Research on Minimum Approach Distance for Live Working on 1000kV Ultra High Voltage AC Transmission Line

Wang Linong, Liu Kai School of Electrical Engneering Wuhan University Wuhan, China wangln222@sina.com
AbstractThe switching impulse discharge performances of live working electric structure on outer phase, middle phase and tension string in 1000kV AC transmission line were studied. And based on the results, by calculation and analysis of the risk of live working, the minimum approach distance for live working was determined. Key words-ultra high voltage; 1000kV AC transmission line; live working; minimum approach distance

Hu Yi, Shao Guiwei, Liu Ting, Hu Jianxun, Xiao Bin State Grid Electric Power Research Institute Wuhan, China huy@whvri.com
B. Switching over-voltage and probability density in live working When calculating switching over-voltage in live working, it is unnecessary to consider the over-voltage caused by the switching of no-load line. Besides, according to Working Regulation of Power Safety, auto recloser must be turned off when it comes to any operation in live working that may lead to single-phase short circuit in a system where the neutral point is actively grounded. Therefore, it is also unnecessary to take into account the over-voltage caused by single-phase recloser. Power frequency temporary over-voltage is relatively low, compared with over-voltage caused by single-phase short circuit and following fault clearing. Besides, when three-phase tripping and load rejection occur due to any fault (e.g. transformer fault) in substation, line side breaker starts to work, equivalent to three-phase tripping when there is no fault in transmission line. In this case, the over-voltage is quite low. Therefore in live working, the level of switching over-voltage is mainly determined by single-phase short circuit and fault clearance. In live working, due to the withdraw of recloser, it may lead to three-phase opening when single-phase short circuit fault occurs. In this case, over-voltage caused by single-phase short circuit and following fault clearing and its probability density are the decisive factors in calculating minimum approach distance for live working. See Table I for over-voltage caused by single-phase short circuit and following fault clearing of Jin-Nan-Jing transmission line in various operational modes. The table indicates that maximum value of over-voltage caused by single-phase short circuit and following fault clearing is 1.72p.u. (line side) and 1.55p.u. (bus side) without shunting resistance, and 1.66p.u. (line side) and 1.53p.u. (bus side) with shunting resistance (700).

I.

INTRODUCTION

Based on the practice of the 1000kV AC transmission line project, Wuhan High Voltage Research Institute carried out the research work of the technology for live working on 1000kV AC. The project group systemically researches 1000kV AC transminssion line live working for the first time in China., The results indicate that it is safety and feasible to develop live working on 1000kV AC transmission line in China. The research on minimum approach distance for live working on UHV transmission line was based on the practice of JindongnanNanyangJingmen (Jin-Nan-Jing) pilot project,. The research results can support the design of the project and the live working items for 1000kV transimission line. II. A. CALCULATION AND ANALYSIS OF SWITCHING OVER-VOLTAGE IN LIVE WORKING

Transmission line The 1000kV AC transmission pilot project contains two parts, namely the Jindongnan-Nanyang line (363.0km) and the Nanyang-Jingmen line (290.8km). Among them, Nanyang serves as a switch station while Jindongnan and Jingmen as substations.

978-1-4244-2487-0/09/$25.00 2009 IEEE

TABLE I. Operati onal mode 2008 Big Mode 2008 Small Mode Fault line

THE VALUE OF OVER-VOLTAGE CAUSED BY SINGLE-PHASE SHORT CIRCUIT AND FOLLOWING FAULT CLEARING

Fault opening position Jindongnan

Phase-to-ground over-voltage (p.u.)

Start End Max.

Phase-to-phase over-voltage (p.u.)

Start End

Arrester energy (MJ) 3.95 0 6.51 5.07 0 0 0.67 0

Opening resistance energy (MJ) -21.8 -18.2 -9.1 -8.8

Jindongnan* Jingmen Nan-Jing Jingmen* Jindongnan Jin-Nan Jindongnan* Jingmen Nan-Jing Jingmen*

Jin-Nan

1.52 1.46 1.52 1.51 1.48 1.48 1.44 1.26

1.51 1.10 1.55 1.53 1.33 1.15 1.51 1.49

1.69 1.46 1.72 1.66 1.49 1.48 1.54 1.49

2.57 1.67 2.68 2.39 1.83 1.70 2.06 1.93

2.35 1.75 2.85 2.49 1.86 1.76 2.10 1.96

Note: The sign * indicates there is opening resistance (700).

See Table II for over-voltage distribution while single-phase short circuit and following fault clearing occur. Figure 1 shows corresponding over-voltage distribution probability density.
TABLE II. OVER-VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION IN THE CASE OF INGLE-PHASE SHORT CIRCUIT AND FOLLOWING FAULT CLEARING (WITHOUT SHUNTING RESISTANCE) Over-voltage times 1.65 1.66 1.67 1.68 1.69 1.70 1.71 1.72 Over-voltage amplitude (kV) 1481.9 1490.9 1499.9 1508.9 1517.9 1526.8 1535.8 1544.8 Frequency 0 2 0 12 29 25 17 15 Cumulative frequency 0 2 2 14 43 68 85 100

Table III. Figure 1 shows corresponding wavefront time histograms.

