Transmission and Distribution Systems

PERFORMANCE OF TRANSMISSION LINES

The term performance includes the calculation

of sending end voltage, sending end current,
sending end power factor, power loss in the
lines, and efficiency of transmission, regulation
and limits of power flows during steady state
and transient conditions. Performance
calculations are helpful in system planning.
sufficient length and voltage of the line,
Voltage regulation - defined as the change in the capacitive effects are not neglected.
the magnitude of the voltage between the
sending and receiving ends of the transmission
line. 3. Long Transmission Line – The lines are

The efficiency of transmission lines – defined

as the ratio of the input power to the output
power.

more than 150 km in length and carry

voltage higher than 100 kV.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF OVERHEAD
TRANSMISSION LINE

In calculating the performance of a transmission

line, the classification of the OHTL in
consideration affects the computations of
efficiency and voltage regulation. These are:
Line Models and Generalized Circuit
1. Short Transmission Line – When the
Constants
length of an overhead transmission line
is up to 50 km and the line voltage less
Short Line Model
than 20 kV, it is known as short
transmission line. Due to smaller length
This is usually short in length and having low
and lower voltage, the capacitance
voltage. For single-phase lines,
effects are small and hence are
neglected. Thus resistance and
inductance are the major parameters
considered for these lines.

2. Medium Transmission Line – These

A = 1, B = Z, C = 0, D=1
lines are 50 km to 150 km and the range
of voltage is 20 kV to 100 kV. Due to
The three phase line is made by using three
single-phase conductors. Therefore, the

Prepared by: Eleazer C. Nabong, REE, M.Eng-Mfg. Page 1

 Transmission and Distribution Systems

calculation remains the same as explained for

the single-phase line, the difference being that
per phase basis is adopted. When working with
balanced three phase line, it is assumed that all
the given voltages are line-to-line values and all
currents are line currents.

Medium Line Model

A = D = cosh(L), B = Z0sinh(L), C = (1/Z0)sinh(L)

For medium transmission line, charging current
is appreciable and due to the length of the line √ √
the shunt admittance plays a significant role in
the calculation of the effective parameters of Where:
the line.
 = propagation constant
Zo = characteristic impedance or also
The shunt admittance and series impedance are
known as surge impedance
considered as a lumped parameter of the
medium transmission line.

Surge Impedance Loading

Capacitance and reactance are the main

parameters of the transmission line. It is
A = D = 1 + ZY/2, B = Z(1 + ZY/4), C=Y distributed uniformly along the line. These
parameters are also called distributed
parameters. When the voltage drops occur in
transmission line due to inductance, it is
compensated by the capacitance of the
transmission line.
The transmission line generates capacitive
reactive volt-amperes in its shunt capacitance
and absorbing reactive volt-amperes in its series
inductance. The load at which the inductive
and capacitive reactive volt-amperes are equal
and opposite, such load is called surge
impedance load.
A = D = 1 + ZY/2, B = Z, C = Y(1 + ZY/4)

Long Line Model It is also called natural load of the transmission

line because power is not dissipated in
transmission. In surge impedance loading, the
For a long transmission line, it is considered that voltage and current are in the same phase at all
the line may be divided into various sections, points of the line. When the surge impedance
and each section consists of an inductance, of the line has terminated the power delivered
capacitance, resistance and conductance as by it, it is called surge impedance loading.
shown below.

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 Transmission and Distribution Systems

Surge impedance loading is also defined as the Problem-Solving:

power load in which the total reactive power of
the lines becomes zero. The reactive power 1. A 69 kV, 3-phase, short transmission line is 16
generated by the shunt capacitance is km long. The line has a per phase series
consumed by the series inductance of the line. impedance of 0.125 + j0.4375 /km. Determine
the sending end voltage, voltage regulation, the
sending end power, and the transmission
√ | |(| |√ ) | | | √ | efficiency when the line delivers (a) 70 MVA, 0.8
pf lagging at 64 kV (b) 120 MW, unity power
Surge impedance loading depends on the factor at 64 kV.
voltage of the transmission line. Practically
surge impedance loading is always less than the 2. A 50 Hz. 3-phase line 100 km long delivers a
maximum loading capacity of the line. load of 40 MVA at 110 kV and a lagging power
factor of 0.7. The line constants (line to neutral)
are: R = 11 ohms, XL = 38 ohms, BC = 3 x 10-4 S
If the load is less than the SIL, reactive volt-
(half at each end), leakage negligible. Find the
amperes are generated, and the voltage at the
sending-end voltage, current and power factor
receiving end is greater than the sending end
and power input.
voltage. On the other hand, if the SIL is greater
than the load, the voltage at receiving end is
smaller because the line absorbs reactive
power.

If the shunt conductance and resistance are

neglected and SIL is equal to the load than the
voltage at both the ends will be equal.

Surge impedance load is the ideal load because

the current and voltage are uniform along the
line. The wave of current and voltage is also in
phase because the reactive power consumed is
equal to the reactive power generated by the
transmission line.

Prepared by: Eleazer C. Nabong, REE, M.Eng-Mfg. Page 3