FAST TRANSIENTS OVERVOLTAGES PRODUCED BY SWITCHING DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS

WITH A VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKER: SIMULATION AND TESTING

J.Lopez-Roldan1, G.Campos∗1, H. de Herdt1, J.Min1, R. Van Velthoven1, T.Sels2, J.Karas2 , M.Popov3

1 2 3
Pauwels Trafo Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Delft University of Technology

Belgium Belgium The Netherlands

1. Abstract

Worldwide many transformer insulation failures have been reported caused by switching operations, while those
transformers had previously passed all the standard tests and complied to all quality requirements [1,2]. These
phenomena can occur in both distribution and transmission networks. For distribution transformers, an investigation is
usually only started in case of repetitive faults.

The problem is generally associated to the high-frequency overvoltages produced by the re-strikes and pre-strikes
during the opening or closing of a switching device. These phenomena are inherent to all circuit breakers. Especially the
vacuum circuit breaker (VCB), which shows a high ability of interrupting HF currents of several hundreds of kHz, may
cause switching overvoltages.

This paper intends to contribute to the understanding of this phenomenon. Some results of experimental investigations
and numerical analysis are presented.

Principal elements of the problem which need to be modelled are the Vacuum Circuit Breaker and the transformers.
Numerical models implemented in EMTP are explained.

The numerical results are compared with laboratory measurements. An experimental set-up was designed to reproduce
similar switching re-strikes and fast transients overvoltages as it could be experienced when disconnecting a transformer
from the network.

Finally an analysis of the possible surge mitigation devices available as surge arrestors and RC snubbers is made. The
results of the application of such devices in the laboratory set-up are presented.

2. Numerical Models

For the digital simulation of transient phenomena, the widely used ATP (Alternative Transients Program) was chosen.
This software supports the programming of own models, which was required for the implementation of the VCB model.
The rest of the elements needed for our simulations were already included in ATP [3].

2.1. VCB Model

When dealing with overvoltage estimation and small current switching, the model of the VCB has to include HF
reignition components, depending on the properties of the VCB and the surrounding network. The VCB is modelled by
means of the:

• Cold withstand voltage characteristic of the VCB,

• HF quenching capability,
• Chopping current.
The cold withstand voltage characteristic of the VCB is a function of the contact distance. One of the parameters that is
of influence, is the speed of contact separation and many researchers have investigated the withstand capability by
experiments [4]. It is known that the data vary with a statistical distribution. Smeets [5] represented the withstand

∗
Visiting researcher from the Universidad Publica de Navarra (Spain)
voltage characteristic with an exponential expression, while Glinkowski et al. [6] showed that the reignition can take
place at short gaps (<1 mm), so it is sufficient to use a straight line. This approach is shown in figure 1.

The HF quenching capability is defined by the slope of the HF reignited current at HF current zero. Earlier, many
authors assumed the slope to be constant, but later it has come clear that the slope depends also on the reignited voltage
and that it shows also a time dependent behaviour.

The chopping current depends mainly on the contact material, but also the surge impedance of the load side is of
influence. In our calculations however, we consider the chopping current constant at 3 A. The characteristics describing
whether or not reignition occurs are [6]:

( )
U b = AA t − t open + BB (1)

( )
di / dt = CC t − t open + DD (2)

where topen is the moment of contact opening. The quantities Ub and di/dt represent the dielectric and arc quenching
capability of the VCB respectively. The value of the constants chosen in (1) and (2) are: AA=1.7E7 V/s, BB=3400 V,
CC=-3.40E10 A/s2, DD=255E6 A/s. Those are values proposed by Glinkowski et al [6]. However those parameters can
be adjusted later using experimental data of the CB, as will be explained further.

V AA Fig. 1:
AA and BB parameters
define Vacuum Circuit
Breaker’s behaviour.
BB
t

This simple model is sufficient enough for most of the purposes: it will give a relative estimation of the overvoltages
expected when switching a transformer under certain conditions.

2.2. Transformer Model

A standard ATP model is used to calculate the voltage at the transformer terminals only: for this purpose the Saturable
Component provided by ATP was used [3]. To extend the bandwidth of the model, the capacitances between HV and
LV windings and earth were added to the standard model. ATP model is showed in figure 2.
Fig. 2:
IDEAL
BUS1-1 BUSTOP N1:N2 BUS1-2 ATP Saturable
Transformer
SATURA

Low voltage L1 R1 R2 L2 High voltage

RMAG

winding winding Component

BUS2-1 BUS2-2
equivalent circuit

3. Experimental study

In order to have a better understanding of the phenomena and the chance to check the computer models, a series of
transformer switching tests were performed. A laboratory set-up was designed to reproduce similar switching re-strikes
and fast transients overvoltages as it could be experienced when disconnecting a transformer from the network.

The disconnection of the transformer with an inductive load on the LV side was found to cause higher overvoltages and
a more severe re-strike chain, than switching the unloaded transformer only. The transformer with inductive load was
therefore chosen as the test circuit to be benchmarked, in order to improve the computer model and to study the effects
of possible transformer protective devices, such as surge arresters and RC snubbers. A single-phase circuit was found to
be easier to implement, and sufficient enough to benchmark the models, but it does not allow to reproduce virtual-
current chopping phenomena [7].

