Balancing bundle-conductor transmission-line constants

without transpositions
V. S. Subba Rao, B.E., Dr.-lng., A.M.I.E. (India)

Synopsis
Transpositions, although considered necessary to balance the constants of an h.v. overhead transmission
line, are costly and sometimes troublesome in operation; hence the desirability of balancing the line
constants without transpositions.
Possibilities of separately balancing inductances, earth capacitances and mutual capacitances between
phases are considered, by adjusting the equivalent radii of the various phases. As the necessary variations
in equivalent radii are considerable, only bundle conductors can be utilised, with suitable subconductor
spacings. Simple relations are established for the ratio of subconductor spacings of the central and outer
phases of a single-circuit line with symmetric horizontal phase configuration, for inductive and earth-
capacitive balancing, first without considering the effect of earth wires. The effect of earth wires is to
introduce a multiplying factor. These results show that simultaneous balancing of the constants is not
possible for the horizontal arrangement. Balancing of mutual capacitances, though possible, may not
be practicable. The Donau-type double-circuit transmission line with one earth wire, as used in the West
German 38OkV transmission system, is analysed in detail, but the equations are very involved. Simultaneous
balancing of inductances and earth capacitances is theoretically possible, by suitably situated earth wires
and corresponding subconductor spacings. The suitability of this method has to be judged in each case
individually, after working out the details as outlined in the paper. Other methods of balancing some of
the constants, in conjunction with this method, may be required for complete balancing.

List of symbols of the transmission line and to minimise disturbances in

dm = 2r'm sin (TT/W) = subconductor spacing of bundle m
dpq distance between centre of conductor p and image
of centre of conductor q
dpg = distance between conductors p and q, centre to centre
e0 = 8-854 x 10~12F/m = absolute permittivity of free
space
hm = equivalent height of conductor m above ground
(approximately, maximum height minus 70% of
maximum sag)
/ = length of line
Lm = total positive-sequence inductance of phase m
Cme = total earth capacitance of phase m
Cpg = mutual capacitance between conductors p and q
jx0 = 4TT- x 10~7H/m = absolute permeability of free
space
n = number of subconductors in each phase bundle of
transmission line
Qp = charge on conductor p
rm = radius of subconductors of bundle m
r
mo = "V(fmf"'m~i) equivalent radius of bundle m
r'm = radius of circle on whose circumference the n sub-
conductors of bundle m are assumed to be sym-
metrically situated
vpp,vpq, Vpp and Vpq=potential coefficients defined in the
paper
1 Introduction
Transposition of h.v. transmission-line conductors
was previously considered necessary, to balance the constants
Paper 4712 P, first received 17th August and in revised form 11th
November 1964
Dr. Subba Rao was formerly with the Institut fur Elektrische Anlagen
und Energiewirtschaft, R.W. Technische- Hochschule, Aachen, West
Germany, and is now with the L.D. College of Engineering, Abmeda-
bad, India
PROC. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5^MAY,1965
nearby communication lines. On e.h.v. lines, transpositions
at short intervals are very costly. Also, improved communica-
tion equipments (which are less sensitive to external dis-
turbances), the use of shielded cables for communication
lines and improved power/current waveforms (owing to
improved transformers, machines etc.) have necessitated a care-
ful review of the need for transpositions. 25 % of overhead-
line faults are connected with transpositions, and the number
of transpositions, particularly in America, has been very
much reduced.1 The operating performance with fewer or no
transpositions seems to be quite satisfactory. The original
single-circuit 132kV Grid lines in Britain were transposed to
give a complete rotation between substations. However, with
the increasing adoption of double-circuit construction, trans-
positions were discontinued on 132kV lines, since they were
liable to increase the fault rate.* In the 275 and 400kV lines
also, no special transpositions are provided, apart from
interchanging the phases at terminal substations.2 The older
Swedish transmission lines used to be transposed at intervals
of about 18 km, but the 38OkV lines are transposed at intervals
of nearly 240 km.3 The transposition interval in the Russian
400kV lines is about 250km,4 but the mean transposition
length in the West German double-circuit 380kV lines is
80km, in accordance with the present German regulations.
The fairly long intervals between consecutive transpositions
on these h.v. lines indicate that they have been determined
solely from the operating aspect of the power lines, disregard-
ing nearby communication lines.6-7 Hence it is of interest to
investigate other possibilities of balancing the line constants.
The unbalances in an untransposed transmission line have
been investigated by Gross and others.7-8>9>10>l1 Though the
possibility of varying the subconductor spacings of the phases
to balance the earth capacitances is mentioned by Bills,17 the
full possibilities and limitations of this method do not seem
to have been investigated before. The results of an investiga-
tion12 of these possibilities afe presented herein.
* CEGB Transmission Department, private communication
931
2 Problem of balancing Table 1 may not be practicable for solid and hollow con-
The purpose of transpositions is to balance the con- ductors. In the case of bundle conductors, the equivalent
stants of the overhead line; i.e.: radius of a bundle is13*14 given by
(a) The total positive-sequence inductances of the three rm0=nV(rmnC-1) (5)
phases must be balanced, i.e. made equal to each other. Assuming that rm is same for all bundles, and substituting
(b) The total earth capacitances of the three phases must be
balanced. The total earth capacitance of any phase
includes the capacitance to earth as well as to earth wires,
if any.
(c) The mutual capacitances between any two phases must
be balanced. In double-circuit lines operating in parallel,
there will be two capacitances in parallel between any
two phases (per circuit), and it is the total capacitance
that is to be balanced.
Balancing of each of the above is considered separately, at
first, and the possibilities of balancing them simultaneously
are analysed in later Sections.
.1
1

