P1627D4.1-Draft Standard For DC Electrification Overhead Contact Systems (Rev)

1August 28, 2009 IEEE
2P1627/D4.1
1DraftStandard for Grounding Practices for

2DC Electrification Overhead Contact
3Systems, including Application of Lightning
4Arresters for Transit Systems
5Prepared by Working Group 17 of the Overhead Contact System Subcommittee

6Sponsored by the Rail Vehicle Transit Interface Standards Committee
7of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society
8Copyright © 2008 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

9Three Park Avenue
10New York, New York 10016-5997, USA
11All rights reserved.
12This document is an unapproved draft of a proposed IEEE Standard. As such, this document is
13subject to change. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Because this is an unapproved draft, this
14document must not be utilized for any conformance/compliance purposes. Permission is hereby
15granted for IEEE Standards Committee participants to reproduce this document for purposes of
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17development organization for standardization activities, permission must first be obtained from
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20permission from the Manager, Standards Intellectual Property, IEEE Standards Activities
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22IEEE Standards Activities Department

23Manager, Standards Intellectual Property
24445 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1331
25Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331, USA
26Abstract
27This standard is a basis for the design and application of dc surge protection devices to protect
28Overhead Contact System (OCS) from transient overvoltages associated with lightning and
29switching surges. Switching surges are inherent characteristics of electrification system and are
30generally considered low energy transient overvoltages. Lightning surges are natural, caused by
31electrical discharge that occurs in the atmosphere between clouds or between clouds and
32ground. Lightning surges are known for causing very high energy transient overvoltages by direct
33or indirect coupling with OCS. This standard covers transient overvoltage protection of OCS
34used in dc transit rail electrification systems. Transient overvoltage protection of third rail dc and
35the running rails can be achieved by the application of same type of surge protection devices as
36are recommended for the OCS, although these rails are less likely to be affected by lightning
37transient overvoltages due to their proximity to earth where flash-over can occur to drain surge
38energy away from the rails without the application of surge overvoltage protection devices. The
39word surge arrester instead of lightning arrester has been used in this standard without affecting
40the technical contents of the standard.
3 i
1{INSERT DATE} P<designation>D<number>
1Keywords
2Surge arrester, Lightning, Overvoltage, Switching surges.
2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

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1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1Introduction
2The majority of the present operating dc electrified rail systems use OCS or third rail to supply
3power to the vehicles. The probability of lightning surge hitting an OCS, or third rail depends on
4its geometry, its own height, and length, and its relative location with respect to the presence of
5buildings, trees, towers etc. in its vicinity, and the lightning flash-to-ground density (number of
6lightning-to-ground strokes per square kilometer per year) of the area [B23][B24].
7If after the lightning risk assessment, the expected frequency of direct lightning to the OCS (N D)
8to be protected exceeds its tolerable frequency of lightning (N C), as established by applicable
9standards and codes (NFPA 780, IEC 62305), lightning protection system (LPS) should be
10designed and installed. In this case OCS poles should be equipped with appropriate surge
11protection devices grounded by use of low resistance ground rods and OCS poles should be
12grounded by their separate ground rods.
13Should the calculated average annual number of direct lightning strokes (N D) to the OCS be
14below the permissible strokes (NC), no LPS (with the exception of application of dc transient
15surge protection devices of low energy capability ) is necessary and the OCS is defined as self
16protected by IEC 62305 and NFPA780.
17Arbitrary installation of direct stroke diverters such as lightning rods and ground wires above the
18OCS changes the geometry and may increase its chances of more lightning exposure. Based
19upon such reasoning it appears that even in the area of higher lightning strokes, the application
20of ground wires and ground rods above the OCS should not be used. Then this standard’s
21approach is to develop an OCS transient overvoltage protection that focuses on the basic
22approach of selection and application of dc surge arresters, their grounding configuration, and
23grounding of OCS metallic poles. This consists of combination of the following:
24  Selection of appropriately rated dc surge protection (lightning arrester) devices to protect

25 OCS from transient overvoltages caused by switching and lightning phenomenon.
26  Grounding of surge arresters by individually dedicated shortest possible grounding

27 conductor connected to ground rods.
28  Use of dedicated grounding of OCS poles by application of ground rods separate from
29 surge arrester ground rods to keep the structure potential below insulation breakdown
30 level of positive and negative feeder cables and to minimize damage to the vehicle.
31  Use of an additional surge arrester to protect the traction power substation equipment as
32 necessary.
33  Use of OCS basic insulation levels to minimize outages due to switching and lightning
34 surges.
35Setting basic insulation levels for the OCS is in the scope of work of another subcommittee and
36thus reference [B22] on IEEE Draft P1626 standard and [B26] are included in this standard. DC
37electrification OCS and associated structure should not be compared to electric utility
38transmission lines as the physical configuration and location of the two are quite different
39whereby concept of lightning protection by use of ground/shield wire may not be applicable to dc
40electrification OCS. However, in case of single phase ac electrification OCS, an overhead
41ground wire which carries return traction ac current also performs the function of shield wire.
42Prior to and during the development of this standard, there were reports of surge arrester failures
43on several transit systems resulting in service interruption and equipment failures. Questions
44were being raised regarding the grounding of OCS support poles, and the pros and cons of using
45surge arresters in the OCS. Most importantly, there was no understanding of the cause of
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1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1failures of surge arrester and their proper application to dc electrification OCS. Although, so far
2no personnel injuries have been reported involving failure of dc surge arresters at any of the
3operating transit properties in USA.
4To establish lightning protection design measures, the derivation of lightning intensity and
5lightning stroke surge energy is established based upon the typical available lightning data.
6There are equal chances of a lightning strike hitting any of the system components due to their
7proximity, and thus flashover is certain if lightning strikes the OCS components since poles and
8OCS supporting members appear to be practically grounded for the surge voltage. Flashover
9appears to drain large amounts of lightning surge energy to ground, with the remainder of the
10surge energy relieved by the dc surge arresters placed at appropriate locations.
11When considering lightning protection for OCS, numerous questions arise, such as:
12 a) Will dc surge arrester handle surge energy if a lightning flash (strike) directly hits the
13 OCS wire near the arrester location?
14 b) If a lightning flash directly hits the OCS wire between two traction power substations,
15 what will be the energy discharged through the surge arresters at feeder poles?
16 c) Is there a need to apply dc surge arresters at the mid point of two adjacent substations
17 to enhance the lightning protection of the dc rail transit OCS?
18 d) Do we need to apply surge arresters at the connection points of underground dc

