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Study of Magnetic Fields Produced by Transmission Line Tower Using Finite

Element Method (FEM)

Conference Paper · August 2014

DOI: 10.1109/TIME-E.2014.7011593

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 2014 2nd International Conference on Technology, Informatics, Management, Engineering & Environment
Bandung, Indonesia, August 19-21, 2014
Study of Magnetic Fields Produced by Transmission
Line Tower Using Finite Element Method (FEM)
Sharin Ab Ghani, Mohd Shahril Ahmad Khiar, Imran Sutan Chairul, Musa Yusup Lada and Nor Hidayah Rahim
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM),
Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia.
E-mail: sharinag@utem.edu.my
Abstract— Transmission line is a medium to transmit electric
energy from one place to another for long distances. For instance,
the aim is to reduce losses. Typically, in Malaysia the overhead
transmission line was used because cost and maintenance can be
handling easily. Despite, the transmission line also produced high
strength of electric and magnetic field under the tower.
Therefore, the tendency of magnetic field effected to the human
and environment has to be identified wisely. However the real
measurement under transmission line tower may give high risk.
Therefore the best approach is to carry out the information by
performing simulation study. In this project, Finite Element
Method (FEM) via ANSYS Maxwell software was carried out.
The transmission line modeling is focused on 132kV and 275kV
specifications. Magnetic field analysis under the transmission
tower is carrying out in this research work. Finally, it is a
successful work in modeling the transmission line by validating
the result with the actual on-site measurement especially on
132kV transmission line.
Keywords—Finite Element Method (FEM); Transmission Line;
Magnetic Field; Health
I. INTRODUCTION
Electricity is the main source of basis nowadays. Without
electricity many daily activities are disrupted. To ensure the
smooth distribution of electricity to consumers, in Malaysia
there is a system introduced and used to this day, the national
grid. National grid is the distribution system that uses a
transmission line; it has coordinated the value of the applied
voltage of 132kV, 275kV and 500kV. Transmission lines or
power lines are an important part of the power network. A
transmission line is a key link between the generations of
electricity to consumers. Without a good communicator
electricity generated may not be up to the user in a secure
environment. In addition, based on the theory, transmission
lines can also be described as electric wave propagation along
the transmission line. There are many factors to consider in
transmission line design such as transmission voltage level,
types of tower, environment and others. Other than that,
transmission line also easy to carry out for maintenance work.
However, by increasing power of demand, many power lines
had been constructing near with living people. The increase of
population density will affect the power consumption and
transmission in an area of community. From that, many large
transmission line configurations with high voltages and
current level will be constructing. Generally, the common
The sponsorship is made by Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
(UTeM) and Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) under Short Term
Grant Scheme.
978-1-4799-4805-5/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE
phenomenon happen at transmission line is electric field and
magnetic field. Electric field is proportional with the voltage.
If the levels of voltage increase, the electric field also
increases quickly. Each wire that charges will produce the
electric field and the field exists even when there is no current
flowing. From the researcher, the electric field can be screened
easily by objects such as buildings, trees and wall. For
magnetic field is directly related to current. The magnetic field
generated when has current flowing in wire. However, the
magnetic field different with the electric field which it cannot
be shielding. This means that, the magnetic field is always
exposed to the environment. Other than that, this field also
gives effect to human health and environmental. However,
both of field can reduced rapidly with distance from source of
the field. Both of the fields are perfectly invisible and silent.
Therefore, to avoid the risk, this project makes simulation
studies to carry out the information. This project focuses on
132kV and 275kV transmission line because the voltage level
is usually used in Malaysia. The model of transmission lines
had been modelled based on specification gained from
Transmission Division of Malaysia’s Energy Provider. The
model had been modelled using Finite Element Method
(FEM) from ANSYS Maxwell software.
II. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD EQUATION
A magnetic field can be calculated by using Bio-Savart law.
B-field power line or magnetic field is related to the current
flows on the line. Magnetic field can be calculated by using
below formula, if the current are known [1].
1
= × (1)
4
By knowing that“i” is the current flowing in an elemental
dl of a conductor, r is the radial distance, u is the unit vector
along the radial direction and ∂H is the contribution to the
magnetic field at r due to the current element idl. The equation
below has shown the relationship of magnetic field, where
is the permeability of free space [2].
= (2)
64
 The magnitude of magnetic field has shown in equation verified with measurement result. For measurement result, the
below. The magnetic field on power line is divided in three researcher uses the HI-3604 ELF survey meter to obtain
components. reading of magnetic field. This meter measuring unit in
electric field is, V/m or kV/m meanwhile magnetic field is,
milliGauss or Gauss. Figure 2 shows HI-3604 ELF survey
= + + (3) meter. For measurement process, the data had been taken in
one hour. The data are taken at each 3 minutes by using an
Generally, the motion of electric charges generated the ELF meter survey. In Figure 3 indicate the dimension of one
magnetic field on the power line and magnetic field had of 132kV and 275kV transmission line tower. Meanwhile in
produce on power line is depends on currents that flows in the Table 1, displays the details of sizing, voltage level and
wire [2]. current capacity used in 132 kV and 275kV transmission line.
Based on information above, the transmission line is modeled
using Finite Element Method (FEM).
III. EFFECTS OF EELCTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON HEALTH
High voltage and current levels of transmission line
generate values of electric fields and magnetic field which
affect the human and surroundings. There have several
research had been done to prove effect electromagnetic field to
human [3]. In the human body, there have different
electromagnetic values at a certain frequency because different
material such as bone, brain, lungs and others. However, the
value of permeability for human is equal to permeability of
air. Human body also can produce body current by electric and
magnetic induction process. Inside the human body have free
electric charges that can respond or effect to the changes
generate by current power lines [3-4]. From that, the electric
induction process will made charges to subtract and attract
charges in the human body. Therefore, the frequency of power
lines will create eddy current inside the human body [4].
Cause conductivity around the human body, the magnetic field
can create the voltage in the human body and give impact to
body tissues. Effect from this can be classified by two,
beneficial or vice versa depend on its attribute. The body
current can induced by many factor such as the distance Figure 1. Simulation platform in ANSYS Maxwell software
source to body, the magnitude of charges and currents in the
source, body posture, shape and orientation. From that, the
field induces are different between human and animal [5].
There have several researches by World Health Organization
(WHO), which electromagnetic field can cause short term and
long term health problem. For short term health problem are
headaches, insomnia, muscle pain, fatigue, anxiety, prickling
and rashes. Other than that, long term effects are damaging
DNA, cancer and leukemia [5]. Previous research concluded
the electric field intensity must not more than 4.16kV/m while
magnetic field intensity should not exceed 100uT or 1000 mG
in public areas [1-5].

