Application of Single-pole Auto Reclosing of
Circuit Breakers in EHV Transmission line with
Capacitance Grounding
K.P.Basu, Senior Member, IEEE, S.Hamid and Sumbul Hasan
Faculty of Engineering
Multimedia University, Malaysia
Absrracr- Tripping of one pole of circuit breakers at both ends
of a transmission line for clearing LG fault produces high
negative sequence current in nearby generators. Insertion of
grounding capacitor connected between the ground and neutral
point of star winding of a transformer at one end of the
transmission line during the period of open conductor makes the
net zero sequence reactance to be zero. The zero sequence
network shunts the negative sequence network and the negative
sequence current is reduced to a negligible value. The power
transfer with one phase open, during single pole auto reclosing
becomes equal to pre-fault power and the transient stability limit
is highly improved. Power swing associated with a successful anto
reclosure becomes minimum. The sudden change in generator
output power at the instant of reclosing is reduced to a minimum.
Key Words- Capacitance grounding, negative sequence current,
power swing, single-pole auto reclosing, transient stability.
I. INTRODUCTION
Maximum faults in EHV transmission lines occur between
single phase to ground (LG)and are not permanent faults.
They are caused mainly due to lightning and over voltages
created on the line by switching and other phenomena. Those
faults may be cleared by opening the circuit breaker (CB)
poles of the faulted phase at each end of the transmission line.
In a three-phase transmission line, when one phase is open
circuited, a fraction of total pre-fault power flow is maintained
between the two ends through the two healthy phase wires.
For restoring the three-phase supply and for improvement of
transient stability, fast auto reclosing of these tripped CB poles
should be carried out with minimum time delay. This is most
important when a remote generator supplies power to a large
system through a single transmission line. Generally the anto
reclosing of the open conductor is carried out within 0.5 to
ISsec [I] after the fault is cleared. Capacitive coupling of the
open circuited faulty phase conductor with the two healthy
phases tries to maintain the fault current arc. The auto
reclosure dead time or the minimum time delay should be
sufficient to completely de-ionize the fault arc path with or
without the use of shunt reactors [2] - [4] or high-speed
grounding switches [5]. They are used to eliminate the effects
of coupling of healthy phase conductors with the open
circuited faulty phase conductor.
The most important problem associated with single-pole auto
reclosing is the heating of nearby generators due to negative
sequence current produced during the period of unbalance due
to opening of one phase in a three-phase system. A high value
0-7803-7525-4/02/$17.00 0 2002 IEEE.
Electrical Engineering Department
Aligarh Muslim University, India
of auto reclosure dead time makes the problem more severe.
Higher delay time also produces larger angular swing of the
remote generator causing long duration high amplitude power
oscillations even after a successful reclosure. The system may
loose stability with high value of pre-fault power.
Another problem associated with single-pole auto reclosing of
circuit breakers in transmission line is the sudden change of
power output in the generators due to switching operations.
The initial disturbance is due to fault itself. When the fault is
cleared by opening the faulted phase, a second disturbance is
imposed. Reclosing of the opened phase imposes art additional
disturbance. Each operation of single-pole switching may
contribute to a small loss of shaft fatigue life. If the turbine
generator is subjected to a large number of such incidents,
with high values of step change of generator power (AP), their
cumulative effect may cause shaft failure [6] - [7].
This paper proposes a novel scheme to reduce the negative
sequence current and to enhance transient stability limit during
single-pole auto reclosing. The scheme also eliminates the
sudden change of generator output power at the instant of
reclosing.
11. PROPOSED SCHEME
Fig.1 shows a remote generator supplying power to a large
system through a long transmission line. The generator is
connected to the transmission line through a delta-star
transformer. The large power system works like an infinite bus
and is represented by an equivalent generator-transformer unit
having infinite capacity. The proposed scheme differs from a
conventional system by the addition of capacitance grounding
of the far end transformer neutral. A circuit breaker (CBc)
keeps the grounding capacitor (Cc) shorted under normal
operating condition. At the infinite bus end the transformer
neutral is solidly grounded, which is the usual practice.
In any system, where the secondary winding of transformer T,
