EUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER Euro. Trans. Electr.

Power 2012; 22:8393 Published online 6 September 2011 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI: 10.1002/etep.628

Overvoltages and insulation coordination of 1000-kV AC transmission systems in China

Gu Dingxie*,, Zhou Peihong, Dai Min, Xiu Muhong and He Huiwen
High Voltage Research Division, State Grid Electric Power Research Institute of China, Wuhan, China

SUMMARY Overvoltages and insulation coordination requirements of 1000-kV AC transmission systems in China are introduced. On the basis of the single-circuit transmission project, which has been put into operation since 2009, and the planned double-circuit transmission projects, the control of temporary overvoltage and switching overvoltages and the determination of the rated voltage of metal oxide arrester are presented. The lightning protection measures for transmission lines and substations are given. Determination of insulation level of substation apparatus and clearance of external insulation for transmission lines and substations are provided. Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
key words:

China; 1000-kV transmission system; overvoltage; insulation coordination

1. 1000-kV AC TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS IN CHINA The schematic diagrams of two typical 1000-kV transmission systems are presented in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. The 1000-kV AC demonstration project in China shown in Figure 1, JindongnanNanyang Jingmen, has been put into operation since January 2009. It is a single-circuit transmission system. The planned HuainanShanghai 1000-kV double-circuit transmission system is shown in Figure 2.

2. POWER FREQUENCY TEMPORARY OVERVOLTAGES AND METAL OXIDE ARRESTER PARAMETERS 2.1. Amplitude and duration of temporary overvoltage For the single-circuit transmission lines, the elevated voltages as a result of load rejection with no fault and with single line-to-ground fault should be mainly taken into consideration during temporary overvoltage (TOV) calculation. For the double-circuit transmission lines, the situation with one of the circuits out of service also should be considered, besides the situation with two operation circuits. In addition, it is worth noting that six-phase load rejection should be considered [1,2]. Most of the future 1000-kV lines in China will be relatively long, and generally, shunt reactors will be installed for such transmission lines. It is the major measure to control the TOVs. The highest TOV may usually be caused by single-phase-to-ground fault with load rejection. The following two kinds of circumstances will lead to the situation described previously with the single-phase reclosing, which is adopted in China. (1) The three-phase circuit breakers (CBs) are opened by relay protection because of the unsuccessful single-phase reclosing.
*Correspondence to: Gu Dingxie, High Voltage Research Division, State Grid Electric Power Research Institute, Wuhan, China. E-mail: gudingxie@sgepri.sgcc.com.cn Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.p

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North China
500kV Power Grid

G. DINGXIE ET AL.

Central China
500kV Power Grid

Jingdongnan Power Plant 358km Jindongnan Nanyang 283km Jingmen

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the 1000-kV AC demonstration project (single circuit) in China.

Bengbu 2 600MW
+

30km

Huainan 720Mvar

Wannan 720Mvar Double circuit line 322km 720Mvar

Zhebei 720Mvar Double circuit line 146km

Huxi

2 720MVA
+

Tianji 2 600MW
+

12km

UHV-T1

Double circuit line 164km

UHV-T4 500kV

2 720MVA
+

Pingwei 2 600MW
+

3km

2 210Mvar
+

720Mvar

720Mvar

720Mvar

720Mvar

1 210Mvar
+

2 720MVA
+

UHV-T2 500kV 500kV

UHV-T3 500kV

1 210Mvar
+

1 210Mvar
+

Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the planned 1000-kV AC double-circuit transmission system in China.

