Power Transmission,

Distribution and Utilization

(EE-418)

Engr. Muhammad Abubakar

Lecturer

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 1

STEADY STATE PERFORMANCE
OF TRANSMISSION LINES
Lecture# 3

Chapter 9 from Book: Power Transmission System Engineering

Analysis and design,2nd edition, T. Gonen

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 2

Introduction
In this chapter we will study brief review of
1) Introduction to Mechanical Design of Transmission
Lines.
2) Factors Affecting Electrical and Mechanical Design of
Transmission.
3) Character of Line Route and Right of ways.
4) Mechanical loadings.
1. Types of stresses.
5) Different types of clearances required.
12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 3
Introduction
Chapter 9 from Book: Power Transmission System Engineering Analysis and
design,2nd edition, T. Gonen

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 4

Introduction
 Overhead construction is 15-60% as costly as underground
cables so it is much more economical.
 First consideration in the design of an overhead line of course is
its electrical properties.
 Electrical design should be such that there is no significant
voltage drop in the line and losses are minimal.
 Mechanical factors affecting the line design must also be
considered.
 For example poles supporting the transmission lines must have
sufficient strength to withstand all the expected loads.

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Introduction
 Moreover the material chosen for conductors should be strong
enough to withstand the forces it will encounter.
 The overhead lines must be designed to withstand worst
probable and not the worst possible conditions, keeping in mind
the economic constraints.
 For example: The cost of overhead lines to withstand a severe
hurricane will be immense and from economical point of view it
may be justifiable to risk the failure in such conditions.

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Factors Affecting Mechanical Design of
Overhead Lines
 In General the factors affecting mechanical design of overhead
lines are:
1. Character of Line Route and Right-of-ways.
2. Mechanical loadings.
3. Required clearances.
4. Type of Supporting structures.
5. Grade of construction.
6. Conductors.
7. Types of Insulators.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 7

Factors Affecting Transmission
Line Design
Chapter 9 from Book: Power Transmission System Engineering Analysis and
design,2nd edition, T. Gonen

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 8

Factors Affecting Transmission Line
Design
The decision to build transmission lines results from system planning studies to determine how
best to meet the system requirements. At this stage following factors need to be considered.
1. Voltage level
2. Conductor type and Size
3. Line Regulation and voltage control
4. Corona and losses
5. Proper load flow and system stability
6. System protection
7. Grounding
8. Insulation Co-ordination
9. Mechanical design
i. Sag and Stress Calculations.
ii. Conductor Composition.
iii. Conductor spacing.
iv. Insulator and conductor hardware selection.
10. Structural design
i. Structure types.
ii. Stress calculations.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 9

Conductor Sizes
 Conductor sizes are normally given in circular mil.
 A Circular Mil is the area of a circle that has a diameter of 1 Mil.
A Mil is equal to 0.001 inches. Relation between circular mil and
square inches can be given as;

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 10

Conductor Sizes
 For smaller conductors up to 211,600 cmils, the size is usually
given by a number assigned according to American Wire Gauge
standard.
 In this standard the number representing size decreases as the
wire size increases.
 These numbers start at 40, the smallest which is assigned to
wires with a diameter of 3.145 mils.
 The largest size is 0000 (also represented as 4/0) which is
assigned to wire having cross sectional area of 211600 cmils.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 11

Conductors
 The transmission line conductors can either be;
1. Solid Single Conductor.
2. Stranded Conductors.
 The Conductors used in the modern overhead power
transmission lines are bare Aluminum conductors, which are
classified as
1. AAC: All-Aluminum Conductors.
2. AAAC: All-Aluminum- Alloy Conductors.
3. ACSR: Aluminum Core Steel Reinforced.
4. ACAR: Aluminum Conductor Alloy Reinforced.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 12

Stranded Conductors and Spiraling
 Normally the conductors are stranded as it increases flexibility
and strength.
 In stranded conductors, a central wire is surrounded by
successive layers of wires.
 Total number of conductors for an “n” layer conductor is given as

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑜.𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 = 3𝑛2 − 3𝑛 + 1

 Conductors are spiraled together and are electrically in parallel.
Spiraling further increases the strength of conductor.

