TABLE 1 - EFFECTS OF VERY FAST TRANSIENTS [17]
EQUIPMENT VFT EFFECTS
Direct connected transformers can experience
- an extremely nonlinear voltage distribution along the high voltage winding,
TRANSFORMERS connected to the oil-SF6 bushings, due to steep fronted wave impulses
- extremely high part-winding resonance voltages due to transient oscillations
generated within the GIS.
The insulation system of breakers and loadbreak switches is not endangered by VFT
overvoltages generated in adjacent GIS equipment.
DISCONNECTORS Ground faults induced by VFTO have been observed in disconnectors operations, as
& BREAKERS residual leader branches can be activated by enhanced field gradient to ground and by
feeding them with GIS-generated VFTO.
Breakdown caused by VFT overvoltages is improbable in a well-designed GIS insulation
system during normal operations. However, breakdown values can be reduced by
SF6 INSULATION insulation irregularities like edges and fissures.
The breakdown probability is very low for low VFTO amplitudes, it increases with the
frequency of the oscillations and the degree of the field homogeneity.
TEV can cause sparking across insulated flanges and to insulated busbars of CTs, and
puncture of insulation which is intended to limit the spread of circulating currents within
the enclosure.
ENCLOSURE
BUSHINGS SF6 insulated bushings can be affected as other SF6 equipment.
Very few problems have been reported with capacitively graded bushings.
CABLES No problems have been experienced on the main insulation.
VFT effects appear always in grounded circuits and are originated by TEVs.
TEV may interfere with secondary equipment or damage sensitive circuits
- by raising the housing potential if they are directly connected
SECONDARY - or via cable shields to GIS enclosure by emitting free radiation which may
EQUIPMENT induce currents and voltages in adjacent equipment.
TABLE 2 - GIS COMPONENT MODELS [17]
MITIGATION TECHNIQUES
Transformers can withstand the stress built up by steep front waves. In critical cases, it might
be necessary to install varistors to protect tap changers against very high frequency transient
oscillations.
The development of a ground fault by branching of the leader discharge during a
disconnector operation can be avoided by a proper disconnector design.
TEVs can be minimized
- by a proper design and arrangement of substation mats
- by keeping ground leads as short and straight as possible in order to minimize the
inductance
- by increasing the number of connections to ground
- by introducing shielding to prevent internally generated VFT from reaching the
outside of the enclosure
- by installing voltage limiting varistors where spacers must be employed.
Avoid high impedance in the connection of the last graded layer to the enclosure.
Grounding connections must be modified to eliminate troubles.
Correct cable connection procedures may minimize interference. The coupling of radiated
energy may be reduced
- by mounting control cables closely along the enclosure supports and other
grounded structures
- by grounding cable shields at both ends by leads as short as possible
- by using optical coupling services.
Voltage limiting devices may have to be installed.