SURGE ARRESTER

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GROUP-6
Contents
1. PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1

2. PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING……………………………………………………………………………………………. 4

3. IMPORTANT PARAMETERS FOR SELECTING……………………………………………………………………… 7

4. SELECTING SURGE ARRESTOR FOR 500 KV POWER TRANSFORMER……………………… 9

1. PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Surge arresters – or short, arresters – constitute an indispensable aid to insulation coordination
in electrical power supply systems.
In case of overvoltage due to lighting or to switching operations the Metal oxide resistor become
conductive (ohm range) thereby allowing a discharge current to flow to ground and the voltage to
be reduced to the value of the voltage drop at the arrestor (discharge voltage).here the discharge
current may be range up to 2KA in case of switching surges and 1-10-20 KA in case of lightning
surges
However resistors are markedly non-linear in other words they have a strongly curved current
voltage characteristic which means that with the continuous voltage obtaining under normal
circumstance only the so called leakage current of a few milliamps will be flowing.
Figure 1 makes this clear. There the voltages which may appear in a high-voltage electrical power
system are given in per unit of the peak value of the highest continuous phase-to-earth voltage2,
depending on the duration of their appearance

The time axis is roughly divided into the range of fast-front overvoltage’s (mainly lightning
overvoltage’s) in the microsecond range, slow-front overvoltage’s (mainly switching
overvoltage’s) in the millisecond range3, temporary overvoltage’s in the second range – which are
commonly cited by the abbreviation "TOV" – and finally the temporally unlimited highest
continuous system operation voltage. The voltage or overvoltage, which can be reached without
the use of arresters, is a value of several p.u. If instead, one considers the curve of the withstand
voltage of equipment insulation, (here equipment means electrical devices such as power
 transformers) one notices that starting in the range of switching overvoltages1, and especially for
lightning overvoltage’s, the equipment insulation cannot withstand the occurring dielectric
stresses. At this point, the arresters intervene. While in operation, it is certain that the voltage that
occurs at the terminal of the device – while maintaining an adequate safety margin – will stay
below the withstand voltage. Arresters' effect, therefore, involves lightning and switching
overvoltages2. However, arresters cannot and are not expected to limit temporary overvoltages.
They must instead be designed to withstand the continuous system operation voltage without
sustaining damage. This is shown in Figure 1 by the dotted part of the arrester curve on the right,
in which the arrester – like any other device in the system – must demonstrate sufficient
operational stability over and above likely voltage stress.
Even though a great number of arresters which are gapped arresters with resistors made of silicon-
carbide (SiC), are still in use, the arresters installed today are almost all metal-oxide (MO)
arresters without gaps, which means arresters with resistors made of metal-oxide (metal-oxide or
MO resistors). The distinctive feature of an MO resistor is its extremely non-linear voltage-
current or U-I-characteristic, rendering unnecessary the disconnection of the resistors from the
line through serial spark-gaps, as is found in the arresters with SiC resistors. The currents passing
through the arrester within the range of possibly applied power-frequency voltages are so small
that the arrester almost behaves like an insulator. If, however, surge currents in the kilo ampere
range are injected into the arrester, such as is the case when lightning or switching overvoltage’s
occur, then the resulting voltage across its terminals will remain low enough to protect the
insulation of the associated device from the effects of overvoltage.

2. PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING

General procedure for the selection of surge arresters
The complete selection procedure of an arrester comprises the selection of a suitable arrester
which matches electrical as well as mechanical requirements. It is recommended to first make a
selection with respect to electrical performance and thereafter complete the selection with the
mechanical requirements.
The following iterative procedure, shown in the flow diagram of Figures ‘A’ and ’B’, is
recommended for the standard selection of surge arresters for protection of high-voltage
substation equipment.
1) Determine the continuous operating voltage of the arrester with respect to the highest system
operating voltage;
2) determine the rated voltage of the arrester with respect to the temporary overvoltage;
3) Estimate the magnitudes and probability of the expected lightning discharge currents through
the arrester, determine the transmission line discharge requirements and select the nominal
discharge current, the high current impulse value and the line discharge class of the arrester;
4) select a surge arrester that fulfils the above requirements;
5) determine the lightning and switching impulse protection characteristics of the arrester;
6) locate the arrester as close as possible to the apparatus to be protected;
7) Determine the coordination switching impulse withstand voltage of the protected equipment
taking into account the representative slow-front overvoltage and system layout;
8) Determine the coordination lightning impulse withstand voltage considering:
a) The representative impinging lightning overvoltage surge as determined by the lightning
performance of the overhead line connected to the arrester and the acceptable failure rate of
the protected equipment;
b) The substation layout;
c) The distance between surge arrester and protected equipment;
9) determine the rated insulation level of the equipment from IEC 60071;
10) If a lower rated insulation level of the equipment is desired, then a lower rated voltage, a
higher nominal discharge current, a higher line discharge class, a different arrester design or a
reduced distance between arrester and protected object should be investigated. Regarding
selection of a lower rated voltage it should be noted that a too low rated voltage may affect the
service reliability of the arrester.
11) Selection of electrical data finished – start with mechanical selection!
12) Consider the pollution level and required withstand voltages of the arrester;
13) make a selection of a creepage distance and preliminary length of arrester and flashover
distance;
14) Select the short-circuit rating with respect to the expected fault current;
15) Consider different mechanical loads e.g. due to wind, terminal connections, earthquakes,
short-circuits etc.;
16) consider dynamic/static combinations of loads;
17) Check housing capability against the loads;
18) If necessary reconsider the preliminary selection;
19) Make a final choice of arrester housing.
A, Selection with respect to electrical data
B, Selection with respect to mechanical data
3. IMPORTANT PARAMETERS FOR SELECTING
As a station should be designed for a low probability of failure, it is only steep incoming surges
which are of interest. Thus the protection of a substation against lightning surges is not only a
question of which arrester to choose. It is even more important to determine the number and
location of arresters needed in order to obtain an adequate protection.
For a full assessment of the problem, several parameters must be considered concerning
• Probability
• Distribution of lightning currents
• Station layout
• Power frequency voltage
• Grounding and shield wires
• Protection levels
• Connection leads of surge arrester
• Insulation levels etc.
1. Maximum System Voltage (Um)
• The maximum voltage between phases during normal service.
2. Rated Voltage (Ur)
• An arrester fulfilling the IEC standard must withstand its rated voltage (Ur) for 10 s after
being preheated to 60 °C and subjected to energy injection as defined in the standard.
Thus, Ur shall equal at least the 10 second TOV capability of an arrester. Additionally,
rated voltage is used as a reference parameter.
3. Continuous Operating Voltage (Uc)
• The maximum permissible r.m.s. power frequency voltage that may be applied
continuously between the arrester terminals.
• IEC gives the manufacturer the freedom to decide Uc. The value is verified in the
operating duty test. Any uneven voltage distribution in the arrester shall be accounted for.
4. Nominal Discharge Current (In)
• The nominal discharge current is used for the surge arrester classification. It is the main
parameter for the protective characteristics and the energy absorption capability of the
arrester.
5. Temporary Overvoltage’s (TOV)
• Temporary overvoltage, as differentiated from surge overvoltage, are oscillatory power
frequency overvoltage of relatively long duration (from a few cycles to hours).
• The most common form of TOV occurs on the healthy phases of a system during an
earth fault involving one or more phases. Other sources of TOV are load rejection,
energizing of unloaded lines etc.
• The TOV capability of the arresters is indicated with prior energy stress in the relevant
catalogues.
 6. Protective Levels
• The lightning impulse protective level of an arrester is the maximum residual voltage at
nominal discharge current. It is applicable to the protection of equipment from fast-front
over voltages.
• The switching impulse protective level is the maximum residual voltage at the specified
switching impulse currents. It is applicable to the protection of equipment from slow front
over voltages.
7. Residual Voltage/ Discharge Voltage
• The peak value of the voltage that appears between the terminals of an arrester during
the passage of discharge current through it. Residual voltage depends on both the
magnitude and the waveform of the discharge current. The voltage/current characteristics
of the arresters are given in the relevant catalogues.
8. Line Discharge Class
• A number related to the energy absorption capability of 10 kA and 20 kA arresters for
the discharge of long lines. Five classes exist according to IEC 60099-4, table 4, with an
increasing number indicating increased energy absorption capability.
9. Pressure Relief Class
• Capability of an arrester to withstand internal fault currents without violent shattering of
the housing.
10. External Insulation Withstand Strength
• The maximum value of the applied voltage (of a specified wave shape) which does not
cause the flashover of an arrester. Unlike other equipment, arresters are designed to
discharge internally and the voltage across the housing can never exceed the protective
levels. Thus, the external insulation is self-protected if its withstand strength is higher
than the protective levels corrected for installation altitude. The standards specify
additional safety factors, exclusive of correction for altitude, as under 15% for short
impulses and 10% for long impulses (at sea level).
However, the final choice must always be left to the system engineer, who has to take into
account additional parameters such as
• importance of the station
• cost of a failure compared with the cost of improved protection,
• acceptable level of risk
In view of the complexity of the problem, practical engineering has long been based mainly on
rules of thumb, or on simplified formulas, which often disregard many of the important
parameters.
With the present improved knowledge of lightning as well as the existence of efficient computer
programs, however, it is now possible to give much more accurate guidance for protection against
lightning
4 Selecting surge arrestor for 500 KV power transformer
Assuming solidly earthed 500-kV-system;
Assuming normal service conditions.
Having high pollution level
The table below shows the typically needed arrester data in order to make a proper selection of surge
arresters for the usual application of protection of transformers or other substation equipment
(these are manufacturer-dependent values.)
Arrester data Denomination
Rated voltage, Ur kV(rms value)
Continuous operating voltage, Uc kV(rms value)
Nominal discharge current, In kA
Line discharge class 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5
Lightning impulse protective level, LIPL kV(crest value)
Switching impulse protective level,
kV(crest value)
SIPL
Rated short-circuit current, Is kA(rms value)
Insulation withstand voltage According to IEC 60099-4
Specified long-term load, SLL N
Specified short-term load, SSL N
a) Typically used for HV-arresters