(2) In live working process, single-phase reclosing is usually required to be locked. The threephase CBs will be opened when single-phase-to-ground fault occurs. The power frequency phase-to-ground TOVs are limited to 1.3 per unit at the bus-side terminal of the CB and 1.4 per unit at the line-side terminal in China. The TOV duration plays an important role in the determination of the metal oxide arrester (MOA)rated voltage and the equipment insulation level. In China, a linkage method for opening CBs at the sending and the receiving end is adopted, which means that CBs at both ends will be opened synchronously if one of the CBs is opened for any reasons. This method is efcient to shorten the duration of TOV and reduce the energy absorbed by MOA. The maximum switching time difference between CBs at both ends can generally be controlled within 0.2s, and the TOV duration will not be over 0.5s even if the CB at one of the ends failed to be opened and the backup protection is carried out [1,2]. 2.2. Metal oxide arrester parameters The traditional principle for determining Un of MOA is that Un should be not less than TOV, where Un is the rated voltage. However, because of good performance of MOA for withstanding overvoltage in short time, the 1000-kV projects of China do not follow the principle, and Un is allowed to be lower than TOV for a short time. Un of MOA for 1000-kV system in China has been selected as 828kV, which is equivalent to 1.3 per unit and less than 1.4 per unit. According to the test data from MOA manufacturers in China, MOA is able to withstand 1.4 per unit TOV with the duration up to 10s [2]. Main electrical parameters for MOA (Un is equal to 828kV) installed at the bus-side and line-side terminals of CB or at the transformer side are listed in Table I. The energy absorption capability is 40MJ [3]. The calculation results show that the actual maximum absorption energy of MOA will be less than 10MJ after it withstands TOV, which lasts 0.5s, and absorbs
Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Euro. Trans. Electr. Power 2012; 22:8393 DOI: 10.1002/etep

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Table I. Main electrical parameters of the 1000-kV substation metal oxide arrester (unit, kV). System voltage 1000 Rated voltage Un (RMS) 828 Continuous operation voltage (RMS) 638 30/60s and 2kA switching impulse residual voltage 1460 8/20s and 20kA lightning impulse residual voltage 1620

RMS, root mean square.

injected energy produced by twice closing switching overvoltages (SOVs) before TOV. Therefore, there is still sufcient margin of MOA absorption capability with 828-kV Un. At the same time, the reduction of MOA Un will be benecial to lowering the lightning and switching impulse protection levels as well as the requirements of the equipment insulation level. The overvoltages on the lines can also be limited to a certain extent. 3. SWITCHING OVERVOLTAGE The important sources of SOVs are associated with the following events [4,5]: (1) (2) (3) (4) Line energization and re-energization Ground-fault occurrence Ground-fault clearing Transformer switching at no load

