Title: Impact of Fast-Front Overvoltage Transients on Electrical Oil-Paper Insulation Systems
1INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN AND ENGINEERING OF
ELECTRICAL INSULATION SYSTEMS FOR POWER NETWORKS
Professor K.D. Srivastava
The University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
B.C. Canada February 2015
2Introduction
- At this Seminar on Insulation Technology, our
principal motivation is to describe a design
approach for large complex power apparatus, and
in the process we use our accumulated previous
experiences as best as we can.
3- The dominant electrical parameters, for all
gaseous insulation are - the local electric field, and
- the ambient gas pressure
4- These two parameters, jointly for any insulating
gas, determine the initiation of the ionization
process, when free electrons are present in the
space where sufficiently high electrical field is
present. - The geometry of the metallic electrodes that
create the high electric field space play a
crucial role in determining the necessary local
electrical field for the gaseous insulation.
5- The necessary initiatory electrons are present in
the high electric field space either by cosmic
radiation or by cold electron emission from a
metallic surface that is subjected to high
electric field or to high temperature, or both. - The gaseous insulation medium may be open, such
as open air atmosphere, or may be enclosed within
a container.
6- The ionization characteristics of an insulating
medium are determined by its intrinsic
physio-chemical properties and its surrounding
environmental context, that is, its specific
usage for an electrical apparatus. - If the electrical field is sufficiently high the
insulating medium goes through a physical process
of rapidly enhancing the ionization processes and
creating a highly conducting gaseous channel,
that is, an arc.
7- The final stages of insulation failure for all
types of electrical insulation media (gaseous,
liquid or solid) happens in a gaseous phase. - Also, as mentioned earlier, in all electrical
apparatus designs at least one solid insulating
surface is subjected to the full design voltage
of the specific apparatus.
8- The most common example of an open atmosphere
gaseous application is the aerial electrical
power transmission/distribution line.
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10- The electrical conductors are supported by post
insulators, or suspension insulators or bushings
at other high power apparatus such as
transformers, circuit breakers or gas-insulated
or air-insulated busbars at substations. The
support insulators are a weak link in the
insulation system. The surface flashover strength
is significantly less than that of a gaseous gap
between the electrical power conductors, or
between the live conductors and the ground.
11- Other common failure modes for aerial power lines
are - surface pollution on the support insulators from
the ambient atmosphere - icing of the insulator surfaces under low
temperature weather and icicle formation - ice formation also increases the conductor sag,
thus reducing the air/gas clearance to ground.
12- also, under stormy conditions the live conductors
also swing (often called galloping). This may
cause mechanical failure or flashover to another
phase of a three-phase 60Hz AC system. - at some parts of the right-of-way there may be
large trees and other tall vegetation. The
right-of-way has to be regularly maintained and
kept clear.
13- All insulation systems are also subject to power
system generated high voltage transient
overvoltages. The impact of such system
disturbances is discussed later in this lecture.
Lightning strikes will also generate high voltage
transients on aerial power lines and the
connected apparatus such as transformers, circuit
breakers, and other equipment in a substation.
14- However, we recognize that technology very often
depends upon a complex set of phenomena not fully
understood and are not accessible for
measurements and observation. Nonetheless, based
on our accumulated experiences and
continuing analyses and reinterpretations, we can
still model them with reasonable accuracy.
15- This also informs us about the mutual
interdependencies amongst the various critical
"elements" that enable the device/apparatus to
function and, in addition help the operators
understand the ageing of the device and its
various 'failure' modes . This methodology may be
described as engineering modeling utilizing
statistical methods.
16- In electrical power apparatus three types of
insulation are used - gaseous
- insulating liquids
- solid insulating materials
- Interfaces between different insulation media
present significant design challenges
17- always one solid insulator interface, which has
significant tangential surface electric field,
and is often subjected to the full design voltage
of the specific apparatus. The final breakdown
stages always occur in a gaseous phase
18- The breakdown voltage of an insulation system is
a function of electric field non-uniformity.
Local field enhancement can be a crucial factor.
So is the applied voltage waveform, specifically,
the rate-of-rise of voltage and the duration of
application.