19 supplementary feeder cable to OCS contact wire located approximately every 400 feet,
20 where overhead messenger wire design is not possible in downtown areas due to
21 aesthetics and other restrictions of height of the messenger wires?
22 e) Should there be shield/ground wire above the messenger to enhance lightning

23 protection?
24Responses to the above questions are discussed in this standard.
25IEEE P1627 “Standard for Transient Overvoltage Protection of dc Electrification Overhead

26Contact System”, including application of dc surge protection devices was prepared by Working
27Group 17 of the Overhead Contact Systems Sub-Committee of the Rail Transit Vehicle Interface
28Standards Committee of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society.
29Origin and Development of IEEE P1627

30The Overhead Contact Systems Sub-Committee was formed in 2001 with the purpose of
31developing standards governing the design, construction, and maintenance of the OCS and
32current collection system.
33Working group 17 was established to develop standards governing the transient overvoltage
34protection of OCS for the dc rail transit systems. The primary concern of the working group was
35a lack of uniform practices and a lack of understanding of the proper application of dc surge
36arresters and their grounding configuration to protect OCS and associated poles including dc
37traction power system and vehicles. Precise information of the transient environment, expected
38magnitude, duration and frequency of transient surges is very unpredictable and there has been
39no recorded data available to guide application engineers in the selection and application of dc
40surge protection devices. However, it is known that certain degree of threat of both the internal
41switching surges and the external lightning surges exist that could occur at random causing
42damage to OCS and dc system without proper application of surge overvoltage protection
43devices.
44It appears that the lack of knowledge of the transient environment and understanding the
45parameters and rating of dc surge arresters lead to use of guesswork in the selection and
46application of such devices causing failures at some installations. At some transit properties,
47failures of dc lighting arresters and equipment damage associated with those failures have been
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1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1reported. Lack of understanding of characteristics of transient overvoltages, dc surge arrester
2ratings, their proper installation and grounding configurations, lack of their clear test and
3application data from the manufacturers has been a major concern in the industry that lead to the
4development of this standard. Proper application of dc surge protection devices to divert surge
5energy associated with the switching and lightning surges away from the OCS relates directly to
6their effect on equipment and personnel protection.
7Patents
8Attention is called to the possibility that implementation of this standard may require use of
9subject matter covered by patent rights. By publication of this standard, no position is taken with
10respect to the existence or validity of any patent rights in connection therewith. The IEEE shall
11not be responsible for identifying patents for which a license may be required by an IEEE
12standard or for conducting inquiries into the legal validity or scope of those patents that are
13brought to its attention.
14Participants
15At the time this standard was completed, the working group had the following membership:
16 Dev Paul, Chair
17 Ramesh Dhingra, Vice Chair
18

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1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1Alan Blatchford 8Chris Pagni 15Carl Wessel
2Butch Campbell 9Steve Mitan 16Paul White
3Ron Clark 10Jay Sender 17Kelvin Zan
4Ian Hayes 11Jeffrey N. Sisson 18Ethan Kim
5Albert Hoe 12Vish Mawley 19Ramesh Dhingra
6Gordon MacDonald 13Edward Rowe 20Stuart Kuritzky
7Dev Paul 14Suresh Shrimavle

3 This is an unapproved IEEE Standards Draft, subject to change. 6
1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1The following members of the balloting committee voted on this standard. Balloters may have
2voted for approval, disapproval, or abstention. (To be provided by IEEE editor at time of
3publication.)
4______________________________________________________________________________

3 This is an unapproved IEEE Standards Draft, subject to change. vii
1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1Contents
21. Overview............................................................................................................................... 1
3 1.1 Scope....................................................................................................................... 1
4 1.2 Purpose.................................................................................................................... 1
5 1.3 Format of Standard.................................................................................................. 1
62. References........................................................................................................................... 2
73. Definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms.............................................................................2
8 3.1 Definitions................................................................................................................ 2
9 3.2 Abbreviations and Acronyms....................................................................................4
104. Transient Surges................................................................................................................... 4
11 4.1 Lightning and Switching Surges...............................................................................5
12 4.2 Surge Characteristics - Propagation.........................................................................6
13 4.3 Magnetic Stored Energy of Surge............................................................................7
145. Surge Environment – DC Electrification System..................................................................8
15 5.1 DC Surge Protection Device Requirements.............................................................8
166. Lightning Stroke Terminology.............................................................................................. 17
17 6.1 Lightning Intensity Estimation................................................................................18
187. Lightning Stroke to OCS system......................................................................................... 23
19 7.1 Underground Supplementary Cable Connections to OCS.....................................24
208. Grounding.......................................................................................................................... 27
21 8.1 OCS Pole Grounding.............................................................................................. 27
229. DC Surge Arresters............................................................................................................ 28
23 9.1 Application.............................................................................................................. 28
24 9.2 Surge arrester Rating............................................................................................. 30
2510. DC Surge Arrester Service Requirements..........................................................................31
2611. DC Surge Arrester Testing................................................................................................... 31
27 11.1 Design Tests........................................................................................................... 31

