Surge Arresters

Surge Arresters

IEEE C62.11-1999

Gaps and gapless

Silicon Carbide and Metal Oxide
Class
Tests and Ratings
Installation
Field testing and Failures

No Gap:

I=kVa

Series Gap:

Shunt Gap:

Silicon Carbide Arresters:

Protective level

Series Gaps
Duty Cycle Rating
Operating voltage

Arrester voltage

Grading circuitry

Metal Oxide Blocks

a
I=kV
Silicon carbide blocks

ma

Ln Current

ka

Silicon Carbide Arrester

Valve Block

Gap
Elements

Silicon Carbide Arresters

Blocks cannot conduct continuously

Series gaps
Fast transients cause the series gaps to short over and insert the
silicon carbide blocks
Gaps must reseal after the arrester operates (grading circuitry)
Duty cycle rating is the maximum 60hz voltage where the gaps
can still re-seal against power follow current
Subject to external contamination
Doble study shows that 50% of silicon carbide arresters tested
cannot meet original protection characteristics
Problem with moisture contamination and gaps changing
characteristics
Oldest SiC arresters do not have a pressure relief rating

Brown is down!!
GE Thyrite
Westinghouse LVS

IEEE C62.11-1999

Arrester
Class:

10

Arrester Class:

The key test for determining class is the Pressure Relief Test:
Arrester must vent at or below the rated current for both the high and
low current values
Parts of the arrester must not fall outside a circle with the radius equal
to the height of the arrester (it can fall down!)

11

Metal Oxide arresters

Station Class Metal Oxide arresters were first

introduced around 1980 for transmission applications
Originally three varieties:

Gapless Westinghouse 4 discs

Shunt gap General Electric 3 discs
Series gap Ohio Brass 3 discs

Today all station class arresters are gapless

Intermediate and distribution ratings introduced in
mid 80s (gapless)
Polymer housings introduced in 90s
12

Arrester class

MOV
Design
Tests

13

Tests and Ratings

Protective Characteristics

Discharge current
Lightning impulse
Switching impulse

Arrester Survival

MCOV
Temporary over-voltage (TOV)
Duty Cycle (accelerated aging)
Transmission line discharge
Pressure Relief tests (arrester class)
Porcelain vs polymer

14

Discharge Current:
The surge current that flows through an arrester.
In a gapless arrester the peak voltage that appears across the
arrester at the discharge current is the protective level.
A series of 8/20 current waves are used with the peak
amplitudes listed below:
1500a
3000a
5000a
I
10000a
V
15000a (500kv only)
20000a (distribution & subtransmission
- unshielded)
40000a
These points are used to compare to the equipment BIL.
The manufacturers published information shall state for each
arrester rating the maximum discharge voltage for each
discharge current listed.

15

IEEE C62.11-1999

A typical discharge current called the classifying

current is used to determine the lightning and
switching surge protective levels. These currents
vary depending on the nominal system voltage:

16

Lightning Protective Levels:

LPL - An 8x20 lightning impulse discharge current is passed through the arrester
to determine the discharge voltages.
The current magnitude is the classifying current for the appropriate system
voltage. It simulates the current magnitude and shape that the arrester would have
to shunt to ground due to a lightning stroke coming in on the 138kv line.
Example: an arrester applied on a 138kv system should use a 10ka 8x20 u-sec
classifying current. This produces 164.9kv at the arrester. This is the protective
level (LPL).
The voltage protective level coordinates with the equipment BIL withstand
value

17

Front-of-Wave Protective
Levels:
FOW Three current impulses (1 u-sec, 2 u-sec and 8 u-sec rise) are
passed through the arrester and the three crest voltages are plotted against
time.
Again the current magnitude is the appropriate impulse classifying current.
The Front-of -Wave protective level is the point on the curve at .5 useconds
This protective level coordinates with the equipment chopped wave
withstand

18

Switching Surge Protective

Levels:
A discharge current of 45-60 u-secs rise time is passed
through the arrester to determine the discharge voltage
The magnitude is the switching surge classifying
current for the appropriate system voltage
This protective level coordinates with the equipment
switching surge withstand

19

20

Tests and Ratings

Protective Characteristics

Discharge current
Lightning impulse
Switching impulse

Arrester Survival

MCOV
Temporary over-voltage (TOV)
Duty Cycle (accelerated aging)
Transmission line discharge
Pressure Relief tests (arrester class)
Porcelain vs polymer

21

MOV Nameplate
Be sure MCOV value is correct
Class must also be
Correct

22

MCOV Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage

rating is the maximum designated root-mean-squared
(rms) value of power frequency voltage that may be
applied continuously between the terminals of the
IEEE C62.11-1999
arrester.
(Note this is phase to ground rms volts!)
Example 145kv to ground = 83.7kv so the minimum
MCOV for our 138 kv system is 84kv
This is the most important criteria for correct
application
23

Temporary Over-voltage Curves: MOVs can

tolerate voltages over MCOV for short periods
Check the actual manufactures curves for each arrester.
Note curves for prior duty and no prior duty. The prior duty
curve is for previous transmission switching duty.