19- The density of the insulation medium also plays
an important role. In liquids and solids local
density variations occur, and molecular
interactions would play a role in the failure
processes.
20- The breakdown voltage of an insulation system is
a function of electric field non-uniformity.
Local field enhancement can be a crucial factor.
So is the applied voltage waveform, specifically,
the rate-of-rise of voltage and the duration of
application.
21- The breakdown voltage is also dependent upon the
surface area of the electrodes, larger the area,
the lower is the withstand voltage.
22- Local field enhancement would contribute to free
electrons in the insulation material. The mean
free path, in dense media is quite small (0.5 to
2 nm), so the initial free electrons are likely
to get trapped or thermalized. This process
often leads to regions of lower density in the
insulation and, is known to initiate the
breakdown process.
23- In electrical insulation, subjected to repetitive
fast-front transients, the initial measurable
indication is Partial Discharges(PD) in the
insulation, such as motors driven by pulse
modulated power electronics. It is important to
understand the precursor deterioration processes.
For example, generation of localized pockets of
space charges. These charge accumulations lead
to PDs and eventually failure of the apparatus.
24- Oil-paper electrical insulation systems have been
in use for over a century! Although electrical
grade cellulose based paper quality has
considerably improved, its aging in service is
predominantly impacted by water, oxygen, oil
acids, particulate impurities created by other
materials present in the design, temperature of
operation and the electrical and mechanical
stresses it is subjected to in its working life.
One such process of degradation is polymerization!
25Polymerization
- Cellulose is a polymer, composed of repeating
glucose molecule. The numbers of glucose monomer
in a polymer's chain is called the degree of
polymerization. The DP number of unused paper is
around 1,000. As the paper ages the DP value
drops, and at DP around 200, the paper is at the
end of its useful life!
26- It would be useful to explain the basic physical
process of how a gaseous gap between two
conductors, which have a high electric field
between them, sparkover. The following illustrate
the basic processes
27- n n0 exp ax
- Collisional Ionization in Nitrogen-Uniform
Electric Field - n0 electrons initially at x 0
- n electrons at x
- a ionization coefficient for the gas
28- Ionization processes in a gas are
- collisions
- thermal
- radiation, including photoionization and x-rays
and nuclear radiations, including cosmic rays
29- De-ionization occurs through re-combination,
thermal diffusion, loss of energy (cooling) at
solid surfaces and at metal boundaries by
conduction into the external electric circuit.
30- Some gases are electronegative, that is, affinity
of molecules for free electrons in the ambient
gas. Examples are oxygen and sulphur hexafluoride
(SF6). This capture of electrons by neutral
molecules slows down the ionization process,
since molecules are heavier and move slowly when
an electric field is applied.
31- A single electron, in a uniform electric field,
multiplies exponentially it is often called an
avalanche and it has a positive and negative
charge carrier separation. Negative at the head
and positive at the tail.
32Flashover voltage in SF6, air and N2
Gas Spacer 0.1 MPa 0.2 MPa 0.3 MPa
SF6 With spacer 122 121 123
SF6 Without spacer 61 83 95
Air With spacer 53 62 61
Air Without spacer 46 57 66
N2 With spacer 36 54 50
N2 Without spacer 23 31 45
33Cable Technology - 21st Century
- 1960s-1980s Fluid filled systems for HV
and EHV - 1980s-1990s Low loss PPL systems to match
the paper laminates performance for EHV - 1970s-1990s Parallel development of XLPE
systems from MV up to EHV 275kV XLPE cables
in service. In Japan 500 kV XLPE installed
34- 1970s-1990s Gas-filled (SF6) short lengths
installed. Many lab models for higher
voltages, including three phase designs in a
single duct. Also, SF6 /N2 - 1990s 500 kV mass impregnated paper for
submarine DC systems in the Baltic Sea - 1970s-1990s Low temp. cryogenic/supercon.
