Transmission Line Modelling

Transmission Lines
The power transmission line is one of the major components of an electric power system. Its
major function is to transport electric energy, with minimal losses, from the power sources to
the load centers, usually separated by long distances. The design of a transmission line depends
on four electrical parameters:
1. Series resistance
2. Series inductance
3. Shunt capacitance
4. Shunt conductance
Transmission Lines
The series resistance relies basically on the physical composition of the conductor at a given
temperature.

The series inductance and shunt capacitance are produced by the presence of magnetic and
electric fields around the conductors, and depend on their geometrical arrangement.

The shunt conductance is due to leakage currents flowing across insulators and air.
As leakage current is considerably small compared to nominal current, it is usually neglected,
and therefore, shunt conductance is normally not considered for the transmission line modeling
Resistance

The AC resistance of a conductor in a transmission line is based on the calculation of its DC

resistance. If DC current is flowing along a round cylindrical conductor, the current is
uniformly distributed over its cross-section area and its DC resistance is evaluated by
δ𝑙
RDC =
𝐴

Where:
δ is conductor resistivity at a given temperature (Ohm-m)
l is conductor length (m)
A is conductor cross-section area (m2)

In AC circuits, there are 4 effects that will change the value of the Resistance:
1. Frequency Effect: Resistance
The frequency of the AC voltage produces a second effect on the conductor resistance due
to the non-uniform distribution of the current. This phenomenon is known as skin effect

When a conductor is carrying steady Due to Skin Effect in Transmission Lines, the effective area of
direct current (dc), this current is cross-section of the conductor through which current flows is
uniformly distributed over the whole X- reduced. Consequently, the resistance of the conductor is
section of the conductor. However, an slightly increased when carrying an alternating current
alternating current flowing through the
conductor does not distribute
uniformly, rather it has the tendency to
concentrate near the surface of the
conductor. This is known as skin effect.

RAC = RDC× K

skin correction factor

• In case of DC, current density is uniform over cross
section of conductors. On the other hand, in a
conductor carrying AC there is a tendency of
current to crowd near the surface of conductor that
means alternating current flowing through a
conductor doesn’t distribute uniformly and
concentrate near the surface of conductor.

• In AC System no current flows through the core and

entire current is concentrate on surface regions.
Skin effect depends upon:
Due to this effective area of conductor is reduced
1. Type of conductor material
so ac resistance of conductor increases.
2. Frequency
3. Diameter of conductor
4. Shape of conductor.
 Temperature Effect:

The resistivity of any conductive material varies linearly over an operating temperature, and therefore, the

resistance of any conductor suffers the same variations. As temperature rises, the conductor resistance increases

linearly, over normal operating temperatures, according to:

R2 = resistance at temperature t2
R1 = resistance at temperature t1
T = temperature coefficient for the particular material (0C)

The resistance of all materials changes as their temperature changes. If the temperature is lowered, resistance (typically) declines.
In fact, if cooled sufficiently, the material becomes a "superconductor" with no significant resistance. Increasing the temperature
(typically) increases resistance.
Resistance
Spiraling Effect:
Overhead transmission lines use aluminum
conductors, because of the lower cost and lighter
weight compared to copper conductors, although more
cross-section area is needed to conduct the same
amount of current.

A stranded conductor offers more flexibility and

easier to manufacture than a solid large conductor.
However, the total resistance is increased because the
outside strands are larger than the inside strands on
account of the spiraling

The total resistance of the stranded conductor is

evaluated by the parallel combination of resistances
per layer.
 Bundling Effect:

In high-voltage transmission lines, there may be more than one conductor per
phase (bundle configuration) to increase the current capability and to reduce
corona effect discharge. Corona effect occurs when the surface potential
gradient of a conductor exceeds the dielectric strength of the surrounding air
(30 kV/cm during fair weather), producing ionization in the area close to the
conductor, with consequent corona losses, audible noise, and radio interference

By increasing the number of conductors per phase, the total cross-section area
increases, the current capacity increases, and the total AC resistance decreases
proportionally to the number of conductors per bundle.

Conductor bundles may be applied to any voltage but are always used at 345 kV and
above to limit corona. To maintain the distance between bundle conductors along the
line, spacers made of steel or aluminum bars are used
Resistance
Current-Carrying Capacity (Ampacity)

In overhead transmission lines, the current-carrying capacity is determined mostly by the

conductor resistance and the heat dissipated from its surface. The heat generated in a conductor
(Joule’s effect) is dissipated from its surface area by convection and radiation given by

I2R = S(Wc + Wr) Watts

R = conductor resistance (Ω)

I = conductor current-carrying (A)
S = conductor surface area (sq. in.)
wc = convection heat loss (W/sq. in.)
wr = radiation heat loss (W/sq. in.)
Inductance and Inductive Reactance
A current-carrying conductor produces concentric magnetic flux lines around the conductor.
If the current varies with the time, the magnetic flux changes and a voltage is induced.
Therefore, an inductance is present, defined as the ratio of the magnetic flux linkage and the current.
The magnetic flux produced by the current in transmission line conductors produces a total inductance
whose magnitude depends on the line configuration

