Temperature and Earth Resistivity Effects in Calculation of

Electromagnetic Field Using Three-Point Formulae Finite

Difference Method
M. A. Elhirbawy*, L. S. Jennings** and W.W.L. Keerthipala***

*Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The
University of Western Australia.

**Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Western Australia.

***School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Curtin University of Technology

Abstract

This work illustrates a comprehensive and general set of FDM equations derived from Maxwell’s
equation set. In previous work, the authors presented a calculation of electromagnetic field using two-
point formulae. In the current work a new formulation based on three-point formulae is presented. This
work presents the first and second derivatives on the boundary by using more than two grid points on one
side of the boundary in order to improve the accuracy of approximation. This work takes into account a
multi-layer earth resistivity model for the solution of the Maxwell’s equation system. Solutions have been
presented for the variable step size and interfaces problems.

Keywords: Earth resistivity; FDM; Maxwell’s power transmission lines. A robust technique based on
equations; Power Transmission Line; Sag; Temperature. FDM has been created for solving electric and magnetic
fields [1]. This technique replaces the derivatives by
1. GLOSSARY OF SYMBOLS equivalent differences, to calculate the electric and
Ez Electric field component in Z-direction. magnetic field subject to the boundary conditions of
(X, Y) Position of conductor. continuity in both horizontal and vertical components of
(x, y) Observation point. magnetic fields at the earth plane. This paper describes
i Vector of current density. observation and analysis of electromagnetic field in
I Conductor current. proximity of three-phase power transmission lines using
ρe Earth resistivity. FDM. The set of Maxwell’s equations are transformed
through discretisation of the solution domain using
δx Step size.
FDM to a system of linear algebraic equations referred
H xi , H yi X and Y image components of the
to as finite difference equations. FDM expansion
magnetic field above ground. techniques are explained to handle the infinity long
H xa , H ya X and Y components of the total conductor approach [2,3]. Another goal is to develop
approaches which allow the possibility for consideration
magnetic field above ground. of unsymmetrical location in the multi-conductor case.
H xg , H yg X and Y of the magnetic field in the Different step sizes are used for efficiency of
ground. computation while retaining accuracy. The calculation
H xc , H yc Conductor X and Y -component of and minimization of the electromagnetic field on
multiconductor lines has been subject of several studies
the magnetic field above ground. [4,5]. This work has application at the supply frequency
to give understanding to soil structure on large earth
2. INTRODUCTION tower systems. Also, the work has application in
evaluation of the magnetic coupling between the power
The paper focuses on developing a Finite Difference transmission line and a metallic structure buried in the
Method (FDM) procedure for the numerical evaluation body of the earth such as pipelines [6,7,8,9].
of electromagnetic fields established by currents in

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3. EARTH RESISTIVITY AND Figure 2 shows the mean conductor height calculation
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS between towers. The variation in the height of individual
conductors within each span rises to more accurate
Earth resisitivity is not a trivial part of evaluating the calculation of complex electromagnetic field. The
complex electromagnetic field. The physical value of the conductor of an overhead transmission line should be
earth resisitivity varies from point to point, especially located such that the distance to level or sloping ground
with different soil structure. Earth resisitivity is a in any direction at maximum design temperature meets
fundamental value used for design calculations for the the standard.
physical size of the earthing system. Figure 1 shows a
new line configuration, which contains the planned
upgrade in tower configuration, for future operation of Y
the system with a single 500 kV circuit with a bundle of
four subconductors per phase [4]. In this model, the soil
structure has been subdivided to a multi-earth resistivity
layer.
11.9 m 11.9 m mid-span tower
height , M height ,
N

30.4 m

X
Figure 2: Mean conductor height between towers.
Surface 2
Level h = N − ( N − M)
3
Layer 1
4. THREE PHASE TRANSMISSION LINE
MODEL

Layer 2 Pinjar-Northern Terminal line in Western Australia has

Layer 3
Figure 1: Multi layer earth resistivity and a 500 kV
tower configuration with four subconductors per phase.
been selected for investigation and study purposes.
Figure 3 shows Pinjar-Northern Terminal 330 kV
double circuit suspension assembly quad conductor.
This tower configuration has a double circuit 330 kV
line and a bundle of four subconductors per phase as
shown in Figure 4. The study will investigate and
quantify the existing model.
0 .7 9
0 .3 5 8 0 .3 5 8