3.1. Line energization and re-energization Switching overvoltages because of line energization and re-energization are control factors for the insulation design of 1000-kV lines in China. The main measure to control the overvoltages is the use of CBs with pre-insertion resistors. In China, the 600- pre-insertion resistors are used, and the preinsertion time is 9.51.5ms. The maximum phase-to-ground statistical SOVs along a 1000-kV line shall be not more than 1.7 per unit in China. The maximum phase-to-ground statistical SOVs in a 1000-kV substation shall be not more than 1.6 per unit and the maximum phase-to-phase statistical SOVs shall be not more than 2.9 per unit [6]. The times-to-crests of SOVs as a result line energization and re-energization are generally 1000~ 3000ms, which may greatly inuence the clearance design of transmission line [6]. 3.2. Ground-fault occurrence For single-circuit 1000-kV transmission lines in China, only the SOVs as a result of single-line-toground fault occurrence are taken into account. The double-line-to-ground fault event can be ignored. For double-circuit 1000-kV transmission lines, it is sufcient to consider only the SOVs as a result of single-line-to-ground fault occurrence on one of the circuits. The event of single-line-to-ground faults on both circuits can be ignored, or the SOVs on health phases are allowed to exceed 1.7 per unit. However, the probability of simultaneous single-line-to-ground faults on both circuits is close to 0 according to the calculation results of lightning protection for 1000-kV transmission lines and the operating experience of 500-kV double-circuit lines for over 10years. Thus, this kind of events can be neglected during insulation coordination [7]. Switching overvoltages as a result single-line-to-ground fault occurrence are low, with the maximum 2% overvoltage below 1.51 per unit [6]. It is not the control factor that determines the line insulation level. 3.3. Ground-fault clearing Switching overvoltages on a transmission line can be caused by ground-fault clearing on the adjacent lines. The number of grounded phases may signicantly inuence the crest of such overvoltage. The
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SOVs can be within the allowable range while clearing a single-phase ground fault and may exceed the allowable values while clearing a two-phase or three-phase ground fault. Opening resistor can be used to control this kind of SOVs. For JindongnanNanyangJingmen 1000-kV transmission line in China, the following points should be taken into consideration: (1) The installation of opening resistors will increase the cost and CB fault probability because of the mechanical complexities of the breaker mechanisms. (2) The probability of two-phase or three-phase ground faults on 1000-kV transmission lines is very low. (3) The maximum overvoltage occurs on transmission lines rather than in substations. Probably, the SOVs may result in line insulation ashover. However, it will not threaten the equipment in substations. So, it is not necessary to install opening resistors for JindongnanNanyangJingmen 1000-kV transmission lines. 3.4. Transformer switching at no load Both calculation research and eld tests made in China indicate that the pre-insertion resistors are not necessary for the 500-kV CBs during transformer switching at no load at the 500-kV side. In such case, no excessively high resonance overvoltage will be caused, and both amplitudes of inrush current and overvoltage are within the allowable range. The possibility of relatively high resonance overvoltage and the inrush current caused by transformer switching at no load at the 1000-kV side is greater than that at the 500-kV side. The adoption of preinsertion resistors is benecial for reducing resonance overvoltage and inrush current. However, it is not effective for all system wiring congurations and may lead to higher cost and lower reliability. It is recommended to install the pre-insertion resistors in CBs, which are used for energizing both 1000-kV unloaded transformer and 1000-kV unloaded transmission line. And for the CBs, which are used only for energizing 1000-kV unloaded transformer, the pre-insertion resistors are not necessary. To effectively restrict the harmonic resonance overvoltage and make it possible to use CB with no preinsertion resistors at B13 for switching 1000-kV transformer, the following measures can be adopted: (1) Energizing the transformer at the 500-kV side. (2) If measure 1 cannot be achieved, switch the unloaded transformer by line CB B12 with preinsertion resistors, which are in the middle position of the CB branch, as shown in Figure 3 and pointed by the arrow. 4. VERY FAST TRANSIENT OVERVOLTAGE The operation of disconnect switch (DS) within a gas-insulated-switchgear (GIS) system generates very fast transient overvoltage (VFTO) with very steep wave front and very high amplitude. Such VFTO will probably damage insulation of the following equipment:
1000kV 500kV

B11

B51

B12

B52

B12

B53

Figure 3. Schematic diagram of the transformer switching at no load.

Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Euro. Trans. Electr. Power 2012; 22:8393 DOI: 10.1002/etep

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(1) GIS bodies; (2) Equipment with windings, such as transformers; (3) Secondary equipment. Very fast transient overvoltage should be more worthy of attention for 1000-kV GIS. Generally, the higher the system-rated voltage is, the lower the ratio of the lightning impulse withstand voltage (LIWV) of equipment and the system-rated voltage is. For example, the rated voltage of 1000-kV GIS and the crest VFTO are two times higher than that of 500-kV GIS; however, the LIWV of the 1000-kV GIS equipment is only 1.55 times higher than that of 500-kV GIS equipment. Therefore, VFTO may be more harmful to 1000-kV GIS equipment than to 500-kV GIS equipment. The calculation research on VFTO has been carried out for 1000-kV GIS. The results show the following [8,9]: (1) Shunt resistors are necessary for DSs in GIS to effectively limit VFTO. The resistance is 500, and the crest VFTO can be limited to 1.13 per unit from 3.11 per unit (1 per unit is equal to 898kV). (2) The crest VFTO caused by the DS operation can be up to 2.15 per unit in the hybrid GIS, which is within allowable range. Therefore, shunt resistors are not necessary for the DSs of the hybrid GIS from a safe and economic point of view. (3) The wiring congurations of GIS, such as bus length, will affect the crest VFTO, and both the initial wiring conguration and the future wiring conguration should be considered. Because the transformers of GIS in China are usually connected via overhead lines with a distance from several 10 to 100m, the amplitude of VFTO will attenuate fast and the wave front will be less steep. The crest VFTO at the transformers is low (the calculated crest value is 925kV) with slow rising speed (the calculated time-to-crest is longer than 1.5ms). There should be no any harm to the transformer insulation.