3 Balancing of constants
3.1 Balancing of inductances
Eqns. 36, 37 and 38 (Appendix 7.1) give the total
positive-sequence inductances of an untransposed single-
circuit transmission line without earth wires. Eqns. 39, 40
and 41 correspond to those of a double-circuit line. a
These equations show that the real component of the Fig. 1
inductance is a function of the relative arrangement of the Tower configurations
three phases and of the equivalent radius of the phase con- a d\2 == ^23 = ^45 ~ 15'00m
Average heights: 1, 2 and 3 = 1400m
cerned, whereas the imaginary component depends on the 4 and 5 = 25-87m
relative phase arrangement only. In the general case, both b dn = d\i = 11 05m
<*23 = 7 0 0 m
components are unbalanced. rfis = 28- 10m
du = 22-60m
As the geometrical arrangement cannot usually be modified di6 = 21-80m .
to suit any special balancing requirements, the possibilities of d36 = 15-60m
Average heights: 2, 3, 5 and 6 = 14-00m
adjusting only the equivalent radii are investigated here. The 1 and 4 = 24-5m
imaginary components of the inductances which act as 7 = 39-87m
effective resistances (positive or negative) are generally small,
and any unbalance in them is not considered in this paper. Table 1
By equating the real parts of the inductances, the following
relations between the equivalent radii can be derived: Phase arrangement as in
For a single-circuit line without earth wires,
Fig. la Fig. 16

'20 = 10 (1)
'io/r2O 1-414 1-621

"IO/^O 1000 0-967

'3o = V ^ J ' . o (2)
dild2 (r^r:0 ) w /(n-i)(for/? = 4) 1-586 1-902
For a symmetric double-circuit line without earth wires,
d\\di = (rio//"3 0 )n/(n-i) (for n A) 1000 0-958

eqn. 5 into eqns. 1-4, the ratio of the subconductor spacings

- '60 - A/IH~7T)7T I0
It will be of interest to know how much the equivalent radii
of the various phases will have to differ for the different
tower configurations normally adopted in practice. Two types
of tower for 380 kV operation are shown in Fig. 1. The
corresponding ratios of various equivalent radii, calculated
from eqns. 1-4, are given in Table 1.
Such large differences in equivalent radii as are given in
Table 2
n 2
of any two phases can be obtained as k1^n~l\ where kj is
the corresponding ratio of the equivalent radii obtained
from eqns. 1-4. The subconductor-spacing ratios required
for the two towers considered are also given in Table 1, for
the case of n = 4. For the case of Fig. la,
djd2 = (6)
djd2 for various n required for inductive balancing without
considering the earth wires is given in Table 2, which shows
3 4 5 6 7 OO

d\\dz for inductive balancing (eqn. 6) 2 0 1- 670 1- 586 1- 544 .1- 516 1 498 1414
d\\dt for earth-capacitive balancing (eqn. 13) 0 4174 0- 5194 0- 5585 0- 5861 0- 5920 0 6009 0 6457
with/; = 15/14

932 PROC. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5, MA Y 1965

 that djd2 has a maximum of 2, for n 2, and a minimum For the tower configuration of Fig. \a, the equivalent
of y/2, for n = oo. For cases of practical importance, say radii of the two outer phases will have to be different, if the
n = 2-5, </|/</2 = 2-1 -54. In this symmetric case, dx d3 effect of earth wires is also taken into account, as can be
for all n. seen from the values given in Table 3. The total impedances
The practability of these values depends upon many factors, of the outer phases would therefore be different, if they have
e.g. maximum potential gradient, mechanical design etc. If the same radii.
d2 is chosen to suit these requirements, a somewhat larger d
for other phases may not be very disadvantageous. Whether 3.2 Balancing of earth capacitances
this principle can be used in practice would be a question of
The simple case of Fig. la, without earth wires, is
economics also, and such considerations as standardisation
considered first, as it leads to a very simple result. (The
of fittings etc. could greatly influence the decision in any
effect of earth wires is to introduce a multiplying factor, as
particular case. However, the values obtained do not appear
in the case of inductance balancing.)
to be impracticable.
Eqns. 62, 63 and 64 of Appendix 7.2 give the three earth
The effect of earth wires, which are normally earthed at capacitances for a single-circuit line without earth wires. It
each tower, has not yet been considered. As long as the is required that
inductive effect of earth-wire currents (due to asymmetric
electromagnetic coupling between the earth wire and the Cle = C2e = C3e (10)
various phases) is small, this effect is small and may be
neglected. But, when the earth-wire impedance is compara- For the symmetric horizontal phase configuration, CXe =
tively small (as for West German 380 kV lines, where the C3e when the radii of the two outer phases are equal. From
same size of aluminium-conductor steel-reinforced cable is symmetric considerations, vl2=v23 and vn = w33. With
used for earth wires and phase wires), this effect may have these values, the condition Cle = C2e leads to
to be considered. As shown in Appendix 7.1, the earth wires Vn=v22 + (yl2-vl3) (11)
introduce additional inductances AL, over and above
those given by eqns. 1-4. For balance, the necessary condition which gives
is therefore
(12)
AL, = AL2 '= AL 3 (7) '20 4h2)

where L,, L2 and L3 are taken from eqns. 36-41 for the Using the values of r, 0 and r20 from eqn. 5, eqn. 12 gives
respective cases. This condition leads to the following equa-
tions for a single-circuit line:
i ' - " ( l 3 )

. . . . (8) where p = dl2/h.

