International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 6, Issue 1, January-2015 721

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Modeling of Corona Effect in AC Transmission

Systems
Muhammad Ahmed Dawood 1, Dr. Ghous Buksh Narejo 2
1
(Electrical Engineer, Research and Manufacturing Department, Green Wind Global Inc Canada, Ph. +519-992-6589
2
(Associate Professor, Department of Electronic Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology,
Karachi, Ph. +92-333-3004549 , Email. ghousnarejo@gmail.com

ABSTRACT : Corona effect has been considered as a source of substantial loss particular to High Voltage AC Transmission lines. The
project report presents comprehensive account of development of a Matlab Simulink based model for the Corona Effect which is designed
considering Peek’s equation. The model provides analysis of Corona loss impact on Transmission power in response to the variation in the
factors on which Corona effect depends upon. The transmission power has been simulated to plot Corona losses based on variation in
Temperature, Conductor Radius and Conductor spacing.

Keywords - Corona Model, Corona Loss, Peeks Equation, Transmission line losses.

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towards the conductor in the positive half cycle and

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I. INTRODUCTION away from conductor in the negative half cycle.

The project primarily comprises of three divisions So this velocity gained by the free electrons in the air is
which include modeling of Corona effect, calculation much dependent on the electric field intensity. During
and finally the calculation of Back Corona discharge normal conditions i.e., before corona occurrence electric
.The author has completed the development of Corona field intensity is less, the free electrons in air collides
effect model on Matlab Simulink over different with the other air molecules in air such as oxygen (O 2 )
transmission voltage levels considering the impact of and nitrogen (N 2 ) in elastic manner which means that
constituent factors and their impact.
there is no energy transfer from free electron to air
The report initiates its coverage by providing the
molecule. On the other hand, when the electric field
introduction of the Corona effect in order to present the
project with essential theoretical information. intensity increases beyond the critical value where
corona actually happens, the collision between free
A. Definition electrons in air and the molecules in air is inelastic
Corona is a luminous discharge due to ionization of the which means that energy is transferred from free
air surrounding a conductor around which exists a electron to air molecule. Hence, the air gets ionized and
voltage gradient exceeding a certain critical value [1]. this is the phenomenon of ionization of air.
B. Phenomena Explanation At this instant, air behaves as a conductor due to which
When the electric field intensity at the surface of the luminous discharge is seen. This will result in power loss
conductor increases beyond a critical value, the electrons in that transmission line.
are compiled on that surface which is responsible for
production of corona arc. Corona is affected by the weather conditions – When the
climate around the network is humid and moist, corona
As there are always some amount of free electrons in loss is more when compared to the normal conditions
the surrounding air of the conductor due to traces of [1].
radioactive material in earth’s crust and cosmic ray
bombardment of the earth from outer space. When the C. Identification
conductor is energized with AC voltage these electrons This effect is seen in a form of a violet or purple
which are having negative inherent charge are directed luminous light – Corona arc is a bit different from the
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International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 6, Issue 1, January-2015 722
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normal arc. Usually, a normal arc is seen between two B. Supply Frequency
points which can be wire to another wire or from wire to Corona loss is directly proportional to supply
ground but the corona arc is seen from a point at a frequency. Higher the supply frequency higher is corona
conductor to a particular point in ionised air.
loss. This can be understood well by studying Peek’s
Hissing noise is also heard – produced due to explosive
gas expansions around the conductor. Nowadays, it is equation which is explained in this report below.
also detected by modern detectors which employ
ultrasound technology like Ultrasonic leak detector, C. Load Current
Uvirco Multi camera etc [2]. When load current is high, the temperature of the
conductor is more. Thus, it prevents the deposition of
snow or dew drops as a result corona reduces.
D. Effects of Corona on Conductor
Its impact on the transmission equipment: D. Conductor Diameter
If the conductor diameter is less, the surface field
1) It degrades the life span of a conductor intensity of that conductor is more which results in more
corona effect. In order to reduce this surface field
2) It reduces the reliability of the transmission system, intensity we need to increase the conductor diameter.
which leads the equipment to the breakdown at the end.
E. Conductor Type
3) It also causes mechanical erosion of the system If we are using single conductor per phase, then there
will be more corona loss and more interference to nearby

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As a consequence corona results in production of: communication systems, to overcome this we can
employ two or more conductors (bundled conductors)
1) Ozone, as there is electric discharge in the air, the
per phase. By adapting this method, the geometric mean
oxygen (O 2 ) atoms in the air splits into two and forms
distance of the conductor increases due to which surface
combines to form ozone O 3 . field intensity decreases which will help in reducing
2) Sound, hissing sound is audible around the corona.
transmission lines
F. Conductor Spacing
3) Light, sharp glow and violet plume is visible Whenever there is less space between two parallel
conductors, the electrostatic stress of one conductor on
4) Heat- produced in little amount but has impact over the other is more due to which corona occurs. In order to
conduction property of material. avoid this, spacing between conductors should be more
so that there is less electrostatic stress between them.
5) Salt- which can be seen deposited on the surface of
the conductor in white powdered form