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Stranded Conductors and Spiraling

Outer dia of
Conductor
(D) = (2n-1)d
where d is
the dia of
one strand.
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AAC Conductors
AAC are used mainly in urban areas where the spacing
is short and the supports are closer together.
The advantage of AAC conductors is that they have a
high degree of corrosion resistance; for this reason
they are used extensively in coastal areas.
AAC Conductors were developed as a consequence of
the galvanic corrosion that ACSR conductors are
susceptible.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 15

AAAC Conductors
 AAAC are used as bare overhead conductor for power
transmission and distribution lines on aerial circuits that
require larger mechanical resistance than AAC.
 AAAC also has better sag characteristics and a better
strength to weight ratio than AAC.
 AAAC Cables have lower weight per unit length and
slightly lower resistance per unit length than ACSR but
ACSR has better strength to weight ratio.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 16

ACSR Conductors
 The higher strength ACSR conductors are used for river
crossings, overhead earth wires, and installations involving extra
long spans.
 The advantage of ACSR is that it has high tensile strength and is
light weight, which means over longer spans it needs less
supports.
 ACSR is available with varying percentages of steel core to
achieve different strengths.
 One of the advantages of this conductor in particular is that the
desired strength can be achieved without a loss of ampacity.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 17

ACAR Conductors
 It is formed by concentrically stranded wires of Aluminum on high
strength Aluminum-Magnesium-Silicon(AlMgSi) alloy core. The
number of wires of Aluminum & AlMgSi alloy depends on the cable
design.
 ACAR has got a better mechanical and electrical properties as
compared to an equivalent ACSR, AAC or AAAC.
 A very good balance between the mechanical and electrical
properties therefore makes ACAR the best choice where the
ampacity, strength and light weight are the main consideration of the
line design.
 These conductors are extensively used in overhead transmission and
distribution lines. Dis-advantage is that it is more expensive than
other conductors as of now.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 18

Character of Line Route
Chapter 9 from Book: Power Transmission System Engineering Analysis and
design,2nd edition, T. Gonen

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 19

Character of Line Route

 The routes of overhead transmission lines are usually selected

across the country on private right-of-ways in order to obtain
most direct route and proper space for towers.

 In addition arrangements should be such that transmission line

route have sufficient clearance from buildings, roads and
highways.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 20

Character of Line Route
 Low voltage transmission lines run along sides of roads and
highways as much as possible in order to reach consumers easily.
 The poles are separated by 100-150 ft. in order to provide
service attachments to consumers keeping the service lengths at
a minimum.
 High voltage transmission lines may have spans of several
hundred feet.
 Eventually the nature of construction and road networks in a
country dictate character of overhead lines in terms of selecting
conductors and transmission line supports.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 21

Character of Line Route: Rights of
Ways
 It is important to have all right-of-way and easements for a given
line secured before final plans, designs and specification for
constructions.
 HV transmission lines on private right of ways are built with long
spans and the type of terrain has impact on the selection of the
construction types.
 An easement is a on-possessory right to use and/or enter onto
the real property of another without possessing it. It is "best
typified in the right of way which one landowner, A, may enjoy
over the land of another, B".

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 22

Character of Line Route: Rights of
Ways

 Existing right of ways should be utilized wherever

possible.

 In general, instead of purchasing the right of way in fee,

a permanent easement is obtained in which owner
permits the right to construct but keeps the ownership
of the land.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 23

Character of Line Route: Rights of
Ways
 The easement secured must stipulate the following;
1. Permission to build all supporting structures.
2. Permission for a means of access to each supporting structure.
3. Permission to clear all trees and brush over a width of at least 10ft. larger
than the spread of the conductors in order to allow sufficient working space
for construction.
4. Permission to remove all trees which might violate the minimum required
clearance to the conductors if they were to fall.
5. Permission to remove all trees which might violate the minimum required
clearance to the conductors if the conductors were to swing out under
maximum wind.
6. Permission to remove all obstacles, for example, buildings, lumber piles,
haystacks, etc., which might cause a fire.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 24

Character of Line Route: Rights of
Ways

 As a rule, trees that may interfere with conductors

should either be trimmed or removed.

