other t e m p e r a t u r e s was n o t great.

All
cores h a d been subjected t o t h e usual
tests b y t h e manufacturer, a n d only
those meeting m i n i m u m specifications for
squareness, coercive force, etc., were supplied.
T h e experimental d a t a presented in t h e
curves of Figs. 3 a n d 4 were obtained
from four cores each of 1/2-mil, 1-mil, 2mil, a n d 4-mil thickness, annealed a t
1,950 F , a n d t h e y were driven with programmed sequence of rectangular c u r r e n t
pulses t h r o u g h 10-turn toroidal windings.
R a t e s of change of flux were observed
b y m e a n s of a Tektronix, I n c . , model 545
oscilloscope connected across a n additional winding placed o n t h e core. T h e
p r o g r a m m e d current pulses c a m e from a
modified Rese Engineering C o m p a n y ' s
magnetic core tester model 1100, w i t h curr e n t rise a n d decay times of a b o u t 0.09
microsecond, a n d a c o n s t a n t current o u t p u t a m p l i t u d e for t h e entire d u r a t i o n of
t h e current pulse (within 5 % u n d e r t h e
worst conditions encountered during t h e
experimentation). T h e wraps in each
core were counted w i t h t h e help of a
microscope, as this information was
needed for calculation purposes.

Conclusions

w i t h cores m a d e from 5 0 % N i - F e t a p e s
only, t h e same general behavior c a n be
expected from other N i - F e tapes, except
for differences discussed in t h e closure of
reference 2.
T h e model for t h e initiation of flux
reversal is developed b y showing t h a t
it is i n d e p e n d e n t of t h e internal domain
s t r u c t u r e of t h e t a p e d u e t o t h e previous
magnetization history. T h i s result is
i m p o r t a n t in u n d e r s t a n d i n g flux changes
which a r e initiated in u n s a t u r a t e d cores.
I t n o w becomes possible t o develop a
model for t h e i n s t a n t a n e o u s process during flux reversal with a r b i t r a r y (or almost
arbitrary) initial conditionsin simple
situations, merely b y extending t h e model
presented in reference 2, a n d in more complex situations, b y m e a n s of a more
careful consideration of t h e domain wall
dynamics.
T h e results obtained b y prepulsing a
core w i t h a field of m a g n i t u d e H' before
continuing flux reversal w i t h a smaller
field (i.e. <') indicate t h a t domains
will continue t o grow, once s t a r t e d , even
if is reduced below t h e n o r m a l threshold value for t h e d o m a i n after t h e
initiating pulse is applied. T h i s o b servation s u p p o r t s t h e conjecture t h a t t h e
value of s t a r t i n g field required for a given
domain depends on its initial r a d i u s .
T h e initial pulse a p p a r e n t l y h a s expanded
t h e nuclei enough so t h a t t h e y will
continue growing w i t h smaller applied
4

fields. Additional experimental evidence

is needed t o confirm this s t a t e m e n t ; extensions of t h e m e t h o d used t o obtain
Fig. 8 m a y b e used for this purpose.
Finally, i t is hoped t h a t t h e quantitative model for surface nucleation will be
p u t on a firmer basis b y additional work
on t h e surface m e t a l l u r g y of t a p e cores,
w i t h t h e u l t i m a t e a i m t h a t quantitative
metallurgical d a t a will confirm t h e presence of t h e postulated n u m b e r of nucleation sites.

References
1. A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR A MAGNETICAMPLIFIER REACTOR CORE, . H . W o o d s o n .
AIEE Transactions,
p t . I (Communication
and Electronics), v o l . 7 8 , 1 9 5 9 ( J a n . 1 9 6 0 s e c t i o n ) , p p . 8 7 2 78.
(Additional references q u o t e d in t h i s reference.)
2 . FLUX REVERSAL IN MAGNETIC AMPLIFIER
CORES, F . J . F r i e d l a e n d e r . Ibid., vol. 7 5 , July
1 9 5 6 , pp. 2 6 8 - 7 8 .
(Additional references quoted in
this reference.)
3.
DOMAIN BOUNDARY CONFIGURATIONS DURING
MAGNETIZATION REVERSALS, J. J. B e c k e r .
Journal
of Applied Physics, N e w Y o r k , . Y . , v o l . 3 0 , n o . 3 ,
Mar.

1 9 5 9 , pp.

387-90.

4 . A N IMPROVED MODEL FOR FLUX REVERSAL

IN N I - F E CORES, I . P . Leliakov, F . J . Friedlaender.
AIEE
Transactions,
p t . I (Communication
and
Electronics),
vol. 8 0 , M a r . 1 9 6 1 , pp. 2 3 - 2 6 .
5 . REVERSIBLE AND SLOW SPEED IRREVERSIBLE
MAGNETIZATION PROCESSES IN 5 0 % N I - F E ALLOYS,
L. L. O g b o r n . Ph.D. Thesis, P u r d u e U n i v e r s i t y ,
Lafayette, Ind., Jan. 1 9 6 1 .

Evidence shows t h a t flux reversal in

N i - F e t a p e cores initiates a t t h e surface.
While experimentation was carried o u t

Data Gathering and Transmission System

for Project E H V
P. A . ABETTI
MEMBER AIEE

D. D. DAVIS
MEMBER AIEE

H E General Electric C o m p a n y extrahigh-voltage project (called " P r o j e c t

E H V " for short) w a s announced i n J u n e
1958, after m o r e t h a n a y e a r of p r e liminary planning. Project E H V involves t h e design, construction, a n d operation of a complete a-c transmission
system, which will carry power first
a t 460-500 k v a n d t h e n a t 650-690 k v
(750-kv m a x i m u m ) . T h i s is m o r e t h a n
twice t h e m a x i m u m voltage presently
used b y utilities in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d
C a n a d a a n d 5 0 % higher t h a n t h e highest
transmission voltage in t h e world500
1

272

D. W

CAVERLY

ASSOCIATE

MEMBER

AIEE

E. A . WHEPLEY
ASSOCIATE

MEMBER

AIEE

k v i n t h e Soviet Union. Detailed planning, cost estimating, a n d writing of t h e

specifications for t h e line a n d a p p a r a t u s
were essentially completed o n M a y 27,
1959, when construction w a s begun a t t h e
site a n d in various p l a n t s of t h e co-operating companies. Construction is proceeding a n d energization a t 460-500 k v
began i n December 1960.
T h i s p a p e r will review briefly t h e objectives of Project E H V , t h e reasons for t h e
selection of its right of w a y a s d e t e r m i n e d
b y t h e desired m e a s u r e m e n t s , a n d finally,
t h e over-all philosophy of system design

Abetti, Caverly, Davis,

WhepleyProject

6 . THE PROCESS OF FLUX REVERSAL IN GRAINORIENTED 5 0 % NICKEL-IRON TAPE CORES, F . J.

F r i e d l a e n d e r . Magnetic
Amplifier
Technical
RePort no. 21, Carnegie I n s t i t u t e of T e c h n o l o g y ,
P i t t s b u r g h , P a . , Aug. 1 9 5 5 .

in relation t o t h e acquisition of d a t a .
T h e d a t a gathering a n d transmission
system, which will o b t a i n a b o u t 10 million i t e m s of d a t a annually, will be described i n detail. Examples will be given
of t h e analog a n d digital c o m p u t a t i o n s
which a r e necessary in order t o acquire
t h e planned meteorological, mechanical,
a n d electrical quantities i n t h e desired
form. T h e over-all procedure will b e
mentioned for t h e processing of t h e d a t a
a n d t h e i r statistical evaluation through
a large digital computer, a n I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Business M a c h i n e s Corporation ( I B M )
705.
Previous unpublished papers h a v e pres e n t e d i n detail t h e over-all technical
p l a n ; t h e preliminary laboratory investigations, such a s t h e insulation design
Paper 6 0 - 1 4 0 7 , r e c o m m e n d e d b y t h e A I E E C o m p u t i n g D e v i c e s C o m m i t t e e a n d approved b y t h e
AIEE
Technical
Operations D e p a r t m e n t for
p r e s e n t a t i o n a t t h e A I E E Winter General M e e t i n g ,
N e w York, . Y . , J a n u a r y 2 9 - F e b r u a r y 3 , 1961.
M a n u s c r i p t s u b m i t t e d A u g u s t 1 2 , 1960; m a d e
available for printing D e c e m b e r 1 4 , 1960.
P . A. ABETTI, D . W . CAVERLY, D . D . DAVIS, a n d
E . A. WHEPLEY are w i t h t h e General Electric C o m p a n y , Pittsfield, M a s s .

EHV Transmission

System

JULY

1961

of t h e s y s t e m ; t h e N o r t h Station and t h e
three adjacent portal-type towers; t h e
conductors, insulators, a n d accessories;
and t h e preHminary corona investigations.
T h e over-all objectives of Project
E HV a r e :
2

1. To help re-establish the United States

as a world leader in the broad areas of EHV
power systems.
2. To prove that EHV systems (460 kv
and above), in all their interrelated corncomponents and aspects, are feasible, more
reliable, and more economical for the transmission of large blocks of power over smaller
rights of way than systems presently used.
3. To contribute technical knowledge
which will advance the continued expansion
of electric power at reduced costs.