IV. WORKING PROCEDURE

This part discusses the detail about the workflows and the
method used in completing this research works. Overall data
measurements were collected in the best knowledge of the
personal concern by following a very stringent procedure set
by Transmission Division. Data were verified by the superior
and such they were undeniable and disputed. Figure 1 shows
the simulation platform in ANSYS Maxwell software of the Figure 2. HI-3604 ELF survey meter
transmission line model [6-7]. The simulation result will be

65
 TABLE 1 Figure 4 exhibit the spot measurement setup under
DETAIL OF THE TOWER [1][4].
transmission line from centerline. The distance between one
spot point to other point is in 4 meter of interval. In fact the
Voltage level (kV) 132kV 275kV
researcher made a measurement for each spot until 24 meters.
Single Batang Twin Zebra Based on data in both cases, the analysis had been made for
Conductor (mm)
(300mm ) (400mm ) magnetic fields exposure to humans. The magnetic fields
Current each conductor effect are according to Right of Way (ROW) comply by
616 A 717 A Tenaga Nasional Berhad, 20 meters from center of
(A)
transmission line tower [1][4].

2.40m

4.42m
Transmission
Line Wires

3.66m

18.90m

Spot Measurement
(20 meter)
132kV
Figure 4. The spot measurement below 132kV transmission line

3.08m
V. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS
In this section, it will discuss the simulation results of
magnetic field from 132kV and 275kV transmission line
2.79m 0.40m model. Part A will covered on both simulation and
measurement results of 132kV model. Meanwhile in Part B
only simulation works for 275kV is carried out.

5.334m
A. Simulation and Measurement Results of 132kV
Transmission Line Model
Figure 5 indicates the magnetic field distribution under
132kV transmission line model. All numerical data are
extracted from the Figure 5 into Table 2 for easiness of
analysis. From the graph in Figure 6, relation of data;
23.62m simulation and measurement are approximately similar with
percentage correlation of 97.8%. The magnetic field is higher
at distance 0mm which in the middle of a conductor. For
measurement data, the average highest magnetic field is
6.88E-7 Tesla while for simulation result, the highest
magnetic field is 6.3651E-7 Tesla. There are many factors can
275kV be effect reading of measurement results. In the real time
measurement, there are many elements disturbing the
measurement process. Among the factors affecting the reading
Figure 3. The tower design with actual physical dimensions for 132kV (top) are temperature and electricity consumption. High temperature
and 275kV (bottom) [1][4]
also influences the reading of magnetic field. Other than that,

66
in theoretical, the magnetic field of the transmission lines is
depends on current that flow in the conductor or cable.
Therefore, in this situation, the measurement result had a
higher magnetic field than the simulation result because of
power demands on that time. The transmission line modeled
using Finite Element Method (FEM) are neglecting
environmental factor and power demands. In overall, the
results are below than 100uTesla from ROW.