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1 11.2 In Service (Field) Tests........................................................................................... 32
2 11.3 Bibliography............................................................................................................ 33

3 This is an unapproved IEEE Standards Draft, subject to change. ix
1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1DraftStandard for DC Electrification Overhead

2Contact Systems, including Application of
3Lightning Arresters for Transit Systems
41. Overview
5Scope
6The scope of this standard covers application of transient overvoltage surge protection devices
7and their grounding configurations to protect OCS used in dc traction electrification for heavy
8rail, light rail, and trolleybus systems.
9Purpose
10The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum design requirements for application of dc
11surge protection devices and their grounding configurations to protect OCS and associated
12traction power system components from transient overvoltages caused by switching and
13lightning surges. Such a design will provide a reasonable degree of protection to equipment by
14diverting surge energy and related hazards away from the OCS system. At the present, there
15are no uniform practices for application of properly rated dc surge arresters and their grounding
16configurations to protect OCS used in dc traction electrification. The use of this standard is
17intended to provide understanding of the transient overvoltage environment that exists at a
18particular dc electrification system and then a systematic approach to protect OCS and
19associated dc traction power system from transient overvoltages by use of appropriately rated dc
20surge protection devices.
21Format of Standard
22First the basic characteristics of transient surges, their origin, and energy and propagation
23behavior are described in Sections 4 and 7. This is followed by a brief description of the surge
24environment expected at a dc electrification OCS included in Sections 5 and 7. In Sections 6 and
257, this standard addresses analysis of lightning strike to the dc traction power system
26components.
27This standard addresses OCS, the running rails, OCS supporting structure, metallic poles,
28messenger wire, underground supplementary conductors, traction power substations, and
29vehicles. This also includes lightning waveform parameters.
30This standard also addresses the mismatch between the actual number of lightning strikes and
31specificity of the lightning parameters required in performing lightning protection analysis for an
32electric transit system. At present there is no data for the lightning effects and design experience
33available from the operating transit properties. Experience from operational lightning location
34systems [B18] [B19] [B20] [B24], ongoing research, and scientific ability to measure lightning
35parameters can avoid guesswork in the lightning protection design of electric transit systems.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1From a cause and effect standpoint, the maximum rate-of-rise, the peak current, and the wave
2front rise-time are associated with determining the maximum voltage that will be seen on the
3OCS subjected to unpredictable threat of a direct or nearby ground lightning discharge. The
4probability of a lightning strike is greater when the electric transit system is located in a high
5isokeraunic level area. [B2].
6Lightning may be of concern when the dc system is in a relatively high isokeraunic area.
7Isokeraunic area map of the world can be seen in reference [B9]. In addition, dealing with a
8transit system involving the general public and, more importantly, the havoc due to interruption
9of system operations caused by lightning is a design concern for dc transit systems. Thus to
10minimize the effect of lightning and switching surge voltages to a typical dc traction power
11system, application of appropriately rated dc surge arresters should be included in the design.
122. References
13This standard shall be used in conjunction with the following publications. If the following
14standards are superseded by an approved revision or new version, the latest revision shall apply.
15In case of conflict between this standard and the referenced documents, this standard shall take
16precedence. Those provisions of the referenced standard that are not in conflict with this
17standard shall apply as referenced. (all referenced standards need to be referred in the text of
18the standard and they need to be in alpha numerical order)
19National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
20National Electrical Code (NEC)
21Canadian Electrical Code (CEC)
22British Standard BSN EN 50124-1:2001 Railway Applications – Insulation coordination
23IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms, IEEE Std 100
24IEEE Guide for the Application of Metal Oxide Surge Arresters for Alternating Current Systems,
25ANSI/IEEE Standard C62.22,
26IEEE Guide for Application of Gapped Silicon Carbide Surge Arresters for Alternating Current
27Systems, ANSI/IEEE Standard C62.2 – 1987
28EN 50526-1 Draft Feb. 2009, “Railway applications – Fixed installations – D.C. Surge arresters
29and voltage limiting devices – Part 1: Surge arresters”
30EN 50526-2 Draft March 17, 2009, ““Railway applications – Fixed installations – D.C. Surge
31arresters and voltage limiting devices – Part 2: Voltage limiting devices”
323. Definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms
33Definitions
34Review all IEEE Dictionary terms For the purpose Insulation Standard IEEE P1626/D1
35IEEE Glossary of OCS
363.1.1 Clearance: Shortest distance in air between two conductive materials.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
13.1.2 Creepage Distance: Shortest distance along the surface of the insulating material
2between two conductive materials.
33.1.3 Electrical Section: Part of an electrical circuit having its own voltage rating for insulation
4coordination.
53.1.4 Grounded: Electrical section intentionally connected to earth that cannot be interrupted.
63.1.5 Insulated: All components isolated from the energized OCS conductors by at least one
7level of insulation. An insulated section may be under the influence of adjacent energized
8circuits. An insulated section may be considered as an electrical section.
93.1.6 Surge arrester: A device typically mounted on OCS poles and connected to the OCS,
10designed to protect insulated feeder cables against lightning, by providing a path to ground
11through a spark-gap, with or without variable resistance elements.
123.1.7 Nominal voltage: Value assigned to a circuit or system approximately equivalent to the
13working voltage for designating the voltage class.
143.1.8 Overvoltage: Voltage having a peak value exceeding the maximum steady state voltage
15at normal operating conditions.
163.1.9 Rated Voltage: Value of voltage assigned to a component, device or equipment.
173.1.10 Rated Impulse Voltage: Value of voltage assigned to the equipment referring to the
18specified withstand capability of the insulation against transient overvoltages.
193.1.11 Rated Insulation Voltage: RMS withstand voltage assigned to the equipment referring to
20the specified permanent (over five minutes) withstand capability of the insulation between
21energized components and earth.
223.1.12 Residual Discharge Voltage (VIR): Is the voltage across the surge arrester at the instant
23of surge peak current discharge of a specific surge current wave shape due to lightning or
24switching phenomenon. Same magnitude of surge peak current with different wave-shape may
25result in different value of VIR depending upon the type and manufacturer of the surge arrester.
263.1.13 Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV): The maximum designated root-
27mean-square (rms) continuous operating voltage value in dc volts that many be applied
28continuously between the terminals of the arrester.
293.1.14 Surge Arrester: See Surge arrester.
303.1.15 Isokeraunic level: Number of thunderstorm days per year in an area is called isokeraunic
31level
323.1.16 Overhead Contact System (OCS): Contact wire and messenger wire electrically in
33parallel connected to traction power substation (TPSS) by underground feeders. Contact wire
34makes contact with vehicle pantograph and is acting as positive polarity contact point for the dc
35power supply delivered to the vehicles from TPSS.
363.1.17 Lightning flash: Very bright light stream seen in the sky between the cloud and the
37ground on a stormy day.
383.1.18 Lightning stroke: Same as lightning flash.
393.1.19 Lightning strike: Same as lightning flash.

