I

IEEE Power Engineering Society

Transmission and Distribution Committee

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3380

IEEE Transaction on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-103, No. 11, November 1984
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EHV HIGH PHASE ORDER OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION

I. S. Grant Senior Member

J. R. Stewart Senior Member

Power Technologies, Inc. Schenectady, New York

Abstract - High phase order is examined as an alternative to UHV transmission. To make realistic comparisons, 462 kV six and twelve-phase and 317 kV twelve-phase lines with similar power transfer capability to the BPA 1200 kV design were compared. Support structures and insulators were designed based on clearances and phase spacings derived from an insulation coordination analysis.
These HPO lines are significantly smaller than UHV, require less right of way for typical environmental criteria, and are less costly.
INTRODUCrION

c)

HPO lines are compatible with existing systems, since they can be tapped with 3 phase connections.

[1,2], practical operating requirements [3], and switching surge overvoltage data [41. In addition, experimental and theoretical validation, construction, and economics have been described for lower voltages corresponding to 115-230 kV three-phase [5,6]. Comnercial HPO lines in the HV range seem likely in the near future.

Previous studies of high phase order (HPO) have developed theoretical concepts and prospective benefits

A criticism sometimes made of HPO is that it requires many more conductors in the air. In fact for realistic comparisons this is not so. As an example, consider a bundle of 24 Bluebird ACSR conductors arranged around a 50 foot diameter circle as either three 8-conductor bundles equally spaced (three-phase), six 4-conductor bundles equally spaced (six-phase), or twelve 2-conductor bundles equally spaced (twelve-pnase). If these conductors were energized at 462 kV phase-ground (800 kV phase-phase for the three-phase configuration), they would have the same 17,900 MVA thermal rating regardless of phase order, but the surge impedance loading (SIL) increases with the number of phases as shown in Table I. The six-phase configuration shows a 38 percent improvement in surge impedance loading and the twelve-phase shows a 69 percent improvement over three-phase. Higher surge impedance loading results in a greater stability margin; this is especially important for longer lines.
TABLE I Surge
Constant Total Number of Conductors

The advantages of high phase order also make it attractive for bulk power transmission at higher voltages. This paper summarizes results from a study [7] in which six- and twelve-phase EHV transmission are compared with UHV three-phase transmission of comparable power transfer capacity.
GENERIC ADVANTAGES OF HIGH PHASE ORDER

en

Icadirq as a Function of Phase Order

24-1.762 inch Bluebird Conductors 50 feet Diamter Circle 50 feet Minimn Ground Clearance 462 kV Phase-Ground

Number
Phases

Three phase and HPO can be compared on the basis of voltage, number of phases, conductor size, right of way width, environmental criteria, and phase spacing. For some applications comparable surge impedance loading may be appropriate, while for others thermal loading may be the proper choice. This can lead to confusion, and to obscuring the prospective advantages of HPO. Therefore a brief summary of the principal advantages is given here. They are:
a)
HPO can provide the same power transfer (thermal or surge impedance) capability as 3 phase, on a smaller right of way, for the same electric field and audible noise criteria, with smaller structures and reduced overall cost.

Per Phase

Conductors
8

surge
192
279
456

1m

SIL MVA

3319

6
12

4
2

4586
5614

b)

Conversely, HPO can provide higher power transfer -on a given ROW than 3 phase, for the same field and
noise criteria.

A paper recommended and approved 84 T&D 318-2 by the IEEE Transmission and Distribution Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society for presentation at the IEEE/PES 1984 Transmission and
Distribution Conference, Kansas

A further advantage of HPO is that conductor ampacities more closely match available circuit breaker ratings. For this example, the three-phase connection has a maximun thermally rated current of about 13,000 amperes per phase, far beyond the capacity of available circuit breakers. In contrast, for the same thermal loading per circuit, the twelve-phase line has a current of 3,200 amperes per phase, which is within present capabilities. Increasing the number of pnases reduces the current in each phase and allows the full thermal capacity to be utilized with existing circuit breakers.

