EIE 321 MODULE IV

PART 2
CONDUCTOR BUNDLING, GMD, GMR, LINE INDUCTANCE AND
CAPACTANCE CALCULATION
FACILITATORS: Dr. AGBETUYI,
MATHEW SIMEON, OLAJUBE A.A
 CONDUCTOR BUNDLING

From above it can be shown that the inductance of the composite conductor X is given as;

𝑫 𝑮𝑴𝑫
𝑳𝒙 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝒍𝒏 −𝟕
= 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝒍𝒏
𝑫𝒔 𝑮𝑴𝑹
Where 𝑮𝑴𝑫 = 𝑫 is called the Geometric Mean Distance given as;
𝒎𝒏
𝑮𝑴𝑫 = 𝑫 = 𝑫𝒂𝒂′ 𝑫𝒂𝒃′ … . 𝑫𝒂𝒎 𝑫𝒃𝒂′ 𝑫𝒃𝒃′ … . . 𝑫𝒃𝒎 … … … . . (𝑫𝒏𝒂′ 𝑫𝒏𝒃′ … . 𝑫𝒏𝒎 )

And 𝑮𝑴𝑹 = 𝑫𝑺 is called the Geometric Mean Radius (also self GMD)
At voltages above 230KV (Extra-High Voltage), corona
results which is accompanied by serious power loss and
communication links interference especially when the
transmission line has only one conductor per phase.

However, the high voltage corona effect is considerably

reduced by having two or more conductors per phase.
Such lines are said to be BUNDLED CONDUCTORS
 𝒏𝟐
𝑮𝑴𝑹 = 𝑫𝑺 = 𝑫𝒂𝒂 𝑫𝒂𝒃 … . 𝑫𝒂𝒎 𝑫𝒃𝒂 𝑫𝒃𝒃 … . . 𝑫𝒃𝒎 … … … . . (𝑫𝒏𝒂 𝑫𝒏𝒃 … . 𝑫𝒏𝒏 )

Such that 𝑫𝒂𝒂 = 𝒓′𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓𝒂 , 𝑫𝒃𝒃 = 𝒓′𝒃 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓𝒃 , 𝑫𝒏𝒏 = 𝒓′𝒏 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓𝒏
Similarly, the inductance for the composite conductor Y can also be derived as;

𝑫 𝑮𝑴𝑫
𝑳𝒚 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 −𝟕
× 𝒍𝒏 ′ = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝒍𝒏
𝑫𝒔 𝑮𝑴𝑹′
Where 𝑮𝑴𝑫 is the same as the one for 𝑳𝒙 above and 𝑮𝑴𝑹′ is different.
𝒎𝟐
𝑮𝑴𝑹′ = 𝑫′𝑺 = 𝑫𝒂′ 𝒂′ 𝑫𝒂′ 𝒃′ … . 𝑫𝒂′ 𝒎 𝑫𝒃′ 𝒂′ 𝑫𝒃′ 𝒃′ … . . 𝑫𝒃′ 𝒎 … … … . . (𝑫𝒎𝒂′ 𝑫𝒎𝒃′ … . 𝑫𝒎𝒎 )

Therefore, the total inductance for the transmission line above is given as;

𝑫
𝑳 = 𝑳𝒙 + 𝑳𝒚 = 𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝒍𝒏
𝑫𝑺 𝑫′𝑺
GEOMETRIC MEAN DISTANCE (GMD) is the mnth root of the products of the mn
distances between X and Y conductors given above.
GEOMETRIC MEAN RADIUS (GMR): also known as the self GMD is the 𝒏𝟐 th root of the
products of the distances between each conductor elements in a bundle or strand.
Thus, the corresponding inductive reactive of the transmission line can be found using the
following equation;

𝑫
𝑿𝑳 = 𝟐𝞹𝒇𝑳 = 𝟐𝞹𝒇 × 𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝒍𝒏
𝑫𝑺 𝑫′𝑺
For a single conductor;

𝑫
𝑿𝑳 = 𝟐𝞹𝒇𝑳 = 𝟐𝞹𝒇 × 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝒍𝒏
𝑫𝑺

The more conductors are bundled together, the greater the value of GMR and the lower the
inductive reactance. Conversely, the higher the transmission capacity of the line.
 NON-SYMMETRICAL THREE PHASE CONDUCTORS

