 0.05 V2 - 0.05{(0.15V1 + 1.15V2)/1.05}

1.05V2 = 1.15V1 - 0.05 V2 - (0.0075V1 - 0.0575V2)/1.05
1.05V2 = 1.15V1 - 0.05 V2 - 0.0071V1 - 0.0055V2
1.05V2 = 1.143V1 - 0.0555V2
1.1055V2 = 1.143V1
V2 = 1.034V1

Substitute V2 to solve for V3

1.05V3 = 0.15V1 + 1.15(1.034)V1

1.05V3 = 1.3391V1
V3 = 1.27V1

Since we are not given the line voltage we will assume it is at 1 per unit which
in percentage would be 100%

V1 + V2 + V3 = 100 next substitute V2 and V3 in terms of V1

V1 + 1.034V1 + 1.27V1 = 100 (% V)

3.304V1 = 100

100
V1 = 30.3 % V Answer
3.304
V2 1.034 V1 = 31.3 % V Answer

V3 1.27 V1 = 38.438 % V Answer

String efficiency = voltage across string / n x voltage across lowest insulator (disc)

n 3 number of insulator
VLN 100 %V
VLN
Effstring 100 VLN = 100 n=3 V3 = 38.438
n V3
Effstring = 86.7 % Answer
Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

Example 4.3
A suspension string has 3 units. Each unit canwitrhstand a maximum voltage of 11kV. The
capacitance of each joint and metal work is 20 percent of the capacitance of each disc. Find
a) maximum line voltage for which the string can be used?
b) string efficiency?

Solution:

Similar as before applying KCL at each node/junction.

At P:
wCV2 = wCV1 + 0.2wCV1
V2 = V1 + 0.2V1
V2 = 1.2V1

At Q:
wCV3 = wCV2 + 0.2wC(V2 + V1)
V3 = V2 + 0.2V2 + 0.2V1
V3 = 0.2V1 +1.2V2

Solving for V3:

V3 = 0.2V1 + 1.2(1.2V1)
V3 = 1.64 V1

Each insulator unit can withstand 11kV

3
V3_ins 11 10 kV withstand voltage of each unit
V3_ins 3
V1_ins = 6.7 10 kV
1.64
3
V2_ins 1.21 V1_ins = 8.1 10 kV

Maximum line to neutral voltage based on each insulator unit:

3
Vmax_ins V1_ins + V2_ins + V3_ins = 25.8 10

3
VLN Vmax_ins = 25.823 10 kV

3
VLL 3 VLN = 44.7 10 kV Answer
String efficiency = voltage across string / n x voltage across lowest insulator (disc)
n 3 number of insulator
VLN
Effstring 100
n V3_ins
Effstring = 78.3 Answer
Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

Example 4.4
A 3 phase line is supported by suspension string having three units. The voltage across the
unit nearest to the line is 20kV and that across the adjacent unit is 15kV.

Find
a). ratio of the capacitance of joint to capacitance of disc
b). system line voltage
c). string efficiency

Solution:

Similar as before applying KCL at each node/junction.

3
V3 = 20 kV V3 20 10
3
V2 = 15 kV V2 15 10
V1 = ?

Let the capacitance between each joint and the

metal works be kC.

At Q:
wCV3 = wCV2 + wkC(V2 + V1)
V3 = V2 + kV2 + kV1

At P:
wCV2 = wCV1 + wkCV1
V2 = V1 + kV1

Substituting values for V2 and V3 in equations above:

20 = kV1 + V2(1 + k)
20 = kV1 + 15(1 + k)
20 = kV1 + 15 + 15K
5 = kV1 + 15k............1

15 = V1 + kV1..............2 2 equations 2 unknowns V1 and k

Subtract eq 1 from 2 ---> 2 - 1 :

10 = V1 -15k
k = (V1 - 10)/15
k = (V1/15) - 0.667 substitute k into eq 2
15 = V1 + V1((V1/15) - 0.667)
15 = V1 + (V1^2/15) - 0.667V1
15 = 0.333V1 + (V1^2/15)
225 = 4.995V1 + V1^2
V1^2 + 4.995V1 - 225 = 0 ........quadratic equation
Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

Solve the quadratic equation:

a 1
b 4.995
c 225
2 2
b+ b 4 a c b b 4 a c
V1_a V1_b
2 a 2 a
V1_a = 12.709 V1_b = 17.704

V1 cannot be negative so V1 = 12.709 kV

3
V1 12.709 10 kV

Suvstitute V1 into eq 2
15 = V1 + kV1..............2 solve for k
15 = 12.709 +k(12.709)
k = (15 - 12.709)/12.709
k = 0.18 ratio Answer

3
VT V1 + V2 + V3 = 47.7 10 kV

3
VLN VT = 47.7 10 kV Answer

3
VLL 3 VT = 82.6 10 kV Answer

String efficiency = voltage across string / n x voltage across lowest insulator (disc)
n 3 number of insulator
VLN
Effstring 100
n V3
Effstring = 79.5 % Answer
Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

Example 4.5

Each line of a 3 phase system is suspended by a string of 3 identical insulators of self

capacitance C Farads.