 Where trimming or removal isn’t possible, the

conductors must be separated from trees using suitable
insulating materials and devices preventing the
conductor damage.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 25

Mechanical Loadings
Chapter 9 from Book: Power Transmission System Engineering Analysis and
design,2nd edition, T. Gonen

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 26

Mechanical Loadings

 The term “Mechanical loadings” refers to external conditions

that produce mechanical stresses in the line and supports i.e.
Poles and towers.
 Vertical loadings are due to dead weight of equipment such as
transformers, cross arms, insulators etc.
 Mechanical loadings also include stresses caused by weights of
conductors and structures upon themselves.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 27

Mechanical Loadings: Types of Stresses
 When a force is applied against an object it produces stress with
in an object. There are 5 kinds of stresses:
1. Tensile Stress.
2. Compressive Stress.
3. Shearing stress.
4. Bending stress.
5. Twisting stress or torque.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 28

Mechanical Loadings: Tensile Stress
 Tensile stress is caused by forces acting in opposite directions
away from the body along the same straight line stretching the
body beyond its normal length.
 Example: A conductor strung on pole from both ends is under
tensile stress due to tension.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 29

Mechanical Loadings: Compressive
Stress
 It is opposite to the tensile stress and is produced by
compressive forces.
 A distribution transformer hung on a pole produces compressive
stress in the pole.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 30

Mechanical Loadings: Shearing Stress
 Stress Caused by the forces not acting in a same straight line on
the body is called shearing stress.
 Bolts attaching the cross arm to a pole are under shearing stress
between cross arms and the pole.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 31

Mechanical Loadings: Twisting Stress

 Twisting stress is caused by line tensions that aren’t equal on

2sides of the pole.
 A pole may be subjected to twisting stress if conductor breaks
on one side of the pole.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 32

Required Clearances
Chapter 9 from Book: Power Transmission System Engineering Analysis and
design,2nd edition, T. Gonen

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 33

Required Clearances

 In general following clearances are needed to be considered.

1. Ground, tracks, buildings, trees, conductors and structures of an other
line and edge of right of ways etc.
 NESC (National Electricity Safety Code) gives the minimum
required clearances for different structures.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 34

Required Clearances
The NESC (National Electricity Safety Code)
 Published exclusively by IEEE, The NESC sets the ground rules
for:
1. Practical safeguarding of persons during the installation.
2. Operation, or maintenance of electric supply and communication
lines and associated equipment.
3. It also defines the basic provisions that are considered necessary for
the safety of employees and public under the specified conditions.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 35

Required Clearances
 With respect to orientation, the required clearances can be
divided into 4 types.
1. Horizontal Clearances.
2. Vertical Clearances.
3. Clearances at wire crossings.
4. Horizontal separation of conductors from each other.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 36

Horizontal Clearances
 Briefly the location of poles must be chosen such that there is
sufficient horizontal clearance from the driveways, rail road
tracks, buildings etc.
 The clearance should be in-accordance with NESC defined
standards.
 According to NESC, conductors of one line should not be less
than 4ft. away from each other.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 37

Vertical Clearances
 Table below shows different types of vertical clearances required
for transmission line voltages up-to 50kV.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 38

Clearances at Wire Crossings

 In order to avoid accidental contact between conductors of

transmission lines crossing each other in case varying winds, ice
loadings, etc. NESC defines clearance standards for wire
crossings.
 Table on next slide shows different standards of crossing
clearances for voltages up-to 50kV.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 39

Clearances at Wire Crossings

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 40

Horizontal Separation of Conductors
From Each Other
 Minimum Required horizontal clearance by NESC for line
conductor of less than 2AWG can be given by following formula:

 For Transmission conductors of size 2AWG or larger minimum

horizontal clearance between line conductors is given by formula

 Here “S” is the apparent sag in inches.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 41

Horizontal Separation of Conductors
From Each Other
 For a Transmission line of conductors smaller than 2AWG what
would be the Required Horizontal clearance among transmission
conductors if the transmission line voltage is 4.16KV and
apparent Sag is 36 inches.
 For a Transmission line of conductors larger than 2AWG what
would be the Required Horizontal clearance among transmission
conductors if the transmission line voltage is 4.16KV and
apparent Sag is 36 inches.
 Table on Next slide shows NESC standards of Horizontal
clearances among line conductors for different voltage levels.

12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 42

Horizontal Separation of Conductors
From Each Other

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Horizontal Separation of Conductors
From Each Other

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12-Feb-20 EE-418: PTDU 45