Earth resisitivity can be determined accurately only by

measurements. In nonhomogenous soil, the soil
resistivity varies with depth. This work presents a
subdivision of the soil structure to a horizontal multi-
layer earth resisitivity model.
0. 46

The most important factors affecting soil resistivity are

the soil type and temperature [10,11]. Significant
concern has arisen in this work on the different 0 .4 6

temperature effects to the proposed model. This

temperature has an effect on sag calculation, thus more Figure 3: Pinjar-Northern Terminal 330 kV double
accurate FDM results have been graphically presented. circuit suspension assembly quad conductor.

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 Y increase the resulting accuracy. Consider a uniform grid
with spacing δx in both directions.
0.595m 6.37m 6.37m
6.1 Above Ground and on Surface Level
A 0.46m A`
There are two main contributions to the magnetic field
8.5m
in the air set up by the conductor. The largest
0.447m 6.57m 6.57m contribution coming from the conductor is given by:
B B`
− ( y − Y )I
8.5m H ( x, y ) = (6.1)
xc 2 2
2π ( x − X ) + ( y − Y ) )
6.97m 6.97m
C C` (x − X )I
H ( x, y ) = (6.2)
yc 2 2
2π (( x − X ) + ( y − Y ) )
The second contribution is due to the image conductor
32.319m
below ground:
∞ − yu
H ( x, y ) = ∫ φ (u ) cos(( x − X )u )e du (6.3)
xi 0

X ∞ − yu
H ( x, y ) = − ∫ φ (u ) sin(( x − X )u )e du (6.4)
yi 0
Figure 4: Tower configuration for Pinjar-Northern where:
Terminal in Western Australia.
−Yu 2
1 Ie ( u + jα − u )
5. FIELD THEORY AND BOUNDARY φ (u ) = . (6.5)
2π 2
u + jα + u
CONDITION
The complex valued function φ(u) is found using the
This work is based on the Parallel-conductor system, continuity conditions expressed in equations (5.1) and
and the classical formulations by Carson and Pollaczek (5.2). Adding the two contributions gives the total
that considered wave propagation along the axis parallel magnetic field in the air:
to the conductor system by solving Maxwell’s equations H xa = H xc + H xi (6.6)
to give a set of expressions for self and mutual
impedances [12]. The boundary conditions of continuity H ya = H yc + H yi (6.7)
in both horizontal and vertical components of magnetic
fields at the ground surface dictates that the total From the Maxwell equation set, the current density in
magnetic field (sum of the conductor and image the air equals zero [14,15]. Therefore:
contributions) equals the magnetic field below ground at ε
curl H = jω 0 E (6.8)
the surface. Based on Carson’s formulation assumptions, the electric
Then the conditions of continuity are: field components Ex and Ey due to the ground current
H xg = H xc + H xi (5.1) are neglected, and the only significant component is Ez.
y =0 y =0 y =0
ε
In the low frequency case the term ω 0 is negligible.
= H yc + H yi
H yg
y =0 y =0 y =0
(5.2)
Therefore the term jω ε 0
E is discounted in the
The integral forms of the theoretical solution, using the formulation. Thus, in source free regions of the air, the
Carson formulation are used to calculate the boundary basic equation is curl H = 0
points in the x-y plane [13]. The vector equation in the above expression is reduced
to an equation in Z-direction only:
6. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD
FORMULATION ∂Hy ∂Hx
- =0 (6.9)
∂x ∂y
Using Taylor series expansions to develop finite
difference approximations based on three-grid point will Then by using div (H)=0 from the Maxwell set:

