CAPACITANCE OF TRANSMISSION LINES 47

L 0
or C= = F/metre (3.22)
V ln h / r
Equation (3.22) corresponds to the expression for capacitance of a single phase
transmission line. Compare this expression with the expression for inductance equation (2.17)
of a single phase transmission line. Equation for inductance contains a constant term
corresponding to the internal flux linkages whereas since charges reside on the surface of the
conductor, similar term is absent in the capacitance expression. As a result of this, the radius
in the expression for capacitance is the actual outside radius of the conductor whereas for
inductance equation (2.18) the radius is the self GMD of the conductor. The concept of self
GMD is applicable for inductance calculation and not for the capacitance.
Sometimes it is required to know the capacitance between one conductor and a neutral
point between them which will be defined as the charge on one of the conductors per unit of
voltage difference between the neutral and the conductor. This means the capacitance of one
conductor with respect to the neutral plane is two times the capacitance of the single-phase
line (Fig. 3.5).
2 0
Can = 2Cab =
h
ln
r

a b a N b

Cab Can Cbn

Fig. 3.5

3.5 CAPACITANCE OF A 3-PHASE UNSYMMETRICALLY SPACED TRANS-

MISSION LINE

For an untransposed line the capacitances between conductor to neutral of the three conductors
are unequal. In transposed lines the average capacitance of each conductor to neutral is the
same as the capacitance to neutral of any other phase. The dissymmetry of the untransposed
line is slight for the usual transmission lines and, therefore, the calculations for capacitance
are carried out as though the lines were completely transposed. The three positions of the
conductors are shown in Fig. 3.6.

a Da
c b
b
D

b c
Dc

c b
a b a a c

Fig. 3.6 Unsymmetrically spaced transposed 3-phase transmission line.