Location and System Characteristics

DISTANCE FROM NORTH STATION, FEET

T h e right of way was selected according

t o t h e following specifications:
1. It must be adj acent to an existing 115-kv
line of the Western Massachusetts Electric
Company, in order to draw power at the
two terminal stations. It must be farther
than 1,000 feet from existing 115-kv lines
in order to avoid radio-noise interference
(RI).
2. It must be on relatively level ground,
with maximum differences of about 100
feet in elevation. This requirement is
dictated by the fact that corona loss, and
presumably RI, are dependent upon air
density which, in turn, depends upon elevation. For a line of variable altitude, most
of the loss and RI would be generated from
the sections at the higher altitudes, and
it would be quite difficult to analyze and
correlate the experimental data.
3. I t must be on terrain with a variety of
soil conditions (to study its effect on the
line performance), and fairly well exposed
t o lightning, sleet storms, and steady winds
(to study aeolian vibrations).
M o s t of t h e s e specifications were m e t
b y t h e site selectedover p a s t u r e s ,
swamps, a n d rocky woods along t h e
H o u s a t o n i c River, in t h e t o w n s of Lenox
a n d Lee, Berkshire C o u n t y , western
Massachusetts.
The
meteorological
characteristics of t h i s zone are believed
t o be representative of m a n y regions of
n o r t h e r n U n i t e d States a n d s o u t h e r n
C a n a d a , a n d are p r o b a b l y m o r e severe
t h a n average U n i t e d S t a t e s conditions.
T h e region h a s a great v a r i e t y of
weather, with a goodly n u m b e r of s t o r m s
of m i n o r i n t e n s i t y , although s t o r m s of
hurricane force occur occasionally. T h e
t e m p e r a t u r e varies between 25 F (degrees F a h r e n h e i t ) a n d 95 F . A t t h e location of t h e line t h r o u g h rural c o u n t r y ,
c o n t a m i n a t i o n other t h a n b y pollen
should be mild. T h e r e is a good deal
of fog along t h e H o u s a t o n i c River, a n d
JULY

1961

Fig. 1 .

Profile of Project E H V 650-kv line

it is h o p e d t h a t critical icing conditions

will exist several t i m e s during t h e investigation. T h e isokeraunic level of
t h e a r e a is 27. While t h i s is r a t h e r low
for purposes of lightning investigations,
is is hoped t h a t a b o u t one stroke per
mile-year will c o n t a c t some portion of
t h e line because of t h e height of t h e struct u r e s which are provided with additional
lightning rods. E x p e r i m e n t s also will
b e m a d e t o d e t e r m i n e t h e n u m b e r of
strokes per s q u a r e mile a n d t o o b t a i n
correlation with t h e strokes t o t h e line.
T h e line is equipped with t w o oscillog r a p h s a t each of t h e 18 towers t o o b t a i n
n o t only t h e m a g n i t u d e b u t also t h e waves h a p e of t h e stroke currents.
A 4.3-mile 300-foot-wide strip of l a n d
was acquired for t h e line right of w a y a n d
also approximately 8 acres of land a t each
end for t h e t e r m i n a l stations. F i v e

F 0 A - T - 6 0 - 4 0 0 0 0 (OUTPUT)
650000 GR.Y/375000- 134000
GR.Y/77400-DELTA

-SOUTH STATION-

SHORT SECTION
TEST LINE

LONG SECTION

TEST LINE
I
\
10 MVAR
REMOVABLE
\
SER'ES
CONNECTION
\
CAPACITOR

650 KV
DISCONNECT
SWITCH
$516

IMPULSE
GENERATOR

MILES

23/4.16 KVSUB

OA/FA-T-603 0 0 0 0 / 4 0 0 0 0 (OUTPUT)!
-110000 GR.Y/63500-j
110000 GR.Y/63500 \
t 3 0 % (72 STEP) ^~X"

-TRANSMISSION LINE -

-NORTH STATION-

NORTH STATION
INSTRUMENT
BUILDING

areas approximately 5 0 X 3 7 5 feet, uniformly spaced along t h e right of way,

t o be used for locating measuring ins t r u m e n t s such as R I m e t e r s a n d t h e
analog-to-digital converters, were also
obtained. T h e 300-foot width of t h e
right of w a y is sufficient for a doublecircuit line a t 650-kv alternating current;
a single-circuit line a t 1,000-kv alternating
current, or 2 X 5 0 0 - k v direct current,
which are assumed t o b e m a x i m u m voltages conceivable under present E H V
technology. T h e 4.3-mile length is considerably greater t h a n t h e length of other
experimental E H V lines, which range
from 0.03 t o 1.4 miles. I t was chosen t o
o b t a i n a b e t t e r simulation of actual E H V
lines, which m a y h a v e sections from 10
t o 200 miles between switching stations.
F o r instance, R I m e a s u r e m e n t s on short
lines h a v e shown m a r k e d standing waves

-3.7MILES

If

460 KV
CONDUCTOR AGING

iL4160 V DISTRIBUTION LINE

FOR MEASURING APPARATUS
POWER

5000 MVA A.C.B.*)

D.S. 8 PHASE
REVERSAL

L
f

110 KV + 2 KV

TO PITTS FIELD

Abetti, Caverly, Davis, WhepleyProject

TO L E E
23 KV

Fig. 2.

Project EHV circuit diagram

EHV Transmission

System

273

which m a y greatly distort t h e R l picture.

F u r t h e r m o r e , a t t e n u a t i o n characteristics
a t R l frequencies are of great interest in
predicting t h e R l performance of a line.
Recent investigations h a v e shown t h a t
t h e principal m o d e of propagation of R l
has an a t t e n u a t i o n of approximately 6
d b / (decibels per) mile. T h u s , its a t tenuation characteristics m a y be determined with sufficient accuracy on a line
several miles long.

Table I.

Measurements

Project EHV Measurements

Locations

Measuring
Time

Tolerance

Range

W i t h respect t o corona losses, it h a s

been found on short, open-ended, experimental lines t h a t t h e ratio between
t h e highest foul-weather a n d fair-weather
losses m a y be 100 or even higher. I t
is very doubtful whether such a r a t i o
would apply t o a c t u a l lines of n o r m a l
length, because it is highly improbable
t h a t all t h e line would be subjected t o
extreme weather conditions simultaneously. I t is, therefore, of interest t o
s t u d y t h e effect of nonuniform w e a t h e r
on t h e corona, mechanical, a n d R l performances. In t h e Berkshires, h e a v y rain
or snow in one location a n d sunshine in
a location a few miles a w a y is quite comm o n . T h u s , t h e Project E H V line,
with three complete weather stations
located a b o u t 2 miles a p a r t , will b e very
useful in investigating this effect.
Another reason for choosing t h e 4.3mile length was t o s t u d y a t t e n u a t i o n
characteristics
of
impulse-generator
traveling waves along t h e line a n d their
penetration i n t o t h e t e r m i n a l stations.
On a line several miles long, a m a r k e d
a t t e n u a t i o n of t h e impulse waves m a y
b e obtained, a n d a b n o r m a l reflections
m a y be avoided.
T h e profile of t h e line, shown in Fig.
I , indicates t h a t t h e r e will b e a t o t a l of
18 towers a n d 17 s p a n s ranging from 880
t o 2,200 feet, with an average span of
1,300 feet. I t is desirable t o h a v e a t
least one span over 2,000 feet long to
s t u d y t h e mechanical performance of t h e
conductors a n d adjacent towers u n d e r
unusual conditions. As m e n t i o n e d previously, t h e soil conditions are variable
along t h e r i g h t of way. F o r instance,
ground resistivity varies from 10 metero h m s in t h e s w a m p y region around tower
I I , t o 300-1,000 m e t e r - o h m s in t h e loose
sand a t tower 1. Towers are n u m b e r e d
starting from t h e n o r t h end. T h i s will
enable an extensive s t u d y of t h e electrical
a n d mechanical characteristics of t h e
various foundations and grounding arrangements. A circuit diagram of P r o j ect E H V is shown in Fig. 2. Of particular interest is t h e 4,160-volt 300-kva
distribution circuit for supplying power
to t h e instruments and t h e various buildings along t h e line.
274

Abetti,

Caverly,

T h e following t o be measured e v e r y 20 m i n u t e s , and e v e r y 2 m i n u t e s on d e m a n d :

1.
2.

4.
5.
6.

Temp
1,1,3,5
Ice and frost on cold
d u m m y cond
1,5
Ice and frost o n w a r m
d u m m y cond
1,5
T e m p of cold d u m m y c o n d . . . . 1,5
T e m p of w a r m d u m m y cond . . 1 , 5
H u m i d i t y (dew point)
1,1,3,5

7.

