The Direct Method of Calculation of Capacitance
of Conductors
BY HERBERT BRISTOL DWIGHT
Member, A. 1. E. E.
Canadian Westinghouse Cc., Ltd., Hamilton. Ont., Canada
Review of the Subject.-The capacitance, or electrostatic
capacity, of conductors of various shapes has practically always been
calculated by the "inverse method" of first assurninq certain charges
of electricity and from them calculating equi-potential lines and
surfaces, which, in the more fortunate cases, agreed exactly with the
shapes of the conductors. In other cases, such as that of a three-
conductor sheathed cable, the tujreement, and therefore the calculated
capacitance, were only approximate.
T HE direct method of calculation of capacitance, as
distinguished from the more usual inverse method,
consists in first assuming the shape of the con-
ductors, and from that calculating the distribution of
electric charge and the capacitance. In the inverse
method, one finds the shape of the conductors from the
potential calculated from charges of electricity con-
centrated at points or uniformly distributed along lines
or over surfaces. If the equi-potential lines are not
true circles, then the calculated capacitance is not
correct for circular conductors, but is only approximate.
This is the case with two-conductor and three-con-
ductor sheathed cables.
In this paper, accurate formulas using the direct
method are given for four cases: first, a finite wire and
an infinitesimal wire; second, the capacitance of a
single-phase overhead line; third, the capacitance of
the sheath on one side and the two conductors on the
other side, of a two-conductor cable; and fourth, the
capacitance of the sheath on one side and the three
conductors on the other side, of a three-conductor cable.
For the second case an accurate standard formula is
available for comparison. The formula for the third
case, given in this paper, was given by the writer in a
discussion in the JOURNAL of the A. I. E. E., November,
1923, page 1208.
It appears that practically all formulas for capac-
itance have been based on the inverse method. This is
true, at any rate, of the published formulas for capac-
itance of multi-conductor sheathed cables. It is stated
by Clerk Maxwell in Chapter VII of "Electricity and
Magnetism," published in 1873, that every electrical
problem of which we know the solution has been con-
structed by the inverse process of finding the shape of
the conductors from the potential due to assumed
charges of electricity. He also states that the only
method by which one can expect to solve a new problem
is by reducing it to one of the cases in which a similar
problem has been constructed by the inverse process.
Maxwell's statement has been quoted in fairly recent
Presented at the Annual Contention. of the A. I. E. E.,
Edgewater Beach, Chicago, Ill., June 28-27, 1924.
1034
For multi-conductor cables with round conductors, a "direct
method" of calculation of ca pacitance is described in this paper, which
uses the exact shape of the round conductors, and which gives accurate
expressions for the irregular distribution of electricity on the con-
ductors, and for the value of the capacitance.
Formulas and exaniples are given for the following cases: 1.
Finite wire and infinitesimal wire. 2. Single-phase overhead line.
3. Two conductors and sheath. 4. Three conductors and sheath,
articles, and the limitation which he gives that the
inverse process must always be used and that one cannot
start with an assumed shape of conductor seems to hold
in the most recent calculations of capacitance. It
seems evident that the direct method described in this
paper, which accurately uses the direct process of
starting with given shapes of conductors, should be of
considerable use.
The demand for greater accuracy in this type of
calculation is shown by the paper published by Mr.
D. M. Simons,' who gave results for two, three and
four-conductor cables which are more accurate than
those previously available obtained by the inverse
process of calculation. Mr. Simons' results were
obtained by graphically correcting the length of the
lines of flow pertaining to .the inverse method of cal-
culation. His results still contain a certain amount of
approximation as was pointed out in his paper, since
the position of the lines of flow is not that corresponding
to true circular conductors, and that accounts for some
of the discrepancy between his results and those given
in this paper.
In connection with the calculation of the numerical
example of the three-conductor cable given in this
paper, the writer wishes to acknowledge valuable
assistance given by Mr. D. M. Simons in checking and
locating errors in the preliminary work.
In the direct method of calculation of capacitance
described in this paper, one first assumes a uniform
electric charge on the surfaces of the round conductors
and their images. From this the resulting charge at
any point of the conductors can be calculated. This
may be called the first additional charge, and it is in
the form of a Fourier series, that is, a series involving
cos (), cos 2 (), cos 3 (), etc. The cosines often disappear
when integrated around the circle. One can now cal-
culate the second additional charge, which results from
the first additional charge, and so on until the terms
become small.
1. "Cable Geometry and the Calculation of Current-Carrying
Capacity," by D. M. Simons, JOURNAL A. I. E. E., May, 1923,
page 525.
Nov. 1924 DWIGHT: CALCULATION OF CAPACITANCE OF CONDUCTORS 1035