designs tried. 1990s witnessed the
phenomenal growth in HTS technology
35Power Ratings for conventional cable
technologies
- Paper fluid-filled 100
- PPL fluid-filled 120
- XLPE 110
36Insulation Thickness for conventional cables
from 1990 to 1998
- 500kV - from 35mm down to 25mm
- 220kV - from 24mm down to gt20mm
- 132kV - from 22mm down to gt15mm
37Design Stresses for conventional cables
- Paper - from 10kV/mm to 15kV/mm
- PPL - from 18kV/mm to 20kV/mm
- XLPE - from 5kV/mm to 35kV/mm
- Theoretical maxm. stress in 100 SF6 is
89kV/cm.bar
38Energy and Industrial Culture
- Post World War II, energy (all forms) usage was
growing at the rate of 3 per year, in
industrial nations
39- But in industrial nations electricity usage was
growing by more than 7 by displacing other forms
of energy - With oil crisis of 1970s and the growing
environmental movement, the energy picture is
very different now!
40- In Europe (Western) and North America the
electricity usage is almost constant. In
developing countries, however, the usage is
growing between 7 and 10 per year. - With declining confrontation between major
world powers, the prospects for rapid world
economic growth are pretty good.
41- The availability of useful forms of energy is not
equal worldwide, and there are major geographical
barriers to the movement of energy in the world. - There is considerable world experience in
transporting oil, natural gas and electricity
over long distances (thousands of km)
42Present Status of Conventional Cable Technology
- Both oil-paper and polymeric cables up to 500 kV
system voltage are in service and commercially
available. - Experimental designs of oil-paper cable have been
tested for both 750 kV and 1000 kV.
43- Cost differentials for such cable when compared
to overhead lines are in excess of 251 (some
estimates put this as high as 401).
44- Cellulose paper will have to be replaced by
synthetic polypropylene paper or a composite. - Impregnating mineral oil will have to be replaced
by more acceptable (from environmental
point-of-view) alkyl benzenes.
45- At such high operating voltages the margin to the
high voltage intrinsic breakdown is lower.
Hence very high oil pressures (20 atmospheres)
and very high quality control is needed.
46- Technology of making joints is still in an
experimental/development stage. - Conventional cable technology is very well
established and over the past 100 years there
have been many technological improvements.
47- Compressed gas cable technology has matured over
the last 30 years, but its potential for bulk
power transport is yet to be exploited and
developed.
48- High temperature superconductor technology is
developing rapidly but is not yet fully
commercially viable for bulk power transport. - None of the above three are free from
technological areas of concern!
49- Geographically and technologically South Africa
has the potential and opportunity to play an
important strategic role. - This prospect raises the technological and
economic question of - How does one move large amounts of electrical
energy to major urban centres?
50- Over sparsely populated areas, overhead lines
are, perhaps, the only proven and economic option
for long distances. - However, near urban centres overhead lines are no
longer acceptable to the communities for
environmental and aesthetic reasons.
51- What are the alternatives?
- Three choices in technology
- Conventional underground power cables
- Compressed gas cables (SF6 - Sulphur
Hexa-fluoride) - Superconducting cables
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61Why GIS? Why GITL?
- Land costs in urban areas
- Aesthetically superior to air insulated
substations - Not affected by atmospheric pollution
62- Completely sealed (metal-clad) permits very low
maintenance - Demand for higher energy usage in urban areas
requires increased transmission voltages for
example, 420 kV
63- GITL
- In addition to the advantages listed above for
GIS, there is a need for non-aerial transmission
lines near urban areas.
64- There are currently only two alternatives
- Underground cablesconventional or
superconducting, or - Gas Insulated Transmission Lines (GITL)
- GITL, compared to underground cables, have the
additional advantage of reduced ground surface
magnetic fields.
65Design Features of GIS/GITL
- GIS/GITL installations have the usual components
- Circuit breakers disconnect, earthing/grounding
switches - Current and voltage measuring devices
- Busduct sections
- Variety of diagnostic/monitoring devices
66- Installations from distribution voltages right up
to the highest transmission voltages (765 kV)
have been in service for 30 years or more. Both
isolated-phase and three-phase designs are in use.
67- SF6 is the insulating medium at a pressure of 4
to 5 atmospheres. GITL units are
factory-assembled in lengths of 40 to 50 feet.
68- The phase conductor is almost always of
aluminium. The outer enclosure is also of
aluminium, although earlier designs used mild
steel. For lower voltages, stainless steel has
also been used.