Infrared

3.

8.
9.
10.
11.

12
13.
14.
15.
16.
18.
19.
20.
21,

Aerosol c o u n t
1,3,5
Aerosol d e n s i t y
1,3,5
Conductor t e m p , cold cond
1,3,5
Conductor t e m p , w a r m
cond
1,3,5
Conductor surface conditionsf
1,5
Pressure
1,3,5
Wind v e l o c i t y , perp. t o line
near t w r s 1, 11, 16
1,3,5
Wind v e l o c i t y , perp. t o line . . . 1,3,5
17. W i n d v e l o c i t y , par. t o
line
1,3,5
Rainfall a n d s n o w f a l l j
1,3,5
S t a r t of rain and snow
1,3,5
Wind c o n t a c t s in bundle
1
22. Line v o l t a g e
1,5

23
Corona loss
23A. Porcelain loss, alternate
measurement
24. R e a c t i v e k v a
24A. Porcelain, r e a c t i v e k v a ,
alternate m e a s u r e m e n t
25. R a d i o noise :
1.04 m c , under heated phase
1.04 m c , 100 feet o u t
1.04 m c , 150 feet o u t
1.04 m c , 100 feet o u t and 1 / 4
w a v e axially
1.04 m c , 100 feet o u t from u n heated phase
1.04 m c c o n d u c t e d
1.04 m c c o n d u c t e d , aging area:
Single c o n d . )
2 cond.
}
4 cond.
1.04 m c , background
1.04 m c , 115-kv line
150 k v , 100 feet o u t
26. Corona pulses
27. Electric
field

. 2
3%

inst
inst
inst
inst

.
.
.
.

avg

0-6 lbs/ft
40-4-60 C
2 0 - + 80 C
Dewcell t e m p
-30 to+50 C
0-2 g m - c a l / c m / .

inst
inst
.inst

105 t o 10' per f t .

1 0 " t o 10 ~ g m / 1 .
401-60 C.

. 5%
10%
. 2

.inst

-20(-80 C

.inst.
. inst

26.5-30.5 inches.

3%

0-75 mph. . . .
0-50 m p h . . . .
0-75 mph)
0-50 mph) . . .
0 - 6 inches
0.002 i n c h . . . .

3%
3%

750 k v , L L . . .

1%

200, 2,000 k w .

1
1

avg
avg

50, 500 watts.

0-20 k v a r . . . .

5%
1%

avg

0-500 v a r . . . .

1%

1,3,5
1,3,5,4
1,3,5

avg
avg
avg

4 4 - 7 0 db
24-50 db
17-43 db

1,3,5

avg

24-50 db

3
1,3,5

avg
avg

24-50 db
78-104 db )

one of
)
5 . . . three will
will rf .. aa v g
be m a d e )
1
avg
1
avg
1,3,5
avg
1
count
1,3,5
cont. and a v g . o f . . .
log

1,5

3%

66-92 db
n n

10-70 db
35-61 db
3 8 - 6 4 db
5%
5 0 0 t o 1 threshold.
. 2 0 % ; 3 % of
5 0 v o l t s t o 15
kv/m
log

10 g; 100 cps

inst.

3%

, ^
_
1 7 - 2 5 , 0 0 0 lbs
.
1,500 lb i n . . .

peak and a v g
peak and a v g

3%
3%

. both peaks.

.9.

. 3%

.peak.

.35

. 3%

. 20,000.

. 3%

peak.
peak.

3%

processed a u t o m a t i c a l l y :
waveshape
1,800 k v
/ 1 6 0 a m p s o n high
J
side
waveshape
15,300 a m p s o n l o w
side

Lightning currents, ose (2

on each tower)
every tower
waveshape
70 ka
37 A. Lightning currents, m a g
links
every tower
peak a m p l i t u d e . . . . 80 ka
T h e following t o be measured regularly b u t n o t processed a u t o m a t i c a l l y :
38. C o n d u c t i v i t y of rain and
s n o w weeklyII
1,3,5
avg
10,000 o h m s / c m . .
39. Aerosols, h i g h - v o l u m e air
sampler 11
1
avg
t y p e and w e i g h t
3

WhepleyProject

. 3%

3%
3%
. w i t h i n 1 min.

37.

Davis,

3%
2
2
2

5%

a n

F a u l t currents, etc., m a g
ose, 20 m e a s

- 4 0 - + 4 0 C*
0-6 lb/ft

peak
avg
(peak
\ avg
inst
t i m e on
count
peak )
I avg. ]
avg

28. Aeolian vibration, outside

p h a s e s : 8 meas, ground
wire, 1 meas, t w r s 1 a n d
11
1,3
29. Axial t e n s i o n , outside phases
each c o n d : 8 m e a s , t w r s
1 d ig
1,5
30. T o r q u e , center p h a s e , 1
cond, t w r s 1 and 11
1,3
31. S a g :
t w r s 1-2: 3 m e a s

twrs 2-3: 3 meas

1
t w r s 18-17: 3 m e a s
5)
32. S w i n g :
t w r 1 1 : 3 meas
3)
t w r 16: 3 m e a s
5)
33. Vertical l o a d : t w r 1 1 : 3
meas
3
34. T w r . stress:
T w r . 4, Al, t a n , 4 m e a s
2\
T w r . 8, st, t a n , 4 m e a s
2
T w r . 12, con, t a n , 4 m e a s
T w r . 14, w d , t a n , 4 m e a s
T h e following t o be measured as t h e y occur b u t n o t
35. S w i t c h i n g surges, 3 m e a s
1,5
36.

inst
inst

EHV

Transmission

System

. 5%

. 5%
.10%
. 5%
. 5%

JULY

1961

Table I. (continued)

Measurements
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.

Measuring
Time

Locations

Small ion meter

1
Conductor c o n t a m i n a t i o n
evert 20 min^[
1
Porcelain
contamination
e v e r y 20 m i n f
. . 1
Aerosols, dust s p o t e v e r y
20 min
1
T V interference, weekly
1

Range

Tolerance

inst.
cont
cont
avg.
inst..

20%

* D e g r e e s centigrade.
f Photographically.
J 0.005 resolution.
T w o scales.
II M a n u a l l y .
If Closed-circuit T V .
Abbreviations:
Al = a l u m i n u m
a m p s = amperes
a v g = average
cir = circuit
con = concrete
cond = conductor
cont = continuous
cps = cycles per second
dia = diameter
gm-cal = gram-calories
gm/1 = g r a m s / l i t e r
inst = i n s t a n t a n e o u s
ka = kiloamperes
k v / m = kilovolts per meter

lb-in = pound-inches
l b s / f t = p o u n d s per foot
L L = l i n e t o line
m a g = magnetic
mc = megacycles
meas = m e a s u r e m e n t s
m p h = miles per hour
ose = oscillograph
par = parallel
perp = perpendicular
st = steel
temp = temperature
twrs = towers
w d = laminated wood

Philosophy and Scope of

Measurements
One of t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t goals of
Project E H V is t o o b t a i n experimental
d a t a on an E H V line in actual operation.
Advanced m e a s u r e m e n t systems in connection with a m o d e r n digital c o m p u t e r
a n d techniques of statistical analysis will
p e r m i t a t t a i n m e n t of t h i s goal with an
unprecedented q u a n t i t y a n d accuracy of
d a t a . N o t only t h e s t u d y of t h e b r o a d
practical aspects will be u n d e r t a k e n , b u t
physical causes for observed effects will
b e interpreted in as m u c h detail as possible. T h i s should eliminate some of t h e
b r o a d scatter of information from other
investigations. F o r instance, weather
h a s often been classified as fair or foul;
we will subdivide foul weather into rain,
fog, snow, a n d frost. Project E H V will
t r y t o establish correlation between labora t o r y a n d field results, particularly for
R1V ( R I voltage) m e a s u r e m e n t s , a n d
to establish all t h e reasons for 2 to 1 lower
performance of conductors installed on
lines compared with t h e same conductors
tested in t h e laboratory. I n t h e past,
d a t a on m o s t experimental lines frequently
h a v e been obtained a t irregular times
either t h r o u g h observation or recording
on charts. Subsequent analysis of t h e
d a t a becomes very laborious because it
m u s t first be converted into numerical
form.

matically. Since m a n y conditions bey o n d t h e observers' control influence

t h e d a t a , continuous long-duration m e a s u r e m e n t s are required t o obtain answers
which h a v e statistical significance. F o r
instance, R I m a y v a r y in t h e r a t i o of
30 t o 1 as a result of weather, t i m e of year,
or d a y , etc. A statistical distribution
of R I versus t i m e is required, n o t j u s t
t h e average fair-weather or foul-weather
values. W i t h such a statistical distribution, i t will be possible t o m a k e meaningful predictions. F o r instance, u n d e r act u a l conditions, R I will n o t exceed a
given value for 9 5 % of t h e t o t a l t i m e .
Because of t h e stochastic n a t u r e of m o s t
experimental d a t a , i t will b e necessary
t o accumulate a q u a n t i t y of measurem e n t s in order t o compare t h e performance of different line configurations for
instance. Therefore, d a t a will b e acquired automatically a n d simultaneously
on all i n s t r u m e n t s a t definite intervals
of time. T h i s is a broadening of t h e
concept first used in t h e 500-kv t e s t station of R h e i n a u .
All quantities of
theoretical or practical interest will be
m e a s u r e d for t h e determination of t h e
electrical a n d mechanical performance of
an E H V line. I n addition, measurem e n t s of outside influences on t h i s performance will be t a k e n , e.g., t h e q u a n t i t y
a n d size of aerosols (small particles floating in t h e air) because t h e y probably
affect R I a n d corona loss.

