Induced Voltage in Parallel Transmission Lines
Caused by Electric Field Induction
Randy Horton, Member, IEEE, Mark Halpin, Senior Member, IEEE, Keith Wallace, Member, IEEE
Abstract - Induced voltage in a transmission line due to its
proximity of another transmission line in the same right of way
is often erroneously considered to be solely the result of
electromagnetic induction. In general, electromagnetic
induction is a function of the loading of the energized line, the
proximity of the two lines and the distance that they are
paralleled. Most utility personnel are not aware that large
voltages can be developed from electric field induction. Unlike
electromagnetic induction, electric field induction is a not a
function of the distance that the two lines are paralleled. It is
primarily a function of the proximity of the two lines and the
magnitude of the operating voltage of the energized line. This
paper describes a method of calculating the induced voltage
caused by electric field induction. Field test results are also
shown and potential work hazards are addressed.
Keywords: Electric Field Induction
I. INTRODUCTION
The voltage induced in an ungrounded de-energized
transmission line is often thought to be solely the result of
electromagnetic induction. This voltage is the result of the de-
energized transmission line being in the proximity of the
magnetic field produced by the energized transmission line.
This induced voltage is principally determined by the loading
of the energized line and the distance that the two are
paralleled.
A second way in which voltage can be induced into an
ungrounded de-energized transmission line is by a
phenomenon known as electric field induction. This voltage
is the result of the de-energized transmission line being in the
proximity of the electric field produced by the energized
transmission line. Whenever a transmission line is in
proximity of another transmission line there will exist
capacitive coupling between the two lines. The charge on
the energized line will be distributed along the line and will
produce an electric field. Since the de-energized line is in the
proximity of this electric field a potential difference between
the de-energized line and earth will exist. Like
electromagnetic induction, electric field induction can
produce dangerously high voltages. Voltages of several kV
have been calculated and measured. These voltages can be
harmful to workers and should be treated with due caution.
Although induced voltage, at times, may not be seen as
problematic, personnel safety should never be taken for
granted. Protective grounds are required by O.S.H.A.
whenever work is performed on a de-energized transmission
line without the aid of dielectric gloves. The proper
placement of protective grounds protects the worker from
accidental energization of the transmission line. This would
include any induced voltage due to a nearby energized
Page 1 of 7
transmission line(s). A typical method of grounding is
sometimes referred to as work site grounding. With this
method, protective grounds are placed at the work site
location. Proper connection of the protective grounds is
paramount in providing proper protection for the worker.
Caution should be used when installing protective grounds.
A worker can easily put him or herself in a hazardous
situation such as being in series with a protective ground.
The charging current associated with electric field induction
and the circulating currents associated with electromagnetic
induction can be lethal.
This paper describes a method of calculating the induced
voltage in a de-energized transmission line caused by electric
field induction. Field test results are shown to verify the
calculations. This paper also addresses potential risks if
proper protective grounding methods are not used.
II. ELECTRIC FIELD INDUCTION
To understand electric field induction of a three phase
AC transmission lines, it is convenient to look at the two
conductor DC case. This simplified example is shown in
Figure 1.
a +++++++++++++++++
+ b Pm
Vdc +
Vb
-
-
Figure 1. Two Conductor Example
When the positive terminal of the DC source is
connected to conductor a, a net positive charge develops on
the conductor. The presence of this net positive charge gives
rise to an electric field which has field lines that are directed
radially outward from the conductor. Since conductor b is
located in the presence of this electric field it will develop a
potential difference with respect to another point in space. In
other words, a voltage is induced into it by the electric field
of conductor a. This mechanism of induction is known as
electric field induction. Since the negative terminal of the
DC source is connected to ground it is convenient to choose
the reference point of this induced voltage to be ground.
 The method of calculating the induced voltage under Va
this scenario has been well documented [1, 2]. The typical Qa = (5)
Paa
method of calculating this voltage is by the use of potential
coefficients. The self-potential coefficient of a conductor is
given by (1). From (1) it can be shown that Paa is a function of the radius
of the conductor, its height above ground and the distance
that the two lines are paralleled. Thus, the voltage induced
⎛H ⎞ into conductor b by the electric field generated by conductor
Pii = 11.185 × 10 6 ln⎜ i ⎟ mi/F (1)
⎜ r ⎟ a can be computed using (6).
⎝ i ⎠
Pba
The potential coefficient between any two conductors can be Vb = Va Volts (6)
found by (2). Paa

