8" International Conference on Probabilistic Methods Applied to Power Systems, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa,

September 12-16,2004

Calculating Transmission Line Inductance

Using Interval Mathematics

Hesham Shaalan', Ph.D., Senior Member, IEEE

transmission line inductance is used as an example to

Absfract Uncertainty is a major issue facing electric utiuties in illustrate
~

planning and decision making. Modeling uncertainty can be

based on two general approaches. The first is a probabilistic the use of interval mathematics. These calculations are
approach wbcre probability distributions for all of the performed on two different three-phase transmission line
uncertainties are assumed. The second approach is called arrangements. Inductance values are calculated using the
"Unknown but Bounded" in which upper and lower limits on the
uncertainties are assumed without probability distributions. traditional single point numbers as well as interval numbers.
Interval mathcmatics provides a tool for the practical The values from these two methods are compared to prove the
implementation and extension of the unknown but bounded validity of interval analysis.
concept The calculation of transmission line inductance is used
as an crimple to illustrate the use of interval mathcmatics.
Inductance values are calculated using the traditional single 11. MODELING UNCERTAINTY
point numbers as well as interval numben. The values from
these two methods are compared to prove the validity of interval Uncertainty is a major issue facing electric utilities in
analysis. planning and decision making. Substantial uncertainties exist
concerning future load growth, construction times and costs,
Keywords - Uncertainty, Interval Mathematics, Transmission
Line Inductance. performance of new resources, and the regulatoly and
economic environments.
I. INTRODUCTION Modeling uncertainty in utility calculations can be based on
two general approaches [2]. The first is a probabilistic
Electric utilities are now facing many uncertainties in the approach where probability distributions for all of the
current economic environment [I]. Current issues facing uncertainties are assumed. The second approach is called
utilities include the fundamental need for additional '"Unknown but Bounded" in which upper and lower limits on
generating capacity, new transmission systems, and more the uncertainties are assumed without a probability structure.
efficient use of existing resources. As a result, there are now A probability distribution may he assumed in some cases.
many uncertainties associated with utility decisions. It is no Since no particular distribution is known, all values are
longer valid to assume that the input parameters are known assumed to he equally likely between given limits. In this type
with certainty. Utilities need to understand the potential of situation a uniform distribution is the most appropriate.
effects of variations in these parameters on the final outcome This distribution is also referred to as the rectangular
of their studies. distribution because of its shape. Based on a known
Modeling uncertainty can he based on two general distribution, confidence intervals can he defined. In addition,
approaches. The first is a probabilistic approach where the way in which confidence intervals vary with
probability distributions for all of the uncertainties are transformations can he determined.
assumed. The second approach is called "Unknown hut Another approach to modeling uncertainty is referred to as
Bounded" in which upper and lower limits on the unknown hut hounded. In this case upper and lower bounds
uncertainties are assumed without probability distributions. on the uncertainties are assumed without probability
Interval mathematics provides a tool for the practical distributions. The concept was defined in general without
implementation and extension of the unknown hut hounded providing specific numerical examples in reference 2. The
concept. By using interval analysis, there is no need for many concept was also mentioned in Schweppe's book titled
simulation runs because the total variation in the output is "Uncertain Dynamic Systems" [3].
known given the total variation in input parameters. Interval mathematics provides a tool for the practical
Transmission lines are the electrical connections between implementation and extension of the unknown hut hounded
the generating stations and the load centers. The calculation of concept. Confidence intervals cannot be calculated in this case
because there are no probability distributions.
The unknown hut hounded concept as presented hy
' Hesham Shaalan is wilh Texas M M UniversirpCorpusChisti, T m . Schweppe does not directly address sensitivity analysis [2].
Copyright Iowa State University, 2004

