EEE 2509 - HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY

✓ CORONA
By Mutegi M.

1 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY

 CORONA
 Corona is an electrical discharge caused by the ionization of a fluid
such as air surrounding a conductor carrying a high voltage.
 In that localized region, the air around the conductor becomes ionized
hence allowing charge to continuously leak from the conductor.
 When an alternating voltage is applied across two conductors whose
spacing is large as compared to their diameters the surrounding air is
not affected.
 When the applied voltage exceeds the critical disruptive voltage, the
conductors are surrounded by a faint violet glow called corona.
 Corona is accompanied by a hissing sound, production of ozone,
power loss and radio interference.
2 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY
 CORONA
 The higher the applied voltage, the bigger the luminous envelope
becomes, and greater are the sound, the power loss and the radio
noise.
 If the voltage reaches the critical breakdown voltage a flash over
occurs between the conductors.
How is Corona Formed?
 Ionization is always present in air due to cosmic rays, ultraviolet
radiations and radioactivity. Under normal conditions, the air around
the conductors contains some ionized particles (i.e., free electrons
and positive ions) and neutral molecules.
 When p.d. is applied between the conductors, potential gradient is set
up in the air which will be maximum at the conductor surfaces.
EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY
3
 CORONA
 The potential gradient causes the existing free electrons acquire
greater velocities. The greater the applied voltage, and higher
the velocity of free electrons.
 When the potential gradient at the conductor surface reaches about
30 kV per cm (max. value), the velocity acquired by the free electrons
gives it sufficient K.E. to dislodge one or more electrons from a
neural atom/molecule on collision. This produces positive ions and
more free electrons. These are in turn are accelerated until they
collide with other neutral molecules producing more charged
particles.
 The process of ionization is cumulative; resulting to either corona
formation or spark/flash over taking place between the conductors.
4 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY
 FACTORS AFFECTING CORONA
1. Atmosphere: Corona forms due to ionization of air surrounding
the conductors. In stormy weather, there are more ions than normal
and as such corona occurs at much less voltage than in fair weather.
2. Conductor size: Rough and irregular surfaces result to more
corona. Unevenness of the surface decreases the value of breakdown
voltage. Due to its irregular surface, a stranded conductor
shall have more corona than a solid conductor.
3. Spacing between conductors: If the spacing between the
conductors is made very large as compared to their diameters, there
may not be any corona effect. The larger distance between
conductors reduces the electro-static stresses at the
conductor surface, thus avoiding corona formation.
5 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY
 FACTORS AFFECTING CORONA
4. Line voltage: If it is low, there is no change in the condition of air
surrounding the conductors and hence no corona is formed. If the line
voltage is such that electrostatic stresses developed at the conductor
surface make the air around the conductor conducting, then corona
is formed.

METHODS OF REDUCING CORONA

 Intense corona effects are observed at a working voltage of 33 kV or
above. Careful design should be made to avoid corona on the sub-
stations or bus-bars rated for 33kV and higher.
 Highly ionized air may cause flash-over in the insulators or between
the phases causing damage to equipment.
6 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY
 METHODS OF REDUCING CORONA
1. Increasing conductor size: This raises voltage at which corona
occurs hence corona effects are considerably reduced. Note: ACSR
conductors which have a larger cross-sectional area are used in
transmission lines.
2. By increasing conductor spacing: The voltage at which corona
occurs is raised and hence corona effects can be eliminated.
However, spacing cannot be increased too much otherwise the cost
of supporting structure (e.g., bigger cross arms and supports).

7 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY

 Some Important Definitions
Critical disruptive voltage:
 It is the minimum phase-neutral voltage at which corona
occurs.
 Consider two conductors of radius r cm and spaced d cm apart. If V is
the phase-neutral potential, then potential gradient (𝒈) at the
conductor surface is given by:
𝑽
𝒈= 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐬/𝐜𝐦
𝒅
𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒆 𝒓
 For corona to occur, 𝒈 must be made equal to the breakdown
strength of air. At 76 cm pressure and temperature of 25ºC is:
30 kV/cm (max) or 21.2kV/cm (rms) {denoted by 𝑔0 }.
8 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY
 Some Important Definitions
 The conductor voltage is denoted as 𝑽𝒄 if it is sufficient to cause
corona.
 The equation for potential gradient can now be rewritten as:

𝑽𝒄
𝒈𝟎 = 𝒅 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐬/𝐜𝐦………..(i)
𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒆
𝒓

 Making 𝑽𝒄 the subject we have:

𝒅
𝑽𝒄, = 𝒈𝟎 𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒆 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒔………..(ii)
𝒓
 *Note that Vc is a phase-neutral voltage

 𝑔0 is specified at conditions of 76cm Hg and 250 𝑐. 𝑔0 is directly

proportional to air density.