⎛ H ij ⎞ Equation (6) shows us that although both Paa and Pba are
Pij = 11.185 × 10 ln⎜
6 ⎟ mi/F (2)
⎜D ⎟ voltage that is induced into conductor b is not.
⎝ ij ⎠
where,
Hi = The distance between conductor i and the image of i (ft)
Hij = The distance between conductor i and the image of j (ft)
ri = The radius of conductor i (ft)
Dij = The distance between conductors i and j (ft)
The particular arrangement shown in Figure 1 can be
described mathematically by (3).
⎡Va ⎤ ⎡ Paa Pab ⎤ ⎡Qa ⎤
⎢V ⎥ = ⎢ P Pbb ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣Qb ⎥⎦
(3)
⎣ b ⎦ ⎣ ba
where,
Paa = the self potential coefficient of phase a
Pbb = the self potential coefficient of phase b
Pab = the mutual potential coefficient between phases a and b
Pba = mutual potential coefficient between phases a and b
Qa = the charge per mile on conductor a
Qb = the charge per mile on conductor b
Va = conductor a phase-to-ground voltage
Vb = conductor b phase-to-ground voltage
If the effects of wind, etc. are neglected there can be no
charge that exists on conductor b because it is not physically
connected to anything. Thus, Qb is zero and the equation for
the voltage on conductor b reduces to (4).
Vb = Pba Qa (4)
Equation 4 shows that the voltage induced into conductor b is
a function of the capacitive coupling between the two
conductors and the amount of charge that resides on
conductor a. From (2) it can be seen that Pba is a function of
the distance between the two lines and the distance that they
are paralleled. Again, since there exists no charge on
conductor b, the charge on conductor a can be found by (5).
functions of the length that the two lines are paralleled, the
Mathematically this is true because the units of Paa and Pba
cancel. From a more practical perspective this can be shown
by voltage division. The reciprocal of a potential coefficient
is capacitance [1]. Thus, the system in Figure 1 can be shown
as Figure 2.
a Cab b
+
Vdc Cbg
Cag
-
Figure 2. Two Conductor Example
The voltage appearing on conductor b due to a voltage being
applied to conductor a can be found by voltage division as
shown in (7).
⎛ C ab ⎞
Vb = ⎜ ⎟Va (7)
⎜ C ab + Cbg ⎟
⎝ ⎠
The units of Cab and Cbg are in F/mi. Again, the units cancel
and the distance that the two lines are paralleled has no
bearing on the problem. This is contrary to electromagnetic
induction where the distance the lines are paralleled has a
dramatic impact on the voltage that is induced into the de-
energized line.
The two conductor AC case can be argued in the same
manner as the DC case. However, there is one subtle
difference and that is in the required charging current. For
the DC case, once the de-energized line is grounded there
will no longer exist a potential difference between it and
ground although the conductor will contain a net charge.
Some amount of charge will be taken from the earth and will
be deposited onto the conductor surface in order to satisfy
Gauss’s Law [3]. Once enough charge has been placed on
the conductor to balance the charges, current will cease to
flow. Current flow will remain zero unless some other

Page 2 of 7
change in the circuit is made. In the AC case, current will not By definition, charge is equal to the capacitance times the
remain zero because in essence the connection to ground is voltage or mathematically,
providing a path for charge to be placed and removed each
power cycle. Q = CV (9)

+++++++++++++++++ Stated another way,

+ -------------- [Q] = [P]−1 [V ] (10)

-
Vac AC
- Equation 8 provides a means of determining the voltage
- - icharging induced in a parallel transmission line. The steady state
- currents can be found using (11).