TABLE III. WAVEFRONT TIME OF SWITCHING OVER-VOLTAGE The first 5 wavefront time Tf(ms) when over-voltage amplitude is at its highest level 3.13~3.69

Wavefront time Tf(ms)

Average Standard deviation Minimum

4.88

0.32

3.13

The table above indicates that the wavefront time is longer than 3000s when phase to ground over-voltage of Nan-Jin line is at its highest level, and it far beyond the critical wavefront time (250s). Therefore, based on the calculation of switching over-voltage wavefront time as well as to comply with the switching impulse shape in UHV external insulation test, 720/4000s switching impulse shape is chosen, which ensures a reliable degree of safety margin [3]. III. TEST CONDITIONS AND CALCULATION METHODS

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1.65 1.66 1.67 1.68 1.69 1.7 1.71 1.72

Figure 2.

Tower shape

Figure 1. Over-voltage Probability Density in the Case of Single-phase Short circuit and Following Fault Clearing (without Shunting Resistance

C. Wavefront time of switching over-voltage Wavefront time Tf(ms) when phase to ground over-voltage of Nanyang and Nan-Jin line at its highest level is showed in

A. Test Condition The test is conducted in UHV outdoor test field of Wuhan High Voltage Research Institute, with a total area of 120445m2. The UHV test line has a length of 200m. We use a V-shape tower for test, which has a nominal height of 40m, an overall height of 47m. The three phase conductors are horizontally arranged. 8 sub-conductors are bundled together with a diameter of 1.04m and the distance between each other

is 400mm. Each sub-conductor has a diameter of 27.6mm (LGJQ-400). On both ends of the conductor, 1.5m dual rings are installed. I-shape insulator string is installed on outer phase, which includes 48 LXP-300 insulators. V-shape insulator string is installed on middle phase, which includes 43 LXP-300 insulators. Tension insulator string uses LXP-300 insulators with a structural height of 170mm. We use 1.4m-wide high strength angle steel to make simulated tower legs, which hang on the Outer phase and Middle phase arms of V-shape tower. Moreover, we adjust the gap distance to reshape the tower into a cat-head tower. For the purpose of better practical use, we change the width of tower and conduct switching impulse discharge test to calculate minimum approach distance under these conditions. Made of aluminum alloy, the anthropomorphic dummy for test is quite similar to a real human body in terms of shape and structure. All limbs can be flexibly bent over to adjust its gesture. The anthropomorphic dummy stands 1.8m high and sits 1.45m high, with a width of 0.5m. B. Switching impulse discharge performance of air gap in live working Here are the empirical formulas concerning pre-slowwave over-voltage insulation performance for air gap, recommended by IEC60071-2-1996<Insulation Coordination Part 2 Application Guide>:

deviation of switching impulse discharge voltage for air gap (kV). Design calculation programs based on the mathematic models above, to calculate corresponding live working risk. D. Meteorological and altitude correction All data involved in this paper has been corrected under standard meteorological conditions in accordance with GB16927.1-1997. We need to consider the influence of altitude on the accuracy of minimum minimum approach distance and minimum complex gap. Altitude correction coefficient Ka can be calculated by the following formula, recommended by IEC60071-2-1996:

Ka = e

m(

H ) 8150

(5)

In the formula above, H refers to altitude, m is a coefficient related to the shortest discharge path and voltage waveform. To meet the requirements of design, we calculate minimum approach distance and minimum complex gap in live working under standard meteorological conditions and at various altitudes of 500m, 1000m, 1500m, and 2000m respectively. IV. DETERMINATION OF MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCE According to a great deal of researches at home and abroad, the discharge voltage U 50 between human on conductor (high potential) and tower structure is lower than that between human on tower structure (ground potential) and conductor [1,2]. Therefore, we mainly focus on the discharge process of human on high potential. A. Test of minimum approach distance in outer phase live working 1) Arrangement The anthropomorphic dummy dresses in the screening clothing, sits on the chair, faces the 8 divided conductors, and connected with the simulated conductor through a conductive wire. The head of the anthropomorphic dummy and the simulated conductor are horizontal arranged; its knee and the tiptoe are vertically arranged. The thickness of the dummy is 0.5m. Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the test.