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13.1.20 Lightning Intensity: Number of lightning strikes/per square meter/year in an area is

2called its lightning intensity.
33.1.21 Temporary Overvoltage (ETOV): The maximum root-mean-square (rms) temporary

4overvoltage value in dc volts that may occur at the OCS due to vehicle regeneration or utility
5power supply voltage regulation.
63.1.22 Supplementary Cable: Cable connected in parallel with OCS is called positive
7supplementary cable. Cable connected in parallel with running rail is called negative
8supplementary cable.
93.1.23 Voltage Margin-of-Protection (VSA): The voltage seen at the OCS (voltage between the
10OCS and the local ground) when the lightning surge arrester conducts lightning surge peak
11current and associated energy to ground.
12Abbreviations and Acronyms

13AC Alternating Current
14ANSI American National Standards Institute
15AREMA American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of way Association
16ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
17AWG American Wire Gauge
18DC Direct Current
19ETB Electrified Trolley Bus
20FRA Federal Railroad Administration
21ICLP International Conference on Lightning Protection
22IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
23ISO International Organization for Standards
24LRV Light Rail Vehicle
25NEC National Electrical Code (NFPA-70)
26NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association
27NESC National Electrical Safety Code
28NETA National Electrical Testing Association
29NFPA National Fire Protection Association
30OCS Overhead Contact System
31OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act
32RMS Root Mean Square
33ROW Right-of-way
34TES Traction Electrification System
35UBC Uniform Building Code
36UL Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
37USASI United States of America Standards Institute
38USDOT United States Department of Transportation

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14. Transient Surges
2Transient overvoltage surges are caused by lightning, switching phenomenon within the system,
3induced and impressed voltages and become superimposed over the dc power system voltage.
4They are unpredictable and could be brief and quick. Their wave-shape, magnitude, and energy
5content may vary considerably depending upon their cause of origin, system configuration, and
6surge impedance parameters. Such transient overvoltages and associated energy shall be
7diverted away from the system by application of appropriate dc surge protection devices at
8specific locations within the overall electrification system. Lightning surges, called external
9surges can impinge on the electrification system directly or indirectly, and can induce transient
10overvoltages with considerable energy to create hazards. Switching surges, called internal
11surges, are caused by sudden changes in the electrification system, such as dc breaker
12operation, and may not be as severe as lightning due to their relatively low energy.
13Lightning and Switching Surges

14The standards make a distinction between switching and lightning surges on the basis of the
15duration of the front or rise-time from zero-to-peak value. Surges with fronts of up to 20 s are
16defined as lightning surges, and those with longer fronts are defined as switching surges [B15].
17Lightning surge intensity depends upon the isokeraunic level of the area. The probability of direct
18stroke can be estimated by the various factors listed in NFPA 780. To understand the
19characteristics and nature of such surges, considerable published data is available [B1] [B2].
20For lightning surge application purposes, industry has standardized voltage impulse waveform
211.2/50 s indicating crest is reached in 1.2 s and it decays to half the crest in 50 s. Similarly, a
22current impulse wave of 8/20s is used where the crest is reached in 8 s and decays half the
23crest value in 20s.
24A steep-fronted surge is one with a rise time of 0.1-0.5 s and a virtual time to half value of
25around 5 s. An impulse current wave shape of 10/1000 s (long wave) is more representative of
26the high energy surges usually experienced from the inductive elements [B4] [B5].
275. Causes of Lightning Surges

