ELECTROTEHNICĂ, ELECTRONICĂ, AUTOMATICĂ, 60 (2012), nr.

3 9

Parabola and Catenary Equations for Conductor Height Calculation

Alen HATIBOVIC∗

Abstract

This paper presents new equations for conductor height calculation based on the known maximal sag. The
equations can be directly applied for plotting the conductor curve after a completed sag-tension calculation for
planning and designing overhead lines. The basic differences between the parabola and the catenary curves
are also discussed. The validity of the shown formulas has also been proved by some numerical examples.

Keywords: transcendental functions, algebraic functions, sag, overhead lines, leveled span, inclined span

between the catenary and the parabola is

1. Introduction
negligible [2]. It is a generally accepted fact in the
The origin of the x-y coordinate system for literature that the conductor curve can be
sag-tension calculation is generally put at the top approximated by a parabola for spans up to
of the conductor curve [1]. However, it is more about 400 metres. For longer spans the exact
advantageous to set the origin to the bottom of catanary based calculation shall be used,
the left-hand side support of the span for defining because the difference between the catenary and
the equation for the conductor height. By this way the parabola curves cannot be ignored.
the y-coordinate presents the height of the
2. Catenary equation
conductor curve related to x-axis. The distance of
conductor’s arbitrary point from the y-axis is then
the distance from the left-hand side support. This y
paper shows both the catenary and the parabola y1=c·cosh(x/c)
equations under this condition.
The actual conductor curve can be described
by a catenary function, i.e. by the hyperbolic
cosine function, which belongs to the group of the
transcendental functions. The parabola curve can
be described by a quadratic function, which
belongs to the group of the algebraic functions.
The basic difference between the algebraic and
transcendental functions is in their exponent.
While the exponent of the algebraic functions is (0;c) y2=c·cosh(x/c) - c
permanent, it is varying in the case of x
transcendental functions. Despite the fact that the
the parabola and the catenary functions are Figure 1. Graphs of catenary curves
mathematically quite different, their curves can be
very similar. Therefore, when planning overhead The top of the catenary curve is located at the
electrical lines the catenary is often approximated point (0,c) as it is shown in Figure 1, see curve y1.
by the parabola, since it results in a significant Its basic equation is the following [3]:
simplification of the calculation. It is acceptable, y = c ⋅ ch (x / c ) (1)
because in most of the cases the difference

∗
Alen HATIBOVIC, Senior engineer for electrical network development, EDF DÉMÁSZ Hálózat, Szeged, Hungary
10 ELECTROTEHNICĂ, ELECTRONICĂ, AUTOMATICĂ, 60 (2012), nr. 3
For the determination of the catenary equation
it is necessary to know its parameter c (c >0). It
can be obtained by using the sag-tension
calculation for planning overhead lines. When the
origin of the coordinate system is at the top of the
catenary curve, the equation becomes:
y = c ⋅ ch (x / c ) - c
After this step the origin shall be moved to the
bottom of the left-hand side support of the span
according to Figure 2. This figure shows an
inclined span with a vertex at point MIN.
y
MIN
y MIN
x MIN
Figure 2. Catenary curve in an inclined span
The equation for conductor height will be defined
by the following data:
c – parameter of the catenary curve
xMIN – x coordinate of the vertex point
yMIN – y coordinate of the vertex point
The final catenary equation for conductor
height is (3). Its exponential form is given by (4).
The interval is always x ∈ [0,a], where a is the
span length.
x − x MIN
y = c ⋅ ch − c + y MIN
c minimum [4], [5], and if A<0, the curve has the
x − x MIN x − x MIN
c − 
y =  e c + e c  − c + y MIN
 (4)
2 
Both of the two equations are universal, since
these are valid in the case of any type of inclined
span (h1<h2 or h1>h2) and in the case of leveled
span (h1=h2=h), too. So by (3) or (4) it is possible
to calculate the conductor height at any point of
the span.
It can be seen in (4) that the x variable is
located at the exponent, which is an important
feature of transcendental functions.
In the case of leveled spans the equations (3)
and (4) get simpler forms given in (5) and (6) on
the basis of the known maximal sag bmax. The
height of the two supports is denoted with h.
x − a/2
y = c ⋅ ch − c + h − bmax (5)
c
x −a / 2 x−a / 2
c − 
(2) y =  e c + e c  − c + h − bmax
 (6)
2 
3. Parabola equation
There is a very important defference between
the parabola and the catenary concerning the
maximal sag of the conductor. Since the maximal
sag of the parabola is always located at a mid-
span, both in the case of leveled and inclined
spans, the maximal sag of the catenary in an
inclined span is slightly moved toward the higher
suspension point of the conductor. This is one of
the reasons of the simplicity of the parabola
based calculation in comparison to the catenary
based calculation. When the maximal sag of the
x parabola is known it is possible to obtain the
parabola equation for the conductor height, since
the parabola is defined by any three points of its
curve. In the case of the catenary it is more
difficult, because it is necessary to know both the
parameter of the catenary c and the coordinates
of the vertex point according to the base equation
(3). So the knowledge of the maximal sag is not
enough for the determination of the catenary.
The standard equation of the parabola is (7),
y = Ax 2 + Bx + C (7)
where A, B and C are the coefficients of the
parabola. The coefficient A defines the shape of
(3) the parabola curve. If A>0, the curve has the
maximum. It will be mathematically proved later
that in the case of the equation for the conductor
height the coefficient A is positive.
3.1. Parabola equation by three points
Figure 3 demonstrates the applied method for
an inclined span with h1<h2. Points A and B are
the suspension points of the conductor, while C is
the conductor point at a mid-span. The
parameters shown in Figure 3 are the following:
a – span length
h1 – height of the left-hand side suspension point
h2 – height of the right-hand side susp. point
xMIN – x coordinate of the vertex point
yMIN – y coordinate of the vertex point
 ELECTROTEHNICĂ, ELECTRONICĂ, AUTOMATICĂ, 60 (2012), nr. 3 11