[I ] = jω [C ][V ] (11)
Figure 3. Charging Current of the De-energized Line
where,
If an ammeter is placed in series with the ground lead, an AC
current will be measured. The magnitude of this charging [I ] = vector of phase currents (abc and a’b’c’)
current is very important from a safety standpoint. This
current can be lethal if a worker becomes in series with the [C ] = the capacitance matrix
ground lead. [V ] = vector of phase-to-ground voltages (abc and a’b’c’)
The three phase transmission line case is just an
extension of the two conductor AC case. This arrangement is Equation 11 can be expanded for clarity and is shown in (12).
shown in Figure 4. Similar to the two conductor case, this
arrangement can be described mathematically by (8). ⎡ Ia ⎤ ⎡ Caa Cab Cbc Caa' Cab' Cac' ⎤ ⎡Va ⎤
⎢ Ib ⎥ ⎢ Cba Cbb Cbc Cba' Cbb' Cbc' ⎥⎥ ⎢⎢ Vb ⎥⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢
⎢ Ic ⎥ ⎢ Cca Ccb Ccc Cca' Ccb' Ccc' ⎥ ⎢ Vc ⎥ (12)
⎡ Va ⎤ ⎡ Paa Pab Pbc Paa' Pab' Pac' ⎤ ⎡ Qa ⎤
⎢ ⎥ = jω ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥ ⎢ Ia' ⎥ ⎢Ca' a Ca' b Ca' c Ca' a' Ca' b' Ca' c' ⎥ ⎢Va' ⎥
⎢ Vb ⎥ ⎢ Pba Pbb Pbc Pba' Pbb' Pbc' ⎥ ⎢ Qb ⎥
⎢ Ib' ⎥ ⎢Cb' a Cb' b Cb' c Cb' a' Cb' b' Cb' c' ⎥ ⎢Vb' ⎥
⎢ Vc ⎥ ⎢ Pca Pcb Pcc Pca' Pcb' Pcc' ⎥ ⎢ Qc ⎥ (8) ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥=⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥ ⎣⎢ ⎦⎥
Ic' ⎣⎢Cc' a Cc' b Cc' c Cc' a Cc' b Cc' c' ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢Vc' ⎦⎥
⎢Va' ⎥ ⎢ Pa' a Pa' b Pa' c Pa' a' Pa' b' Pa' c' ⎥ ⎢Qa' ⎥
⎢Vb' ⎥ ⎢ Pb' a Pb' b Pb' c Pb' a' Pb' b' Pb' c' ⎥ ⎢Qb' ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥ If the assumption is made that LINE #1 is energized and
⎣⎢Vc' ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ Pc' a Pc' b Pc' c Pc' a Pc' b Pc' c' ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢Qc' ⎦⎥ LINE #2 is de-energized and ungrounded then (12) can be
simplified to (13).

LINE #2 LINE #1

⎡ Ia ⎤ ⎡ Caa Cab Cbc Caa' Cab' Cac' ⎤ ⎡Va ⎤

a' a ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥
c' ⎢ Ib ⎥ ⎢ Cba Cbb Cbc Cba' Cbb' Cbc' ⎥ ⎢ Vb ⎥
c ⎢ Ic ⎥ ⎢ Cca Ccb Ccc Cca' Ccb' Ccc' ⎥ ⎢ Vc ⎥ (13)
b' b ⎢ ⎥ = jω ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥
⎢0⎥ ⎢Ca' a Ca' b Ca' c Ca' a' Ca' b' Ca' c' ⎥ ⎢Va' ⎥
⎢0⎥ ⎢Cb' a Cb' b Cb' c Cb' a' Cb' b' Cb' c' ⎥ ⎢Vb' ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥
⎢⎣ 0 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣Cc' a Cc' b Cc' c Cc' a Cc' b Cc' c' ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣Vc' ⎥⎦