5. INCOMING LIGHTNING OVERVOLTAGE TO SUBSTATION AND THE ARRESTERS LAYOUT The incoming lightning overvoltage to 1000-kV substation is the control factor for the equipment insulation design. While calculating the incoming lightning overvoltages to 1000-kV substations of China, two wiring congurations with rigorous conditions should be taken into consideration (as shown in Figure 4). (1) Single line with CBs opened (2) Single line single transformer wiring conguration The maximum incoming lightning overvoltage to substations is caused by the shielding failure in the entrance section of the transmission line. Two kinds of measures for limiting incoming lightning overvoltage have been adopted in China. (1) Limiting the maximum lightning shielding failure current in the entrance section of the transmission line Ground wire protection angle less than 4 and three ground wires (as shown in Figure 5) in the entrance section of the transmission line are effective methods to limit the current. (2) Optimizing the layout of MOAs The layout with less MOAs has been adopted. One group of three-phase MOA is installed at the entrance of each circuit. One group is installed for each busbar. One group is installed beside the transformer. The amplitudes of overvoltages in different substations are different. The calculated typical maximum lightning overvoltages are 2040kV for GIS, 1854kV for shunt reactors, and 1796kV for transformers. The LIWVs of the transformers and the shunt reactors are 2250kV and that of other equipment are 2400kV in China. The allowed LIWVs of equipment are higher than the maximum
Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Euro. Trans. Electr. Power 2012; 22:8393 DOI: 10.1002/etep

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Incoming lightning wave u(t)

G. DINGXIE ET AL.

Single transmission line

Incoming lightning wave u(t)

Single transmission line

Bushing MOA CB which is opened MOA CB which is opened CB which is closed MOA

Bushing MOA CB which is closed

Transformer

Transformer

Figure 4. Substation wiring configurations considered during the incoming lightning overvoltage calculation, (a) single line with CBs opened, (b) single line single transformer wiring configuration.

incoming lightning overvoltage and can meet the requirements of safety margin of internal (15%) and external (5%) insulation. Because of the small probability of single-line wiring conguration, the safety margin of internal insulation can be reduced to 10% for this kind of wiring conguration. Probabilistic or statistical method is also used to calculate the incoming lightning overvoltage to substation in addition to deterministic method. The mean time between failures of substation as a result of lightning is required to be more than 1500years while using statistical method.

6. LIGHTNING PROTECTION OF LINES Because of the importance and the higher insulation level of the 1000-kV transmission lines, their expected lightning trip-out rate should be lower than that of the 500-kV lines by adopting control measures. According to the operating experience of 500-kV transmission lines in China, the average lightning trip-out rate is 0.14 times per 100km/year. So, the expected lightning trip-out rate of 1000-kV transmission lines can be set as 0.1 times per 100km/year, which is equal to 70% of the trip-out rate of 500-kV transmission lines. The schematic diagrams of towers of 1000-kV single-circuit and doublecircuit transmission lines are shown in Figure 6.

Figure 5. Three ground wires adopted in the entrance section of the transmission line.
Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Euro. Trans. Electr. Power 2012; 22:8393 DOI: 10.1002/etep

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a) Typical towers of single-circuit

transmission lines

(b) Typical tower of double-circuit

transmission lines

Figure 6. Schematic diagrams of towers of 1000kV single-circuit and double-circuit transmission lines (unit, m), (a) typical towers of single-circuit transmission lines, (b) typical tower of double-circuit transmission lines.

