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Wildi Industrial Problem 80

(practical level)
Inductance of a single-phase transmission line
As you know, a single-phase transmission line (Fig. 80-1) possesses a certain resistance
that depends upon the size of the conductor and the material of which it is made. The
resistance produces an IR voltage drop in the line whenever it carries a current.

However, the transmssion line also possesses a certain inductance L which gives rise to a
reactance XL given by XL = 2fL. As a result, the line experiences an inductive reactance
voltage drop IXL in addition to the IR drop.
If the line consists of two conductors that have a diameter d and are spaced apart by a
distance D (Fig. 80-2), it can be shown that its inductance is given by the formula:
L = 0.92 l log10 2.6 D/d
in which
L = inductance [H]
l = length [m]
D = distance between the centers of the two conductors [m]
d = diameter of the conductors [m]
0.92 = numerical constant to take care of units

For example, referring to Fig. 80-2, the inductance of a 40 km transmission line

composed of two cables having a diameter d of 8 mm and spaced at a distance apart D of
0.6 m is
L = 0.92 l log10 2.6 D/d
= 0.92 40 000 log10 (2.6 0.6/0.008)
= 36 800 log10 (195)
= 36 800 2.29
= 84 272 H = 84.3 mH = 0.0843 H.
The following Industrial Problem illustrates that the inductance of a transmission line
changes only very moderately, even for large changes in D and d.
Technical data and relevant questions
Using the example given in the introduction above, you are asked to determine the
inductance of the following transmission lines:
a) The inductance of the transmission line in Fig 80-1 if the diameter of the conductors is
4 mm instead of 8 mm [mH]
b) The inductance of the transmission line in Fig. 80-1 if the distance between the
conductors is 6 m instead of 0.6 m [mH]
c) The inductance of the transmission line in Fig. 80-1 if the distance between the
conductors is 60 m instead of 0.6 m [mH]
d) The inductance of the transmission line in Fig. 80-1 if the distance between the
conductors is 600 m instead of 0.6 m [mH]

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e) The inductance of the transmission line in Fig. 80-1 if the distance between the
conductors is 3 m instead of 0.6 m and the diameter of the conductors is 40 mm instead
of 8 mm [mH]
f) Assuming a frequency of 50 Hz, calculate the value of the inductive reactance of the
transmission line in item (e) above []
References
Electrical Machines, Drives, and Power Systems, 6th Edition by Theodore Wildi
Sections 2.15, 25.21, 25.23, 25.26
Answers
a) 95.3 mH

b) 121 mH

c) 158 mH

d) 195 mH

e) 84.3 mH f) 26.5

Solution to Industrial Problem 80

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