I n Project E H V all d a t a will be m e a s ured, t r a n s m i t t e d , a n d processed a u t o -

A list of all t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s t o be
m a d e on Project E H V , their location,

JULY

1961

Abetti,

Caverly,

measurement time, range, a n d specified

accuracy is given in Table I. A t o t a l of
267 measurements of 47 different types
will be made, subdivided as follows: 133
(13 types) will be electrical, such as
corona loss a n d R I which will be measured
in 23 locations; 71 (11 types) will be mechanical, such as aeolian vibrations,
conductor, a n d tower stresses; a n d 63
(23 types) will be meteorological. T h e y
will b e m a d e a t five t e s t stations spaced
fairly equally along t h e line (Fig. 1).
Of t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s , 158 will be m a d e
a t regular i n t e r v a l s : every 20 minutes
in fair weather a n d 2 minutes automatically in b a d weather when preset limits
are exceeded, or a t a n y time on demand,
for a t o t a l of a b o u t 10 million yearly.
A n a u t o m a t i c digital system (Fig. 3) will
be used t o handle t h e d a t a a t t h e lowest
cost a n d with m a x i m u m accuracy.
T h e first link in t h e a u t o m a t i c d a t a
acquisition system is t h e transducer,
which converts t h e q u a n t i t y being measured into an electrical q u a n t i t y such as
voltage, resistance, or switch position.
Whenever t h e o u t p u t of t h e transducers
is resistive, it is converted to a d-c voltage; for example, accelerometers, whose
o u t p u t is a change of resistance, a n d barometers where bellows a c t u a t e a potentiometer. Typical transducers with outp u t in the form of a d-c voltage are t h e
pyrheliometer for infrared measurement
a n d radio-noise meters. In m o s t cases
t h e transducers are accessible (as for t h e
23 R I meters) a n d are connected to t h e
d a t a acquisition system b y a system of
shielded wires. I n some cases t h e transducers are located directly on t h e conductors of t h e E H V line a n d their outp u t (as for some strain gages) is brought
t o ground by special radio telemetering
equipment. T h i s equipment is designed
for operation from batteries which will
be recharged every 30 days. I t will work
in all t h e severe environmental conditions
normally encountered in t h e Berkshires.
T h e o u t p u t of t h e transducers changes
very fast in some cases and very slowly

NORTH STATION
I

Davis,

WhepleyProject

EHV

(3)

(3)

TAPE
READERS

TAPE
PUNCHES

TU

A- D
CONV.

A-D
CONV.

SCANNER

SCANNER

11
TRANSDUCERS

Fig. 3.

Transmission

00

Simplified block diagram of measurement and data acquisition system

System

275

ance. T h i s amplifier h a s high accuracy,

low ripple, rapid response, a n d relatively
insignificant drift t o t h e measured signal.
T h e compensating n e t w o r k is a biasing
voltage t h a t m a k e s t h e measured signal
a linear function passing t h r o u g h zero.
T h e integrator is a conventional circuit
using a high-gain-chopper stabilized a m plifier with capacitor feedback. T h e
o u t p u t will furnish t h e t i m e integral of
t h e i n p u t voltage. T h e average value
of t h e i n p u t voltage will t h e n b e represented b y t h e amplifier o u t p u t divided
by t h e integrating period. T h i s integrator h a s a high degree of accuracy a n d
will hold t h e o u t p u t u n d i s t u r b e d for long
intervals a t which t h e i n p u t voltage is
zero. I t h a s a high i n p u t impedance,
low o u t p u t impedance, a n d very little
drift since t h e operational amplifier is
chopper stabilized.
A n u m b e r of auxiliary features a r e incorporated as follows:

Fig. 4 . Analog computing devices for station I

in other cases. T h e o u t p u t s which

change quickly could n o t b e acquired
a n d processed economically, a n d therefore t h e y a r e processed in analog computers t o obtain m a x i m u m value, average
value, a n d in some cases, both. F o r instance, m a x i m u m s are t a k e n of conductor
sag a n d swing a n d tower stress; averages
are t a k e n of R l a n d corona loss; b o t h
are t a k e n for wind velocity a n d conductor
tension.
Examples will n o w be given of t h e
m e t h o d s a n d circuits employed for performing specific m e a s u r e m e n t s such as
radio noise, wind, corona pulses, aeolian
vibrations, a n d corona loss. T h e analog
computing e q u i p m e n t which h a s been
designed for Project E H V will b e d e scribed in detail for t h e s e five particular
measurements. T h e complexity a n d ext e n t of these analog devices m a y be seen
in Fig. 4, which shows all t h e analog
c o m p u t i n g devices which pertain t o
station I only.

m i n u t e t i m e period. Second, b y monitoring t h e analog o u t p u t , it changes

range a n d provides a n indication of t h e
change.
T o perform t h e first function, t h e signal
from t h e radio-noise m e t e r m u s t be amplified b y a differential amplifier, pass
through a compensating network, a n d
be integrated for a fixed period of t i m e .
T h e second function requires t h e use of
a r a n g e changer monitoring t h e o u t p u t
of t h e integrator. Although this amplifier monitors continually, i t does n o t alter
t h e r a n g e except a t a specific p r o g r a m m e d
t i m e . T h e amplifier changes t h e a t t e n u ation of t h e radio-noise signal a n d provides a d-c voltage t o t h e scanner indicating t h e range.
T h e differential amplifier used in this
m e a s u r e m e n t is a chopper amplifier
with a high rejection of c o m m o n d-c signals. I t is used as a gain amplifier for
low-level signals a n d provides a singleended o u t p u t with a low o u t p u t imped-

Radio-Noise Measurement
Radio interference is o n e of t h e m o s t
i m p o r t a n t m e a s u r e m e n t s o n Project
E H V . T w e n t y - t h r e e radio-noise m e t e r s
are located along t h e line t o m e a s u r e t h e
radio noise either b y conduction o r b y
radiation. T h e s e m e t e r s produce a d-c
signal based on a quasi-peak m e a s u r e m e n t
(Fig. 5 ) . T h i s signal is a small differential voltage t h a t is a function of t h e d b
level of radio noise.
T h e analog system performs t w o functions. First, i t produces a d-c voltage
representing t h e average value of t h e d b
signal over either a 2-minute o r a 20276

1. A bistable flip-flop circuit is used for

resetting the integrator. The signals
operating this circuit are programmed
pulses from the scanner which thus control the time of integration.
2. An integrator gain-changing circuit
allows the output signal t o be independent
of the two time cycles. An AND circuit is
used to change scales only during the resetting of the integrator.
3. A limiting circuit is employed t o keep
the amplifier from going into saturation
under abnormal conditions. This allows a
shorter time for resetting during operations
and prevents inaccuracies in the following
measurement period.
4. A drift adjustment is provided for normal servicing.
T h e r a n g e changer is a n amplifier operating high-speed relays. If t h e i n p u t
voltage t o t h i s amplifier is outside a predetermined range, t h e relays, operating
as a range decision circuit, control t h e
transducer's level for t h e next measurem e n t . N o switching is done during a n
operating m o d e . A bistable
flip-flop

TRANSDUCER

ANALOG PROCESSING SYSTEM

SCANNER

AND CALIBRATION CONTROLS

I NT EG. GAIN
CHANGING SIGNAL

ANTENNA

SELECTION
NETWORK
(RANGE
CHANGINGANTENNACAL.)

R. N.
METER

1
1
1 ,

-PROGRAMMING
SIGNALS
DIFF
AMP

COMPEN.
NETWORK

AVERAGE VALUE
MEASURED SIGNAL

PROGRAMMING
SIGNALS
RANGE

RANGE INDICATION
SIGNALS

CHANGER

SIGNAL TO CHANGE RANGE

Fig. 5. Radio-noise
measurement

Abetti, Caverly, Davis, WhepleyProject

CALIBRATION
NETWORK

EHV Transmission

RELAY
NETWORK

System

CAL.
TIMING
CIRCUIT

!
!

DIGITAL
CLOCK

JULY 1961

0
0
Fig. 6.

