High Voltage Lines: Voltage, Resistance & Current

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the characteristics of high voltage lines used for transporting electric energy, including their voltage levels, resistance, inductance, and current magnitude. Participants explore various aspects of high voltage transmission, including generation, transformation, and distribution systems across different regions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the common voltage range for high voltage lines is between 30 to 750 kilovolts.
  • One participant mentions that typical currents for transmission lines might be around 50-100 amps, but expresses uncertainty about this figure.
  • Another participant explains that power stations generate electricity at 11-15 kV, which is then stepped up to 400 kV for long-distance transmission to reduce current and wire size.
  • It is noted that in North America, the frequency is 60Hz, while other regions may have different standards.
  • Participants mention various voltage levels for distribution, including 13.2 kV, 4160 V, and down to 120V, depending on the application.
  • One participant shares that experimental power lines in Siberia operate at 1 megavolt (1000 kV) and discusses the importance of high voltage in reducing losses due to lower currents.
  • There is a mention of the capacitive effects in power lines and how high-voltage lines are designed to mitigate these effects.
  • Another participant describes the common voltage ratings for inner-city distribution, which do not exceed 22 kV, and how these can be transformed for industrial use.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views regarding the specific voltage levels and current magnitudes in high voltage lines, with no consensus reached on the exact figures or characteristics. The discussion remains unresolved with various perspectives on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on regional standards and practices, and there are unresolved details regarding the resistance and inductance of high voltage lines. Additionally, the discussion includes varying definitions of high voltage across different contexts.

salsero
Messages
39
Reaction score
0
What is commonly the voltage in the high voltage lines used to transport electric energy over large distances? What is their resistance and inductance? What is the magnitude of the current flowing there?

Yevgeny.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
I believe the range 30 to 750 kilovolts is relatively common. I'm not quite sure of the current in most lines, but I'd expect a 50-100 amps or so for most transmission lines. Don't quote me on this!

- Warren
 
The Powerstation genarates 11-15kV at 50hz then it is stepped up to 400kV using transformers for the supergrid because more voltage = less current which means u don't need as big wires to carry the current long distences,then it is stepped down to 33k for industry, and then stepped down to 240V for towns and villages.

I hope that helps mate...
I even signed up to the forum just to help u out :)
 
Last edited:
60Hz

But that's 60Hz in North America
 


Originally posted by flexifirm
But that's 60Hz in North America
And 500kV. Distribution is more complicated. You can have 13.2kV or 4160V, and at the point of use, you can have 120V, 208V, 240V, 277V, 460V, and single or three phase.
 
For transmission lines, I've seen 115kV, 230kV, and 345kV (phase to phase voltages).
 
Last edited:
Hello, I`m new to this forum and this is my first post.
I am an electrician in the making so to speak, and I think I can explain a bit here.

The most common voltage of a generator (let`s say a dam, 50MW) is about 13kV. Then depending on the distance of the energy beeng transported it is stepped up by a substation from anywhere like 200kV to 700kv or so. Experimental power lines in Siberia run on a relatively very high 1 megavolt (1000Kv).
The previous post that says that the main purpose of high voltage are thinner lines is not exactly it. Of cource companies want to save metal and money, but low currents result in lower losses. It is not unisual that many hundreds or thousands of kilowatts are lost in the power lines by the capacitive effect of the lines either hanging or as a cable buried in the ground. That is why high-voltage lines usually revolve (like a 4-twisted pair for a computer. A LAN cable in other words) to reduce the capacitive efect.
Tu usual inner-city distribution the common voltage ratings do not exceed 22kV if I recall, very commonly cables.
The it can be used directly by a large industry or transformed down to as low as 670 Volts (I`m talking about European systems) because that is the lowest "high voltage", a standard.
Households today can receive a 400V 3-pole TN or TN-C-S net that uses the PEN (Protective Earth & Neutral, yellow-green-blue) is split in a TN-C system where they use one plase an the N (zero point of either a Y or D transformer) point to get 2x1/3 of 400 which is 230! A brilliant system, however the second Earth error is extremely high...
Then again older households use IT systems usually, rarely TT. Those are usual D-transformer 230V systems that can eithe use 2 or 3 phases which both deliver 230V.
Usually you can find out what net you have by asking your electrical company.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
6K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
8K