DESIGN COMPARISONS
UHV Three Phase Base Case
A 1200 kV test line was constructed at Lyons, Oregon, as part of the BPA UHV research program [8]. Because of the advanced state of this design, including construction and testing, it is used as the basis for the high phase order comparison.

April 29

May 4, 1984. Manuscript submitted October 28, 1983; made available for printing February 29, 1984.
-

City, Missouri,

0018-9510/84/1100-3380$01.001984

IEEE

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3381
Since this 1200 KV line represents new technology which may be further optimized with experience (as were the first 500 kV and 765 kV designs), comparisons should be qualified by noting that the HPO lines in this paper are developed from more mature insulation design technology. However, as representative of the best UEIV designs available today, the BPA line is appropriate for comparison with the best HPO designs presently available.
TABLE

II
-

Phase-Ground Spacing Requiremnts

feet

No. of Phases
6 12 12

kV Voltage
462 462 317

0-G

Switching Surge Eeizi losing

8.7 9.5 7.2

contam12.2

ination
12.2
8.7

Spaci
15 15 10

9.6
12.1

7.9

High Phase Order Alternatives

Since phase-phase voltage is a function of the number of phases, it is more convenient to refer to HPO lines in terms of their phase-ground voltage. Three phase UHV-EHV voltages of 1200, 800, and 550 kV correspond to 693, 462, and 317 kV phase-ground. Since it will be beneficial to retain standard phase-ground voltages to allow the use of existing hardware, reasonable choices for comparison with UHV are high phase order lines of 462 kV six and twelve-phase and 317 kV twelve-phase. Six phase at 317 kV was not considered because it would not have sufficient capacity.
High Phase Order Electrical Design Insulation coordination calculations of power frequency and switching surge voltages give minimum allowable phase-phase spacings of 12.2 feet and 8.8 feet for the six-phase and twelve-phase 462 kV options respectively, and 6.3 feet for the twelve-phase 317 kV option [4]. However, radio and audible noise criteria require excessive conductor bundles for acceptable performance at these spacings. A balanced design, where all variables have been appropriately treated, requires increased phase spacings for reduced noise and conservative insulation. The resulting spacings are 20 and 12.5 feet respectively for the 462 kV designs and 8.5 feet for the 317 kV design. Summaries of the insulation coordination parameters leading to these phase-phase and phase-ground spacings are given in
Tables II and III.

Conductor-ground clearance was chosen for all options, including the 1200 kV 3-phase line, to give a maximum ground level electric field on the right of way of 8 kV/m. Other electrical envirormental parameters and required clearances are given in Table IV. Although 8 kV/m might be considered conservative, it was chosen for this comparison because it is the maximum field strength allowed in some states.
TAEB nI
Caparison of Electrical Envirormmntal Paramets
No. of Phases
3

12

12

Voltage

kV(l)

1200
78.70

462 61.25

462 71.00

317

Mininun Ground Clearance - Feet

50.00
8

Ground Level E Field kyV/m

Maxidmn
200 Feet fran

1.15

.63

.87
56.9 52.3 48.3
34.8

.42

Wet Conductor AN dB (A)

Maxdnu 200 Feet frm

57.4

56.3 51.3 51.8

36.7

35.7

53.2 52.7

30.0
37.5
19.5

Fair Weather RI dB

Maxdizmn
200 Feet fran

t
0",

40.0

TABLE II Phase-Phase Spacing Requirmets

-

Note:
Feet

(1)

Three-phase voltage

others 0G

No. of Phases

6
462
Surge Air Ga(3)
9.3

12
462 8.0

12
317
5.5
10.1

Conductor Selection
The
1200 kV

Voltage - kV
0 - 0 Switchin

three-phase

line

in

Reference

[8]

Energizing Distribution
Reclosing Distribution

utilizes eight 1780 kanil ACSR (Chukar) conductors per phase. BPA economic analyses at different times have led to different optimum conductor choices, but for
comparison

13.0

reference.