3.1 Test set-up:

Figure 3 outlines the circuit arrangement. A step-up transformer (15 kVA, 0.244/10.75 kV) is used to raise the low
voltage of the mains supply to a more suitable high voltage between 3 and 5 kV simulating the network source voltage.
A capacitor of 250 nF is added to keep the source voltage stable during the switching.

A commercial vacuum circuit breaker rated 17.5 kV, 1250 A and 25 kA is chosen to switch the MV/LV test transformer
(15 kVA, 6600/69 V). This test transformer was specially designed to be able to measure the voltage at some internal
points in the HV winding which otherwise could not be reached in standard oil-filled transformer designs. Extra
bushings were internally connected to the beginning and end of the first and second HV layer of the layer winding. A
point-on-wave switching relay was designed to command the opening of the circuit breaker so that the opening angle
could be chosen.

5 4
6 2
7

Vacuum 1
Step-up Circuit Test
8
Source 15 kVA Breaker 15 kVA
0.244/10.75kV 6.6/0.069kV 9
Load
68 V 3 kV 31 V 0.85 mH 10
250nF 1nF
113 V 5 kV 52 V 1.4 mH
1. Step-up transformer 6. HF current probe
2. AC VT 7. Test transformer
3. Shunt capacitor 8. HF voltage probe
4. VCB 9. Inductive load
5. Cable 10. HF earthing

Fig. 3: Experimental set-up

The test transformer is connected by 1 meter single phase cable. A 1 nF capacitor is added at the end of the cable in
order to represent the capacitance of a longer cable. The LV load of the transformer is a 1.4 mH inductor since inductive
loads provide the most favourable conditions for breaker re-strikes to occur. Standard high voltage and current
transformers measure the AC voltages and currents. 3 HV Tektronix probes measure the high frequency voltages at
transformer HV terminals and 2 Pearson HF current probes measure the current crossing at each side of the breaker.
The probes outputs are collected by a 4 channel High Frequency Digital Oscilloscope (Nicolet Pro, 10MHz) PC
controlled.

3.2 Experimental and Analytical results:

The first experimental results allowed to fit more closely the Restrikes (V)
specific values for the constants AA and BB of the Ub/t curve
shown in figure 1. A straight line is fitted through the maximum
voltage points the re-strike chain as shown in the figure 5. This
fitting was repeated on several different measurement results and
the difference in slope values was found to be small. However, it
can be seen how after about 1 ms the curve starts diverging from Current pulses
a straight-line. Thus, the longer the re-striking time, the more
dispersion in the results will be obtained. Fig. 4: Re-striking process during CB opening.

This method to characterise the re-striking behaviour of a vacuum circuit breaker is found to be more practical than the
method described by [4], where a large number of dielectric tests has to be performed in the HV lab, for every contacts
position, in order to find each of the curve points, while the statistical nature of the process will always limit the
accuracy of the simulation anyway.
Ub
Figures 4 and 5 show the measured voltage at the HV terminal
of the test transformer during the opening of the VCB,
35 kV
approximately at the instant of maximum current. The source
voltage was 5 kV rms and the maximum overvoltage measured
at the transformer terminal was of 35 kV peak (5 pu). Numerous
re-strikes can be observed during a period of 1.2 ms. The

Fig. 5: Measured voltage at transformer terminal.

frequency of the voltage oscillation after the re-strikes is 900 Hz and is function of the L and C at the load side of the
breaker.

Due to the limitation of the test set-up, the maximum primary current was of 1 A. This is below the expected current
chopping level of the breaker (3 A). Then the current is chopped as soon as the contacts separated. This is why the
maximum overvoltage appears when the breaker opens at the peak of the current.

For the same opening time of about ±0.5ms around current peak,
8 different openings produced a maximum overvoltage of 5.7 pu, 50

[kV]
a minimum of 5 pu and an average of 5.2 pu. The variations are 35
Ub
due to the intrinsic stochastical nature of the disconnecting 40 kV
operation. It is not possible to get, for every switching operation, 20

the same values of current chopping, opening time, contact speed 5

and circuit breaker parameters, such as breakdown voltage and

HF current quenching capability. -10

-25

Figure 6 shows the results of the computer simulation at the same

conditions as in figure 5. Here the voltage peak is about 40 kV -40
0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 [ms] 2.0

(5.7 pu). Considering the statistical nature of these phenomena, Fig. 6: Computed voltages as in figure 5.
the calculation results match the experimental results quite well in
maximum value, frequency and re-striking time.

Deviations are due to the random nature of the phenomena described above, as well as to inaccuracies in the estimation
of the circuit parameters, the load current at the moment of the opening, and the approximations made in the circuit
breaker model (e.g. the cold withstand voltage curve).