FINITE WIRE AND INFINITESIMAL WIRE

This is not a practical case, but the solution is used
QP
logh - - = -
(a- cos () + -a2
2
2 cos 2 ()
e c e
in the problems to follow.
Let there be a finite wire A, carrying an electric
charge Q per centimeter, and let there be an infinitesimal + . . . + -nanen- cos n () + . . . ) (5)
wire B carrying an electric charge - Q per centimeter.
Quantities are in absolute units. Let 0 be the point of The derivation of the last series, which is similar to
zero potential. that of the others, is as follows:
The surface density of the charge on A will not be
uniform, owing to the presence of the charge on B. Q P' = e2 +a 2
- 2 a e cos ()
From the symmetry of the arrangement, the surface Q.p2
density q(O) at any point P can be expressed as a Fourier -e-
2 - = 1 - ale (ej O + e- j o ) + a2/e2
series, the angles being measured from the line B D.
Thus = (1 - ale ej O) (1 - a/e e- j o )
q(O) = H« + HI cos () + H 2 cos 2 () + ...

+ H n cos n () + . oP
2 logh - - = --:- (a.
- e' 0
a e2J 0 + . .
+ --
2
•

where H h H 2 etc. are undetermined constants. The e e 2e 2

total charge on the wire A is

an a .
211" +- - e1lj O +
n en . .. + -e e:"
f q(O) ad () = 21raH o = Q
o
Q an
Therefore, H ---
o-21ra
+ -n-ene - n j 8
The work done against the elementary charge q(O) ad ()
at P, in carrying a unit charge from 0 to N is + ... )
p
from which equation (5) follows directly. Series (3),
(4) and (5) are used in calculations of proximity effect
B in conductors.
Equation (2) can now be written: Work in moving
a unit charge from 0 to N
FIG WIRE AND INFINITESIMAL WIRE
= 2 Q logh ( p ~c)- 2 Q ( ; cos cp
or-
2 q(O) a d () logh N P
cos 2 cp + . . . + -----:nr cos n cp + · . .
(1) 2

+ 2P2
a an )
The work done against the charges on both conductors
IS OP N P
OB 211" OP
+ 2 a fo 27r [
q(O) logh - - -
e
q(O) logh - -
a
- 2 Q logh N B + 2 a J' q(O) logh N p d () (2)
o
The following expansions are now required: + q(O) logh cia] d 0 (6)

NB a a2
logh - -
p
- p cos cp + -2
p cos 2 cp 2
where
Q
= -2-- + HI cos () + H 2 cos 2 ()
1ra
q(O)

+ -nanp»
- cos n I" ) + ...+H cos n () +.
+. ..,.. + . . .
n
(3)
27r
Now J cos m () cos n () d ()
NP
logh - a - = -
f cos (0 -
1 cp) + 21 cos 2 (0 - cp) 27r
o

= 1/2 f {cos (rn + n) () + cos (m - n) (}} d () (7)

o
+ ... + ~ cos n (0 - cp) + . . . ) (4) This is equal to zero when m is not equal to n and it
is equal to 1r when m = n. Thus, in multiplying one
*Elements of the Mathematical Theory of Electricity and series by another in (6), most of the terms are equal to
Magnetism, by J. J. Thomson, fourth edition, page 94. zero.
1036 DWIGHT: CALCULATION OF CAPACITANCE OF CONDUCTORS Journal A. 1. E. E.

