Question

Considering lines with neutral conductors and earth return, the effect of earth plane is accounted for by the method of _______ with a perfectly conducting earth plane.

Short answer

The correct answer is “images”.

Step-by-step solution

Define the line capacitance

To calculate line capacitance, stranded conductor is replaced a by a perfectly conducting solid cylindrical conductor. The radius of the solid cylindrical conductor is equal to the outside radius of the stranded conductor.

Thus, the maximum capacitance at the surface of one conductor is calculated easily. The reason being the most of the capacitance is present due to outer surface of the conductor.

Explain further in terms of calculation

In this calculation, the earth is replaced by the image conductor which has the same radius as the original conductor which lies directly below the original conductor with conductor separation. Such that the electric field lines are perpendicular to the surfaces of the conductor and earth.

Hence, the correct answer is “images”.