INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ROORKEE

EEN-206: Power Transmission and Distribution

Lecture -10

Chapter 2: Overhead Transmission Lines

• Electrical Design
Potential Distribution over String

𝐶= ->Approximately
Potential Distribution Over a String

 Capacitance of disc (C1=mC):

Capacitance between metal
works of the insulator units.

 Capacitance to ground (C):

capacitance between metal work
of insulator to tower.

Capacitance per insulator mC

m 
Capacitance to ground C

http://www.epemag.net/electricity-generation-pylons.html
String Efficiency
• Let m = 5

 1 V2  1.2 V1
V2  1   V1
 m
 3 1 
V3  1   2  V1 V3  1.64 V1
 m m 
 6 5 1 
V4  1   2  3  V1 V4  2.41V1
 m m m 

Voltage Across String V1  V2  V3  V4

String Effciency 
n  Voltage across unit adjacent to line
100 
4  V4
(1  1.2  1.64  2.41) V1
 100  63.8 %
4  2.41V1
Selection of m
• If the value of m is increased,
which can be achieved by
increasing the cross-arm length.

• Increased cross-arm length

decreases the capacitance
between earth and metallic
connections.

• However increasing cross-arm

length is not economical after
certain distance.

• Theoretically, one can achieve

equal voltage distribution when m
is infinity.

• It is found that value of m greater

than 10 is not economical.
Grading of Units
• Voltage across capacitor is inversely proportional
to the capacitance for given current.
• By correct grading of capacitances complete
equality voltage can be achieved.
• We have, C2  C1  C
C3  C1  3C  C1  1  2  C
C 4  C 1  6 C  C 1  (1  2  3) C

Generalized case:
Cn  C1  1  2  3    n  1C

For example, if C1=5C, then

C2  6 C , C3  8 C , C4  11C , and so on
Grading of Units
• Thus if capacitance of one unit is fixed other capacitances can be easily
determined.
• This requires units of different capacities, which is uneconomical and
impractical.
• It needs large stock of different sizes of units, which overweighs the
advantage of string insulator.
• Therefore this method is usually not employed except for very high
voltage lines.
• In that case, string is graded in groups, may be two/three.
• Good results can be obtained by using insulators of one size for most of
the units and larger units for the one OR two adjacent to line.
Static Shielding
I 2  I x  I1  I C 1
I3  I y  I 2  IC 2
I4  I z  I3  IC3
Voltages can be equal if
 3V
I x  IC1
 C x (3V )   C V
C C
Cx  
 2V 3 n 1
Also, I y  I C 2
 C y (2V )   C (2V )
V 2C 2C
Cy  
2 n2
3C pC
Similarly, CZ  and Cp 
n  3 n  p 
Static Shielding

• In practice, it is very difficult to achieve

the condition of equal voltages.

• However the partial advantage can be

gained by this method using grading ring
(guard ring) and used normally.

• Further, when the horn gap is also used, it

also protect the insulator from the
flashover.
Static Shielding: Corona Ring
Tutorial - 03
Ques-01
A voltage of 33kV, 50Hz is impressed across a string of three identical disc units. The self capacitance of each
disc is 10 times the capacitance of pin to earth. (a) Calculate the voltage across each disc and the string
efficiency ignoring leakage current. (b) Calculate maximum voltage the string can withstand if the maximum
voltage per disc is 20kV.

Explanation and Hints

(a) No. of discs, n = 3 C = 10𝐶′

 1  3 1  v1
v2  1   v1 v3  1   2  v1
 m  m m 

Voltage Across String v1+v2

String Effciency  100
n  Voltage across unit adjacent to line

𝑉=𝑣 +𝑣 +𝑣
(b) v3=20 kV -> v1 -> v2 -> 𝑉=𝑣 +𝑣 +𝑣
Ques-02
A string of 6 suspension insulators is to be graded for obtaining uniform voltage distribution across the string.
If pin to earth capacitances are equal to C and the capacitance of the top insulator disc is 10C. Find the
capacitance of each unit in terms of C.

Explanation and Hints V

C1
C
No. of discs n = 6
V C2 V
C
m= = 10 Cn  C1  1  2  3    n  1C
2V C3 V
C
𝐶 = 10C
3V C4 V
C
𝐶 = 𝐶 + 1𝐶
4V C5 V
C
𝐶 = 𝐶 + 3C
5V C6
𝐶 = 𝐶 + 6C V

𝐶 = 𝐶 + 10C

& 𝐶 = 𝐶 + 15C
Ques-03
Each of the three insulators forming a string has a self capacitance of C Farad. The shunting capacitance between earth
and metal work of each insulator is 0.18 C while it is 0.1 C between metal work and line.
a) Calculate the voltage across each insulator as a percentage of line conductor voltage to earth and string efficiency.
b) If the guard ring is provided, increasing the capacitance between line and metal work of lowest unit to 0.25C.
Calculate redistribution of voltage and new string efficiency.

Explanation and Hints

a) Applying KCL at node A:
𝐼 +𝐼 =𝐼 +𝐼
𝑗ωC 𝑣 + 𝑗ω(0.1C) (𝑣 + 𝑣 ) = jω 0.18C 𝑣 + 𝑗ωC 𝑣
Now, KCL at node B
𝐼 + 𝐼 =𝐼 + 𝐼
𝑗ωC 𝑣 +𝑗ω 0.1C 𝑣 = jω (0.18C) (𝑣 + 𝑣 ) + 𝑗ωC 𝑣
And,
𝑣 +𝑣 +𝑣 =𝑉 η= * 100
∗
Ques-03
Each of the three insulators forming a string has a self capacitance of C Farad. The shunting capacitance between earth
and metal work of each insulator is 0.18C while it is 0.1C between metal work and line.
a) Calculate the voltage across each insulator as a percentage of line conductor voltage to earth and string efficiency.
b) If the guard ring is provided, increasing the capacitance between line and metal work of lowest unit to 0.25C.
Calculate redistribution of voltage and new string efficiency.

Explanation and Hints

b) Applying KCL at node A:
𝐼 +𝐼 =𝐼 +𝐼
𝑗ωC 𝑣 + jω (0.1C) (𝑣 + 𝑣 ) = 𝑗ω 0.18C 𝑣 + 𝑗ωC 𝑣
Now, KCL at node B
𝐼 +𝐼 =𝐼 +𝐼
𝑗ωC 𝑣 +𝑗ω(0.25C) 𝑣 = jω (0.18C) (𝑣 + 𝑣 ) + jωC 𝑣
And,
𝑣 +𝑣 +𝑣 =𝑉 η= * 100
∗
Distribution of Marks

• 50 Marks

CWS • Best three out of four class tests after each 10 lectures (30 Marks).
• Tutorial and class attendance, and assignment submissions (15 Marks)
• Class interactions (5 Marks)

ETE • 50 Marks

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