Transmission Line Arrester “TLA”

TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Introduction

Numerous technical publications have stated that lightning is responsible for approximately
65% of all of the non-scheduled outages occurring on transmission lines, thus creating many
issues for power supply utilities.

Power supply utilities themselves have verified the load losses due to voltage sags on their
systems from transitory outages caused by lightning activity and in some regions they have
found serious permanent damage caused to the system itself due to these transitory
disturbances occurring on important lines.

The effect of these transitory disturbances on transmission lines can also be more critical in
areas with high ground resistivity when associated with high lightning activity.

Although it is a fact that most of the non-scheduled outages are transitory in nature, with a
fault time shorter than 1 minute, in many cases this is still deemed, by power supply utilities
and their customers, to be unacceptable. This loss of supply is critical for all modern
industries now so reliant on sophisticated electronic equipment and especially production
processes sensitive to momentary disturbances on the system.

In order to reduce the number of non-scheduled outages in electrical systems, power

companies and industrial consumers have been studying and promoting improvements to
transmission lines thereby increasing their reliability.

There are different methods to improve transmission lines performance due to lightning:

a) Increase the dry arcing distance from the insulators strings.

b) Install shield wires in lines without shield wire.

c) Improve the shield wire performance.

d) Improve the grounding system performance of surges by improving the tower footing resistance.

e) Installation of transmission line arresters to counteract the effects of lightning or switching activity

In most cases line arresters (TLA), electrically connected in parallel with the insulator string,
have been considered as the most effective method currently applied to improve
transmission line performance, especially when associated with improvements to the
grounding system and usually presents the best benefit versus cost relationship in reducing
flashovers of the insulator string due to excessive voltages.

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TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

TLA

• Transmission Line Surge Arresters up to 230 kV Suspension Clamp

Utility

• Utilities are required by demand to increase

availability and reliability of transmission systems.
Therefore eliminating operational high cost outages
and mandoratory penalties is high on the agenda.

Key Features

Grading Ring for

• HV arrester suspended from a transmission line voltages above 150
giving enhanced transmission line performance. kV

• Increasing system line voltage on standard

insulated transmission lines.
Silicone Rubber
Insulation
Benefits of TLA Applications

• Minimising circuit breaker operation with possible

system outage resulting from back flashover on the
transmission line.

• Switching overvoltages are absorbed over the

length of the line reducing the severity of surge at
the substation. Disconnect Device

• Transmission systems can be operated even where Earth Cable with

StrainRelief
sub-soil gives poor tower footing resistance.

• Eliminating interrupted power supply for sensitive

industrial processes.

• Installing Transmission Line Arresters on a standard

3 phase voltage system along the line, at calculated
intervals, allows for optimum performance of the
TLA, to give an increased system line voltage.
Therefore eliminating the need to increase the
standard insulation level required on conventional
system upgrade.

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TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester
Electrical Performance

Specification: IEC60099-4
Classification: 10kA
Voltage Rating: 15 to 192kV
High Current Performance: 100kA
Line Discharge Class: 2
Minimum Energy Capability:
4.5kJ/kV at Ur according to IEC60099-4
(Clause 7.4.2 table 4 and 7.5.5.5)
TLA1 15 - 45 kV
TLA2 48 - 96 kV
TLA3 108 - 144 kV
TLA4 150 - 192 kV
• Disconnect Device tested in accordance
with IEC 60099-4 Class2.
TLA3-120 - 138 kV System, Brazil
•Insulation Material: Silicone
Rubber
• Vibration Tested Report No.
BOE002000

TLA Dimensions TLA4

TLA3

TLA2

A
TLA1

4
TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Protective Characteristics

Product Rating Max. Temporary Max Residual voltage kV crest with current wave Steep
Code Voltage cont. over- Switching surge Lightning Current Current
kV operating voltage 30/60 uS 8/20 uS Residual
voltage capability Voltage
(COV) for 1 sec 10 kA
125 A 500 A 5 kA 10 kA 20 kA
kV (TOV) kV
kV kV kV kV kV
kV Crest

