coofen ‘Cooper Power Systems May 1992 Overvoltage Protection of AC Distribution Systems How to Select the Proper Surge Arrester to Ensure Adequate Insulation Coordination of Overhead Distribution Systems PRESENTED AT THE EDISON ELECTRIC INSTITUTE T & D MEETING TULSA, OKLAHOMA MAY 20, 1992 Author Curtiss G. Crisp, Senior Product Specialist Cooper Industries, Inc., Cooper Power Systems Division, Components and Protective Equipment, Pewaukee, WI Baten 92025 May 1992 © Cooper Power Systems Printed in USA—— May 1992 INTRODUCTION Distribution systems are designed to operate at a particular voltage and when the voltage exceeds design level, ‘whether from a surge or from mare gradual increases in voltage, utility personne! and the system itself are potentially atrisk, Therefore, itis of great importance to protect the distribution system from the hazardous effects of avervoltages. ‘This paper will discuss the various sources of system overvoltages including overvoltages originating from external sources (lightning) and overvoltages originating from within the system (switching). Also discussedis the affect of surge arrester construction, surge arrester selection and insulation coordination on the ability to protect the overhead distribution system, SYSTEM OVERVOLTAGE ‘There are several sources of system overvoltages which must be considered when selecting surge arresters Although overvoltages can originate within the system (as a result of switching, for example), lightning is by far the principle cause of potentially damaging overvoltage. Listed below are frequent sources of overvoltages. Lightnin ‘Switching Operations Ferroresonance Line-to-ground Faults Contact with Higher Voltage Systems Lightning Lightning, the principal source of damaging overvoltage on distribution systems, can produce surges iter by direct strikes or through induction. ‘The resulting overvoltage may vary from a relatively small increase, to many times the normal peak line-to-ground voltage. Lightning can be viewed as a current source causing an overvoltage which is ‘dependent upon the lightning magnitude and waveshape and the system impedance. Recent research into the actual characteristics of lightning strikes has shown thatthe standard 8/20 us waveshapes used for insulation coordination studies is not representative of surges that are typical in the real world. Recent datahas been documented, as shown in Figure 1, as being more representative of actual lightning surges in the field. Figure indicates, for example, that 57% of actual lightning surges have arse time of 25s or less whic is substantially faster than the standard 8 us ise time, 0 17% Percent probability that time to ‘rest will equal or be less than abcissa Percent Probability 3 80 | 100 ——_+ o 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 “Time to Crest in Micraseconds Lightning: Time to Crest vs. Probability Figure 1cooF a May 1992 Fast rise time surge currents generate substantial voltage drops in surge arrester connecting leads. In some cases, itcan actually exceed the surge arrester discharge voltage. This has a major effect on the margin of protection and will be discussed later in the text. SURGE ARRESTER CONSTRUCTION Construction of surge arresters for use on distribution systems has steadily improved over the past several years. The three most common construction practices are: + Series Gapped Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) + Gapless Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) + Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOV arresters (series gapped and gapless) have become the arresters of choice for protection of distribution systems ‘and equipment, Siliconcarbide arrestersare being phased outof manufacture in the United States, but havebeen included in this document for reference since many artesters ofthis construction type are still in use. ‘As defined in industry