h2 y B(a ;h 2)
0 h1 1
2
a h2 1
A(0;h 1)
h1 + h2
2
h1 a
yc MIN C   − bmax 1
2 2
y MIN
B= =
(14)
0 0 1
x MIN
x a2 a 1
0 a /2 a 2
a a
  1
Figure 3. Parabola curve in an inclined span with h1<h2
2 2
Since the curve is a parabola, the maximal sag h2 − h1 − 4bmax
bmax is located at x=a/2. The left-hand side and =
a
the right-hand side suspension points A(0;h1) and
B(a;h2) are always known points. The third After the substitution of the coefficients A, B, C
necessary point C is obtained by the known into (7), the equation for the conductor height
maximal sag (8). The value of the maximal sag gets its final form (15):
can be obtained from the sag-tension calculation. 4bmax 2 h2 − h1 − 4bmax
y= x + x + h1 (15)
 a h + h2  a2 a
C ; 1 − bmax  (8)
2 2  This is a universal equation of the parabola,
since it is usable for both leveled and inclined
Based on the three points of the parabola the spans. In the case of the leveled span the
system of three algebraic equations (9)-(11) can equation (15) changes into (16) and the
be written by utilizing of the standard equation of coefficients change into (17).
the parabola (8):
4bmax 2 4bmax
C = h1 (9) y= x − x+h (16)
a2 a
Aa 2 + Ba + C = h2 (10) 4bmax − 4bmax
A= B= C=h (17)
a2 a
A (a / 2 ) + B (a / 2 ) + C = (h1 + h2 ) / 2 − bmax
2
(11)
There is a very important consequence from
Writing these equations in the matrix form (15) and (16): beside the same span length and
P·x=Q and using the Cramer’s rule [6], [7] to find maximal sag both in leveled and inclined spans,
the solution, the unknown coefficients of the the coefficient A of the parabola does not change.
parabola A and B can be obtined by: The validity and usability of (15) and (16) will
be proved in the following three examples, one
x j = det(P j ) / det(P) ( j =1, 2, 3 ) (12) for a leveled and two for inclined spans.
Example 1. Leveled span (h1=h2=h)
h1 0 1 a=200m; h=18m; bmax=8m; y(x)=?
h2 a 1 y = 8 ⋅ 10 −4 x 2 − 16 ⋅ 10 −2 x + 18 (18)
h1 + h2 a
− bmax 1 18
2 2 4b
A= = max
16
(13) 14
a2 12
y [m]

10
0 0 1 8
6
a2 a 1 4
2
2
a a 0

  1 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200

2 2 x [m]
Figure 4. Parabola curve from example 1. (leveled span)
12 ELECTROTEHNICĂ, ELECTRONICĂ, AUTOMATICĂ, 60 (2012), nr. 3

Example 2. Inclined span (h1<h2)
a=200m; h1=18m; h2=34m; bmax=8m; y(x)=?
y = 8 ⋅ 10 −4 x 2 − 8 ⋅ 10 −2 x + 18
32
this case the lowest point of the conductor (point
M) is equal with the lower suspension point of the
span. For the appropriate presentation of this rare
(19)
case [8] the parabola curve is shown in an
interval x ∈ [0, 2xMIN ].