is connected in delta instead of star, a zigzag winding
grounding transformer is connected to Bus, with the
grounding capacitor Cc inserted between zigzag neutral and
ground. Then the grounding transformer provides a low
impedance path to zero sequence current. Similarly, another
solidly grounded zigzag winding grounding transformer may
he connected to Bus, in the absence of star CoMected
secondary of T,. As T, represents a group of unit transformers,
presence of solidly grounded secondary to any one of them
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provides the required low impedance path for zero sequence are negative sequence reactances and xot. xoI. Q, are zero
current. sequence reactances respectively. XO, and xor represent zero
sequence reactances of the transformers/grounding
G, TI T, G, transformers.
Bus, Tr Line Bus, Star-delta connection of transformers at both ends does not
allow the zero sequence current to flow through the generators.
The zero sequence current circulates through the
transformerslgrounding transformers, transmission line and
ground.
The transfer reactance with one phase open is X";
Z" G j x " = j[xp + x , x ~ ( x . + x,)] -----------(I)
The negative sequence current is;
I" = -&IJ(Z, + ZO) E -X,lJ(X, + xo) ------- (2)
Fig.lOne line diagram of single machine connected to After the fault is cleared by the operation of relays and CBI
infinite bus. and CB2, grounding capacitor CGis inserted to the network by
opening the CBG contact. If n number of cycles is required to
clear the fault after its initiation then the instant of ground
A single phase to ground fault anywhere in the transmission capacitor insertion to the network is;
line is cleared very quickly by tripping the faulted phase poles t, = d f sec., where f is the system frequency.
of circuit breakers at both ends. The sequence network With the application of fast acting relays and circuit breakers n
connection with one conductor open is shown in F i g 2 The and t, may be set to be very small.
Grounding capacitor reactance (X,) is designed to have 1/3"
the value of combined zero sequence reactance (X,) of
transformers and transmission line. So the net zero sequence
reactance (X, - 3Xc) becomes zero. Thus the net zero
sequence impedance becomes negligible (only resistive) and
negative sequence current is almost eliminated. So,
I,? -I, and I, aO;
The transfer reactance X" becomes equal to X,and the power
I
I I
I
I
J transfer with one conductor open becomes more or less same
as the pre-fault power transfer. Angular swing of far end
generator during this small period of n cycles is very low even
with large value of pre-fault power. Finally the open poles of
CBI and CB2 are reclosed after the auto reclosure dead time
with the simultaneous closing of CBG contact. Thus the initial
condition is reestablished.
With R-phase open, Y and B phase currents are;
Iy = (a2- l)lp;and Is = (a- l)Ip; where a' = e-''") and a =
Fie.2 Seauence network connection with one Dhase ooen. el'"); /IyI = lIol =.131I,I ;
Thus the healthy phase currents of transformers and
three sequence networks are connected in parallel across the transmission line jump to 43 times the pre-fault current and
point of opening of the faulted phase conductor. Sum of the copper loss increases to 3 times the pre-fault value. But
positive (I,), negative .(I.) and zero (b) sequence currents this high loss persists only during the auto reclosure dead time
become zero. The equivalent transfer impedance with one and can be easily withstood by the transformers and
phase open is Z". transmission line. The current through the grounding capacitor
I,+ I.+ b = 0; and during this period is 310, which is equal to three times the
Zl' = z, + Z"U(Z" + 2,) positive sequence current. The voltage across the capacitor
Z, Z. and 2, are total positive, negative and zero sequence becomes 3Xcb = -Xol,. The VA rating is 3X01:. High value of
impedances. 2, is the sum of zero sequence impedance of two zero sequence reactance (Xo) produces high voltage across the
transformers, transmission line and ground. Neglecting capacitor. The current, voltage and VA ratings of the
resistances, grounding capacitor are very short time ratings. The zero
2p = zpg + zp, + zpl+ zprG j(xpE
. .
+ x,, + xPl + xPJ = jX,; sequence capacitance of the transmission line, in parallel to CG,
., + znI+ z., EJ(X., + x.( + xnI+ xnr) = jX. and
Z, = z . ~+ z reduces the voltage and VA rating of the grounding capacitor.
2, = ZO, + ZOI + zor Ej(Q, + XOI + XOJ =j k Analysis of the sequence network of Fig.2 provides two values
of resonating frequencies. The frequency for series resonance
Where, x,,. xp,. xpl. xpr are positive sequence reactance of is;
generator, transformer, transmission line and the equivalent f,, = q l + (x,x.)/(x,x~+x,xo)] - I n ;
transformer of the large system respectively; xmg.x.,. xOI.x., And the frequency for parallel resonance is;