Given a 3-phase transmission line with unsymmetrical spacing as shown above (often
transposed to ensure equal inductance per phase as discussed earlier). We can derive the
GMD and the GMR as follows;
𝒎𝒏 𝟑×𝟐
𝑮𝑴𝑫 = 𝑫𝟏𝟐 . 𝑫𝟏𝟑 𝑫𝟐𝟏 . 𝑫𝟐𝟑 𝑫𝟑𝟏 . 𝑫𝟑𝟐 = 𝑫𝟏𝟐 . 𝑫𝟏𝟑 𝑫𝟐𝟏 . 𝑫𝟐𝟑 𝑫𝟑𝟏 . 𝑫𝟑𝟐
 𝟔
𝑮𝑴𝑫 = 𝑫𝟏𝟐 . 𝑫𝟏𝟑 𝑫𝟐𝟏 . 𝑫𝟐𝟑 𝑫𝟑𝟏 . 𝑫𝟑𝟐

But, 𝑫𝟏𝟐 = 𝑫𝟐𝟏 , 𝑫𝟏𝟑 = 𝑫𝟑𝟏 and 𝑫𝟐𝟑 = 𝑫𝟑𝟐

𝟑
Therefore, 𝑮𝑴𝑫 = 𝑫𝟏𝟐 . 𝑫𝟐𝟑 . 𝑫𝟑𝟏

And the corresponding inductance for the unsymmetrical conductors is given as;
𝟑
𝑫𝟏𝟐 . 𝑫𝟐𝟑 . 𝑫𝟑𝟏
𝑳=𝟐× 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝒍𝒏
𝑫𝒔
Where;
𝑮𝑴𝑹 = 𝑫𝒔
𝟑
𝑮𝑴𝑫 = 𝑫𝟏𝟐 . 𝑫𝟐𝟑 . 𝑫𝟑𝟏

SYMMETRICAL THREE PHASE CONDUCTORS

For a symmetrical conductor arrangement, 𝑫𝟏𝟐 = 𝑫𝟐𝟑 = 𝑫𝟑𝟏 = 𝑫
 𝟑 𝟑
−𝟕 𝑫.𝑫.𝑫 −𝟕 𝑫𝟑 𝑫
Hence, 𝑳 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝒍𝒏 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝒍𝒏 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝒍𝒏 𝑫
𝑫𝒔 𝑫𝒔 𝒔

CAPACITANCE OF A TRANSMISSION LINE

Capacitance of a two-wire transmission line is defined as the charge per unit potential over the
length of the conductor. And it is given as in general with respect to GMD and radius of the
conductor as;

𝟐𝝅𝝐
𝑪=
𝑮𝑴𝑫
𝒍𝒏 𝑮𝑴𝑹′

Where 𝝐 = 𝝐𝒐 𝝐𝒓 is permittivity of the transmission line and 𝝐𝒐 = 𝟖. 𝟖𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐 𝑭/𝒎

GMD = D is the same as that of the inductance of a transmission.
But 𝑮𝑴𝑹′ = 𝑫′𝑺 is different because the internal radius factor of 0.7788 is not considered.
However, the method of estimation is still the same.
GMR CALCULATION EXAMPLES
QUESTION ONE
Find the GMR of the following bundled conductors in terms d and r
(assuming r is almost negligible)
d
(a)

(b)
d
d

(c)
d d

d
QUESTION TWO
Find the GMR of the following unconventional bundled/stranded conductors in terms of radius r.
(a) (d)

(b)

(c)
SOLUTION TO THE CONDUCTOR BUNDLE (d)

4
 A

2r

4r B

From the triangle as shown in the bundle above;

|𝑨𝑩|𝟐 = |𝑩𝑪|𝟐 − |𝑨𝑪|𝟐
|𝑨𝑩|𝟐 = (𝟒𝒓)𝟐 − 𝟐𝒓 𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝒓𝟐 − 𝟒𝒓𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐𝒓𝟐

𝑨𝑩 = 𝟏𝟐𝒓𝟐 = 𝟐𝒓 𝟑 = 𝑫𝟏𝟑 = 𝑫𝟏𝟓

Going from conductor 1 to 2,3,4,5,6,7 respectively gives a product of distances as;