I
16:00

I
12:00

0
0

0 0
0 0 0

0


I

24:00 20:00

0 0

I
0800

04:00

Six-variable Veitch diagram For 4hour determination

circuit p r o g r a m m e d b y t h e scanner controls t h e switching function.

Radio-Noise-Meter Calibration
Since t h e radio-noise meters can get
o u t of alignment for various reasons,
e.g., t h e weakening of bias batteries,
t h e y m u s t be supplied with some s t a n d a r d
signal t o provide a periodic calibration.
T h i s calibration signal will replace t h e
n o r m a l signal received a t t h e a n t e n n a .
Referring t o Fig. 5, t h e requirements
for t h e calibration t i m i n g circuit are t h a t :
(1) it b e t u r n e d on a t selected t i m e s during
a 24-hour period; (2) i t remain on for
2 or 20 m i n u t e s ; a n d (3) t h a t i t p e r m i t
t h e calibration e q u i p m e n t t o be t u r n e d
on in synchronization with t h e integrators.
I n Fig. 5, a relay network is shown
following t h e calibration timing circuit.
T h e p u r p o s e of t h i s n e t w o r k is t o assemble in one p a c k a g e t h e functions:
(1) selection of t h e 2- or 20-minute outp u t of t h e t i m i n g circuit, (2) t h e final
co-ordination of t h e calibration t i m i n g
circuit with t h e integrators, a n d (3) t h e
selection of a range-changing signal ( + 4 8
volts direct current) or a calibration t i m ing signal (48 volts direct c u r r e n t ) .
T h e digital clock w a s selected t o provide
t h e t i m e b a s e for t h e t i m i n g circuit.
T h i s was t h e n a t u r a l selection since t h e
integrators r u n from t h i s clock a n d its
use satisfied t h e need for some external
m e a n s of synchronization.
T h e radio-noise m e t e r s are calibrated
every 4 h o u r s when t h e system is in operation. W h e n t h e 20-minute t i m e cycle
of operation is in effect, t h e first 20m i n u t e period after t h e s t a r t of t h e h o u r
is used. T h e problem is s o m e w h a t complicated when t h e 2-minute cycle of
operation is in effect, in t h a t t h e first
2-minute period after t h e s t a r t of t h e
hour c a n n o t be used. T h e periods finally
chosen were 0008-0010, 0408-0410, 0 8 0 8 JULY

1961

indicate t h e 18 forbidden combinations

a n d t h e X's are t h e redundancies.
Using t h e combination rules of Boolean
algebra, t h e o u t p u t for t h e 4-hour calibration period is*

0810, 1208-1210, 1608-1610, a n d 2 0 0 8 2010.

T h e o u t p u t of t h e digital clock is
binary-coded decimal. T h e o u t p u t lines
of t h e clock are n u m b e r e d a n d t h e t i m e
m a y b e indicated b y simply writing
these n u m b e r s . T h e problem of design
w a s simplified b y dividing t h e problem
into t w o p a r t s a n d combining t h e t w o
solutions. T h e problem of turning on t h e
calibration equipment every 4 h o u r s can
be solved first since it is common t o b o t h
t h e 2- a n d 20-minute cycle. T h e m e t h o d
of design is t o write t h e t i m e in local form,
transfer t h i s logical form t o a t r u t h
table written for t h e m a x i m u m n u m b e r
of variables, and t h e n use a Veitch diag r a m t o arrive a t t h e correct solution.
T h e h o u r l y o u t p u t of t h e clock can be
defined b y t h e following lines:
Output(hours) =f

(lines , I, J, K, L, M)

Output(4_hour)

_
=#(/,+/)

(3)

where t h e bar over t h e letter indicates t h e

NOT function; t h e dots show t h a t t h e
relay contacts indicated b y t h e letters
should be connected in series; a n d t h e
-f-'s indicate t h a t t h e relay contacts
should be connected in parallel.
If a circuit were t o b e fabricated on
t h e basis of equation 3, t h e calibration
period would last a n entire houran
undesirable condition. Now, a solution
of a circuit m u s t b e found which would
be active for only a 2- or 20-minute period.
W h e n this circuit is combined with t h e
one just solved, t h e desired calibration
t i m i n g circuit will fulfill t h e first two
requirements. T h e m e t h o d of solution
is very similar t o t h e one used for t h e
4-hour determination and will n o t be
shown here.

(1)

This means t h a t a n y one of t h e 24

hours can be defined b y t h e presence of
one or more of t h e variables in equation
1. If t h e b i n a r y n u m b e r 1 is assigned
to t h e lines when a potential of + 6 volts
is present a n d b i n a r y n u m b e r 0 is assigned when no voltage is present, t h e
t i m e of t h e d a y can be written as follows.
0400 = / = 0 0 1 0 0 0
0800=#=000100
1200=7, L=010010
1600=/,
,=011010
2000 = i f = 0 0 0 0 0 1
2 4 0 0 = / , ikf=001001

=-+'

Output (20-min) F-G

Output (2_min)

(4)

=D'E'F'G

(5)

By combining equations 3 a n d 4, t h e
t i m i n g circuit will be active for a period
of 20 m i n u t e s every 4 hours as indicated
b y t h e subscript. T h e o u t p u t is:
(2)

Output (4 20min) = H'(I'L+1.L)+F'G

T h e b i n a r y t r u t h table for six variables

was prepared along with t h e logical form
of each of t h e 24 h o u r s . Since six variables produce a 64-element t r u t h table,
there are 58 combinations left after t h e
desired 6 calibration hours are noted.
Eighteen of t h e 58 combinations are t h e
remaining 18 hours of t h e day. However, these hours are n o t desired as calibrating periods, t h u s t h e 18 possibilities
form t h e so-called "forbidden combinat i o n s . " T h e remaining 40 combinations
comprise t h e "redundancies," m e a n i n g
t h a t t h e y can be used for simplification
of t h e o u t p u t functions.
T h e t r u t h table is now transferred
t o a 6-variable Veitch diagram in which
t h e n u m b e r s in equation 1 are e q u a t e d
t o letters. T h i s is shown in Fig. 6. T h e
desired 4-hour calibration periods are
m a r k e d with their hours. T h e circles

(6)

T h e combination of equations 3 and 5 will

provide an o u t p u t t h a t is active for 2
m i n u t e s every 4 hours as indicated by t h e
subscript. T h e o u t p u t i s :
Output(

2-min) =

R'(I'L

+ /!) +
D'E-FG

(7)

Relays with C-type contacts will implement t h e Boolean expressions. T h e

letters in equations 6 a n d 7 are o u t p u t
lines from t h e clock; therefore t h e coil
of t h e relay would b e energized if t h e line
is active. T h e normally closed contact
of t h e relay would be designated with t h e
NOT notation (A, B, C . . L) and t h e
open contact with t h e normal notation
(A,B,
C...L).
Fig. 7 is derived from equations 6 and
7. T h e coil of each relay is energized
from t h e o u t p u t line of t h e digital clock
which corresponds t o t h e letter indicated

EVERY 4 HOURS FOR 2 MINUTES

OUTPUT
EVERY 4 HOURS FOR 20 MINUTES

Fig.

7.

Calibration
circuit

timing

Abetti, Caverly, Davis, WhepleyProject

INPUT
(-48 V )

EHV

fH

Transmission

fl

JT^
System

t G ^

277

TIME-CYCLE
RELAY
2 MIN.

CLOCK
RELAY

INTEGRATOR
RELAY

SELECTION
RELAY

XT

INPUT
20 MIN.

-48 V POWER SUPPLY

INPUT FROM INTEGRATORS

Fig.

8.

Calibration

relay

a peak follower t o measure t h e maximum

value of t h e signal over a 2-minute or
20-minute time cycle. T h e s e units provide t h e four required readings for t h e
scanner.
T h e integrator used in b o t h channels is
identical t o t h e u n i t used in t h e radionoise measurement. T h e peak follower
is a n electronic circuit capable of measuring a n d remembering t h e highest value of
voltage applied t o its i n p u t terminals.
I n this unit, t h e stored signal is held with
high accuracy, drift is small, a n d rise time
is rapid in comparison w i t h t h e frequency
a n d amplitude of t h e phenomenon being
recorded.
T h e peak follower consists of two chopper stabilized amplifiers a n d t h e associated diodes. T h e first is used as a gain
amplifier and t h e second as a peak storage
unit. Feedback is employed t o compensate for t h e diode voltage drop within t h e
circuit. A limiting circuit is used t o keep
t h e amplifiers from going into saturation.
T h i s peak follower m u s t be reset after
each t i m e cycle. Resetting is accomplished with a circuit similar t o t h a t used
in t h e integrator, a n d programming is
again controlled b y t h e scanner. T h e
peak follower h a s several additional
features m a k i n g i t very versatile. I t
can, with a few m i n o r changes, be used t o
m e a s u r e a n d r e m e m b e r t h e lowest value
of t h e i n p u t voltage ( m i n i m u m peak measu r e m e n t ) . T h i s application is employed
elsewhere in t h e analog system. I n addition, t h i s device can h a v e either a gain of
40 or of 1.