28Lighting is an electrical discharge that occurs in the atmosphere between clouds or between
29clouds and ground. It is very high-energy phenomenon and can be a source of harm for transit
30system. Lightning flashes, in fact, can release many hundreds of mega-joules of energy.
31A typical cloud-to-cloud lightning begins with a preliminary breakdown due to the intense electric
32field initiated in the lower part of the cloud, and is generally negatively charged. The polarity of
33the lightning, in fact, which is a function of the local territory, can be statistically assumed as
34negative in 90% of the cases.
35The process is followed by a discharge, or leader, which creates a highly conductive channel,
36which advances, in a “zigzag” path, towards the earth and meets an upward advancing leader.
37This stepped discharge is caused by the non-uniformity of electric field. The medium between
38clouds and earth, in fact, is not uniform, as the air characteristics (density, pollution, humidity,
39etc.) continuously vary, hence the non-linearity of the lightning path.
40As the discharge progresses towards the earth, the electric field existing between the advancing
41channels and the earth or objects on earth i.e. buildings, poles, and trees etc, increases. In fair
42weather conditions, the electric field at the ground is quite high, while in the presence of stormy
43clouds in the sky, the electric field ranges between 30 and 40 kV/m. At the point of strike, the
44field assumes the value of 400 kV/m for the duration of the lightning.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1The dielectric strength of the air, during stormy weather, may be well below its strength of 3000
2kV/m in dry weather conditions. Such circumstance can facilitate the cloud-to-earth electric
3charge to reach the surrounding air critical breakdown value and cause (due to corona effect)
4upward directed discharges (upward leaders), basically at earth potential.
5An “attachment” process takes place between the two channels. The ground potential propagates
6upwards, circulating to earth the negative charge accumulated in the downward directed channel.
7This process, usually called a return stroke, causes the circulation of the high-intensity, impulse
8lightning current to ground. A very rapid rise to the peak within a few microseconds ( s) and,
9then, a relatively slow decay, are the typical characteristics of a lightning surge current wave.
106. Causes of Switching Surges in the DC traction power system

11Switching operations that cause overvoltages are mainly due to trapped energy in part of the
12circuit and subsequent release of that energy. The following system operations in dc transit
13system may cause switching surges of varying degrees.
14 a) DC Circuit Breaker Operation: Interruption of dc current generates an arc with transient

15 overvoltage in the order of 2.5 times the dc system voltage [B21].
16 b) Pantograph Arcing: An uneven pantograph contact with the OCS wire causes arcing.
17 The intensity of such an arc and associated voltage/current surge may depend upon
18 various factors, such as load current, vehicle speed, air gap clearance, and weather
19 conditions.
20 c) AC vacuum Breaker Operation: In rare circumstances, current chopping during

21 interruption and pre-ignition during closing of the vacuum breaker may lead to transient
22 overvoltage [B17]
23 d) Voltage Transient due to dv/dt across diodes: Surges are generated due to inherent
24 characteristics of the circuit.
25 e) Induced switching surges from ac power system: Heavy direct lightning strike to an ac
26 power line in close vicinity to the OCS system may induce surges in the dc system.
27 f) Current Limiting Fuse Blowing: Current-limiting fuses protecting the rectifier diodes
28 may generate transient arc overvoltage.
29 g) Feeder Cable Arcing Fault: Loose cable connections arcing may lead to transient
30 surges.
31AC line making contact with the OCS wire can lead to voltage surge to dc system
32Surge Characteristics - Propagation

33The surge Impedance (Z) and the surge propagation velocity (v) are defined by the following
34expressions [B3].
35 Z = L
C
(1)
36 v  LC (2)
37Where:

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1Z Surge impedance in ohms
2L Inductance in henries per unit length
3C Capacitance in farads per unit length
4V Surge velocity will be in meter/sec if the if the units of L are in henries/meter and units of
5 C are in farads/meter
6The surge current (I), the surge voltage (V) and the surge impedance (Z) are related by the
7expression below [B2].
8V = IZ (3)
9The rate-of-rise of surge voltage (dv/dt) and rate-of-rise of surge current (di/dt) are related to
10surge impedance (Z) as follows [B1]
11di/dt = dv/dt (1/Z) (4)
12Surge propagates at the speed of light, 1000ft/s, (304.8m/s) in the OCS wire and
13approximately half this speed 500ft/s (152.4m/s) in the dc feeder cables [B2] [B3]. Surge
14experiences a surge reflection and refraction at a junction point due to change in surge
15impedance values. Surge propagation theory is well-documented [B2] [B10].
16The following expression [B15] [B21] may be used to derive the surge voltage that could
17propagate towards dc switchgear via feeder cables.
18VFC = 2 VI (ZC/n)/ [ ZOCS + (ZC/n)] (5)
19Where:
20VFC :Surge voltage through feeder cables
21VI : Incident surge voltage at the OCS feeder pole junction point, say 35 kV flash over value
22ZOCS: OCS wire surge impedance, 400  [B3]
23ZC: Each feeder cable surge impedance, 40  [B3]

24n: Number of feeder cables in parallel, say 3
251 Magnetic Stored Energy of Surge

26Switching surge energy (w) is exchanged between system inductance L and capacitance C
27parameters [B2] [B5] during its propagation defined by the expression below.
28W = (1/2) L I2 joules (watt-seconds) (6)
29L Inductance in henries
30I Current in rms. amperes
31Estimation of the energy trapped in the OCS wire using expression (6) is as follows:
32L= 2.0 mH/mile Ind. of the OCS wire [B2]