0 - 0 Switching Surge Insulators

Energizing Distribution
Reclosing Distribution
Insulator Cntaffination
Pracstical
Notes:

8.8

8.8

6.3

12.2 12.2
20.0

16.4 8.8 12.5(2)

12.2 6.3 8.5(2)

Initial conductor selection for the HPO lines was 2-2156 kanil Bluebird for the 462 kV six and twelve phase, and 1-2515 kanil Joree for the 317 kV twelve phase. An economic optimization process [9] later showed that for the study parameters assumed, a anall
change to
2-2167 kanil Kiwi would be
more

economic for

Spacig(1)

the 462 kV lines, while for 317 kV the choice of Joree remained unchanged. Performance values given in this paper refer to the initial conductor choice.

(1) (2) (3) (4)

Including RI, ANl effects Energizing Distribution used Sw. Surge claancs assuxie conductor dangers Assunes light contamiration

Structure Geometry

Figure 1 shows comparative of the alternatives. Midspan shown on the figure for 8 kV/m electric field. The actual greater as needed for conductor

scale outlines of most conductor heights are maximum ground level structure heights are sag and uneven terrain.

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3382

160

0c0 S. LA. CD
o Xa 0 ,,
4--

= al

C 4-)

-o 120 C 4-) =0 av

>0a

S.

LL.
(

IC
0

(0

*_- 4-) a ,c

4I

.0 =

_I.8 I
I

--4-) 60
::

0,

40

20I
-

Distance from Center Line - Feet (a) 1200 kV 0-0 Three-Phase

Distance from Center Line - Feet (b) 317.5 kV Twelve-Phase

-4u

-)0

z0

40

6G0

,40k
-0
-

O 00)u

CD

4-, 12C cu S. La.

4) 120 =0a)
CD

10

> r 00)o .0 0.
5, 4.V) -0

00)a ~ .00.L
SC s
so
60

S5 U1 > r

I V
0)

--"4\

/4a--

0)

31--a

40

40

2C

-60

-40

-20

20

40

-60

Distance from Center Line - Feet (c) 462 kV Twelve-Phase

Distance from Center Line Feet (d) 462 kV Six-Phase

-

-40

20

20

40

60

Fig.

1.

Camparison of Overall Line Dimnsion

For the particular conductor geometries selected, the surge impedance loadings of the 462 kV designs are comparable to the 1200 kV three phase design, with the twelve-phase design having a greater surge impedance Thermal loadings loading than the six-phase design. are less for the high phase order options, but if circuit breaker ratings limit the line capacity to 6000 amperes, the available line rating is as shown in Table V. All the high phase order options have higher capacity than the UHV design when breaker ratings are included in the analysis.

Electrical Performance

Figures 2 a, b, and c show lateral profiles for ground level electric field, wet conductor audible noise, and fair weather radio noise respectively. In eacth case these are less for the high phase order designs than for the 1200 kV design, providing for the possibility of a narrower ROW.
A comparison of surge loading for the four designs
is

impedance and given in Table

thermal V.

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3383

7.5

-.

:. l ' I I r
I

High Phase Order Mechanical Design

__

II-

__

__

__

__

__

Six commercial HPO structure types were designed by Societa Anonima Elettrificazione (SAE) using the conductor gecmetries developed previously:
1)
two Scheme 1 - Twelve-phase, 462 kV, conductor bundles, self-supporting towers (Figure 3a).

LA

IA__b

CIO~~~~

2)
-J0

-I1u

'DISTANCE FROM CENTER

-40

40

LINE.FEET

80

four Scheme 2 - Six-phase, 462 ky, conductor bundles, self-supporting towers (Figure 3b).
Scheme 3 - Twelve-phase, 317 kV, single conductor bundles, self-supporting towers.
V towers.

(a) Ground Level Electric Field

3)

4)
c9

Scheme 4 - Same as Scheme 3, except guyed

5)
6)

2I

Scheme 5 - Same as Scheme 3, except guyed Portal towers (Figure 3c).