TLA1B15L1E1M2 15 12 17.1 31.1 33.3 41.4 45.9 51.6 46.7

TLA1B18L1E1M0 18 14 20.5 39.2 41.7 50.5 54.4 61.8 59.5

TLA1B21L1E1M0 21 17 24.0 43.8 46.5 56.4 61.4 69.0 67.1

TLA1B24L1E1M0 24 19 27.4 50.1 53.2 64.5 69.5 78.9 75.6

TLA1B27L1E1M0 27 22 30.8 54.8 58.2 70.6 76.3 86.4 83.3

TLA1C30L1E1M0 30 24 34.2 60.9 64.8 78.5 84.6 96.0 92.0

TLA1C36L1E1M0 36 29 41.1 71.8 76.3 92.4 100 113 108

TLA1C39L1E1M0 39 31 44.5 76.4 81.2 98.4 106 120 115

TLA1E42L1E1M0 42 34 47.9 82.7 87.8 106 115 130 125

TLA1E45L1E1M0 45 36 51.3 88.8 94.4 114 123 140 134

TLA2C48L1E1M0 48 38.4 54.8 93.9 100 121 130 148 142

TLA2C60L1E1M0 60 48 68.4 115 122 148 160 182 174

TLA2C72L1E1M0 72 57.6 82.0 137 146 176 190 216 207

TLA2C75L1E1M0 75 60 85.5 144 153 186 200 227 218

TLA2E84L1E1M0 84 67.2 95.8 159 169 204 220 250 240

TLA2E96L1E1M0 96 76.8 109 182 193 234 252 286 275

TLA3C108L1E1M0 108 86.4 123 202 215 260 281 319 305

TLA3C120L1E1M0 120 96 137 225 239 286 312 354 339

TLA3E138L1E1M0 138 110 157 261 277 336 362 411 394

TLA3E144L1E1M0 144 115 164 271 288 349 377 427 410

TLA4C150L1E1M0 150 120 171 285 303 367 396 449 430

TLA4E168L1E1M0 168 134 192 314 333 404 435 494 474

TLA4E180L1E1M0 180 144 205 338 359 435 470 533 511

TLA4E192L1E1M0 192 154 219 376 399 484 521 594 591

5
TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Mechanical and Reference Information

Total Overall Drawing Pivot Disconnect Strain Data

Creepage height Reference Suspension Drawing Relief Sheet
mm mm Clamp Reference System Reference
(nom) (max) Drawing Drawing
A Reference Reference

E1 E2

930 321 BOW-19-001 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1B-15

930 321 BOW-19-001 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1B-18

930 321 BOW-19-001 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1B-21

930 321 BOW-19-001 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1B-24

930 321 BOW-19-001 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1B-27

1310 476 BOW-19-002 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1C-30

1310 476 BOW-19-002 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1C-36

1310 476 BOW-19-002 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1C-39

2000 476 BOW-19-003 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1E-42

2000 476 BOW-19-003 BOW-19-011 BOW-19-012 - BOW-EPP-TLA1E-45

2620 952 BOW-19-004 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA2C-48

2620 952 BOW-19-004 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA2C-60

2620 952 BOW-19-004 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA2C-72

2620 952 BOW-19-004 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA2C-75

4000 952 BOW-19-005 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA2E-84

4000 952 BOW-19-005 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA2E-96

3930 1428 BOW-19-006 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA3C-108

3930 1428 BOW-19-006 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA3C-120

6000 1428 BOW-19-007 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA3E-138

6000 1428 BOW-19-007 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA3E-144

5240 1904 BOW-19-008 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA4C-150

8000 1904 BOW-19-009 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA4E-168

8000 1904 BOW-19-009 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA4E-180

8000 1904 BOW-19-009 BOW-19-011 - BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA4E-192

6
TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester
Accessories

TLA Pivot Suspension Clamp

Suspension Clamp
Assembly

Copper Shorting
Braid / Cable
Galvanised Steel Aluminium Line
Clamp Straps & Clamp
Fixings

Galvanised
Steel Line palm M12 Connection
For Shorting
Braid / Cable
M16 x 35 Min.
Full Thread