224
He addressed that problem separately in the cnntext of
strategic planning for a utility as a whole [4,5]. Schweppes
method was based on running simulations repeatedly for a
range of input variables. Results of these runs are integrated
into functions that yield nonlinear relationships between input
and output variables. These functions are then used to
evaluate the effects of uncertainties and sensitivities of
particular decisions.
During the 1960s a new approach, known as interval
analysis, emerged as an alternative way of dealing with
uncertainty in data [6]. The uncertainties associated with
utility economic analysis could be more effectively
understood if the input parameters were treated as interval
numbers whose ranges contain the uncertainties in those
parameters. The resulting computations, carried out entirely in
interval form, would then literally cany the uncertainties
associated with the data through the analysis. Likewise, the
final outcome in interval form would contain all possible
solutions due to the variations in input parameters.Thus, it is
possible to perform sensitivity analysis by assigning interval
bounds to any or all of the input parameters and observing the
effects on the final interval outcome.
Ill. INTERVAL MATHEMATICS
Interval mathematics provides a useful tool in determining
the effects of uncertainty in parameters used in a computation.
In this form of mathematics, interval numbers are used instead
of ordinary single point numbers. An interval number is
defined as an ordered pair of real numbers representing the
lower and upper bounds of the parameter range [ 6 ] . An
interval number can then be formally defined as follows: [a,
b], where a < b.
In the special case where the upper and lower bounds of an
interval number are equal, the interval is referred to as a point
or degenerate interval. In this case, interval mathematics is
reduced to ordinary single point arithmetic.
Given two interval numbers, [a, b] and [c, d], the rules for
interval addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are
as follows:
[a, h] + [c, d] = [a+c, b+d] (1)
[a, b] - [c, d] = [a-d, b-c] (2)
[a, b] * [c, d] = [min(ac. ad, bc, bd), max(ac, ad, bc, bd)] (3)
[a, b] I [c, d] = [a, b] * [Ud, lic], where 0 d [c, d]. (4)
Implementing interval analysis techniques confronts some
obstacles because its algebraic structure is unlike that of
common single point arithmetic. Accordingly, interval
computations may produce wide bounds.
Given a set of interval input parameters, the bounds of the
resulting interval computations may depend on the calculation
procedure as well as the input parameters. Therefore, an effort
has to be made to reduce the width of the resulting interval
bounds. Normally, the approach to producing better bounds
has been to rearrange the expression so that each interval
parameter appears only once in the equation [6]. The approach
is illustrated in reference 1 .
IV.TRANSMISSION LINE INDUCTANCE
Transmission lines are the electrical connections between
the generating stations and the load centers. The calculation of
transmission line inductance is used here as an example to
illustrate the use of interval mathematics. Inductance values
are calculated using the traditional single point numbers as
well as interval numbers. The values from tbese two methods
are compared to prove the validity of interval analysis.
Power transmission is usually performed using two or more
conductors for single-phase or multiphase systems. An
additional complication appears in three-phase lines as a result
of transposition of the phases over the length of the line [7].
The positions of phases a, b, and c change in a cycle that puts
each phase in each of three possible positions over the span of
the line. The reason for this cycle is to ensure that each phase
experiences an equivalent amount of flux linkage. Thus, the
average inductance of each of the phases will be equal.
If all three conductors have the same radius I; they will
each have the same inductance L:
L = 2 x lo- In [(DI2Dzi Dsl)s/r] Him (5)
where DI2,D2s, DIs, and r are defmed as follows:
D12is the distance in meters behveen phase conductors 1 and 2
DZSis the distance in meters between phase conductors 2 and 3
D13is the distance in meters between phase conductors 1 and 3
-
r = r which is the radius in meters the accounts for
internal inductance [7].
Inductance calculations using equation (5) are performed
on two different three-phase transmission line arrangements.
The two arrangements are designated as Case 1 and Case 2.
The first arrangement is a linear setup with equidistant
spacing between the middle and the end conductors as shown
in Figure 1.
Dn D77
< >
D13
Figure 1. First conductor arrangement
The second arrangement is triangular with various distances
between the conductors as shown in Figure 2.
n
DIZ 7T D23
D13
Figure 2: Second conductor arrangement
225
 V. RESULTS 2.7meters. The maximum value is based on using DI2, DZ,
and DI3= 3.3 meters: L = 1.209819 x 10" Hlm.
This section will present the results of transmission line As an example of other values between these limits, let DI2
inductance calculations for the two cases described in the = 3.1 meters, D2) = 3.2 meters, and DI3= 3.3 meters. The
previous section. Two methods will be used as follows. result will be L = 1.203599 x 10.' Wm, which falls within the
Method A represents traditional single-point mathematics. range of minimum and maximum values of L obtained earlier.
This method will determine the minimum and maximum
values for a range of distances that fall within certain lower Case 2 (Method B):
and upper limits. Method B will use interval mathematics to
determine the interval outcome resulting fiom interval The following interval numbers will be used to represents
numbers representing the ranges of distances. The bounds of the distance ranges: DI2 ,D23, and DI3= [2.7, 3.31 meters.
intervals that represent distance ranges will be the same as the These intervals are used to implement equation 5, which
minimum and maximum limits used in Method A. yields the following interval result:

Case 1 (Method A): L = [1.169685 x 1.209819 x Wm.

The following values will be used in the calculations: D,2
and D2)will have a minimum of 2.7 meters and a maximum of
3.3 meters, and r = 0.01 meters. D13will therefore have a
minimum of 5.4 meters and a maximum of 6.6 meters since
D13= DI2+ D23in this case as shown in Figure 1. Using any
distance value for DIZ,DZ3,or D,, that falls within these limits
will result in a value of L as shown below.
Using equation 5 yields the following minimum value,
which is based on DI2and DZJ= 2.7 meters, and D13= 5.4
meters: L = 1.215894 x Wm. The maximum value is
based on using DIZand Dzi = 3.3 meters, and DI3= 6.6 meters:
L = 1.256029 x IO4 Wm.
As an example of other values between these limits, let DI2
= 2.8 meters, D23= 2.9 meters, and D13= 5.7 meters. The
result will be L = 1.226687 x Wm, which falls within the
range of minimum and maximum values of L obtained earlier.
As can be seen, the lower and upper limits of the interval are
the same as the minimum and maximum values obtained
previously using method A.
VI. CONCLUSION
Intewal mathematics can be used to determine the effects of
uncertainly in parameters used in a computation. By using
interval analysis, there is no need for many simulation runs
because the total variation in the output is known given the
total variation in input parameters. The calculation of
transmission line inductance was used as an example.
Inductance values were calculated using the traditional single
point numbers as well as interval numbers. The results fiom
these two methods proved the validity of interval analysis.

Case 1 Method B): REFERENCES

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4 I h IASTED Intemational Conference on Power & Energy
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yields the following interval result: Planning, lEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 3, No.3,
August 1988, pp. 1284-1290.
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Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1973.
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