To solve this problem, we need to determine the line-to-neutral voltage and the string efficiency of the insulator configuration in a three-phase system. Here's how we can break it down step by step:
### 1. **Line-to-Neutral Voltage Calculation**
The line voltage (V_L) in a three-phase system is the voltage measured between any two of the three lines. In this case, it is given as:
\[
V_L = 17.5 \text{ kV}
\]
The line-to-neutral voltage (V_N) can be calculated using the following relationship:
\[
V_N = \frac{V_L}{\sqrt{3}}
\]
Substituting the given line voltage:
\[
V_N = \frac{17.5 \, \text{kV}}{\sqrt{3}} \approx \frac{17.5 \, \text{kV}}{1.732} \approx 10.1 \, \text{kV}
\]
### 2. **Understanding the Insulator Configuration**
The insulator string consists of three insulators in series. The voltage distribution across the insulators can be influenced by the capacitance to the earth (ground).
- Let’s denote the capacitance of each insulator as \(C\).
- The shunt capacitance (which is the capacitance between each insulator and earth) is given as \(\frac{1}{8}\) of the capacitance of the insulator itself, i.e., \(\frac{C}{8}\).
### 3. **Capacitance and Voltage Distribution**
For a string of insulators, the voltage across each insulator is not uniform due to the effect of capacitance to ground. The total shunt capacitance for a string of insulators can be calculated as follows:
- For each insulator, the total capacitance to ground is \(C_g = \frac{C}{8}\).
- The total capacitance in the system when considering all three insulators and their shunt capacitances must be determined.
Using the concept of voltage distribution, we can say that the voltage across the insulators depends on the relative capacitances.
### 4. **Voltage Across Each Insulator**
The voltage across each insulator (V_i) can be determined using the formula for the series capacitors in the presence of shunt capacitances:
\[
V_1 = \frac{V_L}{n + 1} \quad V_2 = \frac{V_L}{n + 1} \quad V_3 = \frac{V_L}{n + 1}
\]
Where \(n\) is the number of insulators. In this case, the total voltage across the string will be divided according to the voltage drop over the shunt capacitance as well.
However, the simplified voltage division can be estimated by assuming equal sharing of the line-to-neutral voltage among the insulators:
\[
V_1 = V_2 = V_3 = \frac{V_N}{3} \approx \frac{10.1 \, \text{kV}}{3} \approx 3.37 \, \text{kV}
\]
### 5. **String Efficiency Calculation**
String efficiency (η) is defined as the ratio of the voltage across the lowest insulator to the total line-to-neutral voltage.
The voltage across the lowest insulator (considering the voltage drop due to the shunt capacitance) is given by:
\[
\text{Voltage across lowest insulator} = V_N \cdot \left( \frac{C}{C + \frac{1}{8}C} \right) = V_N \cdot \frac{8}{9}
\]
So, the string efficiency can be calculated as:
\[
\eta = \frac{V_{\text{lowest}}}{V_N} = \frac{V_N \cdot \frac{8}{9}}{V_N} = \frac{8}{9} \approx 0.889 \text{ or } 88.9\%
\]
### Summary of Results
1. **Line-to-Neutral Voltage (V_N)**: Approximately **10.1 kV**.
2. **String Efficiency (η)**: Approximately **88.9%**.
This analysis demonstrates how the configuration of insulators affects the voltage distribution and efficiency in a three-phase electrical system.