'20 =
/XO/2TT
AL 3 - A.
and = exp . . . .
Comparison with eqns. 1 and 2 shows that the presence
of earth wires introduces an exponential multiplying factor
into each of these equations. The same factors will also
apply for double-circuit lines. Corresponding values of A/,,,
AL 2 and AL3 will have to be used.
As the multiplying factors depend on AL,, AL2 and AL3,
which are involved functions of the self and mutual impe-
dances, it is not possible to see directly the order of magnitude
of these factors. The subconductor spacings required for
inductive balancing, with and without considering the earth-
wire effects, are given in Table 3, for the two tower configura-
tions considered. These calculations are based on the following
assumptions:
n =4
specific resistance of ground = lOO^m
radius of a.c.s.r. cable used for subconductors and earth
wires = 1 07 cm
This is the necessary condition for earth-capacitance
balancing, dx d3 being understood. This equation corre-
sponds to eqn. 6, the condition for inductive balancing
(9)
without earth wires. Taking dl2 = 15m and h = 14m,
the values of djd2, as calculated from eqn. 13 for various n,
are also.given in Table 2, which shows that djd2 varies from
0-4174 to 0-5861 as n varies from 2 to 5.
The effect of earth wires can now be considered, by starting
from eqn. 67 of Appendix 7.2 instead of eqn. 57 in deriving
the earth capacitances. These two sets of equations are
identical, except that the modified potential coefficients V, as
defined in eqns. 68-71, are used instead of the normal
potential coefficients, defined in eqns. 55 and 56. Hence
eqns. 62, 63 and 64 will hold good in this case also, if the
modified potential coefficients are used. This leads to the
condition for earth-capacitance balancing:
yn = y22 + (y j/, 3 ) (14)
Substitution of eqns. 68-71 in eqn. 14 leads to
Vl4
n =(v22+v{2 -vl3) - ,1 43 )
(15)

Table 3
(All values given in this Table are in centimetres)

Phase Inductive balancing Earth-capacitance balancing Mutual-capacitance balancing

arrange-
ment Without earth wires With earth wires Without earth wires Without earth wires
as in With earth wires With earth wires

d2 d2 di dx d\ d2 d\ d2
Fig. \a 63-44 40 63-44 82-4 40 74-9 24-68 40 24-68 22-34 40 22-34 54-92 40 54-92 36-61 40 36-61

Fig. \b 38-35 20-62 40 see Fig. 4 57-42 19-68 40 111-6 79-39 40

PROC. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5, MAY 1965 933

for the symmetric horizontal arrangement, with two sym- The above equations show that dx and d2 depend on the
metrically arranged earth wires. Putting height and radius of the earth wire. By varying these
quantities, dx and d2 can be varied. As no generalisations are
possible, owing to the long and involved equations, the same
example as above is further analysed.
The effects of varying the height h7 and the radius r 70 of
eqn. 14 can be reduced to the earth wire on the subconductor spacings have been
calculated (Fig. 2). d3 is kept constant at 40cm, and the
. . . . (16) corresponding dx and d2 for various h7 and r 70 are plotted.
'20 From Fig. 2 the following observations can be made:
and thence to (a) Increase in earth-wire radius r70 brings dx and d2 nearer
tod3.
(b) A small change in r70 does not produce an appreciable
x2-r i
change in a1! or d2.
Thus the earth wires introduce an additional multiplying (c) If the height h7 of the earth wire is reduced, dx decreases
factor K into eqn. 13. As vX4 > vX5, K always exceeds unity. to a minimum, and then increases again at a faster rate.
As dx/d2, by eqn. 13, is always less than unity, the effect (d) d2 (i.e. the subconductor spacing of the phase farthest
of earth wires would be to make dx\d2 approach unity, a from the earth wire) is comparatively less affected by
desirable change. For the case of Fig. la, with n = 4, changes in no and h7. As the height increases, d2 tends
K= 1-105, thus modifying dx\d2 from 0-5585, as given in to about 20cm in this particular case, irrespective of the
Table 2, to 0-6171. earth-wire radius.
The horizontal phase configuration has been discussed The height of the earth wire is normally determined from
in detail, as the results are reducible to fairly simple forms. considerations of protection against lightning, and hence
Unfortunately, the same cannot, in general, be done with cannot be indefinitely reduced to suit the above requirements.
other phase configurations. Considering a double-circuit Also, an r70 of about 30cm can be considered only as the
transmission line with one earth wire (Fig. 16), the conditions equivalent radius of a bundle, rather than the physical radius
for earth-capacitance balancing can be derived from eqns. 75, of any solid or hollow conductor. This would lead to use of
76 and 77 of Appendix 7.2: two or more earth wires. To study this possibility, dx and d2
are calculated for various positions of two symmetrically
. (18)
spaced earth wires, for the phase configuration of Fig. \b,
with d3 = 40cm.
and
- Q V(Q2 ~ (19) The results are represented in the space diagram of Fig. 3,
which shows half of the tower top. The positions of the earth
where px = V77(V33 - Vx3) + Vl7V3l - V\7 . . . (20) wires are represented by the intersections of the vertical and
horizontal full lines. A second earth wire is assumed to be
P2 = Vn^n - ^23) + ^27^37 " ^ 7 (21) symmetrically situated on the other side of the centre line.
To the right of each intersection are two numbers, the upper
Pi = VUYn - K23) - K27(|/33 - Vx3) + K17K27(K13 - K23) one giving d2 and the lower one dx, when an earth wire of
radius 1 07cm is situated at that particular intersection, keep-
- Vx2) - VX7V37(2VX3 - Vx2) . (22) ing d3 = 40cm all the time. There are some positions of
earth wire at which dx and d2 approximate to d3 (e.g.
(23) dx =35-18 and d2 = 45 -58cm), but these positions may be
undesirable from the lightning-protection aspect. If the
12= (24) maximum protection angle of about 35 is taken, there is no
position of earth wire at which dx and d2 approximate to d3.
(25) However, for some positions of earth wire lying in the above
- VX7V27{V33 + V23-2Vl2) mentioned protection zone, dx and d2 are within practicable
limits, if suitable from other considerations.
V31(2VX3 - V23)
VX1
X1VV23 & - VX3V23 - Vx\) . (26) 3.3 Balancing of mutual capacitances
Equating eqns. 59, 60 and 61 gives the conditions
(27) for mutual-capacitance balancing for the case of Fig. \a,
without ground wires:
Q' = - (<7i/>3 + Q2P2 + (28)
r
io (30)
R' = q3p3 + q4Pl (29)

