What Is Corona?

What is Corona?

Corona discharge is an electrical

discharge brought on by the ionization of
a fluid surrounding a conductor that is
electrically energized. The discharge will
occur when the strength (potential
gradient) of the electric field around the
conductor is high enough to form a
conductive region, but not high enough to
cause electrical breakdown or arcing to
nearby objects. It is often seen as a
bluish/violet (or other color) glow in the air
adjacent to pointed metal conductors
carrying high voltages.
Reason for Corona formation
With the increase of transmission line voltage, the

potential gradient increases and the velocity of the
free electrons also increases. When the potential
gradient of the conductor surface crosses the
maximum limit (usually 30 kV/cm), then the free
electrons get enough kinetic energy to strike a
neutral molecule and make some more electrons
free from that molecule. Those free electrons strike
more neutral molecules and keep this process
going all like nuclear fission. So this process of
ionization is cumulative. The result of this
ionization is that either corona is formed or spark
takes place between the conductors.
Corona effects
• Power loss
• Audible noise
• Electromagnetic interference
• Purple glow
• Ozone production
• Insulation damage
In Electrical components such as
transformers, capacitors, electric
motors and generators, Corona
progressively damages the insulation
inside these devices, leading to
premature equipment failure. One
form of attack is ozone cracking of
elastomer items like O-rings.
Factors affecting Corona
Atmosphere:
During stormy or rainy weather, corona occurs at
much less voltage as compared with fair weather.
Because during those cases, ion density around the
conductors is much more than that of fair weather.
Conductor Size:
The unevenness of the surface of the conductors
decreases the breakdown voltage. Because of this
reason with low voltage, the insulation will
breakdown and create sparks and corona. That’s
why solid conductors are used mostly instead of
stranded conductors to reduce the corona.
Factors affecting Corona
Spacing between conductors:

Larger the gap between the conductors lesser the
corona.
Line voltage:
Every line voltage has a limit. After that limit,
breakdown will occur and will create corona and
spark. So with the application of small line voltage
possibility of occurring corona is lesser.
Advantages of Corona
• It acts as a safety valve by reducing the

magnitude of high-voltage steep-fronted waves
that may be caused by transients (lightning /
power switching).
• With the formation of corona, the air surrounding

the conductor becomes conductive and there is a
virtual increase in the effective diameter of the
conductor. Due to increased diameter, the
maximum voltage gradient between the
conductors is reduced.
Disadvantages of Corona
• Transmission efficiency is affected due to corona

loss. Even under fair weather conditions some
loss is encountered.
• Inductive interference to neighboring

communication lines due to the non-sinusoidal
voltage drop that occurs in the line.
• With the appearance of the corona glow, the

charging current increases because the corona
introduces harmonics.
Methods of reducing Corona
effects
• By increasing the spacing between

the transmission line conductors.
However the spacing between the
lines cannot be increased very much
as this effects the size of the tower,
weight of the supporting structures
and the land occupied by the tower.
Hence the distance between the
conductors should be chosen
optimum so that the critical
breakdown voltage increases.
effects
• By increasing the diameter of the

conductor, breakdown voltage of the
corona can be increased. The
increase in the conductor diameter
results in reduction of the electric
field intensity which reduces the
corona.
Hence hollow conductors are

employed for reducing the corona
in EHV lines.
effects
• By using the bundled conductors,

the diameter of the conductor
increases compared to diameter
of the normal conductor for same
power rating. Increase in the
conductor diameter reduces the
electric field intensity. Hence
corona loss can be reduced.
Critical Disruptive Voltage
It is the minimum phase-neutral voltage at which corona

occurs.
Critical Disruptive Voltage
Visual Critical Voltage
It is the minimum phase-neutral voltage at which corona
appears all along the transmission line conductors.
Effect of Corona on
Transmission Line Design
In order to improve transmission-line
efficiency, it is desirable to avoid corona loss
on lines under fair weather conditions. Bad
weather conditions such as rain and sleet
greatly increase the corona loss and lower the
disruptive critical voltage of the line. Because
of the later effect, it is not feasible to design
high voltage lines, which will be corona free at
all times. If the lines are designed so that they
do not encounter any corona formation even
during bad weather conditions, the height of
the towers, the spacing and size of the
conductors will be more and hence,
uneconomical. On the other hand, bad weather
conditions in any particular region occur only
for a very short duration in the year and hence,
the average corona loss throughout the year
will be less.
Examples
Examples
Examples
Conventional vs Digital Substation
Digital Substation
Copper everywhere
Copper vs Fibre
Reduction in real estate
Smaller Building Size
Traditional Vs Modern
Advantages of Digital Substation
Research in Progress

What Is Corona?

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What Is Corona?

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What is Corona?

Corona discharge is an electrical

With the increase of transmission line voltage, the

Spacing between conductors:

• It acts as a safety valve by reducing the

• With the formation of corona, the air surrounding

• Transmission efficiency is affected due to corona

• Inductive interference to neighboring

• With the appearance of the corona glow, the

• By increasing the spacing between

• By increasing the diameter of the

Hence hollow conductors are

• By using the bundled conductors,

It is the minimum phase-neutral voltage at which corona

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