69- Usually busducts are of rigid design although
flexible and semi-flexible designs have been
proposed. None are in use.
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71Typical Cable Section
72 73- Growth of GIS Installations
74- Current Transformer
- Potential Transformer
- Bus Section
- Cable Termination
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85Expansion joint
86SF6
- Sulphur hexafluoride is a man-made gas, and it is
an electronegative electron attaching gas. It has
been in industrial use for almost a century.
Since its introduction in major equipment for
electrical power industry, it has raised some
serious environmental concerns.
87- Before WWII it was mainly used as a tracer gas.
With the advent of nuclear power generation, its
use increased for refining uranium ore. It is
included in the Kyoto Protocol. - SF6 is an excellent electrical insulating gas and
has been used in power circuit breakers, gas
insulated substations (GIS) and more recently in
Gas Insulated Transmission Lines (GIL).
88- Its main physical properties are
- basic electric breakdown strength 89 kV/cm
- normal condensation temperature 63
- Its thermal properties are also very favourable
for application in GIS/GIL. However, under arcing
conditions its byproducts are both corrosive and
toxic. The operative standards require it to be
reclaimed and recycled.
89Oil-Paper Composite Insulation
- There have been investigations for assessing the
usefulness of vegetable oils in electric power
apparatus as an impregnating insulation medium.
The main components of such oils are
triacylglycerols, the fatty acid components vary
quite a lot. These are more prone to oxidation.
90- The three main chemical processes of insulation
degradation are called hydrolysis, oxidation and
pyrolysis. The degradation by-products are carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide, various organic acids,
water, and free glucose molecules. Free glucose
molecules can decompose further into a class of
compounds called furans. These different
compounds can be monitored and analyzed in the
context of insulation deterioration and the
applied external stresses.
91- In the longer term the higher fatty acid content
protects the paper surface from further
degradation, and also lowers the water content in
the treated paper insulation. For similar reasons
the Furanic content, at the same level of DP, is
also less in paper treated with vegetable oils-
this is also an advantage.
92- Published good reviews of the current methods for
measuring space charges in dielectrics. The
resolution - capability is as high as 2 micrometer, but the
sample thickness for such high resolution is also
low, (lt200 micrometer). Deconvolution of the
measurements in some cases is necessary to get
the actual distribution of the space charges
within the sample.
93- Accumulated pockets of charge in composite and
solid insulation systems have a very significant
impact on - the electric breakdown, aging and dielectric
losses. For the oil-paper composites the energy
loss is very important. However, for the
longer-term failure modes the frequency of
partial discharges (PDs) accelerates the failures.
94Experimental Studies of Fast-Front Transients
inOil Impregnated Paper Insulation System
95- In modern electric power systems there is a
significant increase of power electronics devices
such as - inverters/converters for HVDC
- numerous applications for renewable energy
apparatus - Such equipment generates repetitive
fast-front-transients, and those transients are
known to cause failure of oil-paper insulation
systems in motors and transformers
96- The impact of high power power-electronics
devices adds to the impact of vacuum interrupters
and compressed gas insulated substations
equipment which are known to generate fast-front
transient overvoltages. - In Europe and Canada aging studies of oil-paper
insulation systems, subject to fast-front
transient overvoltages, have been undertaken for
over 25 years.
97- In this paper, two such studies are described and
the findings are discussed.
98Re-striking process at opening of vacuum circuit
breaker
99Applied voltage 300kV, 0.4 MPa (SF6) (81kV/div,
20 ns/div
FTO waveform measured by 1-GHz surge sensor
Source M.M. Rao M.S. Naidu, III Workshop on
EHE Technology, Bangalore, India, 1995.