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∂Hx ∂Hy
+ =0
∂x ∂y
From equation (6.9) and equation (6.10):
∂ 2 Hx ∂ 2 Hx ∂ 2 Hy ∂ 2 Hy
+ =0 (6.11) + =0
∂x 2 ∂y 2 ∂x 2 ∂y 2
Using the forward difference technique based on three-
point formulae on the two equations above will
introduce two equations in FDM form for the magnetic
field components Hx and Hy respectively:
−4Hxi(i, k) +5Hxi(i +1, k) −4Hxi(i +2, k) + Hxi(i +3, k)
+5Hxi(i, k +1) −4Hxi(i, k +2) +Hxi(i, k +3) =0
−4Hyi(i, k) +5Hyi(i +1, k) −4Hyi(i +2, k) + Hyi(i +3, k)
+5Hyi(i, k +1) −4Hyi(i, k +2) + Hyi(i, k +3) = 0
Applying forward difference technique on equations
(6.9) and div (H)=0 , will introduce two equations in
FDM form:
−3Hyi(i, k) + 4Hyi(i +1, k) − Hyi(i + 2, k) +3Hxi(i, k)
−4Hxi(i, k +1) + Hxi(i, k + 2) =0
−3Hxi(i, k) + 4Hxi(i +1, k) − Hxi(i + 2, k) +3H yi(i, k)
− 4H yi(i, k +1) + H yi(i, k + 2) = 0
From curl(E) = -jω µ 0 H and using backward
difference technique and based on three-point
formulae, FDM will introduce the electric field
equation:
Ez(i, k)2∆x / ρe −3Hy(i, k) +3Hx(i, k) − Hy(i −2, k)
+ 4Hy(i −1, k) + Hx(i, k −2) −4Hx(i, k −1) = 0
6.2 In the Body of the Earth
Magnetic field components Hxg and Hyg are set up by
the current in the conductor and the image conductor.
Solution for magnetic field contains a further function
to be determined from conditions at the earth plane:
∞ y u2 + jα  
2
H xg = ∫ F (u) cos(u( x − X ))e  u + jα du
0   This part generates a straightforward method for solving
(6.18)
∞ y u 2 + jα
H yg = ∫ F (u ) sin(u ( x − X )e du
0 size in non-symmetrical cases. An average concept for
where:
−Yu
(6.10) Ie
F (u ) = (6.20)
π u 2 + jα + u
The complex valued function F(u) is found using the
(6.12) continuity conditions expressed in equations (5.1) and
(5.2). The electric field in the ground is dominated by
the Z-component and the magnetic field the X and Y
components, hence using equation (6.10) on backward
difference technique based on three-point formulae
produces an equation to be used below ground. On the
other hand, from Maxwell’s equations set:
(6.13) E =curl(H) ρ e (6.21)
And using backward difference technique based on
three-point formulae will introduce another equation to
be used below ground.
(6.14)
7. VARIABLE STEP SIZE CONCEPT
Formulations have been done to create a full set of
equations to be applicable to the region in the air, on the
earth plane, and in the body of the earth with a variable
step size. The idea is that as the solutions become
smoother (electromagnetic fields tend to zero as distance
(6.15)
from conductor becomes large) a larger step size can be
used. It should be pointed out that this approach will
handle infinity long electric power transmission line
(6.16) model. The objective is to save memory requirements
and speed up all calculation processes.
7.1 Solution One
First, using equation (6.10) and applying forward
difference approximation based on three-point grid
introduces a formula at grid point (i, k) to be used below
ground at the interface, where the step size changes.
(6.17) Second, Using equation (6.21), and taking forward
difference technique introduces an equation at grid point
(i, k) to be used below ground. Third, a forward
technique based on FDM to formulate magnetic field
equations for all points located to the left of the Y-axis
below ground is used. Hence, interpolation concepts are
used at all points located on the corners, by taking the
average between each two neighboring points [2,3].
7.2 Solution Two
various problems involving a change in mesh spacing.
In order to solve the long conductor approach, a
(6.19) technique has been selected for solving variable step
any point located on the interfaces, where the step size
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changes from δx to 2δx has been implemented, as magnitudes for the electric field appears in curve
shown below: labelled with 5 ohm-m earth resistivity.
Curves are given in Figure 6 for the magnetic field in
Pinjar-North Terminal line in two different
(i, j + ) = {(i, j ) + (i, j + 1)}
1 1
2 2 (7.1) temperatures, temperature 1 is 50 deg.C and temperature
2 is 15 deg.C, which gives two different sag calculation,
or (i + , j ) = {(i, j ) + (i + 1, j )}
1 1
2 2 where the minimal electromagnetic field produced by
these configurations of transmission lines is test 2.
Using forward and/or backward approximations, in Table (1) explains the relation between the temperature,
order to treat the corners points in both left and right sag and tension.
sides.