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 fp, = f[l+XjX,]~l" ; AP = (Pm- PmI)Sin& ;
As X,, X. and Xo are all positive, both the resonating At the insrant of single-pole tripping;
frequencies are sub-synchronous. Any chance of sub- AP = (P,, - P,J SinGI ;
synchronous resonance for f,, may be avoided by adopting And, at the instant of auto reclosing;
counter measures, suggested by Padiyar [8]. AP = (P,z - P 3 Sin& ;
Where So, 6 1 and 82 are power angles at the instant of fault
111. NUMERICAL COMPUTATION initiation, single-pole tripping and auto reclosing respectively.
Values of (AP) for the remote generator at the instant of fault
Ratings of different components of a sample power system, initiation and single pole tripping with simultaneous capacitor
having single machine connected to infinite bus, as shown in insertion are computed to be 0 . 4 3 5 7 ~ and ~ 0.4622~~
Fig.1, are given below. Per unit values of positive, negative respectively. But no change of power takes place at the instant
and zero sequence reactances are given on SOOMVA and of reclosing as the maximum power transfers with one open
20KV/400KV base. Resistances are neglected. conductor (P,?) and that after reclosure (P,) are equal.
Generator G,:500MVA, 20KV, 50Hz; Inertia constant: HI = During the period of auto reclosure dead time the healthy
3SMUMVA; Voltage behind transient reactance = IE,/ = phase cunents of transmission line are 1 . 7 3 2 (each). ~~ Current
1 . 2 ~Transient
~; reactance Qi = xpg= 0 . 3 ~ xmg ~ ;= 0 . 2 ~ ~ ; through the grounding capacitor is 3pu. Voltage across the
Transformer T I : 500MVA. 20KV/400KV, 50Hz; xpl = x.~= Y+, grounding capacitor is; V, = 1 . 4 4 ~ ~ .
= 0. Ipu; The series and parallel resonating frequencies are ;
Transmission line: 400KV. 400km, 50Hz; xpl= xnI= 0 . 4 ~%I ~; fsr = 44.31Hz; and fpl= 40.64Hz.
= 1.3~~; Restrictiom imposed on high value of capacitor voltage V,
Infinite bus end transformer: xpz = x., = xgl = 0 . 0 4 ~ ~ ; and/or closer value of series resonating frequency f,. to system
Grounding capacitor reactance = Xc = 0 . 4 8 ~ ~ ; frequency f may be avoided by choosing lower value of
Voltage behind infinite bus transformer = V = 1.OLO"; grounding capacitor reactance Xc to partly compensate the
The transfer reactances during ye-fault: fault, and one phase zero sequence reactance &. In that case, the negative
open conditions are X, X'and X'respectively. sequence current is not completely eliminated but reduces to a
Corresponding values of maximum power transfers are P, lower value. Even 50% reduction of negative sequence current
(=VFfX), P,, and Pm2respectively. For any LG fault on the cause 75% reduction in generator heating due to this unwanted
transmission line near the remote generator bus (Busl), all the current.
sequence networks are connected in series and the following Computer simulation result shows that for a ground capacitor
values are obtained. reactance X, = 0.3583 pu. the negative sequence current with
X = 0 . 8 4 ~ and
~ ; X' = 1 . 4 8 8 4 ~P,~ ; = 1 . 4 2 8 6 ~ and
~ ; P,, = one phase open reduces to 50% of its original value, that is, it
0.8062~~; drops down to 0.3311,1 from 0.66111,I. The zero sequence
The fault clearing time t is assumed to be 0.OEsecond current becomes equal to 0.66711,l. The corresponding value of
(4cycles). voltage V, across the grounding capacitor Xc reduces to 0.72
With one conductor open and XC shorted, the total positive, pu. However, with Ipu pre-fault power and O.08sec (4 cycles)
negative and zero sequence reactances may be computed as; fault clearing time, the system remains stable for any value of
X,= 0 . 8 4 ~ X.~ ; = 0 . 7 4 and
~ ~ XO= 1 . 4 4 ~ ~ . auto reclosure time delay even with this reduced value of XC.
The negative sequence current through the far end generator The value of transfer reactance X'lduring the period of single
G I is obtained from equation (2). pole opening becomes 1 . 0 8 4 4 ~with~ the corresponding value
111. = 0.661/1,1. The negative sequence current is 66.1% of of maximum power transfer Pm2 being 1 . 1 0 6 6 ~ ~The .
positive sequence current. maximum amplitude of angular swing increases and is also
X" is computed from equation (I). dependent on auto reclosure delay time. The reduced negative
XI'- 1 . 3 2 8 8 and
~ ~ Pm2=0 . 9 0 3 1 ~ ~ . sequence current continues to flow throughout the period of
Classical method of analysis neglecting damping is used for reclosing delay. The new values of series and parallel
the study. Computer simulation results show that the system, resonating frequencies are;
without having the grounding capacitor, becomes unstable fs, = 38.26Hz; and fpl = 35.094Hz.
even with 0.5sec auto reclosure dead time for lpu pre-fault Thus a larger difference of series and parallel resonance
power. When Xc is inserted after the fault clearing time of 4 frequencies from the system frequency f is established.
cycles (0.08sec), the net zero sequence reactance (X,- 3Xc) The step change of power output (AP) from the remote
becomes zero. generator at the instant of fault initiation remains to be
Therefore, II,I = 0; X" = X = 0 . 8 4 ~ Pm2 ~ ; = P, = 1 . 4 2 8 6 ~ ~ ; 0 . 4 3 5 7 ~as~ in the earlier case. But, with reduced value of
The system becomes stable even with 1 . 3 3 pre-fault ~~ power capacitive reactance, AP reduces to 0.3Opu at the instant of
for any value of time delay before auto reclosing. The single pole tripping, which is advantageous from the point of
transient stability margin with rated (Ipu) pre-fault power view of fatigue failure of shaft. In this case a small change of
increases to a very high value. The maximum value of angular power output also takes place at the instant of reclosing as P,z
swing is computed to be less than 28". and P, are unequal.
At the instant of fault initiation, the step change of generator IV. CONCLUSION
output power;