As these equations are rather too involved, no generalisation and (3D

regarding the practicability of this method can be made.
Hence a specific numerical example is considered below:
Considering the type of construction shown in Fig. \b,
with d3 = 40cm, corresponding to r 30 = 17-7cm, eqns. 18
and 19 give dx = 57-42cm and d2 = 19 -68 cm. Though these
values are probably within the practicable limits, it is desirable
to make them as nearly as possible equal to */ 3 (=40cm).
Methods of achieving this are now investigated.
934
'12
As eqn. 31 does not lend itself to further simplification, the
numerical example of Fig. \a is considered. Assuming r2Q =
17-7cm, eqn. 31 would require r ] 0 = 522cm. Such a large
equivalent radius can be ruled out as impracticable, even with
bundle conductors.
As with earth-capacitance balancing, eqn. 31 will include
the earth-wire effects, if the modified potential coefficients
PROC. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5, MA Y 1965
defined by eqns. 68-71 are used instead of the normal potential balancing the mutual capacitances for this type of tower
coefficients. As for earth-capacitance balancing, this effect configuration also. Hence other methods, if any, must be
introduces only a minor correction (as can be easily verified investigated, to balance the mutual capacitances.

20
20 25
average height of earth wire, m
Fig. 2
Effect of earth wires on earth-capacitance balancing
Dimensions in cm

by calculating the results for the specific case being con-
sidered12). Hence it is not further analysed here. The necessary
conditions for mutual-capacitance balancing, for a double-
circuit line with one earth wire, can be derived from
eqns. 72-74:
- v27y27)
. . . . (32)
and
- Vl7V27)
+ (Vr, +
V22 =
13 - Vl7V37)
. . . . (33)
These equations, though simpler than the corresponding
equations for earth-capacitance balancing, are still too
involved to directly give an idea of the practicability of this
method. Mutual-capacitance balancing for the case of Fig. \b,
with d3 = 40cm, r = 107cm and n = 4, requires that
dx = 111 -6cm and d2 79-39cm. These values are slightly
too large to be practicable. Variation of earth-wire position
further increases dx, though d2 decreases.12 As dx is
unrealistically large, this method is impracticable for
PROC. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5, MA Y 1965
3.4 Simultaneous balancing of inductances and
earth capacitances
So far, balancing of the line parameters individually
has been considered, but it will be necessary to balance all
of them simultaneously. How far that is possible is now
analysed. Table 3 summarises the numerical results obtained
for the cases analysed, from which a quick comparison can
be easily made.
13 It has already been shown that the balancing of mutual
capacitances, for the two tower configurations considered, is
not a practicable proposition. The following further observa-
tions concern the symmetric horizontal phase arrangement.
As vl2 is always greater than.v,3 for this phase arrangement,
the condition (eqn. 31) for mutual-capacitance balancing
- V,23 requires vu <v22. But the condition (eqn. 11) for earth-
capacitance balancing requires vn >Vn- Hence these con-
ditions cannot be simultaneously fulfilled.
No such generalisation can be made for the case of Fig. \b,
but comparison of numerical values (Table 3) shows that
simultaneous balancing is not possible for this either.
Now, can the inductances and earth capacitances be
balanced simultaneously? For the case of Fig. la, to obtain
this simultaneous balancing, the values of djd2 given by
eqn. 6 and eqn. 13 should be equal. Equating eqns. 6 and 13
gives
P2 = - * . \ .- (34)
935
 22-5 19-4 230 19-6 23-3 19-8 23-6 20 0 23-8 20-2 23-9 20-3 23-9 20-4 23-5 20-2
/ 7 =3987cm
20-6 46-8 20-1 45-2 19-9 44-6 19-7 44-1 19-7 44-3 20-0 44-9 21-3 44-8 21-0 48-7

22-8 19-5 23-3 19-7 23-6 200 240 20-3 24-3 20-5 24-5 20-6 24-2 20-7 241 20-5
-3800
19-7 441 191 42-5 18-7 41 -6 18-7 41 -4 18-9 41 -6 191 42-3 19-5 43-7 20-1 46-3

23-5 19-7 240 19-9 241 20-2 24-4 20-6 25-3 20-9 25-3 21-2 25-2 21-1 24-8 21 0'
-3600
18-3 40-6 180 39-2 17-4 37-7 17-5 37-6 180 38-4 18-3 39-5 18-8 410 19 9 44-2

230 19-4 24 1 200 24-6 20-5 25-4 21 1 25-8 21-4 26 1 21-9 26-2 21-7 260
-3400
16-8 36-2 16-3 34-5 15-9 32-6 16-2 33-9 16-6 34-5 17-4 36-6 18-2 38-4 19-2

23-5 19-5 241 200 25-2 210 26-3 21-6 26-7 22-1 27-6 22-6 27-6 22-6 27-1
-3200
15-5 31-9 14-2 29-4 13-6 26-6 14-7 28-8 15-4 30-8 16 9 181 36-2 19-1 39-7
J-4--J
23-3 19-3 25-4 20-2 26 1 21-3 27-4 22-4 27-6^.23-0-29" 2 24-7 29-5 23-8 28-7
-3000
131 26-6 12-5 24-7 11-3 22-8-- 140 26-7 16-4 18-3 34-7 19-6

rT
23-4 19-2 25-5
II 22-1 28-8 23-6 30-3 24-5 31-4 25-5 31 25-4 310
20-5 27-2 -2800
111 21-4 8-7 16-4 5-2 9-5 9-8 17-5 130 23-2 16-6 29-2 19-4 34-4 21 1 39-3
I I
23-7 18-4 25-5
I I 23-2 31 -2 25-I 32- 26-5 34-5 27-4 . 35-2 29-9 34-5
20-7 28 I
-2600
9-6 16 8 5-4 9-2 3-6 5-6 7-4 121 12 9 20-9 18-2 29-4 22-3 36-5 24-4 ,45-1