Work in moving a unit charge from 0 to N IS

Q d 'Y 1 an
(_P- f ~p cos
)- 2 Q 1
n =00
= 2 Q logh ip
2
X -- 2: -cosn(f}-{3)
d»
(9)
p- c 1r 1r a n =1

Now
a2
+ 2p2 cos 2 ip + . +-
an
- cosncp + . l In +k- 1 ak
»»: J
cos n
dn
{3
= 1/s n [ 1 +:~
f,. -00

1~=1 In-11k
kCos
s
k 'Y ]
(10)
and
an sin n {3 k = 00 .In. + k - 1 ak
-H - - - + HI COS cP -- - = 1/s n ~ - sin k 'Y * (11)
n n en d n
k=l .In-11k Sk
-----

cos 2 cp cos n cp Integrate expression (9) from 'Y = 0 to 2 it, keeping

+ H2 2 + ... + H; n f}constant. Then the density at P due to the uniform
charge on wire B is
Q n=QO an
+ ...+2 2; a logh : ] - - ~ - cos n f}
1r a n = 1 sn
(12)

This is true for any value of <(J, since the potential is Let ft n = a n/ sn (13)
constant for all points on the surface of the conductor, This is the first additional charge. A similar
and so the coefficients of cos cp, cos 2 ip, cos n cp etc. expression gives the first additional charge on wire B,
can be separately equated to zero. Therefore, namely,
Q Q n ==XJ
HI = - - alp - - ~ A n cos n 'Y
1rU,
1r a ==1 Il

- «:»:
Q
Hn = - p T
I

7r a I

qUJ) Q
27ra
+ .,..Q
II a
{alp cos f} +a 2;'p2 cos 2 f}

+ ... + an/pn cos n f} + . }

FIG 2-SINGLE-PHASE OVERHEAD LINE
Q Q n an
+ --
="n

or q(8) l: -n cos n f} (8) The density at P due to the elementary charge at T,

21ra n a n=l P
Q n ==00
This gives the distribution of the electric charge on the - - - ~ An cos n 'Y a d 'Y
finite conductor, under the influence of a charge con- 1r a n =1

centrated at B. This is a quantity required to be

. Q d 'Y 1 am
known for calculating capacitance in the problems
n =00 m =00
IS - - X -- ~ A n cos n 'Y ~ dm cos m (f) - (3)
described in this paper. 1r 1ra n=l m=l I

SINGLE-PHASE OVERHEAD LINE Using equations (7), (10) and (11), and integrating
from 'Y = 0 to 2 tr, we find that the density at P, due
The formula for this case is given to provide a check to the first additional charge on wire B is
on the correctness of the direct method. The standard
formula, derived by the inverse method, is shorter, and Q
- - [B 1 cos 0 +B 2 cos 2 (J + .
gives exactly the same numerical results. 1ra

Let there be two equal wires A and B and let one + B; cos n f) +. .] (14)
carry an electric charge Q per centimeter and the other
a charge - Q per centimeter. Then the density at P is
where B; = anlsn 1-
( In + 1- 1
In _ 1 II als Al +
Q and at T 1't IS
-2-- - Q
. -2--' "um
assummg form d'IS-
1ra 7ra
+
In + k - 1 k k
a Is Ak + ...
lJr (15)
tribution. In - 1 Ik
The density at P due to the elementary charge at T,
*"An Integration Method of Deriving the A-C. Resistance
and Inductance of Conductors," by H. L. Curtis, Scientific
Q a d'-,y
-2-- Paper No. 374 of the Bureau of Standards, Washington D. C.,
1ra
April 1920, Appendix 2.
Nov. 1924 DWIGHT: CALCULATION OF CAPACITANCE OF CONDUCTORS 1037

This is the second additional charge on wire A. Simi- Formulas (20) and (21) both give exactly the same
larly, the third additional charge on wire A is numerical results as the standard formula:
Q
- - [C1 cos () +C cos 2 () + ... llC = 410gh s + 2
vs - 4 a
2

'ira
2
2a
+ C cos n () + . . . ]
n (16) = 4 cosh:' _s_ * (22)
2a
/n + 1- 1
are B, + EXAMPLE OF SINGLE-PHASE OVERHEAD LINE
In - 1 i!
Let sla = 10
Then llC = 9.16972 by formulas (20), (21) and (22),
(17) in absolute units.
TWO-CONDUCTOR SHEATHED CABLE (CAPACITANCE
and so on. The total charge at P is
OF THE SHEATH AGAINST THE Two CONDUCTORS)
Q Let the radius of the conductors of the cable be a em,
- [1/2 + L 1 cos () +L 2 cos 2 () +
'ira and let the inside radius of the sheath be c cm. Then,
+ Ir; cos n () + . . . ] (18) as is well known in connection with calculations of
capacitance, image conductors can be assumed at a
where L; = An + B n + Cn + ... (19) distance s and of radius a', which will carry charges
The capacitance C may be found by calculating the equal and opposite to those of the cable conductors.
work done in moving a unit charge from M to L against The inner surface of the sheath can be considered as a
the charge on wire A. This is
2Q
+ L 1 cos () + ...
211"
- f [1/2
'ir 0 · -+- .....
I ,/ .i " \
+ L n cos n () + . . . ] -
I
-
I
--l- -
\
1""-'
\ I I
s- a ) + cos () + 21 cos 2 () +
[ logh ( - a -
" I ""I
A--i- .....

