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Bundled conductors, formed from two or more stranded conductors, are used in electrical transmission systems above 220 KV to optimize current carrying capacity and reduce issues like corona discharge. They offer advantages such as reduced line inductance, increased power transfer capability, and improved transmission efficiency. Unlike composite conductors, which touch each other, bundled conductors maintain a distance to minimize corona loss and interference with communication lines.

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Parv Pandey
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4 views

Exp-fault-analysis

Bundled conductors, formed from two or more stranded conductors, are used in electrical transmission systems above 220 KV to optimize current carrying capacity and reduce issues like corona discharge. They offer advantages such as reduced line inductance, increased power transfer capability, and improved transmission efficiency. Unlike composite conductors, which touch each other, bundled conductors maintain a distance to minimize corona loss and interference with communication lines.

Uploaded by

Parv Pandey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Bundled Conductors

Single stranded conductors are used in transmission system usually


up to 220 KV. But it is not possible to use single-stranded
conductor for the voltage above 220 KV systems. For very high
voltage system, hollow conductor can be used to optimize the flow
of current through it. But erection and maintenance of hollow
conductors in the EHV system are not economical. The problem can
be solved by using bundled conductors instead of hollow
conductor in the electrical transmission system above 220 KV
voltage level.

We call bundled conductor to those conductors which are formed from two or more
stranded conductors, bundled together to get more current carrying capacity. For high
voltage transmission , transmission lines can be seen with comprising two or
more conductors per phase, instead of having one conductor per phase. For
each phase, these conductors are separated by spacers. A metallic structure
called spacer groups the conductors of a phase. These spacers help to
maintain a constant distance between the conductors throughout their length.
They do so to avoid the clashing of conductors amongst themselves and also
allow them to be connected in parallel. These are called bundled conductors.
Each phase can have two, three, or four conductors. The figures
below show bundled conductors with spacers for the three
configurations.
Each conductor joined by the spacer belongs to the same phase,
and we will have three such group of conductors in a single circuit
transmission (3 phase) or six such groups in double circuit
transmission (again for 3 phase).

We generally use such a configuration when a bulk power is being


transmitted to long distances at very high voltage level.
Advantages of Bundled Conductors over
single conductor:-
1. Bundling of conductors leads to reduction in line inductance.

We know that inductance of a line is given by

Where, GMD = Geometric mean distance


GMR = Geometric mean radius
For a single conductor of radius r
GMR = 0.7788r
For two conductor bundle as shown in figure

For three conductor bundle

For four conductor bundle

Hence as we increase the number of conductors the GMR


increases and hence L decrease.

Now, there are many advantages of reduction in


inductance of the line, such as-

 The maximum power transfer capability of the line


increases as
Where X = wL …reactance of line

 The voltage regulation of the line is also increased as the


reactance of the line is reduced.
2. On the similar argument for decrease in inductance of line, we
can say that the capacitance of the line increases, as
capacitance of line to neutral is given by

Now since we have L decreased and C increased the net SIL


of the line also increases automatically, and hence the power
transfer capability too. Hence using bundled conductors is an
effective way of increasing SIL, i.e. Surge Impedance Loading.
3. The most important advantage of bundled conductors is its
ability to reduce corona discharge. When power is being
transferred at very high voltages using a single conductor, the
voltage gradient around it is high, and there is a high chance
that the corona effect will occur – especially in bad weather
conditions. However, using several conductors nearby instead
of one conductor, forming a bundled conductor which leads to
a reduction of voltage gradient and hence the possibility of
corona formation.
The increase in critical corona voltage depends upon the
following-
 Number of conductors in the group,
 Clearance between them, and
 The distance between the groups forming separate
phases.
It has been found out that the optimum spacing between
the conductors in a group is of the order of 8-10 times
the diameter of each conductor, irrespective of the number
of conductors in the bundle.

4. Reduction in the formation of corona discharge leads to less


power loss and hence improved transmission efficiency of the
line.
5. Reduction in communication line interference due to
reduction in corona.
6. The ampacity i.e. the current carrying capacity of bundled
conductors is much increased in comparison to single large
conductor owing to reduced skin effect.
7. As the bundled conductors have more effective surface area
exposed to air, it has better and efficient cooling and hence
better performance compared to a single conductor.

Q. Why bundled conductors are used in EHV line?


A. A bundled conductor reduces the reactance of the electric transmission line. It also
reduces voltage gradient, corona loss, radio interference, surge impedance of the
transmission lines. By making bundle conductor, the geometric mean radius (GMR) of
the conductor increased.

Difference between stranded (composite) conductors and bundled


conductors

Composite Conductor?

In Composite conductors sub conductors touch each other.


Composite conductors are typically stranded conductors. In
Composite conductors different elements are used (In ACSR
conductors aluminium has the properties of light weight, good
conductivity and rustlessness and steel has the property of high
tensile strength). Composite conductors are employed as they are
flexible compared to solid conductor. Composite conductors reduce
proximity effect and also reduces skin effect up to certain extent.
Bundled Conductor?
Bundled conductors are employed in Extra High Voltage (EHV)
transmission as at higher voltages corona effect is significant. In
bundled conductors sub conductors are placed as certain distance
throughout the transmission lines. This reduces the corona
discharge loss and interference with the communication lines
nearby.
The conductors of any one bundle are in parallel and charge per bundle is
assumed to divide equally between the conductors of bundle.
The composite or stranded conductors touch each other while the bundled
conductors are away from each other. The typical distance is about 30 cm and
more. The conductors of each phase are connected by using connecting wires at
particular length.

Due excessive corona loss, the round conductors are not feasible for use for
voltage level more than 230 kV. It is preferable to use hollow conductor in
substations while bundled conductors in transmission lines.

Stranded conductors gives a high level of flexibility and high tensile strength.
This helps in constructing distribution and transmission lines. A bundled
conductor is used to minimise corona loss in transmission line.

So a bundled conductor will consists of two of more stranded conductors to


minimise corona loss in a transmission line.

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