6) Carbon deposits, which create path for arc formation. G. Conductor Surface and Finishing
Rough and uneven surface will give rise to corona
loss. As this unevenness on the surface is responsible for
decreasing the value of breakdown voltage. This rough
II. CORONA EFFECT AND ITS DEPENDENT FACTORS
surface is seen in stranded conductor; hence corona is
A. Applied Voltage more in stranded conductor when compared to smooth
The supply voltage is directly proportional to corona conductor.
loss. When the supply voltage increases the electric field
around the conductor will also increase which will result H. Conductor Shape
in an increased corona. The cylindrically shaped conductor has more field
uniformity than any other shaped conductor. So,
cylindrical conductor is more preferable to stay safe
from corona.
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I. Ambient Conditions parallel conductors and X cm away from the first
When the number of ions in air is more the conductivity conductor
of the air increases resulting in the corona effect.
Usually, ions in air are more during thunderstorms, rainy
and moist atmospheric conditions.

J. Transmission Line Sea Level The potential different between the conductors
The height of the conductor from sea level also affects
the corona loss. At large heights above sea level, the
quantity of ions per cubic centimeter is high [3].
Since r is very small with respect to d, we substitute for
III. CORONA EFFECT REMEDY
q in E x
By studying the above factors, we can understand that
corona can be prevented by doing some sought of
variations in the values of the factors like,

1) Lowering the Applied Voltage

U’ is the line to neutral voltage in the system
2) Employing Conductors of Large Diameters
The critical disruptive voltage is known to be the voltage

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3) Maintaining Large Distance between Conductors where a complete disruption of the dielectric happens,
when the surface gradient voltage is equal to the
4) Employing Good Quality and Smooth Conductors breakdown strength of the air.

IV. MODELING OF CORONA EFFECT

Since the project is studying the Corona effects in AC Where m0 is the wire irregularity factor that can be
transmission lines, the most reliable mathematical predefined as 1-0.95 when the transmission line is made
equation to simulate the losses is the famous Peek’s of a very smooth and well treated wire, and it is 0.89-
equation. Peek studied the corona effects and all factors 0.82 in case of rough cable.
that contribute to all noticeable changes along the
transmission lines.

An extended empirical peek’s equation is presented to

compare all variables b is the barometric pressure of the mercury in cm and t is
the temperature in degrees Celsius . Also it is believed
that on bad weather the disruptive voltage U o decreases
to 80% of its value in fair weather. So as we go on
investigating all factors, worse condition which happens
P is the Corona power loss in kW/km, f is the system
in bad weather will be looked at as well.
frequency, is the air density factor, r is the radius of
the conductor in cm, d is the distance of two parallel It is important to notice that the formula holds only when
conductors, U p is the applied voltage (line to neutral ) in the radius and distance start from reasonable values and
KV and U o is the disruptive voltage of the Corona, W is stops when U o reaches U p.
the weather factor
The above equations are more reliable in high voltages
So to study the disruptive voltage U o , we should start which are used in electric transmission so all results will
with the electric field intensity at any point between two be based on 230kv up to 765kv [3].

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V. MATLAB SIMULINK MODEL
To study all calculations and all factors manipulation,
From this figure, we notice the decrease in Corona
Matlab tool Simulink is used. Simulink is an easy tool to
losses when we increase the cable radius as expected.
monitor the output change with respect to each element
adjustment. A scope will be put on the output to plot it
clearly with all changes.
2) 345 KV Transmission Line
The sub blocks involved in the design are represented in
Fig.3.The sub block has realization of all the factors on We see the corona losses at this voltage level vanishes
which the corona effect depends upon through Peeks after approximately a radius value of 3 cm which is
equation. industrially accepted.

VI. SIMULATION & RESULTS Fig.6. Corona Losses at 500 KV Line vs. Conductor
Radius
A. System Frequency Impact on Corona
As we learnt before that frequency plays an important 3) 500 KV Transmission Line
role in AC transmission lines and when it comes to
Figure 6 shown below, depicts that for 500kv system
Corona losses, it is directly proportional to the system
the conductor Radius is required to be more than 5 cm to
frequency as it increases the field intensity on the cable
get rid of corona effect in the system. This is quite

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surface which leads to increase in the losses.
unacceptable due to economic reasons, as we know that
For example, in a 230 KV transmission line system and along with the radius the cost of conductor also increases
in fair weather condition (W=1 and t=150) with cable and that too employing 5cm radius conductor is a bit
parameters as r=3cm, d=400cm and mo =0.85: unreasonable.