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1I = 2000 A (assumed surge current)
2D= 2 miles assumed distance between adjacent traction power substations
3It is reasonable to consider that 1/2 [B2] of the surge current will propagate towards each
4adjacent substation.
5W = ½(2x10-3 )(1000)2 = 1000 joules
6It shall be noted that the above calculated energy will become 25 kilo-joules if the current surge
7is assumed as 10 kA.
87. Surge Environment – DC Electrification System

9It is evident from rail electrification systems using OCS that there are two paths for the surges to
10impact the substation equipment, one from OCS and other from the ac primary power supply
11system. The expected upper limit of the surge without the dc surge arrester that could propagate
12through the OCS system will be equal to the dry flashover value of the OCS system, which is
13typically 35 kV peak for 800 V dc system [B27].
14The incoming primary surge will see the doubling effect at the rectifier transformer due to change
15in surge impedance. The intensity of incoming surge will be related to distribution system
16parameters and the impinging surge. Internal switching surges and surges at the OCS may be
17related to any of the system operational causes listed under Section 4.1.2 earlier.
18Due to proximity of the OCS positive wire and the running rails (or negative wire in case of ETB
19system) there are equal chances that the lightning may strike both of these components
20simultaneously. Any surge voltage impinging the OCS wire is free to propagate towards the dc
21switchgear, as well as to the vehicle. The associated surge current may divide according to the
22surge impedance paths and may experience some attenuation.
232 DC Surge Protection Device Requirements

24For dc application, ac surge arresters with nonlinear resistors are re-rated. The basic
25requirements of a dc surge protection device include the following:
26 a) At highest working voltage, the device shall be essentially non-conducting, with a

27 minimal leakage current.
28 b) At an overvoltage moderately above the working voltage, the device while conducting
29 shall permit only small increases in its own terminal voltage.
30 c) Device shall have an adequate energy absorption capability to handle the stored
31 energy in the dc system.
32 d) Upon suppressing the system transient overvoltage, the device shall quickly interrupt
33 the normal dc voltage follow current.
34 e) Device shall be suitable for outdoor and indoor application subjected to harsh weather
35 without degradation in performance.
36 f) The residual voltage at the OCS at maximum expected surge current magnitude shall
37 be less than the damaging voltage of the equipment to be protected. It is affected by
38 the lead length inductance and rate of rise of surge current.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1 g) Device shall accommodate dc system temporary overvoltage condition as described in

2 Section 5.1.3 without its failure due to repeated occurrence of E TOV at the OCS.
3 h) Device shall be capable of providing a close margin of protection without excessive

4 maintenance and damage.
5 i) Device shall have indication of failure
6 j) Device testing procedure is desirable
7DC Surge arrester application configuration is shown in Fig. 1. The MOV dc surge arrester with
8characteristics shown in Fig. 2 (b) appears to meet above considerations and closely matches
9with the characteristics of an ideal device shown in Fig. 2 (a). However, its energy absorbing
10capabilities should be checked in dc system application.
11The gapped MOV surge arrester shown in Fig. 2 (d) may not provide a close margin of voltage
12protection as the triggering of the gap will occur at relatively higher peak overvoltage condition.
13Spark gap type arrester with characteristics of Fig. 2(c) may not reseal causing system follow
14current flow to ground. Some manufacturers promote magnetically blown spark gaps with series
15connected non-linear resistors in a single stack. To improve the internal voltage distribution, a
16grading resistor and capacitor is provided for each spark gap. Such a device could provide
17adequate surge absorbing capability, as well as close margin of protection. This standard makes
18a recommendation to use properly rated MOV type surge arrester.
198. DC Surge Arrester Test Data and Energy Capability

20Without a standard on the manufacture of dc surge arresters, the testing and rating method
21among the various suppliers may vary. The energy absorbing capability varies, depending upon
22the quality and quantity of basic material (zinc oxide) used in the development of surge arrester.
23It appears that the manufacturers rely on the test data provided by the suppliers of the basic
24surge arrester material. For example, the data shown in Table 2 by the surge arrester
25manufacturer is the same as shown by Harris Semiconductor Corporation [B5] for the Type CA
26Metal-Oxide Varistors. However, there is no indication how the individual units were tested after
27their assembly in their housing. The design of connection terminals may change the test data.
28The unit shall be tested after assembly. It shall be noted that the terminology used in Table 4 is in
29accordance with ANSI/IEEE Std. C62.33 [B11], however, it differs from the terminology used in
30Tables 1, 2 and 3.
31Manufacturer's technical data shown in Table 1 does not list all required test data including the
32energy capability for the surge arrester as seen in Tables 2 and 3. Fig.3 from another
33manufacturer does not indicate the test surge wave shape. Fig. 4 shows the generic relationship
34of surge arrester MCOV rating and energy capability. Surge arrester’s energy capability can be
35increased by using a series parallel combination of the basic MOV discs without increasing its
36MCOV rating which may be required for a dc surge arrester [B1].
37Two different nomenclatures, discharge voltage (V IR) and clamping voltage (V C), have been used
38by the dc surge arrester manufacturers as shown in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4. This may create
39confusion to the application engineer.
40The lack of test data and test procedures for dc surge arresters has created a challenge for the
41application engineer to evaluate their protection capabilities.
42 Table 1: DC Surge Arrester Parameters from Published Catalogue

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
500A Switching Surge 8/20s Impulse Wave peak current