Operating experience shows that the proportion of the lightning back ashover rate is becoming less and less to the total lightning trip-out rate as the line insulation level improved. The proportion is less than 10% for 500-kV transmission lines in China. The calculation results show that the lightning back ashover at 1000-kV line will not occur. Lightning shielding failure is the main cause of lightning trip out. Therefore, to prevent lightning shielding failure is the key point of lightning protection of 1000-kV lines. The main method for calculating the shielding failure rate is the improved electrical geometric model (EGM). The inuence of terrain along the transmission line, correction coefcient of the lightning striking distance to the earth, and the probability distribution of the intruding lightning angle of lightning leader have been considered to improve the EGM model. At the same time, the study on the leader propagation model has been carried out in China. However, the calculation results are quite different with different parameters and criterions, and the determination of these parameters and criterions is difcult so far. Therefore, the calculation results from EGM are the main design basis for the lightning protection, and the results from leader propagation model are taken as reference. Reducing the ground wire protection angle a can reduce the shielding failure trip-out rate, and the trip-out rate is affected by terrain along the lines signicantly too. The following principles for ground wire protection angle a of 1000kV lines should be used. (1) For single-circuit transmission lines, a used in plain area is less than 6 and less than 4 in the mountain area. (2) For double-circuit transmission lines, a used in plain area is less than 3 and less than 5 in the mountain area. (3) For jumper line at the strained angled towers, a of single-circuit transmission lines in plain area is less than 6 and not more than 0 for the single-circuit or the double-circuit transmission lines in the mountain area. The protection angle mentioned previously refers to the angle between the connecting line from the ground wire to the outermost sub-conductor and the perpendicular line of the horizontal surface. With long air gap clearances, higher insulation level and no arcing horn installed on China 1000-kV transmission lines, it is possible to limit the lightning trip-out rate to the expected value. Because the 1000-kV AC demonstration project (JindongnanNanyangJingmen) in China was put into operation in January 2009, no lightning trip-out fault has occurred until now.
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7. INSULATION COORDINATION 7.1. Principles of insulation coordination In the insulation coordination process, safety margin of internal insulation (15%) and external insulation (5%) are required in China [2,10]. To determine the air gap clearance of 1000-kV AC lines and substations, lightning and switching surge impulse and power frequency voltage testing using a full-scale model are conducted, and a serial of critical 50% ashover voltage curves was obtained, which is important for insulation coordination process [2]. 7.2. Insulation levels of substation equipment The insulation levels of the major equipment in 1000-kV substations of China are shown in Table II. In general, the equipment insulation levels of China are lower than those of Russia and higher than those of Japan [11]. They are determined by the overvoltage levels to which 1000-kV transmission systems are exposed and the equipment manufacturing experience of China. 7.2.1. Transformer insulation level. The transformer insulation levels are shown in Table III. The insulation level of 1000-kV transformer is determined by its LIWV and the power frequency voltage withstand. LIWV 2250kV of China can meet the requirement of safety margin, for the lightning overvoltage incoming to the transformer terminal will be not so high with low lightning impulse protection level of MOA and reduced maximum shielding failure lightning current. Operating experience indicates that most transformer faults occurred under the normal operating voltage. The power frequency voltage withstand testing is conducted to check the existence of partial discharges in transformer, and it is strictly considered in China. In China, the testing power frequency voltage is 1100kV, and the duration of its application is 5min, which is more strict than 1min recommended by the International Electrotechnical Commission [12]. 7.2.2. Testing voltage on longitudinal insulation of CB and DS. The lightning impulse testing voltage on longitudinal insulation of 1000-kV CBs and DSs of China is 2250+900 (kV), in which 900kV is the amplitude of the power frequency component of opposite polarity. However, the amplitude of the p pfrequency component of opposite polarity recommended by power 2= 3 , which refers to the peak value of the operating voltage the IEC 60071-1 is 0:7 Um multiplied with the coefcient 0.7, and with this coefcient, about one-fourth cycle of the operating voltage cannot be covered and the guaranteed coverage probability is 0.75.
Table II. Rated insulation withstand voltages for 1000-kV equipment (unit, kV). Equipment Transformer and reactor GIS (CB, DS, pipe) Post insulator and DS (open type) Capacitive voltage transformers Bushing of transformer and reactor Bushing of GIS Longitudinal insulation of switching device Lightning impulse withstand voltage 2250 (chopped lightning impulse: 2400) 2400 2550 2400 2400 (chopped lightning impulse: 2760) 2400 2400+900 Switching impulse withstand voltage 1800 1800 1800 1800 1950 1800 1675+900 Power-frequency shortduration withstand voltage 1100 (5min) 1100 (1min) 1100 (1min) 1300 (5min) 1200 (5min) 1100 (1min) 1100+635 (1min)