circuit

ti

OUTPUT (+ 48 V DC OR - 48 V DC )
INPUT FROM RANGE-CHANGING-MECHANISM ( + 48 V DC )

on t h e contacts. T h e contacts are shown

in their de-energized position. T h e r e
is a simultaneous o u t p u t of t h e 4-hour
2-minute function a n d 4-hour 20-minute
function since relays F a n d G a r e c o m m o n
t o b o t h functions. T h e o u t p u t of t h e
timing circuit is t h e i n p u t t o t h e t i m e cycle relay. T h i s relay selects which t i m e
(4-2 or 4-20) function is t o be used
and is controlled from external equipment. T h e clock relay consists of seven
A contacts wired in parallel o n t h e i n p u t
side. T h e seven o u t p u t s feed t h e seven
integrator relays necessary for t h e seven
radio-noise m e t e r s . T h e i n t e g r a t o r r e lays are energized each t i m e t h e information integrators o p e r a t e each 2- o r 20m i n u t e cycle.
I t is possible t h a t t h e integrators could
overlap t h e active period of t h e t i m i n g
circuit. However, t h e calibration equipm e n t m u s t b e feeding t h e radio-noise
m e t e r for t h e entire t i m e t h e integrators
operate t o t a k e full a d v a n t a g e of t h e integration period. If t h e t i m i n g circuit is
active b u t t h e i n t e g r a t o r is inactive, no
o u t p u t is desired. If b o t h a r e active, a n
o u t p u t t o t h e calibration e q u i p m e n t is
desired. If t h e t i m i n g clock is inactive
b u t t h e i n t e g r a t o r is still active, t h e o u t p u t is still " u p . " T h u s , t h e arrangem e n t shown in Fig. 8 for t h e clock, integrator, a n d selection relay t o p contact.
During t h e periods t h a t n o calibration is
desired, t h e timing-circuit relays a r e
continually
switching
and
causing
" r a c e s . " T h e races cause t h e clock relay

to operate for very s h o r t periods. T h e

simplest solution was t o place a n RC
(resistance capacitance) circuit ahead of
t h e clock relay.

Wind Measurement
T o correlate t h e effects of t h e wind with
t h e physical m o v e m e n t of t h e lines a n d
towers, average a n d p e a k values of wind
are m e a s u r e d b o t h perpendicular a n d
parallel t o t h e line.
An a n e m o m e t e r
located a t t h e h e i g h t of t h e line provides
two signals: (1) a d-c voltage proportional
to t h e velocity of t h e wind; a n d (2) t h e
o u t p u t of a synchronous generator which,
when used with a synchronous m o t o r ,
provides a n indication of wind direction;
see F i g . 9 .
T h e analog system combines these t w o
signals in t h e wind direction discriminator. T h e d-c signal, after
filtering,
excites a sine-cosine potentiometer, while
t h e synchro signal, t h r o u g h a synchro
motor, orients t h e potentiometer. T h e
two o u t p u t s of t h e sine-cosine potentio m e t e r represent t h e q u a d r a t u r e c o m p o n e n t s of t h e velocity of t h e wind. Using
identical circuits, each c o m p o n e n t signal
goes t o a high-input i m p e d a n c e amplifier
providing a n o u t p u t signal of one polarity. T h i s u n i t is called t h e absolute
value amplifier. T h e signal from t h i s
amplifier passes t h r o u g h a n i n t e g r a t o r t o
calculate t h e average value, a n d t h r o u g h

TRANSDUCER

Corona-Pulse Measurement
One of t h e m e a s u r e m e n t s associated
with t h e effects of corona is t h e counting
of high-frequency negative pulses according t o t h e i r m a g n i t u d e s . T h e pulses
generated a t t h e high-voltage line are
conducted t o t h e analog processing equip-

ANALOG

PROCESSING

SYSTEM

SCAN'NER

DIRECT CURRENT VOLTAGE

I REPRESENTING TOTAL PULSES
I FOR RANGE 1

ANALOG PROCESSING
SYSTEM

AVERAGE VALUE
MEASURED SIGNAL

FOR RANGE 2
#

DIRECT
CURRENT
GENERATOR

SYNCHRO
MOTOR

SINE-COSINE
POTENTIOMETER
I AVERAGE VALUE
"j MEASURED SIGNAL
I INT. GAIN CHANG-

WIND DIRECTION DISCRIMINATOR

PROGRAMMING SIGNALS
\- CYCLE CHANGING SIGNAL

Fig. 9.
278

W i n d measurement

Fig. 10.

Corona-pulse measurement

Abetti, Caverly, Davis, WhepleyProject EHV Transmission System

JULY

1961

SCANNER

TRANSDUCER

ACCELEROMETER AND
TELEMETERING TRANSMITTER

Fig. 1 1 .

Aeolian vibration measurement

Fig. 12.

merit b y a capacitor-resistor divider.

T h e processing e q u i p m e n t counts t h e
n u m b e r of pulses within specified voltage
limits. T h e s e limits are 0-50, 50-100,
100-200, 200-300, 300-400,
400-500.
T h i s produces six d-c voltage o u t p u t s
which correspond t o t h e t o t a l n u m b e r of
pulses counted in each group. E a c h
m a g n i t u d e r a n g e h a s its own r a t e of repetition. T h u s , t h e counting period for
each group is m a d e inversely proportional
to t h e m a x i m u m average repetition rate,
m a k i n g t h e m a x i m u m o u t p u t level t h e
s a m e for each counter.
T h e process e q u i p m e n t consists of a
pulse h e i g h t discriminator (magnitude
r a n g e selector), a monostable-multivibrator, six integrators, a n d a n internal
t i m i n g device (Fig. 10). T h e pulse
height discriminator controls t h e range
selection for t h e counting of different
m a g n i t u d e pulses. T h e discriminator
produces an o u t p u t pulse which triggers a
monostable-multivibrator for each pulse
detected in t h e selected range. T h e
m u l t i v i b r a t o r ' s o u t p u t is passed t h r o u g h
a "clipper" circuit a n d t h e n directed t o
a n integrator. A n i n t e r n a l t i m i n g circuit
co-ordinates t h e selection of an i n t e g r a t o r
with t h e corresponding m a g n i t u d e r a n g e
of t h e pulse h e i g h t discriminator. T h e
t i m e r also controls t h e resetting functions
of t h e e q u i p m e n t after each period of
operation. T h e p r o g r a m signals from
t h e scanner control t h e i n t e r n a l timing
circuit t o synchronize t h e operation of
t h e m e a s u r e m e n t with t h e scanner.
Since t h e corona pulse system's entire
operation for one m e a s u r e m e n t period is
2 minutes, it operates continuously when
t h e scanner is o n a 2-minute cycle a n d
only during t h e last 2 m i n u t e s of a 20m i n u t e cycle.
T h e pulse height discriminator, using
two S c h m i t t triggers, sets t h e u p p e r a n d
lower limits of t h e m a g n i t u d e range. T h e
o u t p u t of t h e s e circuits, working into an
anticoincidence circuit, produces a n o u t p u t signal dependent on t h e i n p u t signal
and t h e m a g n i t u d e range setting. T h e
JULY

1961

Abetti,

Caverly,

integrators are basically t h e s a m e as those

used in t h e radio-noise m e a s u r e m e n t .
T h e y do n o t require extra circuits for
p r o g r a m m i n g a n d i n t e g r a t o r gain changing since t h e internal t i m e r controls t h e
t i m e function. T h e internal t i m e r consists of two mechanical timers, t h e first
delays t h e m e a s u r e m e n t for 18 m i n u t e s
o n a 20-minute cycle a n d t h e second controls t h e t i m e cycle of t h e operation.

