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Construction and Condition Monitoring
Lightning Arresters
Selection of Surge Arrester
Voltage 400/√3 = 230kVDuring single phase to ground fault, voltage on healthy phase may go upto 1.4 to 1.5 times230 x 1.4/1.5 = 323 – 346Temporary O/V= 1.5 pu = 336kVLAs are available at 336kV, 360kV, 372kV and 390kV Higher ratings are selected taking into consideration of ageing of LA elements
LA Characteristics
Construction of disc
These are made by mixing ZnO with small amount of additives such as Bi2O3, CoO, Cr2O3, MnO and Sb2O3
ZnO grains (about 10μm dia) have low resistivity and surrounded by a granular layer which is a high resistive Oxide layer(0.1 μm thick). The two are strongly bonded.
LA
AS PER IEC-60099(5), TECHNIQUES FOR THE HEALTH MONITORING OF SURGE ARRESTERS IN SERVICE
1. TOTAL LEAKAGE CURRENT MEASUREMENT2. WATT LOSS MEASUREMENT3. INSULATION RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT4. THIRD HARMONIC RESISTIVE CURRENT
MONITORING.5. THIRD HARMONIC RESISTIVE CURRENT (THRC)
MONITORING WITH COMPENSATION FOR THIRD HARMONICS IN SYSTEM VOLTAGE.
THE MEASUREMENT PRINCIPLE
- HARMONICS ARE CREATED IN LEAKAGE CURRENT ON APPLICATION OF FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY, DUE TO NON LINEAR VOLTAGE-CURRENT CHARACTERSTIC OF SURGE ARRESTERS.
- THIRD HARMONIC IS THE LARGEST HARMONIC COMPONENT OF THE RESISTIVE CURRENT
EFFECT OF 3RD HARMONICS IN SYSTEM VOLTAGE
THIRD HARMONIC IN SYSTEM VOLTAGE CREATES CAPACITIVE HARMONIC CURRENTS WHICH AFFECT THE MEASURED VALUE
ERROR IN THE MEASURED VALUES MAY BE CONSIDERABLE
AS REPORTED, 1% THIRD HARMONIC IN SYSTEM VOLTAGE MAY INTRODUCE ERROR UPTO 100% IN THE MEASURED VALUE
Basic circuit for LA testing
ZnO type Surge Arrester
Equivalent Circuit
Equivalent Circuit
Rp = Non-linear resistance of the granular layer(108 Ώm for low electric field stress and 10-2
Ώm for high electric field stresses)C= Granular layer has a relative dielectric
constant between 500 and 1200 depending upon the manufacturing process.
Rs= Resistance of the ZnO grains with resistivity of 10-2 Ώm
Ageing of Metal Oxide Surge Arresters Normal Operating Voltage causes ageing of ZnO
Blocks Temporary O/V, Switching O/V and Lightning O/V
may cause overloading of all or some of the ZnO blocks
External Pollution may cause non-linear voltage distribution. Accelerated ageing caused by internal PDs
Moisture Entry through sealing gaskets, may lead to shorting of ZnO discs and overstressing of healthy ZnO blocks.
The degree of ageing depends on the nature/ quality of the granular layer.
The increase in Resistive Leakage Current may bring the arrester to Thermal instability and complete Arrester Breakdown
Failure of 400kV LA
Failed LA hanging with Bus pipe
Shattered pieces of LA stacks
Close view of shattered pieces
Damaged Surge Monitor and shattered pieces of LA stacks
Another failed LA
FAILURE OF LAs
FAILURE OF LAs
Failure of LA
Failure of Surge Monitor after failure of LA
Preventive Action taken by POWERGRID
Condition Monitoring of Surge Arresters to avoid sudden failures/ blasting leading to unplanned outages.
Failure investigations with manufacturers and improvements in manufacturing quality
POWERGRID practice for Surge Arrester Monitoring
Third Harmonic Resistive Current- 1 Yearly
Measurement as a routine test
Capacitance and Tan of each stack - SOS
Insulation Resistance of each stack - SOS
Third Harmonic Resistive Current
Make LA(0-2Yrs.)
LA (2-5Yrs.)
LA (5-10Yrs.)
LA (10-15Yrs.)
LA >15Yrs.
Alstom 10-25μA
10-40μA
20-100μA
40-125μA
50-150μA
Elpro 10-30μA
10-40μA
20-100μA
40-125μA
50-150μA
CGL 10-20μA
10-40μA
20-50μA
- -
Oblum 10-20μA
10-40μA
20-50μA
- -
Third Harmonic Resistive Current Measurement –contd.-
The limit for Third Harmonic resistive current has been fixed as 500 micro-amp.
About 35 nos. Surge Arresters have been removed from service based on Third Harmonic Resistive current.
