AC & DC Electrical

Interference
AC INTERFERENCE
EFFECTS
PIPELINES & HIGH VOLTAGE POWER
LINES
A RIGHT-OF-WAY PERSPECTIVE

By
Robert F. Allen

Introduction

AC Interference on buried structures in Joint

Power Line/Pipeline Corridors

The Effects on the buried structures

Safety issues

Introduction

A brief perspective on AC Electromagnetic

Interference mechanisms

Design & Maintenance of AC Mitigation Systems

Discussion of causes and effects on the ROW

Overview

What is AC Interference?
Electrical Energy flow from Electric power
lines to nearby metallic structures

What Do We Hope to Learn?

Understand the interference mechanisms and
determine the most effective mitigation methods

What Is AC Interference?

Flow of Energy from electric power lines

Electromagnetic Fields

Long parallel exposures

Fault conditions

Key Words
AC Electrical Interference
Electromagnetic (Inductive) Coupling
Electrostatic (Capacitive) Coupling
Conductive Coupling
Local Earth
Remote Earth
Steady-state
Fault Condition

Key Factors

Distance from power conductors

Current carried by power lines

AC Mitigation System effects on the ROW

Possible Effects

Shocks to personnel
Accelerated corrosion
Damage to electronic equipment
Arcing across insulators or through coating
Degradation of coating
Perforation of the structure
Ignition of volatile liquids

Interference Mechanisms

Equipment isolated from earth

Vehicles with rubber tires

Above ground structures w/o adequate grounding

3 Modes of Electromagnetic
Interference

Electrostatic (Capacitive) Coupling

Electromagnetic (Inductive) Coupling

Conductive Coupling

Electrostatic Coupling

Long parallel exposure of buried metallic

structures to power lines
Conductors subject to capacitive coupling
include:
Above ground pipelines
Pipelines on skids during construction

Electrostatic Coupling
Mitigation Techniques

Grounding structure to earth, via ground rods

Gradient control mat systems (Ground mats)

Electromagnetic Coupling

Current flow in the Electrical Conductor creates a

magnetic field

This magnetic field penetrates the earth

The buried metallic structure acts as a transformer

by inducing voltage and current on to the
structure.

Electromagnetic Coupling
Mitigation Techniques

More difficult to implement & maintain than

electrostatic techniques
Installation of low resistance grounding systems
to reduce current & voltage levels
Grounding, Bonding
Increase personnel precautions

Conductive Coupling

Electrical energy flowing directly from power line

to metallic structure

Can occur during steady-state or fault conditions

Can damage the metallic structure during a power

line fault condition

Conductive Coupling
Mitigation Techniques

Increase Separation Distance

No universally accepted guidelines for limiting
voltages produced on buried structures
The following are guidelines in assessing hazards
in the pipeline industry:
CSA Guideline C22.3 No.6-1991
NACE Standard SP-01-77

Key Factors in Determining

Structure Voltage

Distance from power conductors

Current carried by power conductors

Resistance of soil along the joint corridor

The zone of influence grows as soil resistivity
increases

Peak Values

Discontinuities
Rapid changes in direction
Termination of either structure
Insulating junction - Double stress voltage
Change in structure characteristics
Transposition of AC line phases

Interference Analysis

Estimates the levels of induced voltage on the

structure

Evaluate effectiveness of mitigation and

cathodic protection designs

What If configurations to analyze appropriate

mitigation methods

Personnel Hazards

In excess of 30 volts (rms) steady-state

On the order of 300-400 volts during faults
Person inadvertently grounding structure through their
body
Increase Separation of the Utilities
Structure grounding
Installation of Gradient Control Mats
Special Precautions in O & M Procedures

Personnel Safety Suggestions

Increase separation of the Utilities

Structure grounding

Installation of gradient control mats

Special precautions in O & M procedures

Safety Issues

Minimum distance vs. Mitigation methods

Interference analysis to mitigate effects

Corrosion of non-cathodically protected structures

Effective Mitigation Methods

A Function of many factors

Determination of degree of mitigation
Steady-state vs. Fault conditions
Company personnel vs. General public
Temporary vs. Permanent
Entire structure vs. above ground locations

Mitigation Methods

Gradient control wires

Zinc conductors
Sacrificial anodes
Ground rods

Cathodic Protection Issues

With mitigation wire installed

DC Isolation

AC Isolation

Electric Company Facilities Stray Current

Power Line System

Power Line Right-of-Way (ROW)

Phase Conductors
Shield Wires
Physical Configuration of Conductors
Phase Configuration (ABC)
Phase Transpositions

Power Line Structures

Structure Foundations

Grounding

Counterpoise

Power System
Disturbances

Natural Phenomena: Lightning, Wind

Electrical Fault
- Station Equipment
- Line Fault
- Multiple Line Breaker Operation
- Single or Multiple Line-to-Ground

Grounding Techniques
Nature of Earth
Electrode
How does it work?

Electrical Safety
Shock Mechanisms,
& Guidelines

Abnormal Conditions
- Lightning Strokes
- Line-to-Ground Faults

Grounding System
A grounding system should provide a safe path
for dissipation of the following:

Fault Currents

Lightning Strokes

Static Charges

EMI & RFI Signals

Grounding System
A good grounding system will:

Lessen the chance of injury due to faulty

insulation

Reduce likelihood of lightning damage

Improve performance of computer,

communication and other sensitive
equipment

Modeling & Analysis

Common Facilities
Power Systems
Pipeline Systems (Gas, Water, etc.)
Railroad Systems
Telecommunication Systems

Mitigation Objectives

Human Electrical Safety

- NACE
- IEEE
- CSA
- IEC

Protection of the pipeline coating

Protection of the pipeline metal
AC Induced Corrosion

Mitigation Methods

Relocate pipeline
Lumped grounding or Brute Force Method
Cancellation wires
Gradient control wires
Gradient control grids
Isolator/Surge Protector - DC

Mitigation Design

Gradient control grids at appurtenances

Gradient control wires along pipeline
Interconnection of gradient control wires
Wire material: Zinc, Magnesium, Copper

Other Issues

Casings

Electric power line facilities DC interference issues

with guy anchors & grounds.

Recommended
Practices

NACE standard SP0177-2000 Mitigation of AC

Current & Lightning Effects on Metallic Structures &
Corrosion Control Systems includes the following:
Personnel protection
Equipment protection
System testing

Conclusion

Equipment in joint facility corridors can be complex

and confusing.
Understanding the systems, personnel safety, safe
work procedures, and safety training is required to test
and maintain these systems.

AC & DC Electrical
Interference