Aeolian Vibration Measurement

Aeolian vibration is t h e low-frequency
h a r m o n i c vibration of conductors set in
m o t i o n b y t h e wind. M e a s u r e m e n t s of
t h e displacement of t h e conductor from
its n o r m a l position a n d t h e frequency of
t h e m o t i o n are t a k e n once during each
m e a s u r e m e n t cycle; see Fig. 11.
An accelerometer is used as t h e t r a n s ducer t o m e a s u r e t h i s vibration. Since it
is a t t a c h e d to t h e high-voltage line, t h e
o u t p u t signal m u s t be telemetered t o t h e
analog processing system. T h i s signal is
a function of t h e acceleration of t h e line
a n d is integrated twice b y t h e analog
e q u i p m e n t t o provide a voltage proportional to displacement. A n impedancem a t c h i n g amplifier raises t h e power level
of t h e signal so t h a t i t can feed t w o devices: (1) a frequency m e t e r whose outp u t provides a d-c signal corresponding t o
t h e frequency of t h e v i b r a t i o n ; (2) a
rectifier filter a n d load system which p r o vides a d-c signal indicating t h e displacem e n t of t h e conductor. T h e s e t w o outp u t signals are sent t o t h e scanner.
T h e processing e q u i p m e n t is designed
to be used with either an accelerometer or
a strain gage. I n t h e l a t t e r case, t h e
signal by-passes t h e integrator units.
T h e two integrator u n i t s consist of an a-c
amplifier a n d an integrator network. T h e
frequency-response characteristic of these
units is designed so t h a t low-frequency
disturbances do n o t affect t h e m e a s u r e ment.
Davis,

WhepleyProject

EHV

Corona-loss measurement

Corona-Loss Measurement
M e a s u r e m e n t of t h e corona loss h a s
been described b y Foley a n d Olsen.
Self-balancing bridge networks measure
t h e loss for each phase. Since t h e average value of t h e t o t a l loss for an operating
cycle is required, an electrical signal representing t h e o u t p u t loss for each network is fed t o t h e s u m m i n g integrators.
T h e voltage from t h e integrating units
represents t h e average value of t h e 3p h a s e loss. T h i s voltage signal a n d a
r a n g e indicating signal are sent to t h e
scanner; Fig. 12.
E a c h bridge n e t w o r k h a s two i n p u t s :
(1) a voltage proportional a n d in p h a s e
with t h e line-to-ground voltage; (2) a
voltage t h a t is proportional a n d in phase
with t h e current in t h e high-voltage line.
T h e first voltage is o b t a i n e d from a precision capacitor divider a n d t h e second
from a current transformer a n d burden
resistor located with t h e line. T h e latter
signal m u s t be telemetered t o t h e ground
equipment. T h e bridge networks produce two o u t p u t s t h a t are related t o t h e
impedance of t h e measurement. These
o u t p u t s are calibrated in w a t t s a n d reactive volt-amperes (vars) since t h e lineto-ground voltage is known.
T h e integrating u n i t s consist of three
s u m m i n g integrators a n d a range selector.
E a c h integrator measures t h e same incoming signals. Since t h e corona-loss
m e a s u r e m e n t covers a wide range, each
integrator h a s a different range. On an
average i n p u t signal t h e first integrator
would read low, t h e second would read
n e a r full scale, a n d t h e t h i r d would be
saturated. T h e range selector monitors
t h e t h r e e o u t p u t s a n d selects t h e one t h a t
is sent t o t h e scanner.
2

T h e basic bridge n e t w o r k consists of

two potentiometer systems connected
across t h e voltage from t h e capacitor
divider. One of these systems produces a
reference voltage which is directly pro-

Transmission

System

279

CONTROL
SI6NALS
TO
ANALOG
DEVICES

ANALOGY
INPUTS | = *

ANALOG
SCANNER

CLOCK
AND
CALENDAR

ATTENUATOR
AND
SCALER

DIFFERENTIAL
AMP

ANALOG DIGITAL
CONVERTER

cycles, and the external indicator will stay

on 2 minutes.

Fig. 1 3 . Block diagram of 310 data

acquisition
system

DIGITAL
SCANNER

OUTPUTCONTROL

2. If the system is on 2-minute scans and

does not see an off-limit signal by the ninth
scan, it will reset the external indicator flipflop at the time of change-over. The system will then go back to 20-minute cycles
and no output from the indicator will be
AND-ed with outputs coincident with the
scans and cause the integrators to go to 20minute time constants. The integrator
time constants will remain correct during this
change-over.

REMOTE
PAPER
TAPE
PUNCH

Jl
PROGRAMMER

REMOTE
PAPER
TAPE
READER

b ~

HIGH OR LOW LIMIT S E T T I N G S

FOR 2 OR 2 0 MINUTE SCAN RATE

REMOTE
FLEXOWRITER

portional t o t h e line-to-ground voltage.

T h e o t h e r s y s t e m produces a reference
voltage which is 90 degrees o u t of p h a s e
with t h e line-to-ground voltage.
The
voltage t h a t is telemetered from t h e curr e n t transformer is complex a n d consists
of real a n d q u a d r a t u r e c o m p o n e n t s relat i v e t o t h e line-to-ground voltage. W h e n
t h e bridge n e t w o r k is balanced, p o r t i o n s
of t h e voltages across t h e p o t e n t i o m e t e r s
are chosen t o c o n s t r u c t a voltage exactly
equal in m a g n i t u d e b u t opposite in p h a s e
t o t h e voltage from t h e current. T h e
position of t h e s e p o t e n t i o m e t e r s indicates
t h e w a t t s loss and v a r s in t h e p h a s e . T h e
s u m m i n g i n t e g r a t o r s m u s t c h a n g e gain
for t h e t w o t i m e cycles. P r o g r a m signals
from t h e scanner a r e used b y t h e i n t e g r a tors a n d t h e r a n g e selector for all t i m e
functions.

Data Acquisition System

F o r all t h e 158 m e a s u r e m e n t s t o b e
processed automatically, analog o u t p u t s
a r e available a t stations I, I I I , a n d V.
T h e General Electric C o m p a n y 310 d a t a
acquisition systems will b e used t o compile t h i s information i n digital form o n
p a p e r t a p e a n d o n t y p e d log sheets a t
station I.
Fig. 13 shows a block diagram of one of
t h e t h r e e d a t a acquisition systems. T h e

SCAN

PERIOD

E N V E L O P E OF INTEGRATOR
MAINTAIN 2 MIN.
INTERVAL

3. If the system is on a 20-minute scan and

does not detect an off limit, the indicator
flip-flop will not be set and the system
will continue on 20-minute cycles.

analog scanner can be set t o scan o n c e

every 20 m i n u t e s , once every 2 m i n u t e s ,
o r t o m a k e a selection a u t o m a t i c a l l y .
It
will scan t h r o u g h 100 differential i n p u t s
a t 3 per second. Since t h e i n p u t voltages will v a r y from 10 m v (millivolts) t o
100 v o l t s , a n a t t e n u a t o r with steps of 1,
10, 100, a n d 1,000 is p r o g r a m m e d o n t h e
front-panel p i n b o a r d a n d goes t o t h e
correct s e t t i n g as each i n p u t is scanned.
I n o r d e r t o m a k e t h e o u t p u t r e a d in engineering u n i t s , a second a t t e n u a t o r called
a scaler is also provided. I t c a n b e
p i n n e d from 10.0 t o 99.9. I n order t o
reduce c o m m o n m o d e noise a n d t o h a n d l e
differential o u t p u t s , t h e front end of t h e
s y s t e m is all differential.

4. If the system is on a 20-minute cycle

and it detects an off-limit signal, it will set
the indicator flip-flop after the last scan.
The next nine scans will be 2 minutes apart.
The output of the flip-flop AND-ed with
outputs coincident with the scans will cause
each integrator to go to the 2-minute constant during the first (02) scan. On this
first 2-minute scan, the integrators will
have the incorrect time constant. The
output of the differential amplifier goes to an
analog-to-digital converter whose output is in
binary coded decimal form.
A digital clock which indicates m i n u t e s ,
hours, a n d d a y s of t h e y e a r is u s e d t o identify t h e t i m e t h e d a t a originated. I t s
o u t p u t is scanned b y t h e o u t p u t control
before t h e analog scanner goes into operation. D u r i n g operation of t h e analog
scanner t h e o u t p u t , control is connected to
t h e analog-to-digital converter. T h e outp u t control also inserts p a r i t y b i t s a n d
flexowriter
control signals. I t s o u t p u t
goes t o a r e m o t e p a p e r - t a p e p u n c h . T h e
p a p e r t a p e will b e r e a d o n e d a t a period
after its p r e p a r a t i o n . Buffering in t h e
form of a p a p e r - t a p e loop is provided bet w e e n t h e p u n c h a n d reader. After
reading, t h e o u t p u t is t y p e d on a flexowriter. T h e flexowriter m a y b e p r o g r a m med t o t y p e all scans or t o t y p e only t h e
integral 20-minute scans.

