Capacitance on Transmission Lines

The power transmission line is one of the major components of an electric

power system. Its major function is to transport electric energy, with minimal
losses, from the power sources to the load centers, usually separated by long
distances. The design of a transmission line depends on four electrical
parameters:
• 1. Series resistance
• 2. Series inductance
• 3. Shunt capacitance
• 4. Shunt conductance
 Shunt Capacitance is produced by the
presence of magnetic and electric fields
around the conductors, and depend on
their geometrical arrangement
• Since a voltage V is applied to a pair of conductors separated by
a dielectric (air), charges q of equal magnitude but opposite sign
will accumulate on the conductors.
 An Overhead transmission line is defined as:

1. Short-length line
- if its length is less than 80 km (50 miles) and line voltage is less
than 20kV. In this case, the shut capacitance effect is negligible and
only the resistance and inductive reactance are considered.
- Due to smaller length and lower voltage, the capacitance (C) effects are small and
hence can be NEGLECTED. Only resistance (R) and inductance (L) are considered.
2. Medium-length line
- The transmission line has a length between 80 km (50 miles) and 240
km (150 miles),
- The shunt capacitance of the line is divided into two equal parts, each
placed at the sending and receiving ends of the line.
- And the line voltage is moderately high between 20kV to 100kV. Due to
sufficient length and line voltage, capacitance (C) is considered.
3. Long Transmission Line
- When the length of the line is more than 250km and line voltage is
very high which is more than100kV. The line constants (R,L,C,G) are
uniformly distributed over the whole length of the line. Resistance (R) and
inductance (X) are serial elements of transmission line. Capacitance (C) and
conductance (G) are shunt elements of transmission line. It caused the
power losses and corona effects.
 Remarks:
1. The greater the spacing between the phases of a transmission
line, the lower the capacitance of the line.
– Since the phases of a high-voltage overhead transmission line must be spaced
further apart to ensure proper insulation, a high-voltage line will have a lower
capacitance than a low-voltage line.
– Since the spacing between lines in buried cables is very small, shunt capacitance
of cables is much larger than the capacitance of overhead lines.
2. The greater the radius of the conductors in a transmission line, the
higher the capacitance of the line. Therefore, bundling increases the
capacitance.