MCOV 0.5s, 10kA Maximum Discharge maximum discharge voltage - VIR
Volts Maximum Voltage - VIR (kV peak)
DC Discharge (kV peak)**
Voltage - VIR 1.5 kA 3 kA 5 kA 10 kA 20 kA
(kV peak)*
900 3.4 2.2 2.5 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.5
1800 5.8 4.4 5.0 5.1 5.5 6.0 7.0
1* Maximum discharge voltage for a 10 kA impulse current wave, which produces a current wave
2 cresting in 0.5s.
3** Based upon a current surge of 45s time to crest, 500A peak.
4
Max. values of the residual voltages in kV (discharge
Thermal
Nominal Rated Voltage-VIR) at peak discharge currents of impulses
MCOV Energy
Voltage Voltage 30/60s 8/20s 1/2s
absorbing
capability 0.5kA 1kA 5kA 10kA 20kA 20kA
kV kV kV kJ kV kV kV kV kV kV
0.75 1 1 10 1.9 2 2.3 2.4 2.7 2.6
1.50 2 2 20 3.8 4 4.5 4.8 5.3 5.1
3.00 4 4 40 7.6 8 9.0 9.6 10.6 10.2
6
Max. Values of the residual voltage in kV (discharge Voltage-V IR) at peak
Nom. discharge currents of impulses. Energy capability, 2 impulses – 10.5 kJ/kV
MCOV MCOV
Volt.
kV 30/60s 8/20s 1/2s
(Type) kV
2 kA 1kA 1.5k 5kA 10kA 20kA 10 20
250A 500A 1 kA A kA kA
1.0 1.0 1.96 2.01 2.06 2.13 2.10 2.16 2.31 2.40 2.64 2.67 3.00
1.5 1.5 2.92 2.99 3.06 3.19 3.15 3.22 3.46 3.60 3.96 4.04 4.47
2.0 2.0 3.89 3.99 4.08 4.25 4.20 4.29 4.61 4.80 5.28 5.38 5.96
2.5 2.5 4.95 5.07 5.19 5.41 5.34 5.45 5.86 6.10 6.71 6.84 7.57
3.0 3.0 5.84 5.98 6.12 6.38 6.30 6.43 6.92 7.20 7.92 8.07 8.93
4.2 4.2 8.10 8.30 8.50 8.85 8.75 8.92 9.60 10.0 11.0 11.2 12.4
8Table 4: Metal-Oxide Disc Varistors (CA Series) from basic MOV material [B5]
Maximum Ratings (85 C ) Characteristics (25 C)

Cont. Peak Varistor Voltage at Max. Peak Clamping
Transient Typical
DC Amp 1 ma dc test current Voltage (VC) with
Energy with Wave Cap. @
Volt. Wave surge wave
10/1000s 1MHz
8/20s 200A peak, 8/20s

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
Vm(dc) W tm Itm Min. VN(dc) Max VC Pico-

(Volts) (Joules) (kA) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt) (Volt) farads
(pf)
970 2600 70 1080 1200 1320 1880 3500
1150 3200 70 1290 1500 1650 2340 2700
1400 3200 70 1620 1800 2060 2940 2200
1750 5000 70 2020 2200 2550 3600 1800
2150 6000 70 2500 2700 3030 4300 1500
2500 7500 70 2970 3300 3630 5200 1200
3000 8600 70 3510 3900 4290 6200 1000
3500 10000 70 4230 4700 5170 7400 800
1W tm : Rated Single Pulse Transient Energy, VN(dc): Nominal varistor dc voltage
2Itm : Single Pulse Transient Peak Current, Vm(dc): Max. Cont. Operating Voltage (MCOV)

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1Fig. 2: Characteristics of Various Surge Arresters
2
3Fig. 3: Clamping Voltage v/s Peak current (check copy right)
4
5 Fig. 4: Surge Arrester Energy Capability (copy right check)

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
18.1.1 DC Surge Arrester Application: Surge arresters configuration and surge impedance
2parameters are shown in Fig. 1. There is a need for research for surge arrester application. 1
3A systematic approach shall be applied based upon the system configuration, surge parameters,
4and the expected intensity of surges and careful review of the manufacturer’s data on arresters.
5The selection of an arrester will require establishing its MCOV rating, energy handling capability,
6and the arrester discharge voltage.
79. DC Surge Arrester MCOV Rating

8DC surge arrester maximum continuous operating voltage (MCOV) will definably be greater than
9the system operating voltage, but should also be greater than the temporary overvoltage value
10(ETOV) determined by the following expression [B21].
11ETOV = (F) (VR)(RG)E (7)
12Where:
13E: System No Load Voltage, 800V
14VR: Specified Voltage Regulation of Transformer Rectifier Unit in Per Unit, which will be (1.06)
15 for 6% voltage regulation
16F: Upper limit of utility primary power supplies voltage regulation factor, suggest this value not
17 to be less than 1.10.
18RG: Vehicle Regeneration Factor, use 1.15
19Using these values, ETOV will be 1073 volts, thus dc surge arrester MCOV should be greater than
201073 V in this example. This statement is based upon the consideration that in a dc transit
21system temporary overvoltage may appear at the OCS as many times as the operating trains go
22through the regeneration mode especially if there are no other trains nearby to absorb the
23regenerated power. Such ETOV may also occur during night time when utility voltage may go up
24and dc load (trains) is relatively less. To assure that selected surge arrester MCOV should be
25greater than ETOV , an engineering analysis of the actual dc power system performance
26parameters listed in equation (7) above and adequate voltage-margin of protection is required.
27This standard recommends MCOV ≥ ETOV to avoid surge arrester premature failure due to E TOV
28especially when indication of the failed (degraded without enclosure rupture) surge arrester is not
29easily available unless field testing of the installed surge arresters is conducted. Degraded surge
30arrester may be conducting harmful dc stray current to earth.
319.1.1 DC Surge Arrester Voltage – Margin-of-Protection

