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What is BIL and how does it apply to transformers?

BIL is an abbreviation for Basic Impulse Level. Impulse tests are dielectric tests that consist of the
application of a high frequency steep wave front voltage between windings, and between windings and
ground. The BIL of a transformer is a method of expressing the voltage surge that a transformer will
tolerate without breakdown.

mpparent (Electrical)17 May 05 17:40


BIL = Basic Impulse Level - bascially a indicator of dielectric strength
There are two tests, lightning impulse and switching impulse tests. The first is to simulate
lightning strikes where the full wave shape is where the voltage crest reaches a maximum at
1.2 microseconds and then decays to 50% in 50 microseconds.
The switching impulse test is used to simulate man-made type transients.
Mike

tlwaggie (Electrical)
(OP)

17 May 05 17:45
So, with a higher BIL rating, that would mean a "better" dielectric strength?
Thanks also for the explanation
Tim

alehman (Electrical)17 May 05 21:37


That is correct. Switchgear and insulators typically include a BIL rating. 15kV ANSI
equipment is typically rated 95kV BIL, for example, but 110kV BIL is available as an option.
The BIL ratings should be coordinated lightning/surge protection and expected transient
overvoltages.

mc5w (Electrical)18 May 05 02:58


Florida Power and Light uses a BIL of about 200 KV on suburban 7,620Y13,200 volts with
lightning arrestors once every 3 poles. This amounts to using 34.5 KV insulation amounting
to a 260% or 210% insulation level depending on whether you are comparing the operating
rating or the BIL respectively.
On rural lines FPL uses an overhead ground wire 7,620Y13,200 so that they only need
lightning arrestors once every farm. The BIL on these lines is only 95 or 110 KV.
Basically, the BIL that you need depends on how much lightning you expect.

cuky2000 (Electrical)18 May 05 09:43


"BIL is the reference insulation level expressed as an impulse crest (or peak) voltage with a
standard wave not longer than a 1.2 x 50 microsecond wave."
Since electrical apparatus, equipment and installation are subjected to overvoltage either by switching surges, internally or externally, such as lightning, the
insulation and clearances should be sufficient to withstand the imposed electrical & thermal stresses overtime. Therefore, the BIL or SIL (for switching) is a
rough measure of the dielectric withstands capability of a particular electrical system or equipment.

See the enclose info for additional details


a) Standard transformer BIL ratings

a) BIL standard 1.2x50 s wave (from UWI):

tlwaggie (Electrical)
(OP)

18 May 05 10:00
For a underground distribution system, would you just go with a standard BIL rating for the
cable, or is there a certain percentage for underground required?

jghrist (Electrical)18 May 05 10:18


For underground distribution cable, you normally specify an insulation level of 100% or 133%
which gets you different thicknesses of insulation. The BIL comes with the insulation
thickness. 133% insulation thickness provides better reliability with some margin for
degradation caused by aging, water, surges, etc.
To determine what BIL you need, you have to look at what surge arresters are used and
where. The front-of-wave (F.O.W.) equivalent and discharge voltages of the arrester,

combined with possible wave reflections, must be below the chopped wave withstand and
BIL respectively by a sufficient margin.

cuky2000 (Electrical)18 May 05 15:07


CABLE INSULATION RATING:
It is customary in the ANSI marketplace to define the cable insulation based in the fault
clearing time as describe below:
100%: tclearing <1 min.
133%: 1 min< tclearing <1 hr.
173%: 1 hr < tclearing < Infinite (indefinite).
NOTE: This rating is available but infrequently used

The only voltage rise that cable insulation will be capable to withstand is the power
frequency overvoltages. Therefore, often cable insulation is tested using Hi-pot stressing the
cable insulation for duration rage in
minutes. http://www.okonite.com/engineering/high-voltage-testing.html
Since the cable insulation will not directly capable to withstand the lightning overvoltage
(100s to 1000s KV for 10^-6 seconds), there is not reason to rate cable in term of BIL.
However, the surge arrester used to protect the cable is rated for lightning wave and other
temporally overvoltage parameters.
During design of UG distribution line there are two major factors to consider for the selection
of the proper insulation thickness:
1-Critical stresses over cable system:
a) Insulation wall: Average Voltage stress.
b) Shield surface (if applicable): Max. Voltage.
2- Operation Voltage Stresses (normal or abnormal):
a) Normal Operation: V=Vn= VLL/1.73.
b) Abnormal /Fault : V= VLL.
Notice that In case b, one of the worst fault conditions is the line-to-ground fault (LGF). As longer the duration of the fault, larger is the electrical and thermal
stresses impressed in the cable insulation. The type of protective device (fuse, relay, breaker, etc) and system configuration (Delta, wye, ) have significant
influence on the duration of the fault.

mc5w (Electrical)19 May 05 02:34


Lightning protection will only be as good as the grounding electrode. Also, on longer lines
the equipment grounding path provided by a neutral can have enough impedance that the
cable needs to be rated for the phase to phase voltage or almost the phase to phase
voltage.
Duquesne Light Company in Pittsburgh, PA likes to use 23 KV cable on 14,400Y24,940 volts.
The neutral is of pretty good cross section for the feeders and most lines are substantially
less than 25 miles long.
However, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company in Ohio likes to use 46 KV cable on
19,920Y34,500 volts. This partly because a full capacity neutral really only exists back at the
supply transformer and the load transformers are connected phase to phase. Close to the
supply station this amounts to a 230% insulation level but at the far ends of the circuits
amounts to about 133%. Some earth faults might flow back through the overhead ground
wire or the neutral of the 7,620Y13,200 suburban distribution, but there are also line
segments without an overhead ground wire and the distribution is 4,400 volts 3-wire
ungrounded.

So, whether you use 100%, 133%, 173%, or even 250% insulation depends on a lot of
factors.

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