The role of dispersion in fast wavefronts of power-mains disturbances

Abstract

The analysis presented relates the transient voltage rate of change to the power main (PM) line attenuation and dispersion (mainly dielectric) characteristics. The initial discontinuity produced by a load connection or disconnection is modified on propagation along the PM line. Attention is confined to differential-mode transients. The response of the line to an ideal step is analyzed to derive limits for the rate of change of the wavefront. The approximate 10 to 90% rise time is derived and FFT computations have been performed for confirmation, as a function of distance along the line from the excitation point. Attention is confined to the incident wave.<>