3.3 Frequency Response:

Restriking phenomena bandwidth covers a wide range of frequencies, from below 1 kHz up to tens of MHz. Four
differentiated phenomena are the origin of this spectrum:

- Voltage oscillation (1-1.5 kHz): when the CB finally opens, we will have this oscillation ruled by the HV capacitance
of the transformer and the inductance of the load, with f = 1 /( 2π LC ) .

- Re-strikes (20-100 kHz): this range is excited by the train of restrikes that occur during the opening.

- Breakdown (≈1.5 MHz): this high frequency corresponds to the breakdown oscillation that takes place when the
voltage across the breaker exceeds the dielectric withstand of the gap and initiates an arc.

- Cable Reflection (tens of MHz): this frequency is given by the velocity of propagation of the voltage wave along the
cable length. For a velocity of propagation = c/2, the frequency is: f (MHz) = 37.5/d (d in meters).

The frequency spectrum covered is shown in figure 7.

Voltage Cable
Oscillation Re-strikes Breakdown Reflection

1kH 10kHz 100kHz 1MHz 10MHz 100MHz

Fig. 7: Frequency Spectrum of the restriking phenomena
 4. Surge mitigation techniques

The Fast Transients problem is well recognized in motors and generators and the same solutions used to protect motors
and generators apply to transformers.

Several protecting devices are available:

- Surge arresters:

Typically ZnO surge suppressors are used. They do not affect the rate of rise of the voltage transient and they do not
have any effect on internal resonances. They only work if the surges pass a clamping limit. Transient voltages below
this limit are not affected, in magnitude nor in rate of rise. Figure 8 shows the effect of a surge arrester in the switching
test described above and the corresponding simulation. The rated voltage of the tested surge arrester was 12 kV.

40
[kV ]
30
S.A. clamping
Without arrester 20

10

0
SA clamping
-10

With arrester -20

-30

-40
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 [ms] 2.5

(a) Test Results (b) Simulation

Fig. 8: Voltage clamping effect of a surge arrester.

- Surge capacitors and Combination RC snubbers:

A capacitor will reduce both the surge impedance and the frequency of the oscillation. Some manufacturers add a
resistor as well, as a matching impedance to avoid surge reflections at the transformer terminals. Figure 9 shows how
re-strikes as in figure 4 are eliminating by incorporating a RC (30Ω, 0.17 µF) to our test set-up. The RC is connected by
a short link to the HV bushing of the test transformer.

10.0
[kV]
V 7.5

5.0

2.5

0.0

I -2.5

-5.0
CB Opens
-7.5

-10.0
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 [ms] 20

(a) Test Results (b) Simulation

Fig. 9: VCB Re-striking is avoided by using a RC

- ZORC:

A refinement of the RC surge suppressor involves the placement of a small ZnO arrester across the resistor. The
combination therefore has all the advantages of the optimised RC suppressor, but it also limits the magnitude of steep-
fronted surges.
 5. Summary

§ Numerical and experimental tools have been developed to analyse fast transients overvoltages when switching
distribution transformers with vacuum circuit breakers.

§ A series of switching tests on a inductively loaded transformer has been performed. Computer simulation
results demonstrate good correlation with the overall statistical results in frequency and amplitude of the surge.

§ Several transformer surge protections have been tested. A surge capacitor at the transformer terminals
eliminates the VCB re-strikes. A combination of RC with a surge arrester (ZORC) provides the most complete
surge protection.

6. Bibliography

[1] D.J.Clare. “Failures of encapsulated transformers for converter winders at Oryx Mine”. Elektron magazine,
March 1991, pp.24-27
[2] Van Craenenbroeck T, De Ceuster J, Marly J P, De Herdt H, Brouwers B, Van Dommelen D, 2000,
"Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Fast Transient Phenomena in Distribution Transformers", Proc. IEEE/PES
Winter Meeting, Singapore, CD-ROM (6P)
[3] Scott-Meyer W. “ATP rule book BPA”, 1994
[4] Roguski T. A.: "Experimental Investigation of the Dielectric Recovery Strength Between the Separating
Contacts of Vacuum Circuit Breaker", IEEE Trans. on PWD, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 1063-1069, April 1989.
[5] Smeets R.P.P., et al: "Types of Reignition Following High-Frequency Current Zero in Vacuum Interrupters
with Two Types of Contact Material", IEEE Trans. on PS, Vol. 21, No. 5, pp. 478-483, April 1993.
[6] Glinkowski M., et al.: "Voltage Escalation and Reignition Behaviour of Vacuum Generator Circuit Breakers
During Load Shedding", IEEE PES Summer Meeting, July 28-August 1 1996, 96 SM 402-8 PWRD.
[7] Damstra G.C.: "Virtual Chopping Phenomena Switching Three-Phase Inductive Circuits", Colloquium of
CIGRE SC 13, Helsinki, September 1981.
[8] Popov M., van der Sluis L., Paap G.C.: "Investigation of the Circuit Breaker Reignition Overvoltages Caused
by No-load Transformer Switching Surges", Eur. Trans. on Electrical Power, ETEP Vol. 11, No. 6,
November/December 2001, pp. 413-422.