TLA Surge Arrester

Clamp Conductor Dimensions mm “U” Bolt Weight

Range Dia. A B C D Torque

L2 9.5 - 19 mm 180 80 90 40 45 Nm 1.8 kgs

L3 18 - 30 mm 217 90 110 50 45 Nm 3.0 kgs

L4 30 - 45 mm 267 100 120 64 75 Nm 4.3 kgs

L5 45 - 65 mm 320 120 140 86 75 Nm 6.0 kgs

Earthing Configuration

TLA Disconnect - E1 TLA Strain Relief System - E2

TLA Surge Arrester TLA Surge Arrester

Disconnect Device

Earth Connection

Disconnect Device

Strain Relief
Shackle and Swivel
Joint
Earth Connection

Strain Relief Wire

Connection
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TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester
Performance

Improving the reliability of a 69kV transmission line effected by lightning.

Individual Towers Protected with TLA

100.0

80.0
Probability

flashover

60.0
of

40.0

20.0

0.0
26 27 34 35 36 43 52 61 63 73 75 81 83 84 86
Tower Numbers

Actual without TLA 1 TLA per circuit 2 TLA’s per circuit

• Installing one TLA on an individual tower reduces the probability of flashover. If you take
a look at (tower 35) which has an 80% probability of flashover, this can be reduced to less
than 60% with one TLA installed on the bottom phase. If a second TLA is installed the
reduction in probability is minimal.

Typical Transmission Line 69 kV

Adjacent Towers Protected With TLA

100.0

80.0
Probability

flashover

60.0
of

40.0

20.0

0.0
26 27 34 35 36 43 52 61 63 73 75 81 83 84 86

Tower Numbers
Actual without TLA 1 TLA per circuit 2 TLA’s per circuit

• Installation of additional TLA’s on adjacent towers reduces the probability of flashover on

(tower 35) to less than 30% and then if you install a further TLA on (tower 35) again the
probability of flashover is reduced to less than 20%.

8
TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester
Tower installations

The number of the TLA installed on the tower depends

Tower basically on the tower geometry and configuration as well as
the earthing transient impedance behaviour.

Insulator
For towers with a horizontal conductor configuration,
Line conductors in a single line across the tower, normal practice is
to install a TLA on both of the two outside phase conductors.

TLA

Lead Earth
For towers with a vertical conductor configuration, conductors
Disconnect
arranged above each other, the resultant transient voltage
Device
across the insulators string sets is usually higher at the bottom
phase, which presents a lower distance to the soil and lowest
coupling with the shield wire. Therefore, transmission lines
with a vertical configuration and low tower footing
impedance, only one TLA is necessary to install on the bottom
Tower
phase, but for higher impedances it might be necessary install
Insulator
two and sometimes three TLA’s.

Line

A direct lightning strike to the transmission line without a

TLA shield wire will cause the discharge current i(t) to divide into
two current waves travelling on the both directions down the
line with magnitude of i( t ) / 2 (it is valid when we consider
Lead Earth
Disconnect
the impedance of the discharge channel as infinite). This
Device current therefore produces a voltage wave v (t) in both
directions which considering as a first approach that the
transmission line is without losses and distortions, results in a
voltage along the line which can be estimated by:

Tower V ( t ) = Z0 . i ( t ) / 2

Insulator Line

For lines with shield wires, the voltage on the top of the tower
will be significantly lower and will depend on the lightning
striking point, the tower impedance and mainly of the earthing
TLA transient behaviour.

Disconnect
Device
Earth Lead

9
 Additional Product Lines:

Energy Division
http://energy.tycoelectronics.com

Transmission Surge Arresters Polymeric DC Traction SparkGap TypeSPG1

Surge Arrester

The SPG1 Spark Gap is designed for use with traction

circuits to provide virtually instantaneousprotectionof
both equipmentand personnel from power system
faults.The unit also provides protectionagainst
lightninggenerated voltages which would otherwise
cause damage to signallingand cable circuits.

The SPG1 is constructedin stainless steel of rugged

design allowingthe SPG to be installed in harsh
environmentssuch as track side locations without
additionalweather protection.

Suitable for use on circuits where standing/induced

voltages do not exceed 110v RMS.