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Single-pole auto reclosing of EHV transmission line for
clearing LG fault produces high negative sequence current,
which may be reduced to minimum by inserting a grounding
capacitor between ground and star winding neutral point of a
transformer connected to the remote generator. The grounding
capacitor is kept shorted during normal operation and is
inserted when one phase remains open-circuited before auto
reclosure. The power transfer during this period of reclosure
time delay remains equal to the pre-fault power and the
transient stability limit is highly improved. Healthy phase
currents in the transmission line increase to 63 times the pre-
fault value during single-pole auto reclosing with capacitor
grounding. With one phase open the ground capacitor current
becomes 3 times the pre-fault value and the voltage across it
becomes high, which persists only during the very small
period of auto reclosure delay time. The magnitude of angular
swing associated with auto reclosing becomes very low. The
sudden change of generator output power at the instant of
reclosing is almost eliminated.

V. REFERENCES

[I] P.S.Kundur, Power system srabiliry and connol, New York McGrawhill
inc.,i994. p. I 107.
[2] E.W.Kimbark "Suppression of ground fault arc on single-pole switched
EHV lines by shunt reactor", IEEE Trans. PAS, vol. 83, pp.285-290, March
1964.
[3] N. Kundren, "Single-Phase Switching of Transmission lines Using
Reactors far Extinction of the secondary Arc", CIGRE 310, 1962.
[4] A.J. Fakhheri et al., The Use of Reactor Switches in Single Phase
I'

Switching", CIGRE 13-06, 1980.

[5]R.M.Hasibar, A.C. Legate, J.Brunke and W.G.Peterron, "The application
of high speed grounding switches far single-pole reclosing an 500KV power
rystem",IEEE Trans. PAS, val.lW, pp.1512-1515, Ape1 1981.
[a] A.J. Gonzales. G.C. King, C. Raczkowski, C.W. Taylor and D. Thonn,
"Effects of Single-and-Three pole Switching and High-speed Reclosing on
TurbineGenerator shaft! and Blades", IEEE Trans., Vol. PAS-103, pp. 3218-
3228, November 1984.
171 IEEE Working Group, '.Single Pole Switching for Stability and
Reliability", Repon of a panel discussion held at the 1984 PES Summer
Meeting, IEEETrms.. Vol. PWRS-I, No. 2, pp. 25-36, May 1986.
[8] K.R. Padiyar, Anolyris of Subrynchronous Reroononce in Power Sysrems,
London: Kluwer Academic Publisher, 1999. pp. I 11-120.

VI. BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. K. P.Bsriu (M' 1999, SMZW2) was barn in Kolkata, India on October,
1940. He obtained his BEE, MEE and Ph.D.(Engg) degrees from the Jadavpur
University, Kolhtl. His employment experience includes 4 years in electrical
power industy and more than 35 years in teaching.
Previously he worked as Professor of Electrical
Eneineerine in Aliearh Muslim Universitv...India.
j 0' ~1
i
Presently i e is inu the Faculty of Engineering,
:i .i Multimedia University, Malaysia. He bas published
46 technical papers in several technical
journallconference praceedingr. His main
. . . . Add of interest is Electric Drives and Power
. System analysis, control and protection.

hlr. S. Hamid obtained his B.Sc.(Engg.) and M.Sc.(Engg.) degrees from the
Aligarh Muslim University, India. He is working as Lecturer in the
depanment of Electrical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University for the last9
years. His main field of interest is Power System analysis and control.
MS.Sumbul Hasan obtained her B.Sc.(Engg.) and M.Sc.(Engg.) degrees
from the Aligarh Muslim University, India. Her main field of interest is Power
System analysis and canml.

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