Power Transmission and Distribution Lab 09

Analysis of Transmission line Inductance for Single and three

Objective
 Analysis of Transmission Line Parameter Inductance for Single and Three phase system in
MATLAB

Software Required
 MATLAB

Theory

The transmission lines are modeled by means of the parameters resistance, inductance,
capacitance and conductance. Resistance and inductance together is called transmission line
impedance. Also capacitance and conductance in parallel is called admittance, here we are
not going to derive the formulas rather to develop some concepts
Resistance
The conductors of the transmission lines have small resistance. For short lines, resistance
plays an important role. As the line current increases so do the ohmic loss (I2R loss). When
the current exceeds a certain value the heat generated due to ohmic loss starts to melt the
conductor and the conductor becomes longer that results in more sag. The current at which
this condition of conductor is irreversible is called thermal limit of conductor. Short overhead
lines should be operated well within this limit.

The resistance R of a conductor of length 'l' and cross section 'a' is given by the formula

𝑙
𝑅=𝜌
𝐴
Here ρ is the resistivity of the conductor material which is a constant.
Transmission lines usually use ACSR conductors with spirally twisted strands. So the actual
length of the conductor is about 2 % more than the ACSR conductor length. So from the
above formula, the resistance of the line is proportionately 2% more than the conductor
length. Another important factor is that when the frequency of current increases the current
density increases towards the surface of conductor and current density at the center of
conductor is less. That means more current flows towards the surface of conductor and less
towards the center. This is well known skin effect. Even at power frequency (60/50 Hz) due
to this skin effect the effective cross sectional area of conductor is less. Again from the above
equation it is clear that the conductor resistance is more for higher frequency. So AC
resistance of conductor is more than the DC resistance. Temperature is another factor that
influences the resistance of conductor. The resistance varies linearly with temperature. The
manufacturers specify the resistance of the conductor and one should use the manufacturers
data about the transmission line parameters. It will help us understand the transmission line
modelling and in analyzing the power system.
Power Transmission and Distribution Lab 09

Inductance
In the medium and long transmission lines inductance (reactance) is more effective than
resistance. The current flow in the transmission line interacts with the other parameter, i.e. the
Inductance. We know that when current flow within a conductor, magnetic flux is set up.
With the variation of current in the conductor, the number of lines of flux also changes, and
an emf is induced in it (Faraday’s Law). This induced emf is represented by the parameter
known as inductance.
The flux linking with the conductor consist of two parts, namely, the internal flux and the
external flux. The internal flux is induced due to the current flow in the conductor. The
external flux produced around the conductor is due to its own current and the current of the
other conductor’s place around it. The total inductance of the conductor is determined by the
calculation of the internal and external flux.
Inductance of symmetrical three-phase line
In symmetrical three-phase line, all the conductors are placed at the corners of the equilateral
triangle. Such an arrangement of conductors is also referred to as equilateral spacing. It is
shown in the diagram below

Figure 1:Symmetrical Three Phase Line

Let the spacing between the conductors be D and the radius of each conductor, r. The flux
linkages of conductor a are given by the equation

In this case
Power Transmission and Distribution Lab 09

For a three-wire system, the algebraic sum of the currents in the conductors is zero.

So the flux equation becomes

By using the formula The inductor of conductor, ‘a’ is

The inductance of conductor’s b and c will also be the same as that of a. The inductance of
the three-phase line is equal to the two-wire line.
Inductance of unsymmetrical three-phase line
A three-phase line is said to be unsymmetrical when its conductors are situated at different
distances. Such arrangement of conductors is most common in practice because of their
cheapness and convenience in design and construction.
Consider a three-phase unsymmetrical line, having different spacing between their
conductors where the radius of each conductor is r. It is shown in the diagram below

Figure 9.2:Unsymmetrical Three Phase Line

where the geometric mean distance (GMD) and the geometric mean radius (GMR) are
given respectively by
Power Transmission and Distribution Lab 09

The inductance of the conductor y can also be similarly obtained. The geometric mean
radius GMRy will be different for this conductor. However, the geometric mean distance
will remain the same.

Flow Chart

Experimental Procedure
Power Transmission and Distribution Lab 09

MATLAB Code

c=input('Enter 1 for single phase and 2 for three phase transmission line ');
if (c==1)
l=input('input the length in meter =');
r=input('input the radius in meter =');
p=input('input the resistivity of the material =');
d= input('input distance between conductor / wires =');
Ds=r*0.7788;
A=3.1415*r*r;
R=(p*l)/A;
L=l*(4*10^-7*log(d/Ds));
disp('Total Resistance ');
disp(R);
disp('Total Inductance ');
disp(L);
elseif (c==2)
c1=input('1 for symeterical and 2 for unsymetrical line = ');
if (c1==1)
l=input('input the length in meter =');
r=input('input the radius in meter =');
p=input('input the resistivity of the material =');
Ds=input('input self GMD = ');
d= input('input distance between conductor / wires =');
A=3.1415*r*r;
R=(p*l)/A;
L=l*(4*10^-7*log(d/Ds));
disp('Total Resistance ');
disp(R);
disp('Total Inductance ');
disp(L);
elseif (c1==2)
l=input('input the length in meter =');
r=input('input the radius in meter =');
p=input('input the resistivity of the material =');
Ds=input('input self GMD = ');
D12=input('input distance between conductor/wires 1&2 =');
D23=input('input distance between conductor/wires 2&3 =');
D31=input('input distance between conductor/wires 3&1 =');
A=3.1415*r*r;
R=3*(p*l)/A;
Dm=(D12*D23*D31)^(1/3);
L=l*(2*10^-7*log(Dm/Ds));
disp('Total Resistance ');
disp(R);
disp('Total Inductance ');
disp(L);
end
end
Power Transmission and Distribution Lab 09

MATLAB Result’s:
Enter 1 for single phase and 2 for three phase transmission line 2
1 for symmetrical and 2 for unsymmetrical line = 2
input the length in meter =1
input the radius in meter =0.0462*0.3048
input the resistivity of the material =4.5366*10^-8
input self GMD = 0.0373*0.3048
input distance between conductor/wires 1&2 =20*0.3048
input distance between conductor/wires 2&3 =38*0.3048
input distance between conductor/wires 3&1 =20*0.3048
Total Resistance
2.1847e-04

Total Inductance
1.2997e-06

Conclusion