Fast operation—Typical 5 microseconds with 11kA fault

current.

Internal spark gap module unit easily replaced after

fault current operation.

Fail safe feature ensures safety to personnel and

equipment.

Service proven performance.

High internal impedance with low capacitance —does

not interfere with track signallingcircuits.

Transmission Surge Arrestres Polymeric DC Traction Surge Spark Gap Type SPG1
• Modular Single Column Polymeric Surge Arresters • Protection between overhead catenary
Arrester • Rolling Stock structure earth and system earth
• Modular Series Parallel Polymeric Surge • Track Side • Protection of single bonded power cable
Arrester circuits
• Polymeric Housed Surge Arrester • Protection of low voltage DC power supplies
• Porcelain Housed Surge Arrester • Protection of cathodic protection power
supplies.

Safety, Connectors and Earthing Equipment

Surge Counters
Type SC12 & SC13

The Bowthorpe EMP range of Surge

Arrester monitoring instruments are
fully tested for use with any
manufacturers surge arrester. The
SC12 is a Surge Counter only, whilst
the SC13 provides the additional
measurement of total leakage
current. The analogue instrument
provides a means of monitoring the
current through the arrester and the
leakage current over the surface of
the arrester housing. Significant
changes after installation may
indicate a deterioration in the
arrester or a build up of surface
contamination.

These instruments, which require no

auxiliary supply, are designed for
installation in the earth connections
of a single surge arrester or
alternatively the SC12 may be used
with the common earth of a three
phase set. Fully weatherproofed and
sealed for life they are housed in a
one piece gravity die cast aluminium
case coated to enhance its already
high degree of resistance to surface providing a single clearance hole for
corrosion. The glass viewing the galvanised steel M12 bolt
window is sealed in place, using a supplied.
silicon rubber adhesive, and a
desiccator is enclosed to ensure any The SC12 and SC13 are service
residual moisture trapped during proven and require no special
sealing is absorbed for the service maintenance or servicing apart from
life of the counter. Mounting is general cleaning of the glass
effected by means of an integrally viewing window and the moulded
cast lug at the rear of the case epoxy resin line terminal bushing.

Safety, Connectors and Earthing Airfield Lighting Box Type 2DCAFL4 Surge Counters Type SC12 & SC13
Equipment. • Protection of airfield lighting control • Used in series with HV Surge Arrester
• Portable Earth Kits equipment. • SC12 Surge Counter
• Insulated Poles • SC13 Combined Surge Counter with
• Pole Heads Leakage Current Meter
• Earthing Clamps
• Line Taps and Shrouds
• Cable Spiker

For further information contact hvsurgearresters@tycoelectronics.com

All of the above information, including drawings, illustrations and graphic designs, reflects our present understanding and is to the best of our knowledge and belief correct and
reliable. Users, however, should independently evaluate the suitability of each product for the desired application. Under no circumstances does this constitute an assurance of any
particular quality or performance. Such an assurance is only provided in the context of our product specifications or explicit contractual arrangements. Our liability for these products
is set forth in our standard terms - conditions of sale. ALR, AMP, AXICOM, B&H, BOWTHORPE EMP, CROMPTON INSTRUMENTS, DORMAN SMITH, DULMISON, GURO, HELLSTERN,
LA PRAIRIE, MORLYNN, RAYCHEM, and SIMEL are trademarks.

Energy Division – a pioneer in the development of economical solutions for

the electrical power industry. Our product range includes: cable accessories,
BOW-EPP-004-02-04

connectors & fittings, electrical equipment, instruments, lighting controls,

insulators & insulation enhancement and surge arresters.

For more information and your country contact person, please visit us at:
http://energy.tycoelectronics.com
Tyco Electronics Bowthorpe EMP
Stevenson Road, Brighton, East Sussex, England BN2 0DF
Phone: +44 (0) 1273 692591, Fax: +44 (0) 1273 601741
http://www.bowthorpe-emp.com

Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH, Energy Division

Finsinger Feld 1, 85521 Ottobrunn/Munich, Germany
Phone: +49-89-6089-0, Fax: +49-89-6096345