28

24

20
y [m]

16

12
8

0
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200
x [m]
Figure 5. Parabola curve from example 2. (inclined span with h1<h2)

Example 3. Inclined span (h1>h2)

a=200m; h1=34m; h2=18m; bmax=8m; y(x)=?
Figure 7. Inclined span with M ≠ MIN
y = 8 ⋅ 10 −4 x 2 − 24 ⋅ 10 −2 x + 34 (20)

3.2. Parabola equation in the vertex form

32

28 Beside the standard equation of the parabola

24 (7) its vertex form is also often used (21).
20 Equation (7) can be transformed into form (21) by
y [m]

16 using (22):
12

y = A(x − x MIN ) + y MIN

2
8 (21)
4

4 AC − B 2
2
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200
 B 
x [m] y = A x +  + (22)
Figure 6. Parabola curve from example 3. (inclined span with h1>h2)
 2A 4A
According to (22) the coordinates of the vertex
The vertex of the curve is shown in each last
point can be defined as (23) and (24):
three figures and they will be needed in the next
paragraph 3.2. B a  h − h1 
With the help of the previous three examples it x MIN = − = 1 − 2  (23)
has been proved that the equation for the 2A 2  4bmax 
conductor height (15) is correct and universal,
2
since it can be used in each type of the span. 4 AC − B 2  h − h1 
Therefore, we do not pay attention to either h1<h2 y MIN = = h1 − bmax 1 − 2  (24)
or h1>h2, because the input data is the same in 4A  4 bmax 

each case of the tasks. We have also seen that in Substituting (23) and (24) into (21), the vertex
the case of the equation for the conductor height, form of the equation for the conductor height (25)
the coefficient A of the parabola is always is obtained:
positive, since the span length and the maximal
2
sag of the parabola are also positive. Therefore, 4b  a  h2 − h1 
the conductor curve has the minimum. Let us y = max  x − 1 −  +
mention that the vertex of the parabola and the a2  2  4 bmax  
(25)
lowest point of the conductor are generally the 2
same point (point MIN) and xMIN ∈ [0,a], like in  h − h1 
+ h1 − bmax 1 − 2 
each of the previous figures. Figure 7. shows one  4bmax 
rare case of the inclined span when the vertex
point MIN is out of the span, i.e. xMIN ∉ [0,a]. In
 ELECTROTEHNICĂ, ELECTRONICĂ, AUTOMATICĂ, 60 (2012), nr. 3 13

In the case of the leveled span the vertex standard form (32) and in a vertex form (33) of
coordinates become xMIN=a/2 and yMIN=h–bmax, so the parabola equation:
the previous equation changes into (26):
1 2  h2 − h1 a 
y= x +  −  x + h1 (32)
2 p 
2
4b  a 2p  a
y = max
2  x −  + h − bmax (26)
a  2
2
1  a  2p 
 x − 1 − 2 (h2 − h1 )  + h1 −
By using equation (25) it is easy to calculate y=
the coordinates of the vertex point. So, by 2p  2 a 
equations (26) and (25) we can now write the (33)
2
1 a  2 p 
 1 − 2 (h2 − h1 ) 
equations in the vertex form of the parabola from
−
examples nr. 1, 2 and 3, as it is shown below: 2p 2  a 
Example 1. Leveled span (h1=h2=h)
Vertex point MIN (100;10) In a special case when the suspension points
on two supports are on the same elevation, the
y = 8 ⋅ 10 −4 ( x − 100) + 10
2
(27) previous two equations get simple forms as (34)
and (35):
Example 2. Inclined span (h1<h2)
Vertex point MIN (50;16) 1 2 a
y= x − x+h (34)
y = 8 ⋅ 10 −4
(x − 50)2
+ 16 (28)
2p 2p
2
Example 3. Inclined span (h1>h2) 1  a a2
y= x −  + h − (35)
Vertex point MIN (150;16) 2p  2 8p
y = 8 ⋅ 10 −4 ( x − 150) + 16
2
(29)
4. Usage of the parabola equations for the
Since the vertex point and its coordinates are conductor height
already shown in Figures 4., 5. and 6., it is easy Any of the above presented equations are
to check the results of the numerical calculation useful for calculating the conductor height and for
for defining xMIN and yMIN. It can be concluded that plotting the graph of the conductor line as well.
the results are correct. For solving other tasks the appropriate one has to
3.3. Parabola equation with a parameter p be chosen from the shown equations depending
on the actual task.
Hereunder shall be shown how the equation Equation (15) as the standard form of the
for the conductor height shall be defined by the parabola equation is very practical for a quick
parameter of the parabola p instead of the finding of the first derivative y’(x) and the second
maximal sag bmax. derivative y”(x) of a function [9]. The x coordinate
Knowing the mathematical connection (30) of the vertex can be obtained by solving y’(x)=0.
between the coefficient A of the parabola and its After that it is easy to define the y coordinate of
parameter p, the identity (31) is obtained. the vertex by solving yMIN=y(xMIN). This method will
1 1 be shown numerically in equation (20) from the
p= ⇒ A= (30) example 3. We already know that the vertex point
2A 2p is MIN(150;16), but it can be checked with the
method below.
4bmax 1 a2
2
= ⇒ bmax = (31) y ( x ) = 8 ⋅ 10 −4 x 2 − 24 ⋅ 10 −2 x + 34
a 2p 8p
y ' ( x ) = 16 ⋅ 10 −4 x − 24 ⋅ 10 −2
The parameter p always has a positive sign.
Generally, the coefficient A of the parabola can y' ( x) = 0 ⇒ x MIN
be positive or negative, but since in our case it is
always positive, there are not any problems with 16 ⋅ 10 −4 x MIN − 24 ⋅ 10 −2 = 0
signs in (30). 24 ⋅ 10 −2
Using identity (31), the equation for the x MIN = = 150 ⇒ y MIN = y ( x MIN )
conductor height can be written both in a 16 ⋅ 10 −4
y MIN = 8 ⋅ 10 −4 ⋅ 150 2 − 24 ⋅ 10 −2 ⋅ 150 + 34 = 16
14 ELECTROTEHNICĂ, ELECTRONICĂ, AUTOMATICĂ, 60 (2012), nr. 3

