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Transpositions, or the re-positioning of phases on power lines, has been done since the 1920s. Transpositions for telephone
circuits have been uti- lized since the early 1900s. The majority of the power line transpositions were installed prior to the
1980s. There can be several reasons for install- ing transpositions which must be thoroughly evaluated in the engineering phase.
Transpositions are installed when the transmission lines are initially constructed – it is a rare case when transpositions are
added after a line is in service. The reasons for installing transpositions are theoretical in nature and can be difficult for students
to understand. The objective of this paper is to simplify explanations regarding what transpositions are, why they are installed,
and where they are installed.

A transposition is a physical rotation of the conductors that results in each conductor or phase being moved to occupy the next
physical position in a regular sequence. After a transposition has occurred, each conductor or phase will occupy a different
position on the structure than before the trans- position, as shown in Figure 1 below. There are a variety of structures and
framing used to accomplish transpositions. Transpositions are typically accomplished by using special framing on two
structures, as illustrated in Figure 2 . Single structure transpositions have also been utilized on lattice steel transmission lines, as
shown in Figure 3. These are sometimes referred to as single point transpositions. Communications transpositions were
typically accomplished as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 1 – Single transposition

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A barrel is a section of a three-phase, high-voltage line of uniform configu- ration that is divided into three parts of
approximately equal length by two transpositions arranged so that each conductor occupies each phase posi- tion for one-third
the length of the line section (Figure 5).

Impedance is the opposition to the flow of current in an alternating current system. Impedance asymmetry means the
impedances between the phases are not symmetrical, or evenly balanced.

As the capacitor is charged, an impressed voltage is developed across its conductive plates. This impressed voltage, which is
referred to as capaci- tive reactance, opposes the applied voltage and limits the flow of current in the circuit.

A continually changing magnetic field surrounds conductors carrying elec- tricity. This field induces voltage in parallel or
adjacent conductors. This induced voltage is always in opposition to the applied voltage, thereby lim- iting the flow of current.
This current-limiting characteristic is referred to as inductive reactance.

Inductive coupling is very similar to inductance, where alternating current flowing through a conductor induces current flow in
an adjacent conductor. The term coupling is used with power lines inducing current into adjacent open wire communication
circuits. This inductive coupling can result in inter- ference and cross talk on the communication circuit.

When a power line goes through a series of three transpositions and the phases end up in the same position they were before the
first transposition, the line is referred to as completely transposed (Figure 6).

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Figure 6 – Completely transposed

In today’s power systems transpositions are found predominately on trans- mission lines and considerably less on distribution
lines. Transpositions are more beneficial on transmission lines because of their voltage levels and long length. Transpositions
are installed for the following reasons:

To reduce the electrostatic and electromagnetic unbalance among the phases which contributes to voltage unbalance. The
voltage drops are proportional to the current in each phase when the line has been completely transposed.

To restrain the amount of current one line induces in a parallel line, which minimizes the arc interrupting duty for the
circuit breakers when they are called upon to de-energize the line. Put another way, a circuit breaker has to interrupt a
certain amount of current when a line is de-energized. It might include fault current, load current, etc. The current induced
from the parallel line must also be interrupted. If this induced current can be minimized it reduces stress on the circuit
breaker.

To help reduce system losses.

Depending upon their location, they can reduce the inductive coupling of power line currents in adjacent communications
lines.

The exact location is determined by an engineering evaluation of the line and any adjacent lines. The line length, tower
geometry, line loading, imped- ance, voltage levels, and any other factors may be included in the engineer- ing study. As a
general rule, transpositions are installed at locations that divide the overall length of the line into three equal sections as shown
in Figure 7 below.

The transmission system should min- imize any unbalance to the energy transported. By design, the geom- etry of transmission
structures do in fact create unbalances because the distances between the phases, and the distance between the phases and
earth, are not always equal. These geometric differences can result in unbalanced power flows in an AC transmission line.

The fundamentals of a capacitor are a dielectric substance sandwiched between two conductors. In the case of a transmission
line, the air serves as the dielectric substance and the line conductors and the earth, or the grounded structure, are the two con-
ductors, as shown in Figure 8.

Looking at a typical transmission

tower closely it is obvious that the

conductors are not always the same
distance apart or the same distance
from the earth. It is also obvious that
the phase conductors would not
always be the same distance from the grounded structure. There are many different transmission structure configurations, and
geometry related to the distance between phases and the earth, or the grounded structure, can vary. This lack of symmetry or
equal dimensions results in unbalanced capacitive reactance between phases. See Figure 9.

When electric power flows through a conductor, an electromagnetic field is established around the conduc- tor. The magnitude
of this field is pro- portional to the voltage and current levels of the line. These electromag- netic fields induce voltage on adja-
cent lines.

As power and communications tech-

nologies developed it became a com-

mon practice to install open wire
communication lines parallel to elec-
tric power transmission lines or on the
same poles as the transmission lines.

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It was soon discovered that induced

voltages from the power lines caused
interference for the communication
lines. It was also discovered that
when transmission conductors
crossed each other the electromag-
netic fields tended to cancel each
other. This resulted in the practice of installing transpositions at various points on the transmission lines to minimize the
induced voltages and sub- sequent interference with communications lines. See Figures 10 and 11.

Transpositions are seldom used with new transmission lines since the mod- ern interconnected transmission grid has evolved.
The unbalance of an un- transposed line has been largely mitigated by the phase balancing effect of the generators, capacitors,
and reactors that are interconnected across the grid. In addition, transpositions are seldom needed for electromagnetic
induction control because inductance problems with communications lines have all but gone away with underground, fiber
optics, and wireless tech- nology. There are many transpositions in service in older lines that were prudently installed given the
circumstances at that time.

AED Northwest Lineman College

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