After a t t e n u a t i o n a n d scaling, t h e inp u t s a r e all reduced t o a 10-mv level a n d

are t h e n amplified t o a 10-volt level in t h e
differential amplifier. A t t h i s p o i n t each
i n p u t is c o m p a r e d t o its respective h i g h
or low limit, which is set o n a pin b o a r d .
T h i s feature will b e used t o transfer a u t o m a t i c a l l y t h e m e a s u r i n g cycle from 20 t o 2
m i n u t e s d u r i n g b a d w e a t h e r , occurring a t
a n y location along t h e 4.3-mile line. If a
r a i n indicator, for example, should indic a t e r a i n for m o r e t h a n 3 % of t h e t i m e ,
t h e n t h e c o m p a r a t o r sends a signal t o t h e
p r o g r a m m e r t o p u t t h e s y s t e m on a 2m i n u t e scan r a t e .
T h e rules for t h e a u t o m a t i c operation of
t h e 2- a n d 20-minute cycles a r e as follows
(Fig. 14):
1. If t h e system is on a 2-minute cycle and
sees an off limit on or before t h e ninth
cycle, t h e out-of-limit detector will be set,
t h e system will continue on 2-minute

Fig. 15 shows t h e t h r e e systems t i e d

together. I t is necessary t h a t a n off limit
a t a n y s t a t i o n set t h e t h r e e s t a t i o n s on
t h e s a m e cycle or, m a n u a l l y setting a n y of
t h e t h r e e systems t o 2- or 20-minute
cycles, set all t h e s y s t e m s o n t h e s a m e 2or 20-minute cycle. T h e o u t p u t s from

Fig. 14 (left). Analysis of use

of 2- and 20-minute intervals

2 - AUTO ^ 2 0 MIN SCAN

OFF LIMITS
1
BASIC DATA
ACQUISITION
SYSTEM

P A P E R TAPE
PUNCH

280

CHANGE 2 0 MIN. TO
2 MIN. INTERVAL

DETECTOR

BASIC DATA
ACQUISITION
SYSTEM
STATION Y

I STATIONS

BASIC DATA
ACQUISITION
SYSTEM

PAPER TAPE
PUNCH

P A P E R TAPE
READER

PAPER TAPE
READER

PAPER TAPE
PUNCH

I
PAPER TAPE
READER

Fig. 15 (right). Interconnection

diagram of 310 data acquisition
system

Abetti, Caverly, Davis, WhepleyProject

EHV Transmission

System

JULY 1961

t h e three basic-data acquisition systems

are all sent t o t h e p a p e r - t a p e p u n c h e s a t
station I a t t h e s a m e t i m e . Provision
will be m a d e for a t t e n u a t i o n between
s t a t i o n s I I I a n d V which are 2 a n d 4
miles respectively from s t a t i o n I.
A t s t a t i o n I t h e o u t p u t of t h e papert a p e p u n c h e s will be r e a d o n t h r e e papert a p e readers. T h e flexowriters will t y p e
o u t t h e information from s t a t i o n s I, I I I ,
a n d V.

Summary of Data Processing

T h e processing a n d statistical analysis
of t h e experimental d a t a from Project
E H V will be described in detail in a subsequent paper. Following is a brief
s u m m a r y of t h e p l a n n e d o p e r a t i o n s :
1. T h e three paper tapes are converted
every 2 weeks to magnetic tape, for processing through the I B M 705 computer in
the Power Transformer Department of the
General Electric Company in Pittsfield,
Massachusetts.
2. All data are scaled, corrected for instrument systematic errors, and auxiliary quantities such as air density are computed. All
resulting numbers are checked for validity
(for instance, by noting if they fall within
specified limits) and those not valid are
printed out for visual inspection, to be
reinserted later.
3. All "abnormal" conditions which had
transferred the system from t h e 20-minute
to the 2-minute cycle are printed out.
4. Averages, standard deviations, and
frequency distributions are computed for
all quantities and transferred to the master
file.

5. The results of this run are combined with

t h e corresponding results accumulated from
t h e start of the test condition under study.
Results (minimum and maximum values,
averages, standard deviations, frequency
distributions) are printed out in two columns
under the headings "this r u n " and " s t a r t
to d a t e . "
6. T h e effects of certain variables (such
as voltage, humidity, aerosol density, etc.)
on other variables (such as radio noise,
corona loss, etc.) are determined by means of
multiple-regression analysis.
7. An auxiliary program will allow the
retrieval of all data for selected periods of
time for detailed study of particularly interesting conditions; for instance, during severe
rainstorms or sleet formation on the conductors.

Operating Experience to Date

As of J u l y 1960 t h e e q u i p m e n t a t t h e
N o r t h Station h a d been installed a n d was
u n d e r test. Initially, some of t h e t r a n s ducers did n o t function properly so corrective action h a s been t a k e n . Some of
t h e analog e q u i p m e n t h a d changed characteristics a t t h e higher t e m p e r a t u r e s of
t h e final packaging. I t dissipates 10 k w
in t h e N o r t h Station building. T h i s is
currently being adjusted t o correct for
operation a t these higher t e m p e r a t u r e s .
Also, m i n o r a d j u s t m e n t s h a d t o b e m a d e
in t h e t a p e reader after a few h o u r s of
operation, a n d t h e pressure on t h e t y p e writer keys h a d t o b e reduced to increase
t h e life of t h e ribbons. Spares are being
purchased for t h e paper-tape-handling
e q u i p m e n t a n d t h e typewriter.
T h e 0.6-mile short section of t h e

Surface Electrical Failure in the Presence

of Contaminants: The Inclined-Plane
Liquid-Contaminant Test
. N. MATHES
MEMBER AIEE

E. J. McGOWAN
NONMEMBER AIEE

E H V line from towers 1 to 3 was strung

in September 1960 a n d energized in
December 1960. T h e meteorological a n d
mechanical d a t a listed u n d e r station I in
T a b l e I were obtained beginning when
t h e line was strung, a n d t h e electrical
d a t a were obtained as soon as t h e line
was energized. T h e first conductor used
was t h e Special (2.32-inch outside diameter). This has now been t a k e n down
a n d t h e whole 4.3-mile line is being restrung with two Plovers. T h e d a t a
from t h e line are being analyzed.
I t is hoped t h a t , b y m e a n s of this
u n i q u e d a t a gathering a n d transmission
system, t h e m a n y a n d varied experiment a l d a t a from Project E H V will be acquired and processed with m a x i m u m accuracy, speed, a n d economy, a n d t r a n s formed into meaningful conclusions which
will help t h e electric utilities t o m e e t t h e
challenge of future E H V systems.

References
1. PROJECT E H V , P . A. Abetti. Electrical
neering, vol. 78, A u g . 1958, p p . 6 6 9 - 7 4 .

Engi-

2. PROJECT EHVPRELIMINARY CORONA INVESTIGATIONS, A. H . F o l e y , F . O l s e n .

AIEE
Transactions,
pt. I l l (Power Apparatus
and Systems), vol. 79, June 1960, p p . 3 1 0 - 1 6 .
3. PROGRESS IN EXTRA-HIGH-VOLTAGE POWER
TRANSMISSION, P . A. Abetti, S . B . Crary.
Ibid.,
vol. 78, J u n e 1959, p p . 3 5 7 - 7 1 .
4. RADIO NOISE PROPAGATION AND ATTENUATION
TESTS ON BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
MCNARY-ROSS 3 4 5 - K V LINE, G . E . A d a m s , T. W .
Liao, M . G . P o l a n d , F. J . T r e b b y . Ibid., p p . 3 8 0 88.
5.
THE 4 0 0 K v
RESEARCH INSTALLATION
RHEINAU, VOL. I (book), G . L e s c h , A. R a c h e l ,
editors. 4 0 0 K v Research S o c i e t y , Heidelberg,
G e r m a n y , 1955.

evaluate t h e resistance of insulation m a t e rial t o surface electrical failure.

However, relatively few such tests h a v e become accepted as s t a n d a r d , a n d often
even these are considered limited in scope
or difficult t o interpret in t e r m s of service
requirements. M u c h
confusion
has
arisen because a test designed initially t o
evaluate one t y p e of electrical surface
failure h a s been indiscriminantly used to
evaluate another, or even " a l l , " types.
I n special cases, limited correlation between two tests h a s been shown, b u t
so m a n y exceptions exist t h a t correlation
m u s t be proved.
I n recent years, t h e increased use of
plastics a n d elastomers as insulation in
1

L E C T R I C A L F A I L U R E of t h e sur' face of insulating materials can occur

in several ways. These include:
1. Air breakdown (flashover) which transfers to the adjacent insulation surface.
2 . Thermal degradation of the surface
(from arc interruption nearby, etc.) which
temporarily or permanently damages the
surface so t h a t electrical failure occurs.
3. Partial volume breakdown, particularly
of alminates, just beneath the surface which
JULY

1961

produces thermal or other degradation so

t h a t final failure ultimately occurs on the
surface.
4. Surface degradation from electrical
corona starting initially in limited surface
areas exposed to voltage gradients high
enough to produce localized air breakdown.
5. Progressive failure across the surface
resulting from tiny arcs (scintillation)
caused by conducting, or partially conducting, surface contamination.
Many

tests

Mathes, McGowanSurface

have

been

devised

to

Failure in the Presence of

Paper 6 1 - 2 1 , r e c o m m e n d e d b y t h e A I E E Electrical
Insulation C o m m i t t e e a n d a p p r o v e d b y t h e A I E E
Technical Operations D e p a r t m e n t for presentation
at t h e A I E E Winter General M e e t i n g , N e w York,
. Y., January 2 9 - F e b r u a r y 3, 1961. Manuscript
s u b m i t t e d October 6, 1960; m a d e available for
printing N o v e m b e r 15, 1960.
. N . MATHES and E. J. MCGOWAN are b o t h with
the General Electric C o m p a n y , Schenectady, . Y.

Contaminants

281