22-2 17-9 25-9

U
20-4
33-5 27-2 36-5 28-6 38-8 30-6 39-8 30-7 390 29-6 '
-2400
10-2 16-9 4-5 6-7 7-5 10-8 15-6 22-2 230 33-8 28-4 42-1 30-8 48-5
2m

200 16-5 24-6 19-4 30-5 24-2 36-6 29-4 42-4 33-4 45-3 35-2 46-3 34-8^44-4 330 i
-2200
15-4 24-2 11-2 15-7 101 13-3 1 6 1 21-2 25-5 33-8 34 1 45-6 39-4 53-7 41-9 59-9

181 14-3 22-2 18-8 31 3 24-9 54-3 34-9 51 6 39-8 "56-6 430 561 40-4 52-9 36-8
-2000
25-3 36-2 24-7 33-0 28-3 35 7 - 4 8 1%49 58-9 580 71-6 60-8 75-2 61-8, 76-9

^^^^^ ^ ^M ^m ^^^^BB ^^M

12-2 101 180 13-3 32-3 25-9 57-3 42-8 174-2 55-5 76-3 54-3 681 47-7 6 3 0 . 42 0
-1800
38-7 4-4
520 45-6 51-5 621 74-9 89-6 101-4 1 1 0 0 125-7 108 117 95-5 109 87-9 102-

70 15-5 116 10-4 33-6 27-5 103 76- 153 109 113 760 86-6 55-3 72-6 45
-1600
53-6 74-7 74-5 960 690 147 267 280 |_J 330 326 216 211 148 150 132
n
D 7-2
990
70

13-2
34-5

189
28-4

224
II
U 84-4

202
56 0

188
76-6

153
45-4

127
-1400

936 PROC. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5, MA Y 1965
a condition which cannot be fulfilled for real values of dx2 For simultaneous balancing, dx (inductive) = dx (capacitive)
and h. It has also been shown that, if the effect of the earth and d2 (inductive) = d2 (capacitive) for any one position of
wire is taken into account, the radii of the two outer phases earth wire. Fig. 3 shows that there is no such position for
would have to be different for inductance balancing, but which the corresponding subconductor spacings are equal,

60 \hg=3987

,hg=3987
.38OO
3600 / '
50 yd3 (inductance)
4966
-3400 ^ , di(inductance)
47-63

X3400
a 3 (earth capacitance) /

40 (earth capacitance)

30

d^inductance)
25

20
0 5 10 15
horizontal distance of earth wire from tower centreline, m
Fig. 4
Simultaneous balancing of inductances and earth capacitances
Double-circuit line of Fig. 16
hB = average height of earth wire above ground

