ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the phenomena affecting the distribution of electric current inside conductors. These phenomena manifest themselves by altering the resistance and the inductive reactance of conductors. The intensity of the phenomenon depends on the frequency of the electric current, the properties of the material, and the diameter of the conductor. When direct current flows through a homogeneous round cylindrical conductor, the electric current is uniformly distributed inside the conductor. The reactance of transmission lines is affected by the skin and proximity effects. The chapter discusses the impact of skin effect on conductor reactance. The geometric mean radius depends on the distribution of the electric current inside the conductor. A simpler but approximate way for accounting for the skin effect is the method of depth of penetration. Electric power systems are grounded; that is, the neutral is connected to earth-embedded metallic structures. As a result, electric currents are injected or induced in the soil.