24

Duty Cycle Rating Arrester is raised to an

elevated 60hz voltage (duty cycle rating) and
operated 20 times at the impulse classifying current.
If it doesnt go into thermal runaway it passes the
test. Basically this is equivalent to the old duty cycle
rating for silicon carbide arresters.
Example: an 84kv MCOV translates to a 108kv duty
cycle rating. A 98kv MCOV is a 120kv duty cycle.
This test coupled with the high current discharge test
simulates accelerated aging of the blocks.
25

Metal Oxide
Arrester Ratings:

26

Switching
Surges:

Voltage doubles when closing in on an

open line = 2 P.U. at open line terminal

Z0= L/C
Assume that High Speed Re-closing traps a negative 1 P.U. charge on the line.
Then when the breaker re-closes the maximum voltage at the open end can
approach a maximum of 3.5 - 4.0 P.U. for multiple reflections depending on
damping (R):
3.5 P.U.

Trapped charge = -1.0 P.U.

27

Transmission Line Discharges:

28

Transmission Line Discharges:

When an arrester discharges a switching surge the

blocks heat up. Switching surges last much longer
than lightning surges and so the arresters must
dissipate more energy.
Repetitive discharges can cause the arrester to fail
if there isnt enough time between to allow for
cooling
The transmission discharge test assures the
arrester will tolerate a standard amount of energy
29

Surge impedance

Line Length

30

Transmission Line Discharges:

The arrester is subjected to 20 surges:

Six consecutive-one minute to cool-six moreone minute-six more-one minute-two more
The arrester passes if:
discharge test is successful
Power loss is within specs (leakage current)
Transient Network Analysis studies use a value of
7 kilojoules/kv of MCOV rating for transmission
arresters
31

Pressure Relief Tests:

If an arrester fails internally the arc creates rapidly expanding
gasses that can cause the housing to explode violently unless
the pressure is vented. Arresters are rated on the fault current
magnitude that can pass through the housing. They must vent
successfully at or below the rated current:

32

Arc
Chutes:

33

Arc
Chutes:

Seal plates

34

Failed 396kv arrester at Black Oak substation

Failed from prolonged 60hz over-voltage:

35

This arrester actually failed according to the

standard. The pieces didnt scatter very far!

36

Arrester base left on structure

after failure.

37

Typical 46 kV MOV Arrester

Polymer Housing

38

Failed Polymer Arrester

39

40

Arrester Installation

Grounding continuous conductor

Better ground improves arrester
performance
Shortest ground lead length
Can monitor leakage current if the lead is
insulated

Lead length & ground lead

Corona rings/Clearances
Arc chutes
SiC change-outs
41

Arc
Chutes:
Arc chutes should face
away from other
equipment or bushings

42

Installed 138 kV Arrester

43

Infrastructure
Silicon Carbide Arrester
Replacement Program

Change out old SiC arresters on xfmrs starting in

2006 during 5 year gauge inspections (xfmrs 138kv
and above)
Replace old arresters as part of xfmr/breaker
change-outs and pin/cap insulator replacements
If a SiC arrester fails, change out all 6
Dont return SiC arresters to stock
44

Arrester
Maintenance, Field
Tests & Failures

Cant check protective

levels in the field!
Moisture intrusion
Leakage current
Power factor
Megger
Thermovision
Visual inspections
Failed arresters

45

Leakage Current:
Measure leakage current with the arrester energized
Increasing resistive component of
the leakage current indicates blocks are
failing (losses are proportional to i2)

ma

watts

vars

46

Inspection and Prep for Testing:

Inspection While Out of service:

Weather Tight Housing
Check for cracks in the porcelain or tears or bulges in the
polymer.

Clean all external surfaces of the arrester

Coat all external weather tight housing surfaces with
silicon grease to aid in water shedding if environment
is harsh.
Check and clean the ground connections

47

Effects of Contamination:
Contamination causes an unequal voltage
distribution across the outside surface of
the arrester.
In arresters with internal gaps and grading
circuitry this can also cause an imbalance
of voltage across the gaps and results in
improper operation and premature
failure of the arrester.

48

Power Factor:
Apply 10kv to terminal and measure
leakage current
Resistive component of leakage current
indicates internal moisture contamination

10 kv

watts

vars

49

Power Factor Test:

Inspection While Out of service:

Electrical Testing
Power Factor Testing

Should perform upon installation to establish benchmark.

This test is generally more effective on Silicon Carbide arresters than

MOV arresters in detecting internal contamination or breakdown of
spark gaps or valve blocks.
Make the measurement with the highest voltage available on the test
set without exceeding the line to ground voltage of the arrester under
test.
The values that are measured are the leakage current (less than 3
milli-amperes) and watts loss (less than 150 mW). These tests can
only be read utilizing a 10kV power factor test set.

