Transmission Lines:: EE4123: Electrical Power Transmission
Transmission Lines:: EE4123: Electrical Power Transmission
Transmission Lines:: EE4123: Electrical Power Transmission
Lecture 4:
Transmission Lines :
Insulators
Conductor Alternatives
Typically aluminum or copper conductors are used.
Aluminum is preferred over copper for its lower cost and lighter
weight, however, this comes at the price of some energy loss that
doesn't occur with copper.
Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR)
– includes steel strands wrapped around aluminum conductors
to add strength.
– This is the most commonly used conductor.
1
Transmission line conductor types
ACSR (aluminum conductor, steel reinforced)
ACSR/AW (aluminum conductor, aluminum-clad steel reinforced)
– can be used in worse corrosive atmospheric conditions
ACSR-SD (aluminum conductor, steel reinforced/self-damping)
– (Trapezoidal strands included) can be used at very high tensions
without having any auxiliary dampers
ACAR (aluminum conductor, allow reinforced)
– used in long spans in a corrosive atmosphere
AAC-1350 (aluminum alloy conductor composed of 1350 aluminum
alloy)
– for good conductivity and has short spans
AAAC-201 (all aluminum alloy conductor composed of 6201 alloy)
– For long spans because it is lighter (expensive)
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 3
Selection of Conductors
When selecting transmission line conductors, the
following factors have to be taken into account:
– The maximum amount of allowed current in the conductor
– The maximum amount of power loss allowed on the line
– The maximum amount of voltage loss allowed
– The required spa and sag between spans
– The tension on the conductor
– The climate conditions at the line location (the possibility of
wind and ice loading)
– The possibility of conductor vibration
– The possibility of having corrosive atmospheric conductors
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 4
2
Conductor Sizes
Conductor sizes are based on the circular mil.
A circular mil is the area of a circle that has a
diameter of 1 mil.
A mil is equal to 1 ×10-3 in.
The cross-sectional area of a wire in square inches
equals its area in circular mils multiplied by 0.7854
×10-6
Size is usually given by a gauge number according to
the American Wire Gauge (AWG) standard
The larger the gauge size, the smaller the wire.
A given conductor may consist of a single strand or
several strands.
A solid conductor is often called a wire, whereas a
stranded conductor is called a cable.
A general formula for the total number of strands is
Number of strands = 3n2 – 3n + 1
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 5
3
Other considerations
Thermal considerations
– Should withstand overheating in maximum loading conditions
– Conductor should withstand temperature up to 75 o C
Tension considerations
– Tension may vary between 10 % to 60% of rated conductor
strength
– Standard tension ratings given
Cost considerations
– Includes investment cost of installing TL
– Present worth of energy cost of I2R losses
– Present worth of demand cost of I2R losses
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 7
4
Corona
If the voltage in the transmission line exceeds a particular
threshold value, then the air surrounding the conductors will gets
ionized making the atmosphere conducting.
This results in electric discharge around the conductors due to the
flow of these ions, called Corona.
Effects
1. Power loss
2. The 3rd harmonic components makes the current non-
sinusoidal and this increase the corona loss.
3. The ozone gas formed chemically reacts with the conductor
and can cause corrosion.
4. Light (faint violet glow).
5. Audible noise (hissing or cracking).
6. Insulation damage
7. Radio, television and computer interference.
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 9
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 10
5
Bundled Conductors
Advantages
– Decrease in Surge impedance
loading so more power delivery
– Decrease in corona
• Therefore decrease in power
loss
• Decrease in electromagnetic
interference
• Reduction in communication
line interference
– Current carrying capacity is
increased owing to reduced skin
effect.
– More effective surface area
exposed to air, it has better and
efficient cooling
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 11
Insulators
Functions:
- to provide perfect insulation between the live conductors and
the supports.
- to prevent any leakage current from the live conductors to earth
through the supports.