a
+ 1..
n
cos n () +
.
. - - - cos ()
s- a FIG. 3-Two-CONDUCTOR SHEATHED CABLE

2
- -a- - ros 2 () - surface of zero potential, carrying no charges. The
2 (s - a)2 dimensions a' and e are given by

an ]
, a c2
n (8 _ a)n COS n fJ - . .. d () a = b2 _ a2 (23)

and
This is equal to 2~' Therefore,
(24)

llC =
s-a
4 [ logh -
a
- + L 1l( 1 -
1 -a-
s- a
I+ ... The first additional density of charge at any point
of the surface of conductor B, due to uniformly dis-

11 - (
tributed charges on the other three conductors may be
+ t.;» s-
an)
a n
1+ ... ]
J
(20) calculated in a manner similar to that used for an over-
head single-phase circuit. The angle () is used for the
cond uctor to the right of B and the angle «() - 'ir) is
An alternative expression of different algebraical
used for the conductors to the left. The first addi-
form can be obtained by finding the work done against
tional density on B is
the charges on both wires by carrying a unit charge to
the surface of one wire from the neutral point midway Q n-C()
- - ~ An cos n () (25)
between the two wires. This gives 'ir a n =1

llC = 4 [ logh sla - sa L1 -

a2
2 s'l £2
*For the derivation of formula (22) see "Transmission
Line Formulas" by H. B. Dwight, 1st edition, Chapter XIII,
or other books on alternating-current theory.
**"Elements of the Mathematical Theory of Electricity and
an L - ] (21)
. - -n-sn n ••• Magnetism," by J. J. Thomson, fourth edition, pages 149 and
176.
1038 DWIGHrr: CALCULATION OF CAPACITANCE OF CONDUCTORS Journal A. I. E. E.

where An = ( S ~ b ) n- ( ~: )n+ ( S-+ab ) n Work =

4Q
C
(26)
where C is the capacitance of the sheath on one side
The first additional density on B' is and the two conductors on the other. The amount of
Q n=OO
the work is calculated by using equation (1) of this
--, ~ F n cos n l' (27)
7r a n =1 paper, and the following result is obtained:
l/C == logh .
where F n= - ( s ~ b ) n+ ( ;~ ) n- ( s ~ b ) n (s - b - a') (8 - b - a) (8 + b - a') (8 + b + a)
(28) a a' (2 b + a) (28- a')
The second additional density on B is
n a )n ( _a )n
+}:fn/n
=00 [ (
Q n- OO
- - ~ B n cos n 0 (29) 1- s - b - a' - ~- + b - a'
7r a n =1

+( 2~:a fJ-X~n/n[1
- ( s- ~'- a f -( s + ~' + a f
+( 2s ~ a' f] (37)

Equation (37), in connection with (23), (24), (26), (28),

The second additional density on B' is (30), (32), (34) and (36), is used in calculating numerical
Q n=OO values of capacitance.
--, ~ Gn cos n l' (31) Example, Tioo-Ccnductor Cable. a = 1, b = 2, C = 5
7r a n =1
Then 8 = 50/3 and a" = 25/3.
where c.
T +t
- (
a' )n k =00 In + k - 1 k
This corresponds to tiT = 1 and - d - = 1 in Mr.
--
8 - b
~
k =1 In ~ 1 Ik ( s ~ b ) Ah