Scheme 6 - Same as Scheme 3, except guyed Y Towers (Figure 3d).

These designs were developed to provide information for a detailed cost comparison with the 1200 kV three phase line. This cost comparison is described in a companion paper [10].

(b) Wet Conductor Audible Noise

Mechanical Design Criteria

The high phase order structures designed for this used the appropriate NESC loading district guidelines, modified to accomnodate local assumed loading conditions. The design assumptions are based upon a 1.75 inch conductor, and include:

study

1)

NESC Heavy Loading District (modified) -Transverse wind force = 4 p.s.f.

-Transverse safety factor = 2.5

(40 mph wind velocity)

(c) Fair Weather Radio Noise

2)

-Ice Accretion = 0.5 inch (radial) -Wind on Tower = 25 p.s.f. on 1.5 tower faces (100 mph wind velocity) -Vertical load = 0.5 inch radial ice on conductor -Vertical safety factor = 1.25

Fig. 2.

Characteristics

Comparison of Electrical Enrvironlhental

3)

High Wind (80 mph) -Transverse force = 16 p.s.f. -Transverse safety factor = 1.0
Heavy Ice

-Vertical load = 1.0 inch radial ice on conductor -Vertical safety factor = 1.0
Broken conductor -Longitudinal unbalance caused by one conductor bundle breaking

TABL'E V

4)
BCwde

Line
No. of Phases

Capacity
rLimitation
12500 Breaker

Line kV 1200
462

ohms

Zs

SIL 1

Thermal

a5

Size
8

Cortuctors

Diamter
1.602

in.

3
6

229
266

6300
4800
5600

23900
17900
17900

16600
33300

1.762
1.762 1.800

12 12

462 317

458 434

2 2

2800

13400

22800

The 1200 kV reference structure [8] was designed for high elevations, with 120 mph wind on the tower, 100 mph on the conductor, and 1.5 inches of radial ice. These differences are not expected to affect the line cost by more than a few percent, but should be borne in mind when making comparisons.

Table VI.

A sumnary of the

design tower loadings is given in

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3384

(a) 462 kY, 120 Scheme

1 Structure

(c) 317 kV, 120 Schene 5 Guyed Portal Structure

(d) 317 kY, 120 Scheme 6 Guyed

Y-Structure

Fig. 3. Detail of Alternative HPO Designs

TABLE VI

Scheme
1

Ccndition(l)
1 2 3

Design Ioadinxs For HPO Ta3ers Vertical Icngitudinal Transverse A)ad (2) L3e (2) ____(2__3)
153.4 190.8 75.6
-

VL90.)

Limiting Canditicrs 1. 84(2) 12.0

24.0

Weight (lbs.)

Base Tor

81.4
-

190.8
192.0 70.2

81.4
81.4

55,000

12.0
24.0

1 2 3 3
4
2 3
1 1

153.4 192.0 75.6

55.2 70.2 27.2

81.4

42,500
19,000

30.0
6.0

6.0
6.0 6.0 6.0

30.0
30.0 30.0 30.0

2 3

55.2 70.2 27.2

55.2 70.2 27.2
55.2 70.2 27.2
are:

30.0
6.0

70.2
70.2 70.2

12,500
13,000
14,000

5 6

1
2 3

30.0
6.0
30.0

1
2 3

6.0

Notes:

(1) Load cnditions

(a) NESC (b) Heavy ice lc) Failure cntairxeat (broken (2x) All loads in lbs x 1000 (kip) (3) Inclues 25 p.s.f. an 1.5 faces of

cond

Ixor)

tcuer

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3385
Tower Design Results

COMMENTS AND CONCWSIONS

Transmission towers are priced according to their weight. Thus, tower weight is a primary parameter in the economic analysis. Each tower was fully designed and all members properly sized. The resulting weights
for the structure for each scheme are given in Table VI. Foundation loads are summarized in Table VII.
TBEVII
Foundaticn Toad for H

a) High phase order lines can be designed to provide similar power transfer capabilities to UHV.

b) HPO lines are smaller and requlre less right of way for typical edge of ROW enviroomental criteria than their three-phase counterparts.
c) HPO lines are compatible with existing three phase systems.