GIS, gas-insulated-switchgear; DS, disconnect switch.

Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Table III. Insulation levels of ultra-high voltage transformers of China and Japan (unit, kV). Country China Japan Lightning impulse withstand voltage 2250 1950 Switching impulse withstand voltage 1800 1425 Power frequency voltage withstand 1100(5min) 1100(5min)

In China, the coefcient is specied as 0.7~1.0 in the National Standard Insulation Coordination Part 2: Application Guide for Insulation Coordination for High Voltage Transmission and Distribution Equipment (GB311.1-1997), and the coefcient is set as 1 for 1000-kV CBs and DSs. For the importance of the 1000-kV equipment, the coefcient is set as 1 and the amplitude of the power frequency component of opposite polarity is the peak value of the operating voltage. 7.3. Minimum air clearances of substation The minimum air clearances of 1000-kV substations of China with altitude above sea level below 1000m are listed in Table IV. In Table IV, A1 is the minimum clearance between conductor and framework, A100 is the minimum clearance between equipment and the framework, and A2 is the minimum clearance between two phases. 7.4. Line insulation levels To determine the minimum number of insulators, contamination withstand voltage method and specic creepage distance method can be used. The insulator selection of 1000-kV AC demonstration project in China is regulated as follows: (1) Suspension string. For area with pollution level II medium, where equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD) is 0.06~0.10mg/cm2, 54 units of double-shed disk-type insulators (for 300kN) are required. For areas with pollution level III heavy (ESDD=0.10~0.25mg/cm2) and IV very heavy (ESDD=0.25~0.35mg/cm2), the composite insulator with total length of 9750mm and creepage distance of 30300mm is required [10]. (2) Tension string. For area with pollution levels II, III, and IV, 44, 54, and 60 units of disk-type insulators with creepage distance of 700mm (for 550kN) is required, respectively. The minimum air clearances for 1000-kV transmission lines in China are listed in Table V. For single-circuit transmission lines, the minimum conductor-to-tower clearances of the middle phase are determined to withstand the expected maximum switching overvoltages, and the clearances of the two outer phases are determined to withstand the operating voltage at high wind speed. So, the minimum air gap clearances for lightning impulse withstand have not been regulated. However, towers of double-circuit transmission lines are higher. They are more likely to be struck by lightning because of the larger lightning attraction area and weakened shielding effect of earth.
Table IV. Minimum air clearance for the 1000-kV substation with altitude above sea level below 1000m (unit, m). Type of voltage applied A1 Power frequency Switching impulse 4.2 6.8 A1 A1
00