Following tests were conducted on the removed LAs:
1. Insulation Resistance test at 5.0kV2. Dissipation factor at 10.0kV
Third Harmonic Resistive Current Measurement –contd.-
Insulation Resistance measurement gives good indication of moisture entry in the stack.
Capacitance and Tan Delta measurement indicates degradation of ZnO blocks.
In 90% of the cases, moisture entry has caused the failures of LAs in POWERGRID whereas in about 10% cases, it was because of degradation of ZnO discs due to various stresses.
Capacitance and Tan Delta Measurement
Capacitance and Tan Delta Measurement on LA having 560 micro-Amp
Stack Capacitance Tan Delta Remarks
A 85pF 0.06
B 89pF 0.065
C 91pF 0.05
D 270pF 1.12
Capacitance and Tan Delta Measurement on LA, 360kV having 595 micro-Amp
Stack Capacitance Tan Delta Remarks
A 80pF 1.0
B 40pF 0.2
C 40pF 0.2
D 40pF 0.2
Third Harmonic Resistive Current -765mic.amp.
IR value of Top Stack - 50 G Ohm
IR value of Middle Stack - 0 GOhm
IR value of Bottom stack - 100 GOhm
Moisture was found inside the middle stack.
Failures of LAs in POWERGRID since 1999
Make LAs failed/ blasted
LAs removed from service
Total % age failure
A 15 19 34 3.79%
B 12 16 28 2.8%
C 5 0 5 1.1%
D 2 0 2 0.5%
Failure investigations Investigations carried out involving all
the manufacturers viz M/s CGL, M/s Alstom, M/s Oblum and M/s Elpro.
Displaced Gasket leading to moisture entry
Conduction marks on packing rubber
Cracked packing material
Rusted Spring
Conduction of ZnO discs
Corrosion on the Gasket Area
Failures of LAs
Failures of LA stacks Failures of Surge Monitors Failures of LA stacks and LA monitors more in
rainy seasons. Many LAs removed based on Third Harmonic
Resistive Current Measurements whereas leakage current as indicated by Meter was still within limits.
Investigation on Surge Arrester Stacks
Defective LAs (based on THRC), were tested. Resistive leakage current measured to be high. Only 90kV could be applied and leakage current was 1400 micro-Amp. Following observations were made:
Rusting of various components due to moisture entry. Sealing gasket de-shaped. Conduction marks on the surface of ZnO discs and
heating of wedges was also observed.
Increase of third harmonic current during service was mainly due to moisture entry and then conduction over ZnO discs leading to overstressing of the healthy stacks.
Investigation on Surge Arrester Stacks-contd.-
Manufacturer-A
5 Units of LA stacks tested for moisture entry at 1.0m, 1.5m and 2.0m. Following tests conducted before and after dip test:
1. Partial Discharge Measurement2. Resistive Leakage Current Measurement3. Reference Voltage4. Megger Test
All tests passed successfully indicating no moisture entry in the stack. Based on this, it was agreed to carry out dip test at 1.5 m as a routine test in future.
Investigation on Surge Arrester Stacks-contd.-
Manufacturer - B All the stacks had shown very high value of
resistive current upto 2000micro-amp. All the stacks except bottom stacks were
defective due to entry of moisture through cracked copper tube used for dry air filling and also from flat gaskets used in these stacks.
All the inner MS components were found rusted. Gaskets were also found cracked. Slippage of gasket in one case was also
observed.
Improvements – Surge Arrester Stack
“O” rings/ elliptical cross sections (neoprene, butyl or equivalent) is a better sealing option in comparison to flat gasket with no groove.
Water dip test to be conducted at a minimum depth of 1.5m from top of the Arrester for 30 minutes to be followed by routine electrical tests PD, Reference Voltage, Residual Voltage and IR measurements(5kV Megger). For IR acceptance criteria to be within ±10% of the pre-dip values.
Improvements/ Modifications – Surge Monitors
The Terminal for connection to be provided at the bottom. This will help in avoiding the moisture entry.
Surge Monitor enclosure to be tested for IP-66 for proving efficacy of sealing arrangement. Manufacturers are being insisted for IP-67.
Surge Monitors be subjected to dip test as a Routine test. Dip test at 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Outcome of Joint Failure Investigations
1. Moisture entry through sealing system/gaskets has led to degradation of discs and consequent increase in THRC.
2. Accelerated degradation of the ZnO discs due to manufacturing defects/process problems
3. Third Harmonic Resistive Current Measurement is technique for precise monitoring of health of the Surge Arresters.
Conclusion Failures are mostly due to moisture entry. Third Harmonic Resistive Current Measurement
technique is very effective in detecting defective/ aged Surge Arresters.
Moisture entry in the stacks can be detected by IR measurement.
Degradation of ZnO blocks can be detected by Capacitance and Tan Delta measurement
Dip test at manufacturers works shall help in identifying the defective LA stacks.
O rings are better than flat gaskets for sealing.
Thank You for your kind attention please