Overhead transmission lines, gas insulated lines and underground cables

There is a considerable amount of highly technical information, specifications and guides available on the transmission of bulk electrical power from one area to another.  This information is available from bodies such as CIGRE, IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), and many National-based organizations. There is, however, very little information that would explain the fundamentals of the technologies in such a manner that it could be understood by a non-technical person or a person not involved on a day-to-day basis in that industry. This paper will attempt to fulfil that need by providing basic information in hopefully a readily understandable manner.

This paper refers to transmission lines exceeding 170kV alternating current (AC). Direct current (DC) connections and subsea…