Transmission Line

Introduction:

A transmission line is like a power highway for electricity to travel from a power plant to
faraway places where people use it. It’s made of special wires called ACSR, which stands for
aluminum conductor steel reinforced. The steel makes the wires strong. Most of the wires are
aluminum because it’s a good conductor and weighs less than copper. This helps electricity travel
efficiently and safely. We’ll also talk about different types of transmission lines, their
characteristics, and how we model them in electrical engineering.

What is a Transmission Line:

Transmission lines are like electrical paths that help signals move from one place to
another. They act as a connection between where the signal starts (transmitter) and where it ends
(receiver). These lines enable electrical impulses to travel between two wires, and there’s usually
something like air in between them.

Classification of Transmission Line:

Transmission lines are usually sorted based on how far they go, but in real situations, we
also look at frequency. So, we combine the length and frequency of a transmission line to classify
them into three types.

Short transmission line.

Medium transmission line.
Long transmission line.

1. Short Transmission Line:

If you multiply the length and the frequency of a transmission line and get a number less
than 4000, we call it a short transmission line. For example, if the frequency is 50 Hz, the length
of this line would be less than 80 km.

2. Medium Transmission Line:

If you multiply the length and the frequency of a transmission line and get a number
between 4000 and 10000, we call it a medium transmission line. For instance, at a frequency of
50 Hz, the length of this line would be somewhere between 80 km to 200 km.

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 3. Long Transmission Line:

If you multiply the length and the frequency of a transmission line and get a number greater
than 10000, we call it a long transmission line. For example, at a frequency of 50 Hz, the length
of this line would be more than 200 km.

Modelling of the Transmission Line:

We can represent the ACSR conductor in a transmission line by using electrical values
like resistance, inductance, capacitance, and conductance. In simpler terms, we create a model
that captures how the ACSR conductor behaves electrically by looking at these specific
parameters.

1. Resistance (R) :

The resistance of a transmission line depends on three things: resistivity (how resistant
the material is), length of the line (how long it is), and cross-sectional area (how thick it is). You
can calculate the resistance using the formula: R = resistivity × length / cross-sectional area.

2. Inductance (L) :

When electricity flows through a transmission line, it creates a magnetic field between the
wires. We can represent this by calling it the inductance of the transmission line (L). In simpler
terms, it’s like a measure of how much magnetic influence is created by the current moving
through the wires.

3. Capacitance (C) :

In a transmission line, the wires for each phase are kept apart by air, which acts as a
dielectric (insulating material). When current flows through these wires, there’s a natural capacity
for them to store electrical energy, and we call this capacitance (C). This capacitance becomes
more noticeable in medium and long transmission lines but is usually not a big deal in short ones.
Simply put, it’s like a measure of how much electrical energy can be stored between the wires
due to the air in between them.

4. Conductance (G) :

The imperfections in insulators can cause a small amount of current to leak through. We
describe this leakage with the conductance parameter (G). In long transmission lines, this leakage
effect is notable, but we usually ignore it when analyzing short and medium transmission lines.
So, conductance is like a measure of how much current “leaks” through the insulators, but we
only worry about it in long lines.

By using these four parameters the transmission line can be modeled as shown below.

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 To understand and work with the transmission line, we use parameters like R (resistance),
L (inductance), G (conductance), and C (capacitance). However, directly analyzing the circuit with
these parameters can be tricky. So, to simplify things, we make some basic assumptions and
introduce ABCD or transmission line parameters. Before diving into these models, it’s essential
to have a basic understanding of these parameters. In simpler terms, we use ABCD parameters
to make it easier to study and work with transmission lines by simplifying their representation.

Transmission Line Parameters or ABCD Parameters:

If you have voltage (Vs) and current (IS) at the start of the transmission line (supplying
end) and voltage (VR) and current (IR) at the end of the line (receiving end), you can express the
relationship between them using the ABCD or transmission line parameters. In simpler words, it’s
a way to describe how the voltage and current change from the beginning to the end of the
transmission line.

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 Assumptions in Transmission Line Modelling:

When we model a transmission line, we make a couple of basic assumptions:

 We assume the system is balanced, meaning everything is in equilibrium.

 We consider the network as a lumped system, which means we treat the

resistance (R), inductance (L), capacitance (C), and conductance (G) as if they are
concentrated in tiny parts of the network, making the analysis simpler. In simpler
terms, we break down the complex network into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Modelling of Short Transmission Line:

When we model a short transmission line, we can simplify things by ignoring the effects
of capacitance and conductance since they are not significant for short lines. This allows us to
draw a simpler equivalent circuit. In simpler words, for short transmission lines, we don’t need to
worry much about capacitance and conductance, so we can represent the line more
straightforwardly.

Z=R+jωL

From the circuit

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 The above short transmission-line network can also be represented in the form of an admittance
network as shown below.

VS = V R

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 Modeling of Medium Transmission Line:

When looking at a medium transmission line, we focus on the effects of resistance (R),
inductance (L), and capacitance (C), while neglecting the impact of conductance. In simpler terms,
for medium transmission lines, we don’t worry much about conductance, so our analysis revolves
around R, L, and C. There are three main methods to model medium transmission lines.

Nominal T-network
Nominal 𝜋-network
End condenser network

1. Nominal T-network:

In the nominal T-network for a transmission line, we imagine splitting the line’s impedance
into two equal parts. We then consider the entire capacitance of the transmission line as if it’s
concentrated right in the middle. In simpler terms, it’s like breaking the line into two, and thinking
of all the capacitance as being in the center of the line.

From now on, I’ll provide the ABCD parameter equations for each network directly. I
assume you can understand them based on our previous discussions about short transmission
lines. If not, you can refer to our lectures for a more detailed explanation. In simpler terms, I’ll give
you the equations, and if you need more clarity, you can check the lectures for a deeper
understanding.

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 When we analyze using the T-network method, there might be some errors in our
calculations because we assumed all the capacitance is concentrated in the middle of the
transmission line. However, to reduce these errors, we can use the nominal π-network method.
In simpler terms, the π-network helps minimize mistakes in our calculations that may arise from
our assumptions about where the capacitance is located in the transmission line.

2. Nominal 𝝅-Network:

In the nominal-π network, we distribute half of the capacitance at the supplying end and
the remaining half at the receiving end of the transmission line. In simpler terms, we split the
capacitance, putting part of it at the start and the rest at the end of the line.

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 3. End Condenser Network:

In the end condenser network, we imagine putting all the capacitance of the transmission
line at the receiving end. In simpler terms, we consider the entire capacitance as if it’s located
only at the end where the signal is received.

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 Modelling of Long Transmission Line:

When we model a long transmission line, we need to consider all four parameters:
resistance (R), inductance (L), capacitance (C), and conductance (G). The method for this
modeling is quite detailed and lengthy, so I’m providing the result here. We can discuss it more
thoroughly in our lectures for a clearer understanding. In simpler words, for long transmission
lines, we take into account all the factors, and the method is a bit complex.

Where:

 γ=α+jβ=√(ZY) →propagation constant

 𝛼→Attenuation constant
 𝛽→Phase shift constantly
 l→Length of the transmission line
 Zc=√Z/Y →Characteristic impedance of the transmission line

Conclusion:

Understanding transmission line classifications and modeling methods is crucial for ours.
It enables efficient power transmission and ensures the reliability of electrical systems. By
mastering these concepts, we can optimize the design and operation of transmission networks.

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