Table E.1 typically needed arrester data in order to make a proper selection of surge arrestor
If no further information is given and no special requests are made:

I. Selection with respect to electrical data

1. For the given transformer of 500 KV the highest system voltage is indicated by Us ,in this case
for 500 KV transformer assuming 500±10×1% this will give as a tap range of
100
500kv   5kv
100
For the given tape range of 10 the maximum tap will be
10  5kv  50kv
From this the highest system voltage will be
500kv  50kv  550kv
Us = 550 kV= Um
2. Rated Voltage (Ur)
A simplified guideline to select a minimum value of the arrester rated voltage (Ur).
In each case, choose the next higher standard rating as given in the manufacturer's catalogue
Fault System Voltage (Um) / Min. Rated Voltage (Ur /
System Earthing
Duration kV kV)
Effective ≤1s ≤ 100 kV ≥ 0.80 x Um
Effective ≤1s ≥ 123 kV ≥ 0.72 x Um
Non-effective ≤ 10 s ≤ 170 kV ≥ 0.91 x Um
Non-effective ≤2h ≤ 170 kV ≥ 1.11 x Um
Non-effective >2h ≤ 170 kV ≥ 1.25 x Um

Table E.2 a simplified guideline to select a minimum value of the arrester rated voltage (Ur)

Applying the applicable formula from Table E.2

Ur ≥ 0.72 x Um = 0.72  550  396kv

The required rated voltage can, however, also be reached by taking a completely different
approach, namely by examining the temporary overvoltage (TOV) which may occur in the system
in the case of solid neutral earthing, the temporary overvoltage may reach values of up to 1.4
times the maximum phase-to-earth voltage (earth-fault factor K  1.4 ) for a time period from a
few tenths of a second to up to several seconds.

So taking earth fault factor k = 1.4

550kv
TOV  1.4   444kv
3
Therefore the practical formula presented in Table E.2 cannot be applied in this particular case
and
• Ur ≥ 444 Kv
According to manufacturer's guaranteed data sheet, this would lead to selection of Ur = 444 kV.
However, as the guaranteed data sheet indicates, the arrester with rated voltage of 420 kV has a10s
TOV capacity of 462 kV, therefore one can consider selecting Ur = 420 kV, as it gives better
protection against lightning and switching overvoltage’s.
Therefore, Ur = 420 kV
 Table E.3: Manufacturer's guaranteed data sheet
3. Continuous Operating Voltage (Uc)
For Surge Arrester with Ur = 420 kV, manufacturer's guaranteed data sheet(Table E.3) gives Uc
= 336 kV, which is greater than required (1.05*Us / √3 = 332.85 kV), therefore acceptable.