Tcwexs

Rigid

ers

Guyed Tawers
sion Tn1)
-

Scive cwMessicn
2 3 4 5 6

upft
330.0 320.0 110.0
-

EMESio(1)
100. 0 101.0 97.0

Sar(1)

d) HPO structures, hardware, present no limiting design problems.

and

insulation,

560.0 520.0 190.0

-

39.0 37.5 37.8

1)

e) The work sunmarized in this paper was developed for a line design optimization, to permit valid cost comparisons to be made.
ACKk(wLEDGEMENTS
The work reported in this paper was sponsored by the Division of Electric Energy Systems, of under UX S. Department Energy, contract DEAC-01-78-ET-29297, Kenneth Klein Program Manager. The innovative HPO structure designs were developed by SAE (Milan) and H Brian White.

2.3 0.95

Sate:

(1) All loads in lbs x 1000 (kips)

In addition to the base tower weights presented in Table VI for the design loading conditions, weight gradients were developed. These numbers describe the sensitivity of tower weight to changes in specific loading conditions, such as vertical load, transverse load, and structure height. Changes in conductor choice and span length require alterations in the structure which are calculated by use of these gradients. The gradients were used to determine the final structure weight in the design optimization [10].

REFERENCES
[1] L. 0. Barthold and H. C. Barnes, "High Phase Order Power Transmission," presented by CIGRE SC 31, Electra, No. 24, 1973, p.p. 139-153. J. R. Stewart and D. D. Wilson, of Report Feasibility of High Phase Order Power Transmission, Final report of ERDA contract E(49-18) 2066, February, 1977.
W.

[2]

but it was not considered further.

indeterminacy which makes it sensitive to guy prestressing and is not structurally acceptable. Its weight is included for comparison purposes in Table VI,
Insulator Systems
The insulator system designs developed for high phase order depart radically fromn conventional I or V strings since they support the phase conductors in a nearly circular array to take maximum advantage of HPO

The guyed V

structure

of

Scheme 4

has

an

[3]

C. Guyker, Jr., "Three-Phase to Six-Phase Conversion is Feasible," Transmission and Distribution, October, 1981, p. 51.

[4]

D. D. Wilson and J. R. Stewart, "Switching Surge Characteristics of High Phase Order Transmission Lines," IEEE 1984 Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition, Kahsas City, Mo., April 29-May 4, 1984.

capabilities.

[5]

Four design alternatives were investigated for the twelve-phase insulator assembly as illustrated in Figure 4. Mechanical loadings were determined for all combinations of struts under all of the various loading criteria used for the structure design. The optimum choice was based on cost, performance, and aesthetic qualities, and is shown in Figure 4 (a).

Technical and Economic Characteristics of High Phase Order Power Transmission, U. S. Department of Energy report, DOE/ET/29292-2, 1983.
I. S. Grant and J. R. Stewart, "High Phase Order-Ready for Application," IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-l0l, No. 6, June, 1982, p. 1757.

[6]

[71
[8]
A B

of DOE/ET/29297-3, 1983.

EHV High Phase U. S. Department

R. S. Gens et

Or'1er

Energy

Power

Transmission,

report

Developnent - Planning, Program, and Objectives," IEEE Transactions on Power Apapatatus and Systems,. Vol PAS-98, No. 6,
System

al,

"BPA 1100 kV

Transmission

Nov./Dec. 1979, p. 1916.

[9]

R. E. Clayton, "Transnission Line Economics and Optimization," PTI Newsletter, No. 25, April,

1981.

[10]
C

Fig. 4.

HPO Insulator Alterratives

J. R. Stewart, E. Kallaur, and I. S. Grant "Economics of EHV High Phase Order Transmission," IEEE 1984 Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition, Kansas City, Mo., April 29-May 4, 1984.

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