A2

7.5

Lightning impulse
Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

5.0

6.8 10.1 (corona ringcorona ring) 9.2 (four-bundled conductorsfour-bundled conductors) 11.3 (tubular bustubular bus) 5.5
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Table V. Minimum clearances for 1000-kV transmission lines in China (unit, m). Type of voltage applied Power frequency voltage Switching impulse Type of lines Single circuit and double circuit Single circuit Minimum clearances 2.7 at elevations 500m above sea level 2.9 at elevations 1000m above sea level 3.1 at elevations 1500m above sea level outer phase: 5.9, middle phase: 6.7* or 7.9** at elevations 500m above sea level outer phase: 6.2, middle phase: 7.2* or 8.0** at elevations 1000m above sea level outer phase: 6.4, middle phase: 7.9* or 8.1** at elevations 1500m above sea level 6.0 at elevations 500m above sea level 6.2 at elevations 1000m above sea level 6.4 at elevations 1500m above sea level Not to be specified Plain area: 6.7; mountain area: 7.0 at elevations 500m above sea level Plain area: 7.1; mountain area: 7.4 at elevations 1000m above sea level Plain area: 7.6; mountain area: 7.9 at elevations 1500m above sea level

Double circuit Lightning impulse Single circuit Double circuit

*These values are air gap clearances between the middle phases and the tower trusses above them. **These values are air gap clearances between the middle phases and the tower trusses below them.

Because shielding failure will not be caused by heavy current, appropriate improved insulation can effectively reduce the number of lightning shielding failures. One of the main measures for insulation improvement is to increase the air gap clearances between the phase conductors and the towers, especially the clearances between the conductors and the tower trusses under them. Thus, the minimum air gap clearances for lightning impulse withstand have been regulated. To determine the air gap clearance of 1000-kV AC lines considering the inuence of tower width, full-scale switching surge impulse testing was conducted. The times-to-crest of switching impulse is 1000ms. The inuence of the number of parallel gaps on the discharge voltage has been considered in the insulation coordination process, and the ashover rate of the entire line insulation under SOV has been calculated. During the calculation, the variation of SOVs amplitude at different positions along the line and the probability distribution of SOVs at each position are taken into account. It is regulated that the ashover rate of the entire line insulation under SOV must be not higher than 0.01 times per year.

8. CONCLUSIONS (1) The power frequency phase to ground TOVs are limited to 1.3 per unit at the bus-side-terminal of the CB and 1.4 per unit at the line side terminal in China, and generally, the TOV duration can be controlled within 0.2s and will not be more than 0.5s. (2) Rated voltage Un of MOA for 1000-kV system in China has been selected as 828kV. (3) The maximum phase-to-ground statistical SOVs along a 1000-kV line shall be not more than 1.7 per unit in China. The maximum phase-to-ground statistical SOVs in a 1000-kV substation shall be not more than 1.6 per unit, and the maximum phase-to-phase statistical SOVs shall be not more than 2.9 per unit. (4) Shunt resistors of 500 are necessary for DSs in GIS to effectively limit VFTO. (5) The maximum incoming lightning overvoltage to substations is caused by the shielding failure in the entrance section of the transmission line. Limiting the maximum lightning shielding failure current in the entrance section of the transmission line and optimizing the layout of MOAs can limit the overvoltage. Ground wire protection angle less than 4 and three ground wires in the entrance section of the transmission line are measures adopted in China to limit the maximum lightning shielding failure current.
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(6) To prevent lightning shielding failure is the key point of lightning protection of 1000-kV lines. Reducing the ground wire protection angle a can reduce the shielding failure trip-out rate effectively. (7) The equipment insulation levels of China are lower than those of Russia and higher than those of Japan.

9. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS TOV CB MOA SOV DS GIS VFTO LIWV EGM ESDD temporary overvoltage circuit breaker metal oxide arrester switching overvoltages disconnect switch gas-insulated-switchgear very fast transient overvoltage lightning impulse withstand voltage electrical geometric model ground wire protection angle equivalent salt deposit density
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Euro. Trans. Electr. Power 2012; 22:8393 DOI: 10.1002/etep