equal for earth-capacitance balancing. Hence it is not possible
to obtain simultaneous balancing of the horizontal tower
configuration by this method. Only any one of the two can
be balanced, if required, by this method. Other methods
must be investigated12 to obtain complete balancing.
Considering the case of Fig. 16, it can reasonably be
expected that, for any size or position of earth wire, there
will be no combination of the equivalent radii of the various
phases for which the inductances and earth capacitances are
simultaneously balanced. This is confirmed by calculations,
results of which are given in Fig. 3.
To the left of each earth-wire position (Fig. 3) already
considered for earth-capacitance balancing, the corresponding
dx and d2 for inductance balancing are given, taking the
presence of earth wires at these positions into account. The
upper figure on the left gives the value of d2, in cm, and the
lower that of dx, required for inductive balancing. Thus the
four numbers given around each intersection represent
d2 (inductive) d2 (capacitive)
dx (inductive) dx (capacitive)
Fig. 3 (see facing page)
Effect of earth wires on subconductor spacings required for inductance
and earth-capacitance balancing
(inductive) (capacitive)
d\ (inductive) d\ (capacitive)
PR0C. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5, MA Y 1965
even approximately. Hence simultaneous balancing is not
possible for this case.
If the effect of earth wires on inductances is not negligible,
it is interesting to know whether this effect can be eliminated.
As long as current flows in the earth-wire-earth circuit, this
effect will be present. If the current can be prevented, say by
interrupting the circuit, this effect can be eliminated. Apart
from its effect on inductances, a continuous current in any
finite resistance causes power loss, and this has been elimi-
nated4'15 by sectionalising the earth wire and electrically
connecting only one end of each section to the tower. The
other end of each section is insulated from the tower by a
gap which breaks down if abnormal voltages occur between
the earth wire and earth, but which can withstand the voltage
induced by unbalanced electromagnetic and electrostatic
coupling between the phase wires and the earth wires. Thus
the protective properties of the earth wires are preserved
without incurring power loss. If this method is adopted, the
presence of the earth wire does not affect the inductances,
but does influence the capacitances. The equations for
capacitances are not affected by sectionalisation of the earth
wires, and the results already derived apply to this arrange-
ment also.
If the inductances can be -considered to be independent of
earth wires, it may be possible to obtain inductance and
earth-capacitance balancing simultaneously. From equations
937
derived earlier, and choosing d2 = 25cm, the dx and d$
required for inductive balancing are calculated, giving
dx =47-63cm and rf3=49-66cm. These are plotted as
horizontal lines in Fig. 4. The relevant curves of dx and d3
for earth-capacitance balancing are plotted for various
positions of the earth wires. Fig. 4 shows that, for the earth-
wire position h = 3600cm and D = 1130cm, the values of
dx and d3 for capacitive balancing roughly coincide with those
for inductive balancing. Also, this position of the earth wire
lies within the protection zone.
The numerical results given above indicate that some
possibilities exist in this method of balancing the line con-
stants, although each tower configuration has to be analysed
and judged on its merits. The tower configuration of Fig. \b
is that used in the West German 380kV lines.
The discussion shows that simultaneous balancing of all
the line constants is not possible by this method alone. Other
methods, if any, will have to be investigated, and used in
conjunction with this method, if found suitable, before
complete balancing is obtained.
4 Conclusions
By adjusting the subconductor spacings of the phase
bundles, it is theoretically possible to balance inductances,
earth capacitances or mutual capacitances separately. Equa-
tions determining the subconductor spacings have been
derived, but are, in general, rather involved. For the sym-
metic horizontal configuration without earth wires, very
simple equations for dx/d2; with dx = d2, have been derived
for inductance and for earth-capacitance balancing. The
effect of earth wires is taken into account by multiplying
factors.
For the cases of Figs. \a and b analysed in detail, the
subconductor spacings obtained separately for inductance and
earth-capacitance balancing seem to be within the practicable
limits. How far these can be advantageously adopted, in
practice, depends on economics, maximum potential gradient,
mechanical characteristics etc.
For mutual-capacitance balancing, in view of the very large
subconductor spacings required for the cases analysed, this
method is impracticable, though theoretically possible. Other
methods of balancing the mutual capacitances must therefore
be devised if transpositions are to be eliminated.
Simultaneous balancing of inductances and earth capaci-
tances is not possible for the symmetric horizontal arrange-
ment, with or without earth-wire effects.
If the effect of earth wires on inductances is taken into
account, for the double-circuit line of Fig. Ib, simultaneous
balancing of inductances and capacitances is not possible.
The effect of earth wires on inductances can be eliminated
by sectionalising the earth wires and earthing only one end
of each section at that particular tower, the other end being
insulated from the tower by a gap.
If the earth-wire effect on inductances is eliminated, then,
for the case of Fig. lb, simultaneous balancing of inductances
and earth capacitances is possible, by adjusting the earth-wire
and subconductor spacings of various phases. The required
positions of earth wires are within the usual protection zone.
The subconductor spacings also are within practicable limits.
Using the methods indicated in this paper, each case can
be separately analysed and decided on its own merits. In
view of the very involved equations, no generalisations are
possible.
For those constants which cannot be balanced effectively
by this method, other methods must be investigated and
employed to obtain perfect balancing.
938
5 Acknowledgments
The major part of vthe work included in this paper
forms a part of the doctoral dissertation12 submitted by the
author to the R.W. Technische Hochschule, Aachen, West
Germany. The author wishes to record his deep sense of
gratitude to Prof. Dr.-Ing. P. Denzel, Director of the Institut
fur Elektrische Anlangen und Energiewirtschaft, Technische
Hochschule, Aachen, who not only took keen interest in
the progress of the work and provided the necessary facilities,
guidance and encouragement, but also provided financial
assistance to the author during the period of work. The
author wishes to thank his colleagues at the Institut for many
interesting discussions.
6 References
1 GROSS, E. T. B. : 'Unbalances of untransposed overhead lines',
/ . Franklin Inst., 1952, 254, p. 487
2 BOOTH, E. S., CLARK, D., EGGINTON, J. L., and FORREST, J. S.: 'The
400kV Grid system for England and Wales', Proc. IEE, 1962,
109 A, p. 493
3 RUSCK, A., and RATHSMAN, B. G.: T h e Swedish 38OkV system'.
CIGRt Report 410, 1950
4 MELNIKOV, N. A., GERSHENGORN, A. I., a n d SHERENTSIS, A. N . : ' T h e
earthing of earth wires of long transmission lines', Elektrichestvo,
1958, 79, (1), p. 25 (English translation in Elect. Techno!. USSR,
1958, p. 39)
5 ROSER, H. : 'Die 380kV Ubertragung Rommerskirchen-Hoheneck',
Elektrotech. Z., 1958, [A], 79, p. 3
6 THORNTON, J. G., and DIESENDORF, w.: 'The 330 kV transmission
system in Australia'. CIGR Report 401, 1960, Vol. I l l
7 GROSS, E. T. B., and MCNUTT, W. J . : 'Electrostatic unbalance of
twin conductor lines', Trans. Amer. Inst. Elect. Engrs., 1953, 72,
Pt. Ill, p. 1288
8 GROSS, E. T. B., and HESSE, M. H. : 'Electromagnetic unbalance of
untransposed transmission lines', ibid., 1953, 72, Pt. I l l , p. 1323
9 GROSS, E. T. B., and NELSON, S. W. : 'Electromagnetic unbalance of
untransposed transmission lines. IISingle lines with horizontal
conductor arrangement', ibid., 1955, 74, Pt. I l l , p. 887
10 GROSS, E. T. B., DRINNAN, T. H., and JOCHIM, E. : 'Electromagnetic
unbalance of untransposed transmission lines. IllDouble circuit
lines', ibid., 1959, 78, Pt. IIIB, p. 1362
11 LAWRENCE, R. F., and POVEJSIL, D. J. : 'Determination of inductive
and capacitive unbalances for untransposed transmission lines',
ibid., 1952, 71, Pt. I l l , p. 547
12 SUBBA RAO, v. s.: 'Untersuchung iiber die Moglichkeiten, die
Hochstspannungsfreileitungskonstanten ohne Verdrillung zu sym-
metrieren'. Doctoral Dissertation, R.W. Technische Hochschule,
Aachen, West Germany, 1959
13 BRUDERLINK, R. : 'Induktivitat und Kapazitat der Starkstromfrei-
leitungen' (G. Braun, 1954)
14 SUBBA RAO, v. s.: 'Bundle conductors: equivalent radius and
maximum potential gradient', / . Instn. Engrs. {India), 1961, 42,
Pt. EL 1, p. 67
15 DOLGINOV, A. i., SMIRNOV, i. G., and JURENKOV, B. D. : 'Earthing of
ground wires through spark gaps', Elektrichestvo, 1952, 73, (4), p. 1
16 CLARKE, E. : 'Circuit analysis of a-c power systems', Vol. 1 (Wiley,
1948)
17 BILLS, G. w.: Discussion on Reference 7, Trans. Amer. Inst. Elect.
Engrs., 1953, 72, Pt. Ill, p. 1296
Appendixes
7.1 Calculation of inductances
The total positive-sequence inductances Lx, L2 and L3
of the three phases of a transmission line, can be obtained
from the equations
Vx=jIxu>Lx]
V2=jI2coL2 \ (35)
where Vx, V2 and V3 are the total inductive voltage drops in
the three phases, respectively, when only positive-sequence
currents Ix, I2 and 73 are assumed to flow in the three phases.
A single-circuit transmission line, without earth wires,
gives13
r
\0
iJ + ^^ l o g ; . (36)
^ ^ ' j . (37)
r 20 4nj 2TT 2 dX2
PROC. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5, MA Y 1965
u= log*? (38) l 72 ri
1-30 nj 2TT 2 23 2 Z Z
44 ~ 45
The corresponding results for a symmetric double-circuit {a[Z 44 Z 24 (Z, 4 + Z , 5 ) - Z4SZ24(ZU + Z, 5 )]
transmission line, without earth wires (assuming / , = 74, + 2Z| 4 (Z 4 4 - Z 45 ) + 2 [Z 44 Z 24 (Z 14 -I- Z 15 )
72 = / 5 and 73 = 76) are - Z 4 5 Z 2 4 (Z 1 4 + Z 15 )]} (48)

