http://www.scribd.

com/doc/18643758/Electrical-Power-Systems-Ddas
Why doesn’t Transpower use underground cables instead of
overhead lines?
We do use underground cables in some special circumstances, but not often,
because:

 Underground cables suitable for transmission voltages are very expensive -

in the order of ten times the cost of overhead line.
 Underground cables are difficult to maintain, and cannot be maintained live.
In particular, it might take several weeks to identify and repair a fault on an
underground circuit compared to about a day for an overhead line.
 At long distances – i.e more than 30 kms, above ground reactive
compensation stations would be required at regular intervals.
 If long-distance power transmission used underground cables, the price of
electricity would be several times what it is now.
Why do transmission lines buzz and crackle in damp weather? Is it
dangerous?
Electricity flowing through a conductor at high voltage produces an energy field
around the conductors. If a conductive path did exist, power would flow to earth.
The insulators that hold conductors in position combined with the excellent
insulating properties of dry air mean that electricity does not flow between ‘live’
components and the earth. Moist air and rain may cause unstable irregularities in
the electrical field around theconductors and insulators, which can generate a
crackling noise and under some conditions can produce a dull glow called corona.
Under damp conditions, a small current may leak along the insulator string,
between the conductor and the ‘earthed’ structure, as the live components attempt
to go to earth potential. This current is very small and trickles harmlessly to earth
through the tower. These conditions are normal and not dangerous.
What is a flashover?
A flashover is a fault, where the high-voltage electricity jumps from a conductor to
earth or to another conductor. It is basically like a small bolt of lightning, and
produces a similar noise and a bright blue light. Flashover can occur in very high
winds whenconductors clash together, or when the line insulation is compromised,
or when trees grow too close to lines. Flashover can cause great disturbances in the
power system, as well as damage to lines. Transpower goes to considerable trouble
to prevent flashover by careful design and maintenance, and by controlling the
growth of trees below lines.
How close can you safely get to a live transmission line or high-
voltage conductor? Can electricity jump out at you?
Yes - electricity at high voltages used by Transpower can jump out or flash over to
anyone, or anything that approaches too close to a live conductor. You don’t have
to touch it to be seriously burnt or killed! The minimum distance that live
equipment can be approached safely (or minimum approach distance) varies with
the voltage. As far as members of the public are concerned, this distance is four
metres. No person or object is allowed any closer than that to a live line. Check the
Landowners and Occupiers booklet for more detailed safety information.

What is voltage?
Voltage represents the difference in charge between two conductors - such as the
terminals of a generator, or between a transmission line and the earth. It can be
described as the ‘pressure’ of electricity - it is also called ‘potential
difference’.Conductors at high voltage need a lot of insulation to stop the electricity
flowing from one to another when the potential difference between them is great.
This is why transmission lines at many tens of thousands of volts need long strings
of glass or porcelain insulators, but your house wiring at 230 volts only needs a
simple plastic covering. (Note that the ‘volume’ of electricity flowing is called
current, measured in amperes.)
Back to top ^
Why are such high voltages used? Wouldn’t low voltage, such as
used in our homes, be safer?
Long-distance transmission of electricity is only feasible at very high voltages. Long
transmission lines have a relatively high linear resistance, which in turn regulates
the maximum amount of current flow for a given voltage - Ohm’s law. This
determines the amount of energy delivered - the product of voltage and current.
The resistance can be lowered by making the conductor thicker, but the practical
limit of this approach is reached very quickly. So to deliver a lot of power over
cables of a practical diameter, a high voltage has to be used.

Is it true that electromagnetic radiation from transmission lines or

substations is dangerous to your health?
No - there is no consistent evidence to confirm that there are any health hazards
from high voltage lines and equipment - as long as you adhere to prescribed safe
practices. See our safety section for more information.

Why are there three conductors on a transmission line?

Each high voltage circuit has three phases - labelled red, yellow and blue. The
generators supplying the power system have their coils connected to the system
through terminals at 120-degree intervals. As each generator rotates inside the
coils through a full 360 degrees, the voltage and current rises and falls in each
terminal sequentially. With three conductors, the whole power system will be kept
in step, or synchronised, and the maximum amount of power can be transmitted.
Why don’t birds get electrocuted when they sit on power lines?
Animals are damaged by electricity only when it flows through them. A bird sitting
on a power line is surrounded by air, which is a good insulator. No current flows
through the bird, and there is no harm done. For the same reason, maintenance
workers can sit on live transmission lines as long as they get there using insulated
ladders and ropes, and keep a good air gap between themselves and the tower
steel.