U 50 = KU 50RP

(1) (2)

U 50 RP = 500d 0.6

In the formulas above, U50 refers to 50% switching impulse discharge voltage for air gap, d refers to air gap distance, K is gap coefficient, U50RP refers to 50% switching impulse discharge voltage for rod-plane air gap with corresponding voltage waveform and gap distance. In terms of minimum approach distance and minimum complex gap in outer phase and middle phase live working, we may calculate the gap coefficient K based on data from switching impulse discharge test, and then work out the formula and fit curve of switching impulse discharge voltage for this specific gap structure in live working. C. Live working risk Live working risk can be calculated as follow:

R0 =

In the formula above, P0(U)refers to the probability density function of switching over-voltage amplitude. Pd(U)refers to the probability distribution function of air gap breakdown by the switching over-voltage with an amplitude of U:

1 P0 (U ) Pd (U )du 2 0

(3)

Pd (U ) =
0

d 2

1 U U 50 2 d

Figure 3.

Test arrangement of approach distance in outer phase

du

(4)

In the formula above, U50 refers to 50% switching impulse discharge voltage for air gap (kV), d refers to the standard

2) Results Change the distance (S) between tower structure and anthropomorphic dummy and get corresponding U50 and Z by test. See Table IV for the results.

TABLE IV.

RESULTS OF OUTER PHASE MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCE TEST Sm 4.5 5.5 6.5 U50kV 1652 1921 2058 Z% 6.1 3.4 4.5

U50=670d0.6kV peak value, m

3) Minimum approach distance in outer phase live working When maximum working voltage of system is set to be 1100kV and maximum over-voltage to be 1.72p.u. (without shunting resistance), we may calculate minimum gap distance in outer phase live working (the gap distance with maximum live working risk), based on the discharge performance and correction coefficient Ka at various altitudes. Table V shows minimum gap distance (round-off number) and corresponding U50 and risk. In the last column, minimum approach distance in live working is also listed, taking into account the allowable movement range of human (0.5m).

We may calculate from test data that gap coefficient K is 1.34~1.38. We decide to set K as 1.34 in consideration of sufficient safety margin. Therefore in outer phase equal potential working, the relationship between 50% switching impulse discharge voltage and gap distance can be described as follow:

TABLE V.

MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCE IN OUTER PHASE LIVE WORKING (WITHOUT SHUNTING RESISTANCE) Maximum over-voltag e (p.u.) 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 U50(kV) 1863 1877 1864 1872 1874 Minimum electrical clearence(m) 5.5 5.8 6.0 6.3 6.6 Risk (*10-6) 9.23 6.90 9.04 7.66 7.34 Minimum approach distance (m) 6.0 6.3 6.5 6.8 7.1

Altitude and Ka 0m(Ka=1.0) 500m(Ka =1.025) 1000m(Ka =1.053) 1500m(Ka =1.080) 2000m(Ka =1.109)

The tables above indicate: (1) In areas with an altitude of or below 1000m, when the tower is 1.4m wide and maximum switching over-voltage is 1.72p.u.(without resistance), minimum approach distance in outer phase is 6.5m. (2) In areas with an altitude of 1000m~2000m, when the tower is 1.4m wide and maximum switching over-voltage is 1.72p.u.(without shunting resistance), minimum approach distance in outer phase is 7.1m. B. Test of minimum approach distance in middle phase live working 1) Arrangements The head of the simulated human dressed in screening clothing lies in the same horizontal plane as the top sub-conductor of the conductors at equal potential position in middle phase, and it must be tied to the conductors (equal potential). The simulated human is dressed in the screening clothing, sits in the chair, faces to the 8 sub-conductors, and is conneted with the 8 sub-conductors by metal conductor. The knees and the tiptoes of the simulated human are vertically arranged. The width of the human is 0.5m. Figure 5 shows the arrangement of the test.

Figure 4. Test arrangement of minimum approach distance in equipotential spot in middlephase

2) Results Change the distance between tower side structure and simulated human (S) and calculate corresponding U50 and Z. See Table VI for the results.
TABLE VI. RESULTS OF MIDDLE PHASE EQUAL POTENTIAL WORKING POSITION TEST Sm 5.0 6.0 7.0 U50kV 1636 1874 2008 Z% 5.6 5.6 3.6

We may calculate from test data that gap coefficient K is 1.25~1.28. We decide to set K as 1.25 in consideration of sufficient safety margin. Therefore in middle phaseequal potential working, the relationship between 50% switching impulse discharge voltage and gap distance can be described as follow:

of same gap distance. Therefore, we only need to focus on equal potential working position when we calculate minimum approach distance in middle phase live working. When maximum working voltage of system is set to be 1100kV and maximum over-voltage to be 1.72p.u.(without shunting resistance), we may calculate minimum gap distance in Middle phaselive working (the gap distance with maximum live working risk), based on the discharge performance and correction coefficient Ka at various altitudes. See Table VII for minimum gap distance (round-off number) and corresponding U50 and risk. In the last column, minimum approach distance in live working is also listed, taking into account the allowable movement range of human (0.5m).Results of Middle Phase Ground Potential Working Position Test.