)n
( f r,
Simons' paper previously referred to, Table I, and the
a' /n + k - 1
;~
k =00
- ( -- calculation gives a geometric factor of 1.730 to compare
In -1 Ik
~
28 k=l with 1.718 given by the graphical method. The
In + k - 1 k difference in this case is less than one per cent.
In - 1 Ik ( s~ab ) Ak The geometric factor suggested by D. M. Simons,
for capacitance of an n-conductor cable, between the
(32) sheath on one side and the n conductors on the other, is
r For C; and H; use the same formulas as for B; and kn
Gn except change A to Band F to G. Then for D;
G1 = 2C
and In change B to C and G to H, and so on.
The total density on B is where k is the permittivity of the dielectric, and C is
Q n=OO the capacitance per unit length for the above
-
7r a
[1/2 +n 2:=1 L; cos n 0] (33) connection. The geometric factor can also be used in
formulas for thermal resistance.
where L n = An + B n + C n + . . (34)
The total density on B' is THREE-CONDUCTOR SHBATHED CABLE, (CAPACITANCE
Q n=OO
OF THE SHEATH AGAINST THE THREE CONDUCTORS)
- - , [- 1/2 + ~ M n cos n 'Y] (35) The size and location of .the image conductors are
7r a n =1
given by the following equations which are similar to
where M n = F n + Gn + H n + . . . (36) (23) and (24) of the calculation for a two-conductor
It is now necessary to calculate the work done cable:
against all the charges, when carrying a unit charge
from the surface of an image conductor to the surface a' (38)
of one of the conductors of the cable. This quantity
of work is twice the potential between the grounded
sheath and the two conductors which are taken con- s+b=--- (39)
nected in parallel in this calculation. Therefore,
Nov. 1924 DWIGHT: CALCULATION OF CAPACITANCE OF CONDUCTORS 1039

The first additional density on A, due to uniform k _00 In + k - 1 a"

density of charge on all the other conductors is where Gn = - a'nlsn ~ -Sk Ak
Q n=OO k=1 In- 1 L~
- ~ A n cos n 0 (40)
7r a n =1 2 a'» k =00 In + k - 1
--cos n A ~ --===========--
un k=l In - 1 [k
an 2 an 2 an ---
where An = -
sn - -- cos n 0 + -u»- cos n a
n t 2 a'» k =00 In + k - 1 a'"
- --n-cosn p., ~ cos k.p., (47) liFk
(41) V In - 1 Ik
k=l v
---
where Q is the electric charge per centimeter on each For C; and H; use the same formulas as for B; and
conductor, and where the various dimensions and Gn except change A to Band F to G. Then for D n
angles are indicated in Fig. 4. and In change B to C and G to H, and so on.
The first additional density on A' is The total density on A is
Q n=OO Q n=OO
- - , ~ F n cos n 1"
7r a n =1
(42) -
7r a
[1/2 +n =1
"1; L; cos n 0] (48)

where L; = An + B; + C; + (49)
The total density on A' is
Q n=OO
- - , [- 1/2 + ~ M n cos n 1'] (50)
7r a n =1

where M n = F n + Gn + H~ + . . . (51)
The work done in carrying a unit charge from the
r>:
~---II-----:=>oL.~--L..h...--L-~~'bo \
surface of conductor .Ii' to the surface of conductor A,
, . . . . -",AI
/
along the line joining their centers, is equal to
6Q
C
where C is the capacitance of the condenser consisting
of the sheath on one side and the three conductors on
the other.
The result of integrating the work, due to all the
charges is
FIG. 4-THREE CONDUCTOR SHEATHED CABLE
gh
1/C = 1/3 10 h
g
(s - a') (s - a)
a a' + 2j31ogh 7l
where
a'» 2 a'» 2 a'»
Fn = - -
sn -un- cos n A + -v-
n
cos n J.l

(43)
The second additional density on A is + 2 (a/f)n cos n p - 2 (ajg)n cos n E ]
Q n=OO

a f
- - ~ B n cos n 0 (44)
7r a n =1 a'
k=OO
- 1j3:~:Mnjn [ 1- ( s-- -
whereB n= - anls n ~
k =1
- 2 (a' jh)n cos n T + 2 (a' .tr cos n '" ] (52)
2a n k=oo [n + k-l ak
- - t - cos n 0 ~ k A k cos k 0
In - 1 /k t
EXAMPLE, THREE-CONDUCTOR CABLE
vs,
n
+ v3
k=l
--- a = 1, b = C = 2
2 an k=OO In + k - 1 a'"
- --cosn a ~ Ii F» cos k A (45) T +t
u» k=l In-11k u This corresponds to tiT = 1 and - d - = 1/2 in Mr.
---
The second additional density on A' is Simons' paper previously referred to, Table I. The
Q n=OO calculation gives a geometric factor of 1.465 to compare
- - ,- 2: G; cos n 1" (46) with 1.455 obtained by the graphical method. The
7ra n=l
difference is less than one per cent.