9 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY

 Some Important Definitions
 The breakdown strength of air at a barometric pressure of b cm of
mercury and temperature of tº C is defined as:
δ𝒈𝟎
𝟑.𝟗𝟐 𝒃
δ=Air Density Factor= and is 1 under standard conditions.
𝟐𝟕𝟑+𝒕
 Correction must also be made for the surface condition of the
conductor. This is accounted for by multiplying the above expression
by irregularity factor 𝒎𝟎 . For polished conductors it is 1, 0.98 –
0.92 for dirty conductors and 0.87 – 0.8 for stranded conductors..
 Equation (ii) is therefore rewritten as:
𝒅
𝑽𝒄, = 𝒎𝟎 𝒈𝟎 δ𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒆 𝒓 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒔………..(iii)

10 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY

 Some Important Definitions
Visual Critical Voltage:
 It is the minimum phase-neutral voltage at which corona glow appears
all along the line conductors.
 It has been seen that in case of parallel conductors, the corona glow
does not begin at the disruptive voltage 𝑽𝒄 but at a higher voltage
𝑽𝒗 , called visual critical voltage.
 It is expressed as:

𝟎.𝟑 𝒅
𝑽𝒗 = 𝒎𝒗 𝒈𝟎 δ𝒓 𝟏 + 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝒆 kV/phase………..(iv)
δ𝒓 𝒓

𝒎𝒗 is an irregularity factor equal to 1 for polished conductors

and 0.72 – 0.82 for rough conductors.
11 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY
 Some Important Definitions
Power Loss Due to Corona:
 Formation of corona is always accompanied by energy loss
which is dissipated in the form of light, heat, sound and chemical
action. When disruptive voltage is exceeded, the power loss due
to corona is given by:
𝒇 + 𝟐𝟓 𝒓 𝟐 𝟓 𝒌𝑾
𝑷 = 𝟐𝟒𝟐. 𝟐 (𝑽 − 𝑽𝒄) 𝐱 𝟏𝟎 /𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆
δ 𝒅 𝒌𝒎

Where: f = supply frequency in Hz

V = phase-neutral voltage (r.m.s.)
Vc = disruptive voltage (r.m.s.) per phase

12 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY

 Advantages and Disadvantages of Corona
Advantages:
1. Air surrounding the conductor becomes conducting and hence
virtual diameter of the conductor is increased. This reduces the
electrostatic stresses between the conductors.
2. Reduces the effects of transients produced by surges.
Disadvantages:
1. Corona is accompanied by a loss of energy. This affects the
transmission efficiency of the line.
2. Ozone is produced by corona and may cause corrosion of the
conductor due to chemical action.
3. The current drawn by the line due to corona is non-sinusoidal and
hence non-sinusoidal voltage drop occurs in the line. This may cause
inductive interference with neighboring communication lines.
13 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY
 Example 1
A 3-phase line has conductors 2 cm in diameter spaced equilaterally 1 m
apart. If the dielectric strength of air is 30 kV (max) per cm, find the
disruptive critical voltage for the line. Take air density factor δ = 0·952
and irregularity factor mo = 0·9.
Solution:

14 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY

 Example 2
A 132 kV line with 1·956 cm dia. conductors is built so that corona
takes place if the line voltage exceeds 210 kV (r.m.s.). If the value of
potential gradient at which ionization occurs can be taken as 30 kV per
cm, find the spacing between the conductors.
Solution:

15 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY

 Some Important Definitions

16
 Extra Questions:
1. A 3-phase, 220 kV, 50 Hz transmission line consists of 1·5 cm radius
conductor spaced 2 meters apart in equilateral triangular formation. If
the temperature is 40ºC and atmospheric pressure is 76 cm, calculate the
corona loss per km of the line. Take mo = 0·85.
[0.01999kW/km/phase or 0.05998 kW/km for three phases]
2. A certain 3-phase equilateral transmission line has a total corona loss of
53 kW at 106 kV and a loss of 98 kW at 110·9 kV. What is the disruptive
critical voltage? What is the corona loss at 113 kV? [54kV, 128kW]
3. Estimate the corona loss for a three-phase, 110 kV, 50 Hz, 150 km long
transmission line consisting of three conductors each of 10 mm diameter
and spaced 2·5 m apart in an equilateral triangle formation. The
temperature of air is 30ºC and the atmospheric pressure is 750 mm of
mercury. Take irregularity factor as 0·85. Ionization of air may be assumed
to take place at a maximum voltage gradient of 30 kV/cm. [316·8 kW]
17 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY
 Extra Questions:
4. Taking the dielectric strength of air to be 30 kV/cm, calculate the
disruptive critical voltage for a 3-phase line with conductors of 1 cm radius
and spaced symmetrically 4 m apart. [220 kV line voltage]
5. A 3-phase, 220 kV, 50 Hz transmission line consists of 1·2 cm radius
conductors spaced 2 m at the corners of an equilateral triangle. Calculate
the corona loss per km of the line. The condition of the wire is smoothly
weathered and the weather is fair with temperature of 20ºC and barometric
pressure of 72·2 cm of Hg. [2·148 kW]

18 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY

 End

19 EEE 2509_HIGH VOLTAGE TECHNOLOGY