BEKP 4753

GENERATION AND
TRANSMSSION
Corona Discharge Loss

Reference

Electrical Power System, D.Das, new Age

Publishing, 2006.

Corona Discharge Loss

Corona Loss = power dissipated in T-line due

to corona discharge
Corona Discharge : an electrical discharge
brought on by the ionization of a fluid
surrounding a conductor that is electrically
energized.
The discharge will occur when the strength
(potential gradient) of the electric field around
the conductor is high enough (more than the
critical value) to form a conductive region, but
not high enough to cause electrical breakdown
or arcing to nearby objects.
Disruptive Critical Voltage : minimum
voltage at which disruption of air occurs and
corona starts.
It is often seen as a bluish (or other color)
glow in the air adjacent to pointed metal
conductors carrying high voltages.

Corona image

Effect of Corona Loss

Power loss (waste)
Audible noise
Electromagnetic interference
Purple glow
Ozone production
Insulation damage

Main Factors Affecting Corona

Discharge Effect

Conductor:
Affected by the shape, size and surface conditions of the conductor

Corona Discharge Effect decreases with increases in the size (diameter) of

the conductor,
Corona Discharge Effect is concentrated on that places more where the
conductor surface is not smooth.

Line Voltage:
If voltage of the system increases (mostly in EHV system) corona effect will be
more.

Atmosphere:
Breakdown voltage directly proportional to the density of the atmosphere
(weather) present in between the power conductors.
In a stormy weather the ions present around the conductor is higher than
normal weather condition, thus Corona will occur.

More detail on factors affecting corona loss

Corona is affected by the physical state of the atmosphere as well as by the condition of the
lines :
1.

System voltage :E-field is proportioal to volt. And proportional t o Cornona

2.

Frequency- higher frequency, higher corona

3.

Conductor radius large radius, less corona. ACSR has larger radius than single
copper, thus, lower corona. Bundled conductor, effective radius high, thus less corona

4.

Temperature rise due to line current (I2R heat) can reduce corona. Higher temp,
lower corona , because: at low temp, dew drops on surface cond, during fog, humid
weather can cause corona. High current, hot line, no condensation, less corona.

5.

Snow/frost layer : more snow/frost, more corona.

6.

New/old conductor : New conductor (have manufacturing scratch, burrs) have

higher corona. Old and aged conducter ( weathered )have less corona.

7.

Dust/dirt- proportional reduced voltage gradient

8.

Conductor config:- middle cond have higher Efield densiti.

Horizontal or vertical middle conductor will have higher E-field more
corona
Equilateral average E-field is equal & less corona.
Distance from ground higher from ground, lesser corona (since earth affecy
the E-field)

Methods to reduce Corona Discharge Effect:

Critical Breakdown voltage can be increased by following factors

By increasing the spacing between the conductors:

Corona Discharge Effect can be reduced by increasing the clearance spacing
between the phases of the transmission lines. However increase in the
phases results in heavier metal supports. Cost and Space requirement
increases.

By increasing the diameter of the conductor:

Diameter of the conductor can be increased to reduce the corona discharge
effect. By using hollow conductors corona discharge effect can be improved.

By using Bundled Conductors:

By using Bundled Conductors also corona effect can be reduced this is
because bundled conductors will have much higher effective diameter
compared to the normal conductors.

By Using Corona Rings or Grading Rings:

Corona Rings or Grading Rings are present on the surge arresters to equally
distribute the potential along the Surge Arresters or Lightning Arresters
which are present near the Substation and in the Transmission lines.

Corona Ring

How to calculate corona loss

F.W.Peek formula under fair weather condiction :

m0 , irregularity factor

Example 1

Example 2
irregularity factor, m0 = 0.85.