Uc = 336 kV

4. Nominal Discharge Current (In)

The nominal discharge current is used for the surge arrester classification. It is the main
parameter for the protective characteristics and the energy absorption capability of the arrester
IEC 60099-4 currently specifies five different values1, which belong to different
ranges of rated voltage:

1.5 kA 2.5 kA 5 kA 10 kA 20 kA

under consideration Ur ≤ 36 kV Ur ≤132 kV 3 kV ≤ Ur ≤ 360 kV 360 kV < Ur ≤ 756 kV

Table E.4: Nominal discharge currents according to IEC 60099-4

According to the table for the rated voltage of Ur = 420 kV we can select a Nominal discharge
currents of 20 KA
In=20 KA
5. Line Discharge Class
A number related to the energy absorption capability of 10 kA and 20 kA arresters for the
discharge of long lines. Five classes exist according to IEC 60099-4, table 4, with an increasing
number indicating increased energy absorption capability.
As long as there are no particularly easy or difficult requirements originating from the system,
the following line discharge classes, depending on the system voltage, are recommended (IEC
60099-5)
Line discharge class Us / kV
1 ≤ 245
2 ≤ 300
3 ≤ 420
4 ≤550
5 ≤ 800

Table E.4: Guide values for line discharge classes depending on system voltage

So according to the table we can select line discharge class of 4.In practice, however, one
frequently tends to select the next higher line discharge class, so according to the table we can
select line discharge class of 5

Required line discharge class: 5

6. Protective Levels
 The lightning impulse protective level of an arrester is the maximum residual voltage at
nominal discharge current. It is applicable to the protection of equipment from fast-front
over voltages.
Manufacturers guaranteed data sheet gives:
Lightning impulse protective level (at 20 kA, 8/20 μs): 1051 kV

 The switching impulse protective level is the maximum residual voltage at the specified
switching impulse currents. It is applicable to the protection of equipment from slow-front
over voltages.
Manufacturers guaranteed data sheet gives:
Switching impulse protective level (at 2 kA, 30/60 μs): 849 kV

II. Selection with respect to mechanical data

Selecting a Housing (composite hollow core insulator* - "tube design" – in order to fulfill the
seismic requirements)
Minimal requirements:
1. lightning impulse withstand voltage =
1.3 * lightning impulse protective level = 1.3 ⋅1051 kV = 1366 kV
2. switching impulse withstand voltage =
1.25 *switching impulse protective level = 1.25 ⋅849 kV = 1061 kV
3. creepage distance: 25 mm/kV *550 kV (43.3 mm/kV* 317 kV) = 13750 mm
 4. Permissible head load dynamic (SSL): The specified short-term load SSL is the greatest force
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of an arrester, allowed to be applied during service for
short periods and for relatively rare events (for example, short-circuit current loads or extreme
wind gusts) without causing any mechanical damage to the arrester.it is given in terms of force
(in N) or bending moment (in Nm)

The wind-bending moment is given by

Mw = P × H × da × C × H/2 + P × D × h × (H – l)
And using manufacturer recommendation of for important installations where energy
requirements are very high
SSL: 12000 N
5. Permissible head load static (SLL): force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of an arrester,
allowed to be continuously applied during service without causing any mechanical damage to
the arrester (= 70 % of the dynamic value)
SLL  0.4*12000  4800 N (= 40 % of the dynamic value)
6. Rated short-circuit current (rated short-circuit (withstand) current Is): 50 kA
The rated short-circuit (withstand) current selected when the arrester is chosen
should at least comply with the maximum short-circuit current expected at the location
of the arrester
Is: 50 kA

7. Possible length of the active part : 2700 mm (2 ⋅1350 mm)*

8. number of units: 2* (in porcelain 3* units would be necessary)
9. grading ring: yes

The calculated values are indicated in the table below

Installation Outdoor

System nominal voltage (kV) 500

Rated voltage of arrestor (kV) 420
TOV capability : for 1 second, kVrms 487
for 10 second, kVrms 462

Max. permissible line to ground voltage (kV) 336

Residual voltage at 8/20 microsecond and

1051
at 20 kA, (kV)

Rated discharge current (kA) 20

Maximum discharge current (kA) 50
Creepage distance (mm) 13750
Overall dimensions (mm) (height) 2700
 Max. residual voltage with current wave of
829
(30/60 micro sec.) at 2 kA (kV)
Housing
a) lightning impulse protective level 1366

b) switching impulse protective level 1061

SSL(N) 12000
SLL(N) 4800

Energy capability
a) line discharge class (IEC) 5