Preliminary Investigation on Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Due to Power Lines on Nearby Communication Network

Advisor: Prof. Xiao-Bang XU

The continuous increase of electric power consumption and communication needs has made it more common for electric power transmission line and communication networks to be located close to one another. The electromagnetic fields generated by the harmonic components of the current carried by the power lines may produce noise in the nearby communication network.

We propose to investigate the electromagnetic interference (EMI) produced by a realistic three-phase power transmission line with sag, on a telephone line in its close proximity. The magnetic field generated by the harmonic components of the currents carried by the power lines of catenary shape will be computed. Then, current induced in the telephone line will be determined. In the investigation, the power lines of various configurations, both at normal operation and when fault occurs will be considered. Through working out the proposed project, the student participant is expected to understand the fundamentals of EMI and to explore the ways to minimize it by properly designing the power lines near a communication network.