Careful evaluation of (13) shows that there are some known

and unknown values on both sides of (13). A matrix
technique called partial matrix inversion can be used to move
all of the known values to one side of the equation and all of
the unknown values to the other [4]. Partial matrix inversion
by definition modifies only a portion of the matrix. Once
partial matrix inversion has been completed on (13) the
resulting equation is shown in (14). Note that the vector
elements in rows 4-6 have been interchanged

Figure 4. Two Parallel Three Phase Transmission Lines

Page 3 of 7
 ⎡ Ia ⎤ ⎡V a ⎤ ⎡ Ia ⎤ ⎡ Va ⎤
⎢I ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ Ib ⎥ ⎢ Vb ⎥
⎢ b⎥ ⎢Vb ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ Ic ⎥ ⎢ Vc ⎥
⎢ Ic ⎥ ⎢V c ⎥
⎢ ⎥ = jω [M ]⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
(14) Im ⎡
⎢ ⎥ = jω AC C ⎤
B ⎢ 0 ⎥ (16)
⎢V a' ⎥ ⎢0⎥ ⎢0⎥ ⎢C ⎥⎢ ⎥
⎢Vb' ⎥ ⎢0⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎣ C CD ⎦ ⎢Va' ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎢0⎥ ⎢Vb' ⎥
⎣⎢V c' ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ 0 ⎦⎥ ⎢0⎥ ⎢Vc' ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎣⎢ In ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ 0 ⎦⎥
Once the appropriate elements have been interchanged the
capacitance matrix is modified from its original form and Now, partial matrix inversion can be used to interchange the
carries the designation [M]. Now, the phase-to-ground zeroes on the left side of (15) with Va’b’c’. The result is
voltages on the de-energized line can be computed using (14). shown in (17).
Quite often shield wires are present on transmission
lines and this makes the calculation a little more difficult. To ⎡ Ia ⎤ ⎡Va ⎤
solve for the voltage when shield wires are present the same ⎢ Ib ⎥ ⎢Vb ⎥
techniques may be employed as previously described. An ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ Ic ⎥ ⎢Vc ⎥
example of two parallel transmission lines with shield wires ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
is shown in Figures 5. ⎢ Im ⎥ = jω ⎡ M A M B ⎤⎢ 0 ⎥ (17)
⎢Va' ⎥ ⎢M M D ⎥⎦ ⎢ 0 ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎣ C ⎢ ⎥
om ⎢Vb' ⎥ ⎢0 ⎥
⎢Vc' ⎥ ⎢0 ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎣⎢ In ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ 0 ⎦⎥
on
o The phase-to-ground voltages of the de-energized line can be
o b
a readily determined using (17).
o b'
a' o III. EXAMPLE
o
c o c'
A numerical example is given to provide insight into the
theory. The example line will be that shown in Figures 5.
These two lines with dimensions and conductor parameters
are shown in Figure 6.
The first step in the calculation process is to compute
the potential coefficient matrix using (1) and (2). Note, that
the self and mutual terms associated with the shield wires are
computed in the same manner as the phase conductors.
161 kV 46 kV
OHSW OHSW
7/#8 Alumoweld 3/8" HSS
Fig. 5. Two Transmission Lines Sharing the Same Right of Way m n
6' 6' 3.7' 3.7'
11.7' 7.9'
The configuration shown in Figure 5 can be represented
mathematically as (15). b'
b 10.5' 5'
a a'
c c'
⎡ I abcm ⎤ ⎡C A C B ⎤ ⎡ V abcm ⎤
⎢I ⎥ = jω ⎢C C D ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣Va' b' c' n ⎥⎦
(15)
Conductors
⎣ a' b' c' n ⎦ ⎣ C 795 26/7 ACSR
Conductors
266 26/7 ACSR
51.3' 41.7' 48.4' 46'
Careful evaluation of Figure 5 shows that the phase voltages,
Vabc, the shield wire voltages, Vmn, and the line currents of the
de-energized line, Ia’b’c’, are all known values. Substituting
the known values into (15) and expanding the current and
voltage vectors yields (16). 50'