𝑫𝑺𝟏 = 𝑫𝟏𝟏 . 𝑫𝟏𝟐 . 𝑫𝟏𝟑 . 𝑫𝟏𝟒 . 𝑫𝟏𝟓 . 𝑫𝟏𝟔 . 𝑫𝟏𝟕 = 𝒓′ × 𝟐𝒓 × 𝟐𝒓 𝟑 × 𝟒𝒓 × 𝟐𝒓 𝟑 × 𝟐𝒓 × 𝟐𝒓

𝑫𝑺𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓 × (𝟐𝒓)𝟑 × 𝟒𝒓 × (𝟐𝒓 𝟑)𝟐

This same distance will be made from 2,3,4,5 and 6 to other conductors in the bundle except
from conductor 7. Hence, the cumulative product from 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 to other conductors
gives;
𝟐
𝟑
𝑫𝑺𝟏,𝟐,𝟑,𝟒,𝟓,𝟔 = [ 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓 × 𝟐𝒓 × 𝟒𝒓 × 𝟐𝒓 𝟑 ]𝟔

Then, the distance product for conductor 7 is given as;

𝑫𝑺𝟕 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓 × (𝟐𝒓)𝟔
There, the GMR which is the 𝒏𝟐 𝒕𝒉 root of the distance products from all n =7
conductors in the bundle is given as;
𝒏𝟐 𝟕𝟐 𝟒𝟗
𝑮𝑴𝑹 = 𝑫𝑺 = 𝑫𝑺𝟏,𝟐,𝟑,𝟒,𝟓,𝟔 × 𝑫𝑺𝟕 = 𝑫𝑺𝟏,𝟐,𝟑,𝟒,𝟓,𝟔 × 𝑫𝑺𝟕 = 𝑫𝑺𝟏,𝟐,𝟑,𝟒,𝟓,𝟔 × 𝑫𝑺𝟕

𝟒𝟗 𝟐
𝑮𝑴𝑹 = [ 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓 × 𝟐𝒓 𝟑 × 𝟒𝒓 × 𝟐𝒓 𝟑 ]𝟔 × 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓 × (𝟐𝒓)𝟔

𝟒𝟗
𝑮𝑴𝑹 = (𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓)𝟕 × (𝟐𝒓)𝟐𝟒 × 𝟒𝟔 × 𝒓𝟔 × 𝟒𝟔 × 𝒓𝟏𝟐 × 𝟑𝟔
𝟒𝟗
= 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝟕 × 𝒓𝟕 × 𝟐𝟐𝟒 × 𝒓𝟒𝟐 × 𝟒𝟏𝟐
𝟒𝟗
𝑮𝑴𝑹 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝟕 × 𝟐𝟐𝟒 × 𝟒𝟏𝟐 × 𝒓𝟒𝟗 × 𝟑𝟔
𝟒𝟗 𝟒𝟗
= 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝟕 × 𝟐𝟐𝟒 × 𝟒𝟏𝟐 × 𝟑𝟔 × 𝒓𝟒𝟗
𝟒𝟗
𝑮𝑴𝑹 = 𝒓 × 𝟑. 𝟓𝟔𝟓𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟔 = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟕𝟕𝒓
QUESTION THREE

Provided a power transmission line is transmitting power at a frequency of 50Hz with

bundled conductor arrangement having each filament of radius r = 1.5m as shown below;

9m
Calculate;
(a) the GMD of the transmission line
6m
(b) the GMR of bundle X
(c) the GMR of bundle Y
9m
(d) the Inductance of bundle of bundle X
(e) the Inductance of bundle of bundle Y
Bundle Y
(f) the total inductance of the transmission line.
6m
(g) The total reactance of the transmission line