7.3 Solution Three 2

The Finite-Difference approximation for the first and 1.8

Ez magnitude (V/m)
second-derivative using three unequally spaced
points (-δx, f −1 ), (0, f 0 ), (εδx, f1 ) is: 1.6

1.4
− εf −1 − (1 − ε ) f 0 + f 1
f = '
+ 0(δx ) (7.2)
2εδx
0
1.2
2(εf −1 − (1 + ε ) f 0 + f 1 )
f 0'' = + 0(δx ) (7.3)
δx 2 (ε 2 + ε ) 1

0.8
Solving partial differential equations from the solution
of Maxwell’s equations based on the two above

16

24
4

6
-8

-2

8
-2

-1
approximation gives solutions accurate to 0(δx) on the Distance from Y-axis (m)
interfaces. Earth Resistivity = 1000 ohm-m
Earth Resistivity = 100 ohm-m
8. FDM IMPLEMENTATION
Earth Resistivity = 5 ohm-m
General FDM equations have been implemented using Figure 5: Three different earth resisitivity for the
Biconjugate Gradient method for solving electric and electric field distribution on surface level for Pinjar-
magnetic fields [16]. The software can handle different Northern Terminal.
step size δx, conductor height, resistivity, fault current,
and different shape problem domain. The key aspect of
this work is that FDM equations have been written at
each point in a problem domain size, using infinite Temp 1 Temp 2
integral solution (actual solution) to calculate the
Hx Magnitude (A/m)

boundary values [13]. The unknowns in these equations 2

are the complex electric and magnetic fields at the grid
points, and the equations are solved simultaneously. 1.5
The work present an opportunity for an in depth look at
the physical aspects of the electromagnetic fields 1
calculation set up by overhead transmission lines. It is
important to notice how the tower is located relative to 0.5
the Y-axis as shown in Figure 4.
0
The typical parameters used in the test are: frequency 50
Hz, earth resistivity 100 ohm-m, fault current 250 Amp
8
6
-8
-2

4
10
20
-2
-1

and δx is 1 meter. Figure 5 presents a comparison for the

Distance from Y-axis (m)
electric field distribution at surface level between three (a)
different earth resistivity, where the minimum

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 Difference Techniques” IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery,
Vol. 1, p.p. 311-316, May 2002.
Temp 1 Temp 2 [2] M. A. Elhirbawy, L. Jennings, W. W. L. Keertipala,
3 “Variable step size for Calculation of Electromagnetic
Fields of power transmission line using Finite Difference
Hy Magnitude (A/m)

Techniques” (Proceedings of IEEE TENCON 2002,28-

2 31 Oct.2002).
[3] M. A. Elhirbawy, L. Jennings, W. W. L. Keertipala, “Un-
Symmetric vectorized sparse solver and finite difference
1 method for solving Electromagnetic Field in long
conductor” (Proceedings of IEEE EMC EUROPE Italy
2002,13-15 Sept.2002).
[4] M. Fonseca, E. Fontana, S. Naidu, “Electric and
0
magnetic fields of compact transmission lines” IEEE
Trans. on power delivery, vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 200-204
8

-8

-2

10

20
-2

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January 1996.
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field near power lines” IEEE Trans. on power delivery,
(b)
vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 1577-1586 July 1996.
Figure 6. Electromagnetic field simulation results
[6] X. Yang, X. Xu, , “Interference of nonlinear
obtained for two different temperature effects on the ferromagnetic pipeline on magnetic field produced by
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the Y-axis. (b) Hy magnitude at different distances from No. 2, April 1996.
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wires and pipelines by AC power transmission lines”
Table (1) Sag calculation IEEE trans. on Industry applications, Vol. 30, No. 2,
March/April 1994.
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10. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
States of America; library of Congress Cataloging in
The authors wish to express their appreciation to UWA Publication, 1984, pp.11-148 and 322-325.
for the facilities provided. Thanks also extended to Mr. [15] S.E. Schwarz, Electromagnetic for Engineers, University
Peter Peach from Western Power-Western Australia. of California Berkeley; Sanders College Publishing,
1990, pp. 125-127 and 201-204.
11. REFERENCES [16] W. T. Vetterling, Numerical Recipes In Fortran Example
[1] M. A. Elhirbawy, T. T. Nguyen, L. Jennings, W. W. L. Book, U.K.; Cambridge University Press. Programs,
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established by power transmission line using Finite

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