Wave Propagation in Overhead Wires with Ground Return

The problem of wave propagation along a transmission system composed of an overhead wire parallel to the (plane) surface of the earth, in spite of its great technical importance, does not appear to have been satisfactorily solved.1 While a complete solution of the actual problem is impossible, on account of the inequalities in the earth's surface and its lack of conductive homogeneity, the solution of the problem, where the actual earth is replaced by a plane homogeneous semi-infinite solid, is of considerable theoretical and practical interest. The solution of this problem is given in the present paper, together with formulas for calculating inductive disturbances in neighboring transmission systems.