100Case Study A High Power Electronic Switching
Systems
- Industrial applications high capacity power
electronics devices are now ubiquitous - Many components of such energy conversion systems
make extensive use of composite oil-paper
insulation in motors and transformers
101- Numerous equipment failures have been reported. A
comprehensive laboratory study of such electrical
insulation failures has been reported in Europe
102- The technology of power inverters and converters
is very well established in power systems and
numerous industrial applications. It utilizes
fast solid-state switching devices, such as
rectifiers, thyristors, inverted gate bipolar
transistors (IGBT) and MOSFETS. Pulse width
modulation methodology is commonly used
103- A high quality AC waveform switching device
operates at higher frequencies up to 10 kHz - In one study the rise time of a square wave
was changed and the impact on the time to failure
was measured the insulation tested was for an
adjustable speed motor
104- The circuit diagrams for these test voltages are
shown in Figures 1a 1b, and Figures 2a 2b
show the actual applied voltages to the
insulation test samples
105Figure 1a
106Figure 1b
107Figure 2a
108Figure 2b
109- Figure 3 shows the test samples with noted visual
differences.
110Figure 3
111- Figure 4 shows that the time to failure decreases
as the rate of rise of the applied voltage pulse
is increased. In the European study, a spark
generator has been designed to observe the impact
of fast-front overvoltage on electrical
insulation systems
112Figure 4
113- Two different types of test voltages used in the
experimental work - a combination of power frequency (50Hz) with a
superimposed high frequency modulating signal - a double-exponential fast-front impulse
- The modulated power frequency waveform is 50Hz
with a peak magnitude of 5 kV. The modulating
frequency is 10 kHz with a peak magnitude of 1
kV.
114- A typical single fast-front pulse is also shown.
Its peak magnitude and the rate-of-rise of
fast-front can be varied. The modulated power
frequency waveform is used for insulation aging
studies, and the single double exponential pulses
are used to explore the physical processes for
insulation deterioration. Single pulse polarities
can also be reversed.
115- In the European studies kraft paper 0.06mm in
thickness was used and was impregnated with Shell
Diala B. the AC breakdown of the paper sample is
3.2 kV rms. The IEC standard IEC 60243 was
followed for these studies. Both positive and
negative voltage polarities were used.
116- When oil-paper insulation samples were subjected
to a modulated power frequency voltage and fast
repeating higher frequency components, ranging
between 0.5 kHz and 10 kHz of bipolar pattern,
rate of rise 1 kV/µs and average magnitude of 1
kV
117- 1. The average value of breakdown was 3.2 kV
superimposed - 2. At 5 kHz, 8 kHz and 10 kHz, with a peak
transient magnitude of 1 kV and power frequency
magnitude of 2.91 kV, the average time to
insulation failures were 22, 12.5 and 10.1 hours
respectively.
118- In the absence of high frequency superimposed
transients, the power frequency breakdown delay
was about 168 hours. Clearly the observed
failures in service may be attributed to the high
frequency transients generated by power
electronics high speed switching.
119- The power loss measurements (Tan d) also show
very significant increases. - The insulation paper samples were also inspected
visually - The samples subjected to high frequency transient
show signs of carbon deposits, perhaps due to
local partial discharges.
120- It should be noted that in these European
studies, the fast-front transient is superimposed
on top of the power frequency (50 Hz) applied
voltage. This is very different from the case
study B, described below, where the magnitude of
the fast-front transient is significantly higher
than the power frequency applied voltage.
121Case Study B GIS Fast-front Transient Impact on
Oil Paper Insulation
- Numerous failures of transformers and their
bushings connected to compressed gas insulated
substations have been reported, for system
voltages from 220 kV to 765 kV
122- Field tests showed that fast-front transients, up
to 1.2 per unit peak voltages with a risetime of
25 ns could be attributed to GIS disconnect
switch operation. The principal gaseous
insulation in GIS is sulphur-hexafluoride gas,
which is an electronegative gas.
123- In 1980 the Canadian Electrical Association
sponsored a laboratory study to explore the
possible behavior of oil-paper insulation when
repetitive fast-front impulses were applied to
samples of oil-paper insulation
124- The experimental work was done at the BC Hydro
research laboratory, Powertech Labs Inc., in
Surrey, BC, Canada
125- A special pulse generator and a special electrode
system were designed for this purpose
126A special pulse generator and a special electrode
system were designed for this purpose
127A special pulse generator and a special electrode
system were designed for this purpose
128A typical fast-front impulse waveform
129- The fast-front high voltage pulse generator, for
peak voltages up to 100 kV, could be synchronized
with a half wave 60 Hz power source and is
capable of generating impulses at the rate of
1500 pulses per minute, that is up to 2.5 million
per day.