The shunt capacitance of metal work of each insulator is 0.26C to earth and 0.15C to line.

Find string efficiency if a guard ring increase the shunt capacitance to liine of the metal work
of the lowest insulator to 0.35C.

Solution:

Similar as before applying KCL at each node/junction.

At node P:

wCV2 = wCV1 + 0.26wC(V1) - 0.15wC(V2 + V3)

V2 = V1 + 0.26V1 - 0.15V2 - 0.15V3
1.15V2 = 1.26V1 - 0.15V3........i

At node Q:

wCV3 = wCV2 +0.26wC(V1 + V2) - 0.35wCV3

V3 = V2 +0.26V1 + 0.26V2 - 0.35V3 =
1.35V3 = 0.26V1 + 1.26V2..........ii

From i V3?
0.15V3 = 1.26V1 - 1.15V2
V3 = 8.4V1 - 7.67V2...........iii

Substitute V3 into ii

1.35(8.41V1 - 7.67V2) = 0.26V1 + 1.26V2

11.35V1 - 10.35V2 = 0.26V1 + 1.26V2
11.09V1 - 11.61V2 = 0
V2 = 11.09/11.61 V1
V2 = 0.955V1

Equation iii above for V3

V3 = 8.41V1 - 7.67(0.955V1)
V3 = 8.41V1 - 7.32V1
V3 = 1.09V1
Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

String efficiency = voltage across string / n x voltage across lowest insulator (disc)

Voltage across string:

Vstring = V1 + V2 + V3 = V1 + 0.955V2 + 1.09V1 = 3.045V1

VLN 3.045 V1

V3 1.09 V1

n 3 number of insulator
VLN
Effstring 100
n V3
Effstring = 93.1 % Answer

Example 4.7 (Example 4.6 discarded - derivation in hyperbolic function)

A string of 5 insulators is fitted with a grading ring.
All discs are similar and capacitances of each pin to earth is C.
Find the values of line to pin capacitances so that voltage distribution is uniform.

The voltage across each disc is V. This is possible if only i1 = i2, i3 = i4,
i5 = i6, and i7 = i8.

At junction 1:
i1 = i2
wCV = wC1(V + V + V +V) except top V
CV = C1(4V) = 4C1V
C = 4C1
C1 = C/4 = (1/4)C Ans.
Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

At junction 2:
i3 = i4
w2C(V) = wC2(V + V + V ), except top 2Vs
2CV = C2(3V) = 3C2V
2C = 3C2
C2 = 2C/3 = (2/3)C Ans.

At junction 3:
i5 = i6
w3C(V) = wC3(V + V), except top 3Vs
3CV = C3(2V) = 2C3V
3C = 2C3
C3 = 3C/2 = (3/2)C Ans.

At junction 4:
i7 = i8
w4C(V) = wC4(V), except top 4Vs
4CV = C4(V) = C4V
4C = C4
C4 = 4C Ans.

Example 4.8
A graded string of 4 insulators has a uniform voltage across each disc. The capacitance of
each pin to earth is C. The mutual capacitance of the top disc is 5C. Find the mutual
capacitance of the remaining discs.

Solution:

Equal voltage distribution is possible only if the mutual capacitances

of different discs are unequal. Let the mutual capacitances of second,
third, and fourth discs be C2, C3, and C4 respectively.
Textbook: Power Systems Analysis And Design by B.R. Gupta Senior Member IEEE
Chapter 4: Overhead Line Insulators (Electrical and Mechanical).
Entered by Karl Bogha (Uni of Idaho Grad Cert Pwr Sys Protection and Relaying - 2015)
Date: 29 Sept 2016

I2 = I1 + i1
wC2V = w5CV + wCV
C2 = 6C

I3 = I2 + i2
wC3V = w(C2)V + wC(V + V)
= w(C2)V + wC(2V)
C3 = C2 + 2C
C3 = 6C + 2C
C3 = 8C

I4 = I3 + i3
wC4V = w(C3)V + wC(V + V + V)
C4V = C3V + C3V
C4 = C3 + 3C
C4 = 8C + 3C
C4 = 11C

C2 = 6C, C3 = 8C, and C4 = 11C. Answer

Example 4.9
If the voltage across the units in a 2 unit suspension insulator are 60% and 40% of line
voltage, find the ratio of capacitance of insulator to that of its capacitance to earth.

Solution:

V1 = 0.6V V2 = 0.4V

jwC(V1) = jwC(V2) + jwkC(V2)

0.6V = 0.4V + k0.4V
k = (0.6V - 0.4V)/0.4V
k = 0.2/0.4
k = 0.5 Ans
Capacitance of insulator / Capacitance to earth
= C / kC
= C / 0.5C
= 2 Ans.

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type, post insulator, strain insulator, voltage distribution over insulator string,
efficiency of string, insulator arching horns, shunt capacitance reduction,
capacitance grading, static shielding, grading or guard ring, clearance, insulator
failure, and insulator testing.