Figure 6. Graph of Magnetic Field, B (Tesla) versus Distance (mm);

comparable between simulation (Blue Line) and measurement (Red Line)

B. Simulation Result of 275kV Transmission Line Model

Figure 5. Magnetic field distribution under 132kV transmission line In this part, only simulation part is done due to time
(simulation result from top view); distance tower-to-tower: 100m constraint and safety issue. Instead of that, after considering
the Part A correlation results, the model from FEM is reliable
and able to demonstrate the result same with actual
TABLE 2 measurement. Figure 7 shows the magnetic field distribution
SIMULATION AND MEASUREMENT DATA BASED ON ROW FOR THE 132KV under 275kV transmission line tower. All numerical data are
TRANSMISSION LINE
extracted from the Figure 7 into Table 3 for easiness of
Correlation
analysis. Under 275kV transmission line model, the magnetic
Magnetic Field Magnetic Field fields are higher compared to Part A because of the increasing
Between
Distance (mm) Simulation Measurement
(Tesla) (Tesla)
Results of rated current. Meanwhile, ROW or safe distance from
(%) centerline transmission line, 20 meter indicates magnetic
-24000 7.98E-08 6.60E-08 fields produce are not exceed 100uTesla.
-20000 1.20E-07 5.50E-08
-16000 1.20E-07 7.20E-08
-12000 1.99E-07 1.72E-07
-8000 3.58E-07 3.41E-07
-4000 5.17E-07 5.50E-07
0 6.37E-07 6.88E-07 97.80
4000 6.37E-07 6.56E-07
8000 5.67E-07 5.30E-07
12000 4.77E-07 3.79E-07
16000 3.58E-07 2.46E-07
20000 2.39E-07 1.22E-07
24000 1.59E-07 4.40E-08

Figure 7. Magnetic field distribution under 275kV transmission line

(simulation result from top view); distance tower-to-tower: 100m

67
 TABLE 3
SIMULATION DATA BASED ON ROW FOR THE 275KV TRANSMISSION LINE
Acknowledgment
The authors gratefully acknowledge the reviewers of this
Distance (mm) Magnetic Field Simulation paper for their valuable advice and guidance. Highly
(Tesla) appreciation to Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
-25000 3.2319E-06 and Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) for the
financial support to the authors. The research work is
-20000 3.2319E-06
financially funded under grant PJP/2013/FKE(16C)/S01206.
-15000 5.3709E-06
-10000 9.6488E-06
References
-5000 1.3927E-05
[1] S.R Azzuhri, WNL Mahadi. "Power Transmission Line Magnetic Fields:
0 1.7135E-05 A Survey on 120kV Overhead Power Transmission Lines in Malaysia",
TENCON 2004. 2004 IEEE Region 10 Conference, Vol. 3, pp. 421-
5000 1.7135E-05 424, 2004.
10000 1.6066E-05 [2] R.K.Z. Sahbudin, S.A Fauzi, S. Hitam and M.Mokhtar. "Investigation of
Electrical Potential and Electromagnetic Field for Overhead High
15000 1.2857E-05 Voltage Power Lines in Malaysia", Journal of Applied Sciences 10 (22):
2862-2868, 2010, ISSN 1812-5654.
20000 9.6488E-06
[3] Jignesh Parmar, How HV transmission lines affects humans and plants.
25000 7.5099E-06 Available at: http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/how-hv-
transmission-lines-affects-humans-plants (EEP - Electrical Engineering
Portal) [accessed at 20 March 2012]
[4] Ismail Said, Nazaruddin A Rahman, Halil Hussain, Ahmed Farag, T.
VI. CONCLUSION Juhana. "Evaluation Of Magnetic Field From Different Power
Transmission Line Configurations In Malaysia.”Electrical and
Through of this simulation studies, the 132kV and 275kV Computer Engineering, 2004. Canadian Conference on (Volume: 1 ),
transmission line can be model by using Finite Element pp. 393- 396,2004.
Method (FEM) by ANSYS Maxwell software. The model [5] National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences & National
based on specification from the best knowledge of the Institutes of Health, Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the
Use of Electric Power, NIEHS/DOE EMF RAPID Program, June 2002.
personal concern by Transmission Division. This project is to
[6] Ch. Chengaiah, R. V. s. Satyanarayan (2012). “Power Flow Assesment
determine magnetic field produced from transmission line inTransmission Lines Using SimulinkModel with UPFC"International
model. Feedback from this case, both result are approximately Conference on Computing,Electronics and Electrical Technologies
same and this software is reliable and suitable for simulation [ICCEET].
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http://www.ansys.com/Products/Simulation+Technology/Electromagneti
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decrease based on distance from source to point. Besides that,
magnetic field is produce based on current flowing in the wire
or conductor. In fact, power demands also influencing the
magnetic field numbers. Finally, this project also gives more
understanding about transmission lines especially effect
magnetic field to surroundings.

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