C
L C
L
161 kV 46 kV

Figure 6. Example Line with Dimensions

Page 4 of 7
The potential coefficient matrix was computed to be that The partially inverted capacitance matrix is shown in (22).
shown in (18). Note that the elements of the original capacitance matrix have
been multiplied by ω.
⎡ 86.65 24.14 20.23 23.62 8.56 7.66 7.21 8.75 ⎤
⎢ 24.14 11.05 ⎥⎥
⎢ 86.85 24.50 24.38 11.01 9.71 9.17 ⎡ 5 .02 −0 .94 − 0 .75 − 0 .80 0 . 03 0 .03 0 .03 − 0 .18 ⎤
⎢ 20.23 24.50 84.34 17.07 9.87 8.54 8.22 9.43 ⎥
(18) ⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ − 0 . 94 5 .17 − 1 . 08 − 0 .81 0 .06 0 . 05 0 .05 − 0 .30 ⎥
23.62 24.38 17.07 101.61 10.19 9.29 8.62 10.85 ⎥ ⎢ − 0. 75 − 0. 25 ⎥
P=⎢ ⎢
− 1 .08 5 .07 − 0. 39 0 .06 0 .04 0 .05
⎥
⎢ 8.56 11.01 9.87 10.19 89.44 28.43 27.96 25.35 ⎥ (22)
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ − 0 . 80 − 0 . 81 − 0 .39 4 .18 0 .04 0 .04 0 . 04 − 0 .26 ⎥
M =⎢
⎢ 7.63 9.71 8.54 9.29 28.43 90.02 33.17 28.3 4 ⎥ 0 .03 0 . 06 0 .06 0 . 04 − 0 .22 − 0 .05 − 0 .06 0. 23 ⎥
⎢ 7.21 9.17 8.22 8.62 27.95 33.17 88.87 23.01 ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ 0 .03 0 .05 0 .04 0 . 04 − 0 . 05 − 0 .21 − 0 . 07 0. 27 ⎥
⎣⎢ 8.75 11.05 9.43 10.85 25.35 28.34 23.01 99.88 ⎦⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ 0 .03 0 .05 0 .05 0 . 04 − 0 .06 − 0 .07 − 0 .22 0. 21 ⎥
⎢⎣ − 0. 18 − 0 .30 − 0 . 25 − 0. 26 0 . 23 0 .27 0 .21 3 .88 ⎥⎦
x 10-6 F/mi
From (21) and (22) the phase-to-ground voltages of the de-
Next, the capacitance matrix was computed by taking the energized line were then computed. To verify the
inverse of P and is shown in (19). calculations, field measurements were made. The results of
the calculations and field measurements are shown in Table
2.
⎡ 5.04 -0.92 -0.74 -0.79 -0.12 -0.08 -0.07 -0.12 ⎤
⎢ ⎥
⎢ - 0.92 5.20 - 1.06 - 0.79 - 0.21 - 0.13 - 0.12 - 0.19 ⎥
Calculated Measured Difference
⎢ - 0.74 - 1.06 5.09 - 0.37 - 0.20 - 0.11 - 0.12 - 0.15 ⎥
⎢ ⎥ (V) (V) (V)
⎢ - 0.79 - 0.79 - 0.37 4.20 - 0.15 - 0.11 - 0.09 - 0.17 ⎥ (19)
C =⎢ Phase A 2306 2180 126
- 0.12 - 0.21 - 0.20 - 0.15 5.11 − 0 . 95 − 1 .00 − 0 . 73 ⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎢ − 0 . 08 − 0 . 13 − 0 . 11 − 0 . 11 − 0 . 95 5 .34 − 1 .42 − 0 .90 ⎥ Phase B 1647 1722 75
⎢ ⎥
⎢ − 0 .07 − 0 .12 − 0 .12 − 0 .09 − 1 .00 − 1 .42 5 . 26 − 0 . 51 ⎥ Phase C 1760 1498* 262*
⎢⎣ − 0 .12 − 0 .19 − 0 . 15 − 0 . 17 − 0 . 73 − 0 .90 − 0 . 51 4 . 40 ⎥⎦
* Measurement appears to be in error