r r"U*
I JLi4
I] = ( fl2Z + flZ
^
45
An]
(39) {a 2 [2Z 44 Z 14 Z 15 - Z45(Z}A + Z? s )]
/ 3
i
+ a[Z44Z24(Zl4 + Z, 5 ) - Z45Z24(ZH + Z 15 )]
+ Z44(Z24 + Z25) - 2Z45Z14Z15} . . . . (49)
V(dX2d23d24d26)
L2 = L5 = ^ log where a = - 0-5 + y\/3/2.
^25 r 20 A~n\
The first three terms in ( ) brackets represent the total
(40) impedance due to the three phase currents. The inductances
2TT 2 dl2l2dd42
corresponding to these three impedances are given by
V(dX3d23d34d35) eqns. 36-38. The terms in { } brackets represent the additional
d36r30 4wJ
An impedance caused by the earth-wire currents. This additional
impedance can be represented by
34
(41) AZ, = AT?, +yo>AL, (50)
2
AZ 2 = A7?2 (51)
The effect of earth wires is not considered in the above
equations. But, when the inductive coupling between the AZ 3 = A7?3 (52)
earth wire and the three phases is not balanced, there will
AL,, AL 2 and AL 3 can be calculated from the above equa-
be a net voltage induced in the earth wire, even when balanced
tions, if all the impedances of eqns. 47, 48 and 49 are known,
currents flow in the three phases. If the earth wire is earthed
for any given case.
at each tower, currents can flow in the circuit earth-wire-
Similarly, the additional inductances due to earth-wire
tower-earth-tower-earth-wire. This current will induce a
voltage drop in the three phases, thus affecting the effective currents in double-circuit lines can be calculated.
impedances of the three phases. The net effective positive-
sequence impedances of a .single-circuit line with two earth 7.2 Calculation of capacitances
wires can be obtained as follows: The various capacitances in an mconductor system,
Let suffixes 1, 2 and 3 represent the three phases, and let taking the effect of earth into account, can be calculated from
suffixes 4 and 5 represent the two earth wires. The voltage the following two sets of equations: 13
drops are 16 V[=vnQx
V\ = l\Z\\ + hZ\i + hZ\* + hZu + hZxs . (42) V2 = v22Q2 v2mQ
V2 = / , Z I 2 + I2Z22 + / 3 Z 23 + I4Z24 + /5Z25 . (43)
V3 = / , Z , 3 -1- 722ZZ223 / 4 Z 4 3 + //55ZZ3355 . (44) 'm = V\mQ\ + v2mQ2 + + ^
and
0 = V4 -= / ,,ZZ + II22ZZ24 + 77 33 Z
Z 3 + 774 Z
4 Z444
I5Z45 . (45) - V2)
14 34 Qx - X3(VX - V3) + . . .
0 = V5 = /,Z 1 5 + / 2 Z 2 5 + 73Z35 -)- / 4 Z 4 5 + I5Z55 . (46) + Cim(Vx - VJ + CXeVx
Qi = C21(K2 - F,) + C23(K2 - V3) + . . .
where Zmm = self impedance of conductor m with earth
return + C2m(V2 - VJ + C2eK2 (54)
Zmn im^ri) = mutual impedance between conductors m and
n with earth return - vx) + cm2{vm - v2) +
/ 4 and 75 can be found from eqns. 45 and 46 and substituted + C m(m _ t) (K m - Vm_x) CmeVm
into eqns. 42, 43 and 44. Considering the symmetric arrange- where
ment (Fig. \a),
V[, V2, V'm = potentials of the mconductors with respect
35 to earth
Z24 = Z25 Qm = charges on the mconductors, respectively
Z
34 = Z\5 Qe = charge on earth, of potential zero
z 44 = z 5 5 C12, C23 etc. = mutual capacitances, to be determined
CXe, C2e etc. = earth capacitances, to be determined
With these substitutions, eqns. 42, 43 and 44 lead to
vxu vx2 etc. = normal potential coefficients defined by
the equations
\ = r = (Z,, + 2Z12 + aZn) - X
i\ -^44 1 2/r-
(55)
{Z44(ZU + Z}5) - 2Z 14 Z 15 Z 45
+ O2[Z44(Z,4Z24 + Zl5Z24) - Z45(Zl4Z24 + Zl5Z24)]
(56)
+ 42Z44Z14Z1S - ZwCZk + Z&]} (47)
PROC. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5, MAY 1965 939
For a single-circuit line without earth wires (m = 3), the Considering a double-circuit line (Fig. 16) with one earth
two sets of equations 53 and 54 can be written wire, and following a procedure similar to that above, the
mutual capacitances can be determined:
V[=vxxQx + vl2Q2 vX3Q3 -\
V'I = vl2Qx 4- v22Q2 v23Q3 \ (57) c; 2 = c 1 2 + c 15 = (i/D)[vn(v33v77 - K32) - vl3(v17v23
V'3=VX3QX + V23Q3 V33Q3 J - V21V31) + Vl7(V23V37 - V33V27)] . . . (72)
and C 2 3 - C 2 3 + C 2 6 = dlD)[V23(VuV77 - Vfi - VX2{V77V3X
C12 C l 3 ) - Cl2V2 - Cl3 -V37VX7) +V27(V3XVX7 -VnV37)] . . . (73)