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 12
6
Insulator Materials
1. Porcelain (ceramic)
- most commonly used material for the insulators
- the dielectric strength is about 60 kV/cm
- has a particular shape and covered with glaze
2. Glass
- cheaper but less stronger than the porcelain
- the dielectric strength is about 140 kV/cm
3. Synthetic resin
- consist of the compounds of silicon, rubber, resin etc.
- light weight and comparatively cheaper
- high leakage current and short life
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 13
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 14
7
Types of Insulators
Pin type Suspension type
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 15
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 16
8
Pin Type Insulator
Small, simple in construction and cheap.
Used for transmission and distribution of electrical power up to
33kV.
For lower voltage up to 11kV – one piece is used.
For higher voltage – two or more pieces are used.
It becomes more heavy and costly for higher voltages.
Mounted on the cross-arm of the pole.
The line conductor is placed in the groove at the top of insulator
and is tied down with binding wire of the same material as the
conductor.
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 17
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 18
9
Suspension Type Insulator
Used for voltages above 33kV.
Have no. of porcelain disc units which are connected to one
another in series by using metal links to form a string of
porcelain discs.
The top of insulator is connected to the cross-arm of the tower
while the lowest insulator holds the line conductor.
Each unit is designed for the low voltage about 11kV.
No. of units depend on the operating voltage i.e. if operating
voltage is 132kV , the no. of units required is 12.
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 19
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 20
10
Advantages of Suspension Type Insulator
For higher voltages, these are cheaper than the pin insulator.
Each unit is designed for low voltage (11kV) but by connecting
such units in series to form a string, insulator for higher voltage
level can be designed.
In case of any failure, it is sufficient to replace the damaged disc
and do not need to replace the entire string.
Provide greater flexibility to the line. The string is suspended
and is free to swing in any direction.
The line conductors are less affected by lighting because the
conductor is lower than the tower cross-arm and the string acts
as lighting arrestor.
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 21
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 22
11
Shackle type insulator
Shackle type insulators, similar to
strain type insulators, are used on
sharp curves, end poles and in section
poles.
However, unlike strain insulators,
shackle insulators are designed to
support lower voltages.
frequently used for low voltage
distribution lines.
They can be directly fixed to the pole
with a bolt or to the cross arm
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 23
Flashover
test
Performance
Type of tests
test
Routine test
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 24
12
Flashover Tests
Dry • Voltage is applied between the electrodes of the insulators
flashover and is gradually increased over the specified limit.
test • Insulator must sustain the minimum voltage for 1 minute.
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 25
Performance Tests
• Insulator is suspended in insulating oil and applied voltage
Puncture is increased gradually until puncture occurs.
voltage test • The voltage at which puncture starts is called ‘puncture
voltage’ and it is 30% greater than dry flashover voltage.
13
Voltage distribution along suspension insulators
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 27
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 28
14
Voltage Distribution in Insulator Network
An equivalent circuit for voltage
distribution along clean eight-unit insulator
string
The voltage distribution on such a string
can be expressed as
where
The ratio C2/C1 is usually somewhere
between 0.1 and 0.2.
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 30
15
Methods to Improve Network/String Efficiency
Network/String efficiency
Voltage across the string
n Voltage across the insulator near to the line conductor
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 31
reduce to 0.1.
Figure 2.15 Cross arm schematic
16
Methods of Increasing String Efficiency
Guard/grading rings
– ring way obstruction can be done with use static shield.
– this static shield assembled on end lower part insulator
unit connected by using joining of metal in suspension
insulator and then connects to line conductor.
– reduce the earth capacitance and create capacitance
between insulator line and cap.
– higher capacitance in nearby unit with guard ring and
this will reduce voltage fall in the insulator.
– the same voltage in per unit is impossible to obtain
practically.
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 33
Tower Post I1
C V1
C1 i1 Ix Cx
Arc Horn C V2
C1 i2 I2 Iy Cy
C V3
C1 i3 I3 Iz Cz
Obstruction Ring
9/29/2018 Capital University of Science and Technology Electrical Power Transmission EE4123 34
17