Electromagnetic fields in the near vicinity of transmission line towers

Electromagnetic fields in close proximity to transmission line towers are calculated using moment method procedures. The method of moments is especially suited to problems which involve electromagnetic coupling to metal objects and, in principle, most any type geometry can be solved. Generally, this technique involves the solution of an integral equation for the current and charge induced on the object by an external field. Metal transmission line towers are modeled as a collection of straight cylindrical sections of varying radii. Because the wavelength of a 60 Hz field is much larger than the cross sectional area of the segments, the problem can be categorized as "scattering by thin wires". The current and charge distributions induced on a 230/138 kV double circuit transmission line tower are calculated. Utilization is made of the induced current and charge for the purpose of determining the fields near the towers. Comparison is also made between calculated and measured near fields.