The magnetic field intensity( H ) A/m 1m

The magnetic flux density B =  H Wb/m2

The flux linkage (  ) Wb-t/m x

The inductance (L) from flux linkage per ampere is: ( L =  / I )

r
Inductance and Inductive Reactance

Having two conductors, the flux linkage has two components, IB IA

internal and external (the flux generated by conductor A current
and the flux generated by conductor B current). The total
inductance of each conductor is:
LA = Lint + Lext
The total inductance of the circuit is (two conductors):
LTotal = L1 + L2 r1 = r2 = r
LT = ( Lint + Lext )1 + ( Lint + Lext )2
r = r e −1 / 4
D D
Ltotal = 2  10 −7 (ln + ln ) H / m
r1 r2 −7 D
Ltotal = 4  10 (ln ) H / m
−7
Ltotal = 4  10 (ln
D
) H /m r
r1r2
Capacitance

The Capacitance between conductors in a AM Gaouda

ELEC 472

medium with constant permittivity can be

UAEU 2006

obtained by determining the following:

E the electric field strength

V the Potential Difference between the two conductors

Q the magnitude of the charge on a conductor

Then, the capacitance from a charge per unit volt is defined as:

Q
C
V
Capacitance Due to Earth’s Surface
Considering a single-overhead conductor with a return path through the earth,
separated a distance H from earth’s surface, the charge of the earth would be equal in magnitude to that
on the conductor but of opposite sign.
If the earth is assumed as a perfectly conductive horizontal plane with infinite length, then the electric
field lines will go from the conductor to the earth, perpendicular to the earth’s surface
Transmission Lines Modelling

The transmission line models are classified by their

length. These classifications are:
• Short line approximation for lines that are less
than 80 km long.
• Medium line approximation for lines whose
lengths are between 80 km to 250 km.
• Long line model for lines that are longer than 250
km.
ABCD Parameters
These models will be discussed in this presentation. However before that let us introduce the ABCD
parameters that are used for relating the sending end voltage and current to the receiving end voltage and
currents.

VS = AVR + BI R

I S = CVR + DI R
V S and I S are the sending-end voltage and current
Or in a matrix format, V R and I R are the receiving-end voltage and current

V S   A B  V R 
 =  
Where A,B,C and D are parameters depends on
 I  C D  I 
 S    R the transmission line constants (R, L, C and G).
ABCD Parameters
VS = AVR + BI R I S = CVR + DI R

𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠
A= 𝑎𝑡 𝐼𝑅 = 0 B= 𝑎𝑡 𝑉𝑅 = 0
𝑉𝑅 𝐼𝑅
is the ratio of sending end voltage to the is the ratio of sending end voltage and short
open circuit receiving end voltage. This circuit receiving end current. The unit is
quantity is dimension less. Ohm

𝐼𝑠
𝐼𝑠 D = 𝑎𝑡 𝑉𝑅 = 0
C= 𝑎𝑡 𝐼𝑅 = 0 𝐼𝑅
𝑉𝑅 is the ratio of sending end current to the
is the ratio of sending end Current and receiving end current. This quantity is
receiving end voltage. The unit is mho dimension less.
Short Transmission Line
The shunt capacitance for a short line is almost negligible. The series impedance is assumed to be
lumped. If the impedance per km for an “l” km long line is z0 = r + jx, then the total impedance of the
line is Z = R + jX = lr + jlx.

The sending end voltage and current for

this approximation are given by:

Vs = VR+Z×IR
Is = IR

VS = AVR + BI R
So: A=D =1, B= Z and C=0
I S = CVR + DI R
Medium Transmission Line

Medium transmission lines are modeled with lumped shunt admittance. There are two different
representations − nominal-π and nominal-T depending on the nature of the network.

Nominal-π Representation
In this representation the lumped series impedance is
placed in the middle while the shunt admittance is
divided into two equal parts and placed at the two ends.
This representation is used for load flow studies
Medium Transmission Line
Applying KCL at nodes M and N we get

𝑌 𝑌
Is = I1+ I2 = I1+ I3 + IR =
VS + VR +IR …………(1)
2 2
𝑌 𝑍𝑌
Vs = VR+ Z×I2 = VR+ Z×( VR + IR) = ( +1) VR + Z×IR…………(2)
2 2

Substituting equations 1 and 2, we get:

𝑌 𝑍𝑌 𝑌
Is = ( +1) VR + Z×IR + VR +IR
2 2 2
𝑍𝑌 𝑍𝑌
Is = 𝑉𝑅 Y +1 + IR 2 +1 … … … … … (3)
4
From equations 2 an3 we get:

VS = AVR + BI R
𝑍𝑌
A=D = +1 I S = CVR + DI R
2
B= Z
𝑍𝑌
C=Y 4 +1
Long Transmission Line
 Z Y   V R 
( 1 + ) Z 
V S   2   
 =   
I      
  