µF/mi Table 2. Calculation and Measurement Results

The de-energized line was assumed to be ungrounded and the All voltage measurements were taken with respect to
energized line was assumed to be operating at nominal ground. Although the calculations and the measurements
voltage (161 kV line-to-line). The shield wires were assumed appeared to be satisfactorily close there were some
to be continuous and grounded. Substituting these values into differences. It was concluded that the differences seen
(15) yields (20). between the calculations and measurements was due to
several factors (1) there was no means of eliminating the
⎡ Ia ⎤ ⎡ 92953 ⎤ effect of electromagnetic induction, (2) the actual center line
⎢ ⎥ ⎢92953∠ − 120⎥ to center line spacing often varies throughout the line and (3)
I
⎢ b⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ Ic ⎥ ⎢ 92953∠120 ⎥ the capacitance of the volt meter leads can also produce error
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ [5] and this was not taken into account and (4) the actual
⎢ I m ⎥ = jω ⎡ C A C B ⎤ ⎢ 0 ⎥ (20)
voltage of the energized line will not be exactly balanced or
⎢0⎥ ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥
C
⎣ C C D⎦ Va ' operating at exactly nominal level as was assumed for the
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥0 ⎢ Vb' ⎥ calculations.
⎢0⎥ ⎢ Vc' ⎥ Next, the line was grounded at one point and the phase
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢⎣ I n ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 0 ⎥⎦ voltages where measured. The phase voltages near the
grounding location measured zero as expected. The current
Next, partial matrix inversion was performed on (20) which flowing through the protective grounds was measured and
yielded (21). found to be approximately 200 mA. Note that this is the
charging current for the line and is its magnitude is dependant
on the length that the two lines are paralleled.
⎡I a ⎤ ⎡ 92953 ⎤
⎢I ⎥ ⎢92953∠ − 120⎥ Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the
⎢ b⎥ ⎢ ⎥ factors that affected the induced voltage the most. The two
⎢ Ic ⎥ ⎢ 92953∠120 ⎥ factors that impacted the induced voltage the most were the
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ magnitude of the voltage of the energized line and the center
⎢ I m ⎥ = jω ⎡ M A M B ⎤⎢ 0 ⎥ (21)
⎢Va' ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ line to center line spacing between the two lines. Figure 6
⎣M C M D ⎦⎢ 0 ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ shows how the center line spacing impacts the induced
⎢Vb' ⎥ ⎢ 0 ⎥ voltage.
⎢V ⎥ ⎢ 0 ⎥
⎢ c' ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢⎣ I n ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ 0 ⎥⎦

Page 5 of 7
 example, there can be lethal amounts of current flow through
the protective grounds to earth. This current is the charging
3500 current required to satisfy Gauss’s Law. This current will
3000 exist as long as the adjacent line is energized and could be
Induced Voltage (VRMS)

2500 hazardous to a worker if proper procedures are not followed.

