Why Do We Use High Voltage?
To deliver bulk power economically. High voltage lines carry low currents.
Benefits of using HV
Factors affecting the voltage of transmission lines
- distance to load (1000V/mile is rule of thumb)
IEEE High Voltage Classifications
Low Voltage characteristics
High Voltage
HV isolation
- Enclose
Fields created by HV
- electrostatic field due to voltage alone
Voltage gradient
The flux concentrations decrease with distance, therefore the stress on the insulation decreases with distance.
Electric Stress
The stress created by the electrostatic field on the conductor insulation
Ionization
Air breaking down and becoming conductive.
Electric corona
Very high voltage between conductors in air produces electric stresses that cause the surrounding air (insulation) to break down. Corona represents a power loss in lines.
Strike distance
The minimum required separations between energized conductors.
Flashover
HV jumping to a grounded object when air breaks down.
How is corona reduced?
Corona effect
- interferes with TV and radio signals
Leakage (creepage) current
Current tracking across the insulation to the ground.
Creepage distance
The distance over the surface of an insulator
Creepage (tracking) causes
BIL
Basic Impulse Level is the level of lightning strike the equipment can withstand.
B.C. voltage generation
10 - 25 kV only
Source of voltage generation in B.C.
BC Hydro transmission voltages
Range: 60 kV - 500 kV
Transmission Line Galloping
It happens during storms or in the event of a short circuit.