 S  Y ( 1 + Z Y
) (1+
Z Y
) I 
 4 2   R

Z Y 
A = D = 1+ = cosh(  l )
2
sinh(  l )
B = Z  = Z C sinh(  l ) = Z
l
Y Z 
C = Y ( 1 + )
4
l l
tanh( ) tanh( )
Y 2 = Y 2
=
2 ZC 2 l
2
Voltage Regulation of TL
The ABCD TL parameters can be used to describe the variation of the line voltage with line loading.
Voltage regulation is the change in the voltage at the receiving end of the line when the load varies from no-
load to full-load condition at a specified power factor, while the sending end voltage held constant.

| V RNL | − | V RFL |
VR% =  100
| V RFL |

VS = VR + I R ( R + jX L )
Lagging power factor

Unity power factor

VS Leading power factor
IRXL
VR IRR VS
AM Gaouda
IRXL
IR ELEC 472 IR
UAEU 2006 VS IRXL
AM Gaouda
IR VR IRR ELEC 472
UAEU 2006
IRR
VR
Solved Example 1
A 200km long 3 phase, 50Hz overhead transmission line (OHTL) has a resistance of 48.7 ohm
per phase, inductive reactance of 80.2 ohms per phase and capacitance line to neutral of 8.42
nF per km. The OHTL supplies a load of 13.5MW at a voltage of 88kV and 0.9 lagging power
factor. Using the nominal PI-Circuit model determine:

1. The magnitude of sending-end voltage.

2. Power angle or Load angle
3. The sending end Current
4. Voltage regulation
Solved Example 1

Z = zl = ( R + jL )l = 48.7 + j 80.2

Z = 93.8358.73o 
Y = 1 / X C = 1 /( 1 / jωCl )
Y = jωCl = 2π( 50 )( 8.42  10 −9  200 )
Y = 529  10 −6 90 o Siemens

ZY
VS = ( 1 + )VR + ZI R
2
88  10 3
VR = = 508080 o
3
13 .5  10 6
−1
I =
13R.5  10 6
−1
 − cos ( 0.9 )
IR = 3 88  10 −3
( 0cos
.9 ) ( 0.9 )
3 88  10 ( 0.9 )
3

I R = 98.41 − 25.84
I R = 98.41 − 25.84
Solved Example 1
( 93.8358.73 )( 529  10 −6 90 )
VS = ( 1 + )( 508080 ) + ( 93.8358.73 )( 98.41 − 25.84 )
2

VS = 577635.63o = 57484.92 + j5669.64 V (line-to-Neutral)

The magnitude of sending-end voltage (line-to-line).

VS = 3 ( 57763 ) = 100.05kV
LL

2. The Power angle (Load angle) is:

The load angle  =  S −  R = 5.63 − 0 = 5.63o

Note
| V1 || V2 |
P12 = sin(  1 −  2 )
|X|

If the load angle  =  1 −  2  0

P12 flows from bus 1 to bus 2
Solved Example 1
3. The sending End Current
ZY ZY
IS = Y(1+ )V R + ( 1 + )I R
4 2
−6
( 93 .83 58.73 )( 529  10 90 )
I S = 529  10 − 6 90( 1 + )( 508080 )
4
( 93.8358.73 )( 529  10 − 6 90 )
+ (1+ )( 98.41 − 25.84 )
2
I S = 87.03 − j 14.24 = 88.19 − 9.29o
4. The Voltage Regulation %

AT NO-LOAD: I R = 0

| V RNL | − | V RFL |
VR% =  100
| V RFL |
Solved Example 1
ZY
VS = ( 1 + )V R + 0
2
| VS |
| V RNL |= 59009.4 − 50808
ZY VR% =  100 = 16.14%
| 1+ | 50808
2
| 57763 |
| V RNL |= = 59009.4V
| 0.9788 + j 0.0129 |

88  10 3
VR = = 508080 o
3
Refer to the textbook and solve the following Problems:

In Chapter 5:
In Chapter 3:
✓ 5.2: Do not solve part a. However use the following values
✓ Problem 3.17 (answers to a) to solve b, c and d: Z=12.84+j72.76Ω and Y=
✓ Problem 3.33 0.0001019 S.
✓ 5.5: use Z=23.6+j57.07 Ω Y=0.000363 S for part a
✓ 5.14, 5.15, 5.16
Solved Example 2

5.5 A 113 km, three phase transmission line with a single circuit, is having Z=23.6+j57.07 Ω and
Y=0.000363 S at a base of 230 kV, 100 MVA . The line delivers a load of 60 MW at 230 kV with 0.8
power-factor lagging.
1. Find the voltage, current, real and reactive power, and the power factor at the sending end in
both per unit and absolute units.
2. What is the percent regulation of the line?
3. Prove that for any type of transmission line AD-BC =1
Solved Example 2
Solved Example 2
Solved Example 3
Solved Example 3
The Load at the receiving end is 50 MW at 220
KV with a power factor of 0.9 lagging. Find the
magnitude of the sending end voltage and the
voltage regulation. Assume the magnitude of the
sending end voltage remains constant