MIN ( x MIN ; y MIN ) = MIN (150;16) Through the numerical examples we have
seen the way of obtaining the equation for the
As it can be seen the same results prove the conductor height in the case of any type of the
validity of the shown method for using equation span. It has also been shown how to define the
(15) for defining the vertex point. coordinate of the vertex point. The vertex is very
Equation (25) as the vertex form of the often equal with the lowest point of the conductor
parabola equation has an even bigger usability and in the case of the inclined span it is one
than the equation (15). Beside the determination critical point of the conductor, so its checking is
of the vertex point and the coefficient A, it can be highly recommended. The special case of the
used to replace the conductor curve within the x-y inclined span has also been discussed, when the
coordinate system. A concrete example of such vertex point is out of the span.
an application is the following formula [10] for the Using different variations of the parabola
determination of the conductor length in inclined equation for the conductor height the validity of
spans on the basis of the known maximal sag of shown equations has been proved through
the parabola. numerical examples.
A very important result of the shown 3
a2 
L=  arsh
8bmax
(a − x MIN ) + examples is that in the case of the same span
16bmax a2 length a and the value of the maximal sag bmax,
8bmax both in leveled and inclined span, the coefficient
+ arsh x MIN + A of the parabola does not change. This paper
a2
highlighted this important characteristic of the
2 (36)
 8bmax  parabola.
+ 2 (a − x MIN ) 1 +  2  (a − x MIN ) +
8bmax 2

a  a  References
[1] CIGRÉ 324, Sag-tension calculation methods for
8b  8b 
2  overhead lines, CIGRÉ 2007
+ max
2
x MIN 1 +  max2
x MIN   [2] HATIBOVIC A., Usage of Parabola Calculation
a  a   for Planning of Electrical Overhead Network,
ENELKO conference, Kolozsvár 2011
For deriving a formula (36) the curve had to be [3] PANSINI A., Electrical Distribution Engineering,
appropriately replaced within the x-y coordinate The Fairmont Press, Inc., 2007
system in order to make possible the integral [4] GUSTAFSON D., FRISK P. and HUGHES J.,
calculus for the conductor length. College Algebra, CENGAGE Learning 2010
In the case of the leveled span the previous [5] OBÁDOVICS GY., Matematika, SCOLAR
formula has a much simpler form: Budapest 2012
[6] TURKINGTON D. A., Mátrix Calculus & Zero-

 4bmax  
2 One Matrices, CAMBRIDGE 2005
a2  4bmax 4bmax
L= arsh a + a 1+    (37)
8bmax  a  
5. Conclusions
The equation for conductor height defined by
the parabola equation has more variations than
the one obtained by the catenary equation. The
simplicity of defining the parabola equation is
partly due to the fact that the maximal sag of the
parabola is always located at a mid-span, either it
is a leveled or an inclined span. In the case of a
catenary this rule is not valid. As it is shown, the
parabola gives a possibility to find a solution in
different ways, so it ensures an effective way of
checking the results. These are some of the
reasons for the frequent usage of the parabola,
when the difference between the parabola and
the catenary is insignificant.
[7] GENTLE J. E., Matrix Algebra, Springer 2007
[8] HATIBOVIC A., TOMIC M., Determination of the
lowest point of conductor for inclined spans,
CIGRÉ conference, Sarajevo 2011
[9] OBÁDOVICS GY., Felsőbb matematikai feladat-
gyűjtemény, SCOLAR Budapest 2002
[10] HATIBOVIC A., Integral Calculus Usage for
Conductor Length Determination on the Basis of
Known Maximal Sag of a Parabola, Periodica
Polytechnica Electrical Engineering, Budapest
University of Technology and Economics 2012
Alen HATIBOVIC
Senior engineer for electrical
network development,
EDF DÉMÁSZ Hálózat,
Szeged, Hungary