What Do ωL and ωC Mean in Telecommunications?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the terms ωL and ωC in the context of telecommunications, particularly in relation to transmission lines used for AC signals. Participants explore the significance of these terms, their meanings, and their implications in high-frequency applications.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the meanings of ωL and ωC, seeking clarification on the significance of the ω symbol.
  • One participant explains that ω represents angular frequency and relates it to the reactance of inductors (X_L = jωL) and capacitors (X_C = 1/jωC), noting that in high-frequency applications, resistance (R) and conductance (G) can often be ignored.
  • Another participant adds that ωL represents the reactance of inductance in transmission lines, while 1/ωC represents the reactance of capacitance, highlighting the challenges posed by parasitic capacitance in power lines.
  • There is mention of a method for sending telecommunications signals through power lines, with a note on the current practice of using fiber optic cables alongside power conductors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of ωL and ωC as reactance terms, but there is no consensus on the broader implications or applications of these concepts in telecommunications.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about terminology and concepts, indicating a range of familiarity with the subject matter.

fran1942
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Hello, I have just started reading some telecommunications basic concepts. I have a question regarding the following phrase:

"when considering that transmission lines are used in transmitting AC signals:
R << ωL
G << ωC
In high frequency applications the R is so much smaller than the xL that R can be ignored.
The G is so much smaller than xC that G can be ignored..."

Can someone please tell me what the ωL and ωC terms mean ?
What significance/meaning does the ω symbol have ?

Thanks kindly for any help.
 
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fran1942 said:
Hello, I have just started reading some telecommunications basic concepts. I have a question regarding the following phrase:

"when considering that transmission lines are used in transmitting AC signals:
R << ωL
G << ωC
In high frequency applications the R is so much smaller than the xL that R can be ignored.
The G is so much smaller than xC that G can be ignored..."

Can someone please tell me what the ωL and ωC terms mean ?
What significance/meaning does the ω symbol have ?

Thanks kindly for any help.

reactance of inductor X_L= j\omega L\; and reactance of capacitor isX_c=\frac 1 {j\omega C} \;\Rightarrow\; B_c= j\omega C\;\hbox { B is the subceptance.}

In Complex representation, impedance Z= R + jX where X is the reactance. That where the two terms come in. If R <<ωL then Z=R+jωL≈jωL. Same as the other.
 
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Mr. Yungman explained it pretty well. But just to add:

omega(ω) is your angular frequency. If you are in Europe, power lines are transmitting power at 50 Hz, in America, that is 60 Hz.
But in telecommunications, this frequency goes higher. There was a method where you can send telecommunications signals through power lines! Those signals were at 800Hz or so, so they traveled down the power lines quite nicely. At the point where the receiver was, it was simply filtered out by a inductor.

But as far as the physical explanation goes of ωL and 1/ωC, ωL is your reactance of L of your transmission line, as all wires have that.

1/ωC is your reactance of C of your transmission lines. You see, when you send some HF signals through power lines, you get this parasitic capacity(as I imagine it) with ground, and that can be a problem, especially in power lines, where you need to compensate for that because it can give a major voltage drop.
 
Last edited:
ωL and 1/ωC are reactance of L and C.
 
yungman said:
ωL and 1/ωC are reactance of L and C.

Yes, sorry. Edited.
 
There was a method where you can send telecommunications signals through power lines!

nowadays the electric companies run a fiber optic cable down the center of their power conductor and lease bandwidth to telcom operators...
 
Bassalisk said:
Yes, sorry. Edited.

I read back my original post, it's way too short to give good explanation. It's so short I can't even say it's "short and sweet"!:smile:
 
yungman said:
I read back my original post, it's way too short to give good explanation. It's so short I can't even say it's "short and sweet"!:smile:

I think I understood what you were aiming at. I am too green to know all terminologies correctly:D
 
Last edited:

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