standards, a surge arrester is "a protective des by diverting surge current and returning the device to its origi specified”, In other words, fora surge arrester to protect agai for limiting surge voltages on equipment I satus It is capable of repeating these functions as st overvoltages, it must + Withstand line-to-ground system voltage continuously + Recognize an overvoliage + Ease into conduction + Divert surge current to ground + Ease out of conduction (reseal) + Withstand fine-to-ground system voltage continuously Figure 2 shows a comparison of the Steady State Voltage Distribution of the three surge arrester constructions, 1 7 ieee ee oro | ak r ere av, t ae = oe i aa siv Mov sev Mov oevsic (Gaps) (series Gapped) Steady State Voltage Distribution Figure 2May 1992 SURGE ARRESTER SELECTION Selection of the proper surge arrester construction and rating for application on distribution systems requires knowledge of the following: + System Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV) + System Temporary Overvoltage (TOV) * Insulation Coordination System Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV) “The maximumcontinuous operating voage of the distribution system during normal operating conditionsisof great importance since, unlike silicon carbide arrester, the MOV arresters’ (series gapped and gaplss) non-linear intemal components are continuously exposed to system voltage (See Figure 2). Consequently, the arrester must be capable of ‘withstanding the expected maximum continuous operating voltage atthe location where the arresteris io be applied. For these reason, each MOV arrester (series gapped and gapless) has a specific MCOV. As defined in industry sundards, ‘asurgearrester’smaximum continuous operating voltage (MCOV) is the maximum designated root-mean-square (rms) value of power frequency voltage that may be applied continuously between the terminals ofthe arrester. Table 1 shows the commonly applied arrester voltage ratings for distribution systems. ‘Tablet ‘Commonly Applied Vollage Ralings of Metal-Oxide Arresters on Distribution Systems" ‘Commoniy Appied Arrosier Volage Ralings -1V AMS (GV RMS) Duly Cycle Vollage Ratings (MCOV}tt! Four-Wire Thves-Wee | Thres-Wiro Muttigrounded | Low Impedancet | High impedancet | Neural Wye _| Grounded! Grounded. 2540) 3255 “aveoyiea00| ——aag0vie5a0. IEE aii 6Gi 4260) 4400) 65.1) 4800) 5080] 616.1 6900) 7260] 317.65) ‘as20¥74900| —aad0v/s080] on ETS) 712000¥/6930] —12700¥/7330, 3.7.65)[ OAT 12470¥/7200| 13200v/7620| 97 65) or 10 (@.4)| 15.02 Pt 13200¥/7620] —13970¥/B070, 70.4) 15. 027 13800¥/7370| 1460576430, THON] 15 02 ArT 13800 14520 HSH ZO7HOVI12000| —22000¥712700, sseRL ero 22860¥/13200] —24200¥/19870 Te CSA) 24 09.5)t1 23000} 24340) wo paa asiGvr aa00 | P6a00¥/15240] TwepSa| a7 eam ‘27600¥/1580] 29255¥/16890] 2107.0 3024.41 t ‘34500¥/19920] ~36510¥/21080 BT ez. O)[ 96 (29.0) ‘Spacer cable circuits have nol been incided - there has been insulicient experience with {he appicaon of meakoxde arrests on spacer cable ccs onde them is 1a See ANSI CA4.1-1979 Line o-ground ‘ult duration not to exceed 30 minutes. For longer durations, consult ‘manufacluers temporary overvoliagy capabily + Lowimpedance cveuts are ypealy 3-wre, unigrounded athe source. High impedance Circuits are generally ungrounded (Le, delta). Adeonal information regarging sysiom ‘rounding is contained in ANSI C62.82, Pan 1 Tt, lndwidual case stucies may show lower volage ratings may be used. 111 Foreach Duy Cyee ang ne Maxinum Corknvous Operating Votage(MCOW) isso iskaml May 1992 System Temporary Overvoltage (TOV) ‘The magnitude and duration of system temporary overvoltage (TOV) during abnormal operating conditions is of, great importance since excursions above the systems normal operating voltagemay expose the surge arrester to voltages Which are greater than its MCOV. Abnormal operating conditions can result from several