130- In addition to the custom built pulse generator
tests were also done with DC and 60 Hz voltage
and standard lighting impulse 1.2/50µs and
5.7/130µs and switching impulses and a fast-front
impulse (10 ns/2500 µs).
131- Test samples were one, two and three layers of
0.076 mm thick kraft paper, one layer of 0.254mm
thick kraft paper, one layer of 0.76 mm thick
Nomex paper and one layer of 0.254mm thick
polyester sheet. Two kinds of impregnants were
used standard transformer oil and a high
fire-point oil.
132Effect of Risetime
Sample Layers FFI LI (base) SI
0.076 mm kraft paper one 0.85 1 1.15
0.076 mm kraft paper two 0.93 1 1.16
0.254 mm kraft paper three 0.93 1 1.17
0.254 mm kraft paper one 0.90 1 1.03
133Results for Different Thicknesses of Kraft Paper
Sample FFI (kV/mm) LI (kV/mm) SI (kV/mm)
0.076mm 155 182 210
0.254 mm 142 156 160
Difference 8 15 24
134Effect of Number of Layers on V50 Value (0.076 mm
thick kraft paper)
Sample FFI (kV/mm) LI (kV/mm) SI (kV/mm)
0.076mm 155 182 210
0.254 mm 142 156 160
Difference 8 15 24
135V50 Results for Different Impregnants (0.076 mm
thick kraft paper)
Oil Type FFI (kV/mm) LI (kV/mm) SI (kV/mm)
Transformer Oil 155 182 210
High Fire Point Oil 190 201 196
Difference -18 -10 7
136Discussion and Conclusions
- In both case-studies described above, the
laboratory investigations were triggered by a
large number of equipment failures in the
industry
137- In both case studies, the focus of the
laboratory investigations has been the oil-paper
insulations system, since it is very extensively
used in a wide range of voltage classes from HV
to UHV.
138- As the equipment use continues, in time, pockets
of space charges develop in the insulation
systems. These space charge discontinuities play
a very major role in the aging and failure modes
of the apparatus and equipment.
139- Several factors, including the quality of
materials, the sample preparation, the applied
voltage magnitude and waveform and the number of
fast-front pulses and the intervals between the
impulses are just a few factors that would impact
the aging phenomena is the field.
140- There are some overall impacts of fast-front
repetitive applications on power apparatus and
devices. For example, the breakdown electrical
strength reduces as the risetime gets shorter.
141- Both the European results and the Canadian
results confirm this, albeit that the voltage
magnitudes and the context of the operation of
the specific equipment are quite different
142- In another aspect these are different since the
power system operating voltages are vastly
different, in the case of European investigation
and the Canadian one.
143- Increasing the number of impulse applications at
higher system operating voltage does reduce the
safe impulse electric field magnitudes
144- The results for the power electronics application
may also indicate longer term aging is present
in lower system voltage applications.
145- The breakdown phenomena have to be studied in
order to understand the deeper physical/chemical
processes that may be determining the deleterious
impact on insulation ageing and useful lifetime
of composite oil-impregnated paper/cellulose
insulation systems.
146- Current work may provide a better understanding
of the failure modes of the complex composite
insulation systems.
147- It is evident from the accumulated results of
laboratory studies and the industry's
manufacturing, testing and field experience that
the impregnated oil-paper insulation system is a
very complex combination of material, processing
technologies and very poorly understood physical
and chemical processes during manufacturing and
contexts under which the equipment is used in the
field.
148- The equipment designers, manufacturers and
industrial users, for almost over a century, have
oversimplified the physical/chemical framework
under which in practice the insulation must
operate in apparatus and equipment. The focus has
been on adopting a phenomenological approach.
149- A very useful set of design criteria, material
selection, manufacturing practices and
development testing protocols have served the
industry well. The good news is that, in the last
several decades very useful research and
development has taken place in industrial
countries.
150- Major long-term basic research and RD is
currently underway. References are two such
examples of research, development, fundamental
measurement techniques and testing protocols.
151Thank you!