P (f=50Hz) = 99 kW/km and P (f=60Hz) = C. Applied Voltage

112 kW/km
The applied voltage on transmission lines are of high
B. Radius of Conductor effect on Corona values due to the fact of the resistive power loss that
Conductor Radius is considered to be the most valuable corresponds to the current. As a result, voltages get
factor in evaluating Corona and also the key point in stepped up before transmitting and save on resistive
commercially and economically designing the power loss from few kilo volts to 765 kV according to
transmission system. Beside the material of the cable the length, delivered power and other requirements.
and type, a bigger radius leads to bigger surface area and
As for the corona loss, increasing the applied voltage
less field intensity. As a result, Designers tend to be very
will add to the corona loss directly and below is a
careful in choosing the size of the cable (sometimes the
comparison table to explain the effect of the system
type because it could be hallow cable or steel core cable
voltage on fixed structure (r=5 cm, d=5 Metre, f=60
which is relative to radius).
Hz=15o and W=0.8).
A series of results is to be viewed for different systems
with respect to radius size. In our project, we
implemented this increment of conductor radius on three D. Conductor Distance
different systems of rating 230kv, 365kv, 500kv. The
results for these different systems are explained below. Another important factor would be the distance of the
parallel conductors as they tend to affect each other
through electrostatic energy or electromagnetic energy.
As a result, more energy will be given to surface
1) 230 KV Transmission Line
electrons that will knockout more air ions and produce
more loss. We took the case of 230kv system with 4 cm
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radius cable and increase the distance gradually and the ideal goal from engineering perspective. Full awareness
result is shown in figure 7. And as expected, the corona of corona effects should be passed on to all industries
losses decrease as the distance increases and almost dealing with power energy transmission. Yet, the corona
disappear when the distance reaches 9 metre. Changing phenomenon brings great usage to some applications and
the distance between conductors is done through the further researches and studies should focus on this field
transmission lines poles, because their structures define [4].
the distances among all lines.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author would like to thanks Dr Raju Govinda for
his direction and support in this project.
E. Temperature

Temperature factor plays small role in corona loss and

also it is something that practically cannot be changed. REFERENCES
However the figure 8 shown below will examine the
[1] D P Kothari, I J Nagrath, “Power Systems
influence of changing temperature range, -20 to 30
Engineering,” Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing
degrees Celsius.
Company Limited, 7 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi
Due to the weather effect in corona loss, in fair weather 110 008.
the factor will be considered 1 that will lead to normal [2] Abhijit Chakrabarti, Sunita Halder , “Power System

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disruptive voltage value. On the other hand, since Analysis Operation and Control,” 3rded, Published
humidity, rain and snow weather affects the corona by Asoke K. Ghosh. PHI Learning Private Limited,
power loss directly which could lower Uo to as low as New Delhi 110 015.
80%. This is natural factor and unpredictable, so for [3] John J. Grainger & William D. Stevenson, Jr,
designers worst condition with bad weather is “Power System Analysis,” McGraw Hill.
considered. [4] U.A. Bakshi, M. V. Bakshi , “Transmission and
Distribution,” Published by Technical Publications
VII. CONCLUSION #1, Amit Residency412, Shaniwar Peth, Pune – 411
Various factors affecting corona loss plays a vital role in 030, India.
prevention of corona. Among those factors some are
natural and some are equip mental factors in which we
cannot fully control the natural causes but we can take
certain measures.

All model results were in line with theory expectations

with regards to each factor effect on corona loss. Peeks
equation based model has proven to be effect to all
variables studied in this project and the reliability is high
when inputting reasonable values for all. Corona power
can be acceptable to certain level but yet it should
always be considered while designing transmission
system beside resistive power loss calculations.
Deploying the model at hand can save the designers a lot
of time and efforts.

Moreover, economical study should follow to estimate

the optimal parameters for all the system to utilize best
Appendix: Figures
reliable delivered power with least cost as this is the

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Fig.1. Visible Corona Effect in transmission line

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Fig. 2. Developed Corona Model

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Fig.3. Computational Schematic of Corona Model

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Fig.4. Corona Losses at 230 KV Line vs. distance between conductors

Fig.5. Corona Losses at 230 KV vs. Temperature

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Fig.6. Corona Losses at 230 KV vs. conductor radius

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Fig.5. Corona Losses at 345 KV Line vs. Conductor Radius

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Fig.5. Corona Losses at 345 KV Line vs. Conductor Radius

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