A Comparative Study of the Corona Performance of Conductor Bundles for 1200 KV Transmission Lines

As part of a general study on the possible use of UHV transmission lines in the range of 1200 kV for the James Bay Project, the corona performance of four conductor bundles -6 ×1. 823", 6 ×1. 998", 8 ×1. 63 " and 8 ×1.823"-has been studied in outdoor test cages under conditions of heavy artificial rain and fair weather. The radio interference, audible noise and corona losses of the four conductor bundles have been measured in the test cages, and the corresponding long line levels have been evaluated. The results show that of the four bundles tested the 8 ×1.63" conductor bundle gives the best corona performance. However, ice loading conditions may dictate the use of a six conductor bundle, in which case the 6 ×1.823" conductor bundle seems to give a marginally acceptable corona performance.