Inductive Interference with Neighbouring Communication Circuits

It is very common for a telephone line to be run along the same route as a power line, possibly
for a few miles only or, in a few cases, for many miles. In the case of a communication line
which is the property of a power company, this line may be run on the same towers as the power
line. Interference with such communication circuits may be due to both electromagnetic and
electrostatic action, the former producing currents which are superposed on the true speech
currents, thereby setting up distortion, and the latter raising the potential of the communication
circuit as a whole. In extreme cases, this raising of the potential above that of the ground may be
sufficiently high to render the handling of the telephone receiver extremely dangerous, and in
such cases elaborate precautions have to be taken to avoid this danger. [...]
In some cases, the electromagnetically induced current in the communication circuit may be so
great as to render speech impossible. The disturbances can be kept down by means of a thorough
transposition of the conductors of both the power line and the telephone line. This transposition
has the effect of splitting the induced E.M.F. into a series of mutually opposing E.M.F.s, the
principle being identical with that underlying the transposition of heavy laminated conductors in
large alternators and transformers. In the case of a telephone line running parallel to a single-
circuit power line, if the power line has no branch lines, i.e. the current is constant throughout its
length, and the spacings and distances between the two circuits remain constant, then a single
transposition of the conductors of the telephone line is theoretically sufficient, but with both
circuits run on the same towers it may be necessary to transpose the power conductors every
three or four miles, and the telephone conductors about every 500 feet. The number of
transpositions necessary is governed largely by the sensitiveness of the receiving apparatus. In
the case of a telephone line running parallel to a double-circuit power line, the problem is much
more difficult, and it is necessary to transpose the conductors of both pwer lines in addition to
those of the telephone line. A possible scheme is shown in Fig. 9.4, from which it will be seen
that the scheme of tranposition is a regular one for each individual circuit, and that it is arranged
that not more than one transposition will take place at any one point in the line.

Each transposition of a telephone line consists of a complete cross-over of the two conductors,
while each transposition of a three-phase line consists of a twist, in a plane at right angles to the
run of the line, of one-third of a revolution. Thus three transpositions are necessary to bring the
phases back to their original positions. Various methods of carrying out the transpositions on
both telephone and power lines are shown in Fig. 9.5.

It is to be noted that the electrostatic charging of the telephone line will also result in the flow of
current, and this current also will tend to interfere with the clarity of the speech, an effect which
cannot be eliminated entirely by transposition.
In extreme cases of electrostatic charging, as in single-phase electric railway systems with
overhead trolley wires, it may be necessary completely to isolate the telephone apparatus from
the telephone line by means of highly insulated transformers, and also to ensure the dissipation
of the induced charges by means of such devices as earthed 'drainage' coils and lightning
arresters.
Limiting Factors for Extra-High and Ultra-High-Voltage Transmission: Corona, Radio
Noise, and Audible Noise
Introduction
A corona is a partial discharge, and takes place at the surface of a transmission line conductor
when the electrical stress -- that is, the electric field intensity (or surface potential gradient) -- of
a conductor exceeds the breakdown strength of the surrounding air. [...] These manifestations are
called coronas due to the similarity between them and the glow, or corona, surrounding the sun
(which can only be observed during a total eclipse of the sun). [...]
Corona on transmission lines causes power loss, radio and television interference, and audible
noise (in terms of buzzing, hissing, or frying sounds) in the vicinity of the line. At extra-high-
voltage levels (i.e., at 345 kV and higher), the conductor itself is the major source of audible
noise, radio interference, television interference, and corona loss. The audible noise is a
relatively new environmental concern, and is becoming more important with increasing voltage
levels. For example, for transmission lines up to 800 kV, audible noise and electric field effects
have become major design factors, and have received considerable testing and study. It had been
observed that the audible noise from the corona process mainly takes place in foul weather. In
dry conditions, the conductors normally operate below the corona detection level, and therefore
very few corona sources exist. In wet conditions, however, water drops on the conductors cause
large numbers of corona discharges and a resulting burst of noise. At ultra-high-voltage levels
(1000 kV and higher), such audible noise is the limiting environmental design factor.
Manifestations of Corona
[...] Perhaps [the] most serious manifestation of the corona is the electrical effect that causes
radio interference (RI) and/or television interference (TVI). The [corona] avalanches, being
electrons in motion, actually constitute electric currents, and therefore produce both magnetic
and electrostatic fields in the vicinity. Since they are formed very suddenly and have short
duration, these magnetic and electrostatic fields can induce high-frequency voltage pulses in
nearby radio (or television) antennas, and thus may cause RI (or TVI). [...]
Radio Noise
[...] The frequency spectrum of such [corona] pulses is so large that it can include a significant
portion of the radio frequency band, which extends from 3 kHz to 30,000 MHz. Therefore, the
term radio noise is a general term that includes the terms radio interference and television
interference.
The radio interference (also called the radio influence) is a noise type that occurs in the AM
radio reception, including the standard broadcast band from 0.5 to 1.6 MHz. It does not take
place in the FM band. [...]
In general, power line RN sources disturbing television reception are due to noncorona sources.
Souch power line interference in the VHF (30 - 300 MHz) and UHF (300 - 3000 MHz) bands is
almost always caused by sparking.
Audible Noise
[...] It has been shown that the broadband component of random noise generated by corona may
extend to frequencies well beyond the sonic range. The noise manifests itself as a sizzle, crackle,
or hiss. Additionally, corona creates low-frequency pure tones (hum), basically 120 and 240 Hz,
which are cause by the movement of the space charge surrounding the conductor. [...]