Phase a'
2000
Phase b' V. CONCLUSION
1500
Phase c'
1000 From the calculation and measurement results in this
paper it is clear that large voltages can be induced into a de-
500
energized transmission line by a mechanism known as
0 electric field induction. This voltage is primarily a function
40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
of the distance between the two lines and the operating
C/L Distance (ft.) voltage of the energized line. The size of the conductors of
the energized line plays a role but is a minimal factor. Unlike
the induced voltage caused by electromagnetic induction, this
Figure 6. Phase-to-ground Voltage of De-energized Line voltage is not a function of the distance that the two lines are
Versus Center Line Spacing paralleled.
As required by O.S.H.A., safety grounds should be used
Figure 7 shows how the induced voltage is affected by a any time work is to be performed without the aid of dielectric
change in conductor diameter of the energized line. A 50 ft gloves on a de-energized transmission line. Proper
centerline spacing was used. procedures should be used when installing protective grounds
to insure that the hazards are appropriately addressed.
3000
VI. REFERNCES
2500
Induced Voltage (VRMS)

[1] P.M. Anderson, Analysis of Faulted Power Systems,

2000
1500
1000
500
0
0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Conductor Dia. (in.)
Figure 7. Phase-to-ground Voltage of De-energized Line
Versus Conductor Diameter
IV. PERSONNEL SAFETY
The voltage induced into a transmission line by the
mechanism of electric field induction can reach dangerous
levels [7,8]. It is important that protective grounds be used
whenever work is being performed on de-energized lines.
Because electric field induction is not a function of the
distance that the two lines are paralleled, voltage can exist on
the de-energized line even if there does not appear to be
another transmission line in proximity to de-energized line.
The location of the protective grounds should be as close as
possible to the work site. This method of grounding
minimizes the voltage that a worker may be subjected to.
Caution should be used anytime protective grounds are
placed on a de-energized transmission line. This is especially
true when the de-energized line is in proximity to an
energized transmission line. As shown in the previous
Iowa State University Press, 1973.
Phase a'
[2] EPRI, EPRI Transmission Line Reference Book 345 kV
Phase b'
and Above, Electric Power Research Council, Palo Alto,
Phase c'
1975.
[3] W. H. Hayt, Engineering Electromagnetics 4th Edition,
McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1981.
[4] Brown, Solution of Large Networks By Matrix Methods
1.4 1.6 John Wiley and Sons, 1975.
[5] Abdel-Salam, et al, “Induced Voltages on Fence Wires
and Pipelines by AC Power Transmission Lines,” IEEE
Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 30, no. 2,
March/April 1994.
[6] J. Zaborsky and J. Rittenhouse, Electric Power
Transmission Volume I, The Rensselaer Book Store – Troy
N.Y., 1969.
[7] L. O. Barthold, et al, “Electrostatic Effects of Overhead
Transmission Lines Part I – Hazards and Effects,” IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery, pp. 422-426, May 1971.
[8] L. O. Barthold, et al, “Electrostatic Effects of Overhead
Transmission Lines Part II – Hazards and Effects,” IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery, pp. 426-444, May 1971.
Randy Horton (M’96) received the B.S.E.E. degree from the University of
Alabama at Birmingham in 1996 and the M.E.E. degree from Auburn
University in 2002 all with specialization in electric power systems. Randy
is currently employed as a Principal Engineer with Alabama Power Company
in the Technical Studies group. Randy is a registered professional engineer
in the state of Alabama.
S. Mark Halpin (M’93–SM’02) received the B.E.E., M.S., and Ph.D.
degrees from Auburn University, Auburn University, AL, in 1988, 1989, and
1993, respectively. Currently, he is a Professor in the Department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering at Auburn University. His teaching
interests include power systems, control systems, and network analysis. His

Page 6 of 7
research interests are in the areas of modeling and simulation techniques for
large-scale power systems, power system transients, and computer
algorithms. Dr. Halpin is with the IEEE Power Engineering Society and
serves as Chair of the Task Force to revise IEEE 519-1992 , and is with the
Industry Application Society, serving as Chairman of the IAS Working
Group on Harmonics.

Keith Wallace (M’04) received the B.S.E.E. degree from the University of
Alabama in 1990. Keith is currently employed as a Principal Engineer with
Alabama Power Company specializing in power systems and transients
modeling. Keith is active in several IEEE Switchgear working groups.
Keith is a registered professional engineer in the state of Alabama.

Page 7 of 7