50

Example:
During Class A Maintenance on the No. 2
transformer at Doubs Substation, the
Substation Crew decided to perform Power
Factor Testing on the high side arresters.
Testing revealed an abnormal test pattern on
the Z phase arrester
The next slides show the test results of a
neighboring similar arrester as well as the
results from the arrester in question.

51

Arrester Details

Nameplate Data of Arrester

ABB
EXLIM
Style T396SA318AAP
Serial No. 00M3001

52

Test Results
on a Good Arrester

All tests were performed with the Doble Power

Factor test set at 10 kV.

Phase results (comparable to all arresters tested of

the same make and model)
mA Watts
Top 0.357 0.060
Mid 0.164 0.059
Bot 0.318 0.083
53

Test Results
on the Arrester in Question
Z Phase results (4/28/2003)
mA
Z Top
0.376
Z Mid
0.309
Z Bott
0.034

Watts
0.142
1.550
0.211

54

Retest Results
on the Arrester in Question
Phase results (4/30/2003) after cleaning surfaces
mA
Watts
Top
0.360
0.113
Mid
0.236
0.948
Bott
0.311
0.010
The retests did show a slight improvement of the
readings after the cleaning. The middle section
was still different from a typical reading. The
decision was made to replace the arrester
assembly.
55

Test Results
on the Arrester in Question
Phase results (4/30/2003) on the ground after
disassembly
mA
Watts
Mid
0.384
1.471
Bott
0.317
0.082
The tests on the ground showed that the bottom
section was of typical values but the middle
section was still different from the typical
readings. The arrester was sent to ABB in
Youngwood, PA for further investigation.

56

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002

ABB Received the arrester sections and performed

a voltage test on all 3 sections.
The test applies the rated voltage to each section of
the arrester. (118 kV for the top 2 sections and 82
kV for the bottom section). The resulting leakage
current is then read. The expected leakage is less
than 1 mA.
The top section and bottom section passed the test.
The middle section failed the test when the applied
voltage was only 44 kV (expected to reach 118 kV)
57

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Top of Middle section Arrester with Retaining
plate removed and seal plate exposed.

58

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Under side of Seal plate after removal

Notice the corrosion

and signs of moisture
59

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Inside arrester with Seal plate removed

Notice the corrosion

and signs of moisture
60

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
A close inspection of the seal plate revealed a
crack in the plate.

61

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Removal of first MOV Disc. Notice the
surface contamination on the disc

62

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Removal of entire stack of
MOV Discs. Notice the
surface contamination on all
the discs

63

Megger Test:

Inspection While Out of service:

Electrical Testing
Insulation Resistance

An arrester is to act as an insulator a majority of its in service life. It

will only allow current to flow to ground during high voltage transients
generally caused by lightning.
Make the measurement with the highest voltage available on the test
set without exceeding the line to ground voltage of the arrester under
test.
Readings should be comparable to similar arresters. The value
should be greater than 200 Mega Ohms. This test is generally more
effective on Silicon Carbide arresters than MOV arresters in
detecting internal contamination or breakdown of spark gaps or valve
blocks.
MOV arresters may show a high insulation resistance value after an
operation but still be failed as an open circuit.

64

Infra-red Image of Arresters

*>24.3
C
20.
0
15.
0
10.
0
5.0
*<4.1
C

65

Infrared Imaging

Inspection While in service :

Infra red Imaging
Infra red imaging of in-service arresters may detect damaged
arresters
Arresters while in normal service only conduct a few milliamps of current, therefore, will not produce heat.
If the arrester images indicate a rise in temperature from
ambient temperature of 5 degrees Celsius or more,
replacement should be considered.
The blocks are probably starting to fail and are conducting
too much current

66

Visual Inspection

Inspection While in service:

Weather Tight Housing

The weather tight housing is the covering of the arrester

Generally produced from porcelain or polymer.
Check for cracks in the porcelain or tears or bulges in the polymer.

Make certain porcelain or polymer appears clean and free of

any debris
Visually inspect the ground connections from the base of the
arrester. A missing connection will not allow the arrester to
function as designed.
Multiple arrester operations with improperly sized wire may result in a
failure of the ground wire.
Improperly sized ground wire may also result in fire.

67

Failed Arresters:

Failure assessment
Suspect Arresters

Exercise EXTREME caution while investigating problems and

handling suspect arresters. Sealed Silicon Carbide and MOV
arresters may be under pressure due to a build up of fault
gasses.
Visually inspect suspect arresters carefully while looking for
burn deposits near arc chutes on Silicon Carbide arresters.
MOV arresters may show very subtle signs of failure such as
deformation of the polymer covering. Generally, MOV
arresters will fail and split the polymer covering or fracture the
porcelain cover.

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Thanks for your attention

Luxor substation - 1936

Your substation support staff!

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