factors, the most common being overvoltage on the unfaulted phases during a phase-to-ground fault. During this operating condition, the amount of time the surge arrester is subjected to the TOV isa function of the operating times of protective relays and fault interrupting devices ‘MOV arresters (series gapped and gapless) are capable of operating for limited periods of time at voltages above Uneir MCOV rating; however, the magnitude of overvoliage an MOY arrester can successfully tolerate depends onthe ‘duration ofthe overvoliage. Surge arrester manufacturers describe arrester TOV capability inthe form of acurve which shows the magnitude ofthe overvoltage versusallowable duration. Atypicalcurve showing the TOV capability of Series Gapped Metal Oxide Varistor and Gapless Metal Oxide Varistor arresters is show in Figure 3 Per Unit MCOV 22 Time (Seconds) Surge Arrester TOV ssulation Coordination Distribution laesare generally notshielded and are particularly susceptible to direct lightning strikes. The transient covervoltages developed by lighting are of greater concern than those caused by switching. ‘Therefore, insulation coordination based on lightning surge voltages is the major consideration for distribution systems. Shown in Table 2 {sa summary ofthe published protective characteristics of Cooper Power Systems’ Heavy Duty Series Gapped Metal Oxide Varistor, Gapless Metal Oxide Varistor and Silicon Carbide arrestrs,—— a May 1992 Table 2 Surge Arrester Protective Characteristics FrontarWave | Discharge Vollage Arester | ArresterRating | McOV | Protective Level* @ 10kA Construction (kv AMS) (kv MCOV) (kV Crest) (kV Crest) Gapped MOV 10 a4 29.0 245 Gapless MOV 10 84 35.3 33.0 sic 10 = 43.0 39.0 ‘Gapped MOV 18 15.3 51.0 43.4 Gapless MOV 18 15.3 64.2 60.0 sic 18 = 73.0 70.0 ‘Gapped MOV 27 22.0 77.0 65.1 Gapless MOV 27 22.0 95.2 89.0 Sic 27 = 98.0 98.0 * Based on a 10 kA current impulse that results in a discharge voltage cresting in ‘0.5us for MOV arresters or based on a wave rising 100 kV/us per 12 KV of arrester rating for SiC arresters.MARGIN OF PROTECTION May 1992 Afterithas been determined that an arrester can survive on the system, its bility oprotecta given piece of equipment can be examined. This is done by comparing the protective characteristics of the arester to the insulation level (BIL) ofa given piece of equipment as shown in ress, | > SS | Ss. chopped Wave Withstand (CWW) . | a me, = Caw s FOW ‘.. Basic Lightning Impulse Insuaton Level (BIL) i To 3 \ Basie Switching Impulse % | MP = insulation Level SU s| wad fl Front-of Wave Protective i Level (FOW) SHA, Discharge ‘Switching Surge Protective Level (SPL) Voltage at Lightning Impulse Classitving Current (LPL) 10 60 H2 49900 100 1000 ‘Time in Microseconds ‘Typical Equipment/Arrester Insulation Curves ‘The difference between arrester dischar Figure 4 ge characteristics and equipment withstand level at any given instantof time i termed the margin of protection, represented by the expression: MP. Are’ Withstand Voltage a ster Discharge Vokage ‘The margin of protection is generally determined at 2 points for distribution systems and are designated MP, andMay 1992 MP, i the margin of protection in the fast fon region andi defined as follows Mp, = (SHH 1) «100 FW CWW = Chopped Wave Withstand of Equipment WPL = Frontof-Wave Protective Level of Arreser IMP, is the margin of protection inthe slower front wave ands defined as follows: Me, = (Blk-1) x100 a= Be) BIL = Basic Insulation Level of Equipment DV-= Discharge Voluge of Areser Neither the arrester discharge voltage nor the equipment BIL. are constant and therefore can reduce the calculated ‘margin of protection. ‘Additional factors affecting margins of protection + Lightning Rise Time + Arrester Lead Lengths + BIL Deterioration Lightning Rise Time ‘Asshown in Figure 1, the time tocrestof lightning is substantially faster than the standard 8/20 