U50=625d0.6 (kV peak value, m)

3) Minimum approach distance in middle phaselive working Based on the test results above, we may find that when operator is located in ground potential working position, the 50% switching impulse discharge voltage is higher than that in the case of equal potential working position, on the condition

TABLE VII. Altitude and Ka 0m(Ka=1.0) 500m(Ka=1.025) 1000m(Ka=1.053) 1500m(Ka=1.080) 2000m(Ka=1.109)

RESULTS OF MIDDLE PHASE GROUND POTENTIAL WORKING POSITION TEST Maximum over-voltage (p.u.) 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 U50(kV) 1868 1875 1875 1860 1873 Minimum electrical clearence(m) 6.2 6.5 6.8 7.0 7.4 Risk (*10-6) 8.32 7.19 7.19 9.83 7.50 Minimum approach distance (m) 6.7 7.0 7.3 7.5 7.9

The tables above indicate: (1)In areas with an altitude of or below 1000m, when the maximum switching over-voltage is 1.72p.u.(without shunting resistance), minimum approach distance in middle phase live working is 7.3m. (2)In areas with an altitude of 1000m~2000m, when the maximum switching over-voltage is 1.72p.u.(without shunting resistance), minimum approach distance in middle phase live working is 7.9m. C. Test of minimum approach distance in tension string live working 1) Arrangement In tension string equal potential working, simulated human dresses in screening clothing, crouching at the position where tension string and the grading ring of conductor are connected, with 3 insulators between its legs. The shoulder of simulated human is 0.5m wide. Arrangement detail of test is shown in Figure7.

2) Results Change the distance between tower structure and simulated human (S) and calculate corresponding U50 and Z. See Table VIII for the results.
TABLE VIII. RESULTS OF TENSION TTRING LIVE WORKING APPROACH DISTANCE TEST Sm 4.60 5.45 6.30 7.15 8.00 U50kV 1624.0 1837.9 2021.2 2188.9 2269.9 Z% 8.7 7.1 7.6 6.9 2.4

Number of insulators 30 35 40 45 50

By means of curve fitting, we may find the relationship between 50% switching impulse discharge voltage in tension string live working and the length of tension string can be described as follow:

U50=640.3d0.618 (kV peak value, m)

3) Minimum approach distance in tension string live working When maximum working voltage of system is set to be 1100kV and maximum over-voltage to be 1.72p.u.(without

Figure 5.

Test arrangement of minimum approach distance in tension string

shunting resistance), we may calculate minimum gap distance in tension string live working (the gap distance with maximum live working risk), based on the discharge performance and correction coefficient Ka at various altitudes. See Table IX for
TABLE IX.

minimum gap distance (round-off number) and corresponding U50 and risk. In the last column, minimum approach distance in live working is also listed, taking into account the allowable movement range of human (0.5m).

MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCE IN TENSION STRING LIVE WORKING (WITHOUT SHUNTING RESISTANCE) Maximum over-voltage (p.u.) 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 U50(kV) 1877 1871 1860 1867 1871 Minimum electrical clearence(m) 5.7 5.9 6.1 6.4 6.7 Risk (*10-6) 6.90 7.82 9.83 8.50 7.82 Minimum approach distance (m) 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.9 7.2

Altitude and Ka 0m(Ka=1.0) 500m(Ka =1.025) 1000m(Ka =1.053) 1500m(Ka =1.080) 2000m(Ka =1.109)

The tables above indicate: (1)In areas with an altitude of or below 1000m, when the maximum switching over-voltage is 1.72p.u.(without shunting resistance), minimum approach distance in tension string live working is 6.6m. (2)In areas with an altitude of 1000m~2000m, when the maximum switching over-voltage is 1.72p.u.(without shunting resistance), minimum approach distance in tension string live working is 7.2m. V. CONCLUSIONS (1)In areas with an altitude of 1000m or below, when the maximum switching over-voltage is 1.72p.u.(without shunting resistance), minimum approach distance in outer phase, middle phase and tension string live working is 6.5m, 7.3m and 6.6m, respectively.

(2)In areas with an altitude of 1000m~2000m, when the maximum switching over-voltage is 1.72p.u.(without shunting resistance), minimum approach distance in outer phase, middle phase and tension string live working is 7.1m, 7.9m and 7.2m, respectively. REFERENCES
[1] Wang Lai, The Experiment And Research Of Man-kun Line Live Working Approach distance, Electric Power Science Academe Of China, Live Working Technology Discourses, 1994 Ding Yizheng, The Foundation Of Live Working Technology, Wuhan High-voltage Academe, Electric Power Publishing Company Of China, 1998 Bai Kehan, Some Questions In 500KV Live Working Entry Electric Field, Changsha Electric Office, Live Working Technology Discourses, 1994

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