Qi = CX2 C 23 ) - CX1V\ - C 2 3 K' 3 l(58) C[3 = CX3 + CX6 = (l/D)[V3l(V22V77 - V* - V23(Y77VX2

03 = C 23 ) - CX3V\ - C 2 3 K ' J - VX7V27) + V37(VX2V27 - V22VX7)] . . . (74)
By eliminating the charges from eqns. 57 and 58, the capaci- Cu = iMD)[V77{V22V33 - V2j - VnV33 + F 13 K 23 + K
tances can be found: - ^13^22) " V&Vn ~ ^12) " VVi2 - Vl3)
Cx2 = (\/D)(v33vX2 -vX3v23) . . . (59) + VX7V37{V22 - V23) + VX7V27(V33 - V23)
+ V27V37(2V23 - VX3 - Vl2)] . . . . . (75)
C, 3 = (1/D)(v22vx3 - vx2v23) . . . (60)
= dlD)[V77(V33Vn - Vx\ - V23Vn X2V
VX2 Vn
C 2 3 =(\ID)(vxxv23 -vX2vx3) . . . (61)
^12^33) - ^ 3 3 - ^23)
CXe = (llD)(v22v33 - v\3) - CX2 - CX3 (62) n - vX2) + v27vX7(v33 - vX3)
+ Vx7V37(2Vl3 - VX2 - V23) + V27V37(VXX - V3X)]
C2e = (1//))(, |W33 - v]3) - C23 - C 1 2 (63)
. . . (76)
C 3 e = (l//))(i;,,t; 2 2 - ^ 2 ) - C 1 3 - C 2 3 (64) = (\/D)[V77(VnV22 - Vx\ - Vl3 + K 22 K 23 K 12 + Vx3Vn
Vj| Vj2 V - v23vn) - v&vxx - vX3) - vX7\v22 - v23)
where D = WI2 V22 V23 (65) + WniVn ~ VX2) + V37VX7(V22 - Vx2)
vuv23 v33 + VX7V27(2VX2-V23-V3X)] (77)
K,,
12 K13 F,17
For a single-circuit line with two earth wires (m = 5),
where D ^22 '23 (78)
V[ = + vx2Q2 + vx3Q3 + vx4Q4 + vX5Q5 ^33
+ V22Q2 + ^2303 + ^2404 + ^2505 21 '37
+ *>2302 + V3303 + V3404 + ^35^5 (66) =
V\\ (79)
V* = 0 = 1401 + ^2402 + W3403 + W4404 + V4505
1501 + ^2502 + ^3503 + ^4504 + ^5505 ^22 = ^22 + ^25 (80)
V33 = v33 + v36 (81)
The last two of eqns. 66 can be solved for Q4 a n d Q5 a n d
substituted in the first three. When the-two earth wires are VX2 =vX2 +vxs (82)
symmetrically arranged, i.e. when v44 = i; 55 , vl4 = v35,
v 1 5 = v34 and v24 = v25, eqn. 66 can be simplified to V23 = v23 + v35 (83)
V3X =v3X+vx6 (84)
+ V]2Q2+ ^.3^3
V2> = -1- V22Q2 + K 23 (2 3 (67) (85)
V21 =v27 (86)
where the modified potential coefficients are defined by V37 =v37 (87)
V
44^14 + V\s) ~ 2^45^14^15 (68) ^77=077/2 (88)
44 - It is assumed in the above discussion that conductors 4, 5
and 6 are in parallel with 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
^22 = 22 - (69) If two symmetric earth wires are provided instead of one,
v2 v2
eqns. 85-88 are modified as follows:
V
, _ v _ 4424(14 + V 15) -^45^24(^14 + 1 5 ) VX1 = vl7 (89)
12 - ^23 ~v\2 tf~ITtf.
. . . . (70) V27 = v27 (90)
28
'38 (91)
' = <>i3 - 2 t > 4 4 t > l 4 t > i ; ~ ^ ' 1 4 +
^ s )
. . (7i)
(92)

940 PROC. IEE, Vol. 112, No. 5, MA Y 1965