1s wave used to find the discharge voltage of an arrester. Fast rise time surge currents result in increased arrester discharge voltage. Figure Sshows the effects of fastrise time surges for both MOV and silicon carbide arrestersasa multiplier of arrester discharge voltage. Siticon Carbide _| ee Airester MOV Vad Amrester 06] ol Discharge Voltage er Unit Multiplier On 10 10 700 Rise Time (microseconds) of a 10 kA Surge Effects of Fast Rise Times on Discharge Voltage Figuresasim May 1992 Arrester Lead Lengths ‘The tou discharge voltage cmtering protected equipment will be the sum of the arrester discharge voltage and the voliage drop that occurs in the lead wires connecting the arrester between line and ground. A voltage of 2 kV/lt is ‘commonly assumed for estimating purposes for ead wire voltage. Recent studies have indicated that voltages as high as 5 KV/fl are not uncommon*. BIL Deterioration ‘The deterioration of BIL in equipment can be critically affected duc to thermal aging and transient overloads’. ‘Studies performed have estimated the diclecwic strength can be reduced by as much as 50% of the rated withstand level. ‘This reduction in dielectric swength should be taken into account when evaluating margins of protection, ‘Table 3 lists the calculated margin of protection (MP,) for 12470,24940 and 34500 4-wire systems each protected with Series Gapped MOV, Gapless MOV and Silicon Carbide arresters. The calculated margins are listed with and without taking into account the effects of fast rise time, arrester lead lengths and BIL. deterioration, Table3 Protective Comparison “Arrester Arester Discharge Voltage Rating (kV Crest) Protective Margi “Arresier OKA OKA Construction | kVRMS | _8/20 us 4/10 ps MP2 MP2** 12470V Four-Wire Wye 95 KV BIL Gapped MOV 40 24.5 28.2 +288 +49 Gapless MOV 10 33.0 38.0 +188 +19 sic 10 39.0 50.7 +144 6 24940V Four-Wire Wye 125 kV BIL. Gapped MOV 18 43.4 49.9 +188 425 Gapless MOV 18 60.0 68.0 +108 5 Sic 18 70.0 91.0 +79 -26 ‘34500V Four-Wire Wye 15D kV BIL Gapped MOV 27 65.4 74.9 +130 +6 Gapless MOV 27 89.0 102.4 +69 -20 sic 27 98.0 127.4 428 34 + 10kA 8/20 us Surge 0 ft of arrester lead New BIL 100% of Rated ** 10kA 1/10 ws Surge 5 tt of arrester lead @ 2 kV/tt ‘Aged BIL. 60% of Rated+50 404 20 % Margin of Proection % Margin of Protection Aged bi r0xd Hons Sarge Figure 6A, % Margin of Protection i 104A Ti0hs Sure Figure 6B Anes BIL, OKA T/iops Serge Figure 6C May 1992 "88 Gapped MOV 1D Gapless MOV m™ sic 8 Gapped MOV Gapless Mov m sic 8 Gapped MOV 1D Gapless Mov m sic with Arresters for Conventional Overhead Transformers FigurescooFn i May 1992 CONCLUSIONS The development of a new surge arrester design that incorporates a resistance graded series gap with MOV disks offers several improvements over silicon carbide and gapless MOV varistor arrester designs. ‘These improvements include + lower discharge voltage + higher temporary overvoltage + lower fast front discharge voltage The series gapped MOV arrester allows the ulility specifiers to substantially improve overvoltage protection of distribution equipment. Improved overvoltage protection includes: * increased protective margins + Jong term equipment reliability + power quality + safety REFERENCES 1 J.J. Burke, "The Application of Surge Arresters on Distribution Systems," presented at the 1989 Power, Distribution Conference, Austin, Texas, October 25, 1989. 2 “IEEE Standard for Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for AC Power Circuits,” ANSWIEEE C62.11-1987, January, 1987, 3° Ibid 4 “Guide for the Application of Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for Alvernating-Current Systems," PC62.22/D5, July, 1991. 5 “Electrical Distribution System Protection," Cooper Power Systems, 1990, 6 Ibid 7 HE, Fletcher, K.L. Leix, "The ‘Lightning-Proof Transformer,” presented at National Rural Electric Cooperative Association "Tech Day", February 3, 1991, 10