Bundle X
SOLUTION TO QUESTION THREE

A 12m
D

15m

9m 9m

18m E

B
21.6m

15m
From the diagram above;
(a) GMD of the transmission line
𝒎𝒏
𝑮𝑴𝑫 = (𝑫𝑨𝑫 × 𝑫𝑨𝑬 )(𝑫𝑩𝑫 × 𝑫𝑩𝑬 )(𝑫𝑪𝑫 × 𝑫𝑪𝑬 )
𝟔 𝟔
Where m =3. N = 2𝑮𝑴𝑫 = (𝟏𝟐 × 𝟏𝟓)(𝟏𝟓 × 𝟏𝟐)(𝟐𝟏. 𝟔 × 𝟏𝟓) = 𝟏𝟖𝟎𝟐 × 𝟑𝟐𝟒
𝑮𝑴𝑫 = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟕𝟗𝟕𝟑𝒎
(b) GMR of buncle X is the GMR of A, B and C expressed as;
𝟑𝟐
𝑮𝑴𝑹𝒂,𝒃,𝒄 = (𝑫𝑨𝑨 × 𝑫𝑨𝑩 × 𝑫𝑨𝑪 )(𝑫𝑩𝑩 × 𝑫𝑩𝑨 × 𝑫𝑩𝑪 )(𝑫𝑪𝑪 × 𝑫𝑪𝑨 × 𝑫𝑪𝑩 )
Where 𝑫𝑨𝑨 = 𝑫𝑩𝑩 = 𝑫𝑪𝑪 = 𝒓′ = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖 𝟏. 𝟓 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟐𝒎
𝟗
𝑮𝑴𝑹𝒂,𝒃,𝒄 = (𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟐 × 𝟗 × 𝟏𝟖)(𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟐 × 𝟗 × 𝟗)(𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟐 × 𝟏𝟖 × 𝟗) = 𝟓. 𝟑𝟐𝒎
(c) GMR of bundle Y is the GMR of D and E expressed as;
𝟐𝟐
𝑮𝑴𝑹𝒅,𝒆 = (𝑫𝑫𝑫 × 𝑫𝑫𝑬 ) × (𝑫𝑬𝑬 × 𝑫𝑬𝑫 )

Where 𝑫𝑨𝑨 = 𝑫𝑩𝑩 = 𝒓′ = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖𝒓 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕𝟖𝟖 𝟏. 𝟓 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟐𝒎

𝟒
Thus, 𝑮𝑴𝑹𝒅,𝒆 = (𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟐 × 𝟗) × (𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟐 × 𝟗) = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟒𝒎

(d) The inductance of bundle of X;

𝑮𝑴𝑫 𝟏𝟒. 𝟕𝟗𝟕𝟑
𝑳𝒙 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝒍𝒏 −𝟕
= 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝒍𝒏 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑯/𝒎
𝑮𝑴𝑹𝒂,𝒃,𝒄 𝟓. 𝟑𝟐
(e) The inductance of bundle of X;
𝑮𝑴𝑫 𝟏𝟒. 𝟕𝟗𝟕𝟑
𝑳𝒚 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝒍𝒏 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝒍𝒏 = 𝟑. 𝟎𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑯/𝒎
𝑮𝑴𝑹𝒅,𝒆 𝟑. 𝟐𝟒
(f) Total inductance of the line;
𝑳𝑻 = 𝑳𝒙 + 𝑳𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 + 𝟑. 𝟎𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 = 𝟓. 𝟎𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑯/𝒎
(g) Total reactance of the Transmission line;
𝑿𝑳 = 𝟐𝞹𝒇 × 𝑳𝑻 = 𝟐𝞹 × 𝟓𝟎 × 𝟓. 𝟎𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟗𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒐𝒉𝒎/𝒎
NOTE: Assuming the length of the line is 100Km, then the inductive reactance of the line is
given as;
𝑿𝑳 = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟗𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟗𝟗𝒐𝒉𝒎
 QUESTION FOUR

Provided a bundled transmission shown above has a GMD = 120m and the radius of each
conductor is given as 0.05m. Calculate;
(a) The GMR of the transmission line.
(b) The inductance of the line
(c) The capacitance of the line.
QUESTION FIVE

Provided a bundled transmission shown above has a GMD = 120m and the radius of each
conductor is given as 0.05m. Calculate;
(a) The GMR of the transmission line
(b) The inductance of the line
(c) The capacitance of the line
Provided a bundled transmission shown above has a GMD = 100m and the radius of each
conductor is given as 0.5m. Calculate;
(a) The GMR of the bundle due to inductance
(b) The GMR of the bundle due to the capacitance.
(c) The inductance of the line
(d) The capacitance of the line
 Provided a power transmission line is transmitting power at a frequency of 50Hz with
bundled conductor arrangement having each filament of radius r = 1.5m as shown
below;

6m Calculate;
(a) the GMD of the transmission line
(b) the GMR of bundle X
(c) the GMR of bundle Y
(d) the Inductance of bundle of bundle X
(e) the Inductance of bundle of bundle Y
(f) the total inductance of the transmission line.
Bundle Y (g) The total reactance of the transmission line

Bundle X
•THANK YOU