32Surge arrester voltage-margin-of-protection (V sa) above remote earth is defined as the peak
33voltage seen at the OCS by conduction of a surge current that results in maximum front of the
34wave internal discharge voltage (V IR), and maximum voltage drop across its grounding leads on
35both sides. For correction application of a dc surge arrester to OCS, it’s this peak voltage that
36should be as close to OCS dc voltage as possible such that no damage should occur to the dc
37traction power system components, including dc feeder cables, vehicles and substations. This
38voltage can be calculated by the following equation:
39Vsa = VIR + L. di/dt + IZSG (8)
21 There is a room for research to establish similar concept of High-Low or the Low-High
3 cascaded arresters [B14] at the OCS pole and the vehicle
1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1Where:
2ZSG Surge Arrester ground rod (electrode) impedance measured in ohms at 60 Hz, usually less
3 than 5 ohms
4VIR Front of the wave maximum IR discharge , voltage drop of arrester in kV peak
5L Inductance in henries of surge arrester leads
6I Peak surge current in amperes
7di/dt Rate-of-rise of the surge current in kA/sec

8It shall be noted that the voltage drop across the ground electrode impedance (IZ SA) does not
9affect the dc equipment protection margin as the system negative, which acts as a reference
10point is grounded via leakage resistance to ground of the running rails insulators. In addition, all
11metallic components, including the OCS pole, are grounded to the same earth near to surge
12arrester ground electrode. Thus, for the surge arrester Vsa calculation, as shown in the equation
13(9) below the factor IZ SG should not be used.
14Vsa = VIR + L. di/dt (9)

15Without complete knowledge of the surge environment and test data on the dc surge arresters,
16one application approach is to apply a lower voltage surge arrester, such as 970 MCOV dc for
17the 800V dc system, knowing it has relatively lower energy capability, but better voltage margin
18of protection. In case of its failure in actual application, it will provide the measure of surge
19environment. To increase surge energy handling capability of the surge arrester without
20increasing its MCOV rating, another approach may be to apply two surge arresters of low MCOV
21rating in parallel with individual ground leads and grounding electrode connections . However, the
22concern of increased leakage current under normal system operation with parallel arrester
23approach should be checked based upon this analysis.
24Based upon above described analysis, this standard recommends MCOV ≥ ETOV to avoid surge
25arrester premature failure due to E TOV especially when indication of the failed (degraded without
26enclosure rupture) surge arrester is not easily available unless field testing of the installed surge
27arresters is conducted. Degraded surge arrester at the OCS system may be conducting harmful
28dc stray current to earth until it is replaced with a new surge arrester.
29
3010. DC Surge Arrester Energy Discharge Capability
31Surge arrester surge energy (W) in joules can be calculated by the following expression below:
32W=  V.I.dt (10)

0
33Where:
34V: Surge arrester front of the wave protective level in volts
35I: Peak discharge current in amperes
36t: Time in seconds the surge reaches voltage (V)

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1If the surge wave shape is known, then another easier expression for the energy discharged
2through an arrester may be calculated by using the equation (11) below [B5].
3W = KVCIτ (11)
4K = Constant, 0.5 for triangular wave, 1.0 for rectangular wave and 1.4 for exponential decaying
5 wave
6W = Energy in joules
7VC = Clamping voltage in volts
8I = Impulse current in amperes
9τ = Impulse duration in seconds

1011. DC Surge Arrester Application Analysis Calculation
11An engineering analysis calculation for application of dc surge arrester to OCS operating at 800
12V nominal dc voltage is discussed. Calculations are based upon using surge arresters with
13MCOV rating of 900 V and 1800 V and other parameters published by their manufacturer.
14 a) Using rate-of-rise of incoming surge voltage (dv/dt) at the OCS surge arrester location
15 of 11 kV/s per kV MCOV [B1], the calculated values of dv/dt will be 9.90 kV/ s and
16 19.8 kV/s for the 900 V and 1800 V arresters respectively.
17 b) Surge arrester lead lengths inductance using 0.4 H/ft with 25 feet length will be in the
18 order of 10 H for each arrester.
19 c) Rate-of-rise of the surge current at the arrester location by using equation (4) and
20 surge impedance of arrester leads of 400  will be 0.025 kA/s and 0.050 kA/s
21 respectively for each arrester.
22 d) Using the published data shown in Table 1 for surge arrester front of wave protective
23 level at 0.5 s, 10 kA peak discharge current, discharge voltage (V IR) will be 3.4 kV and
24 5.8 kV respectively for each arrester.
25 e) Margin of protection voltage (V sa) by using equation (9) without considering (IZ SG) factor
26 will be:
27 900V : Vsa = 3.4+0.25 =3.65 kV
28 1800V: Vsa = 5.8+0.50 =6.30 kV
29 f) Energy (W) in Joules discharged by the surge arrester for a switching surge may
30 conservatively be estimated by the equation (11). The values indicated in Table 4 are in
31 the order of 2600 and 5000 joules respectively for 900V and 1800V arresters for the
32 long wave 10/1000s and may be compared with the calculations in this step for
33 45/1000s wave:
34 900V DC MCOV Rated Surge Arrester:
35 W = 0.5 * 2.2 * 0.5 * 45 +1.4 * 2.2* 0.5* 0.5*1 000

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1 W = 24.75 + 770.00 = 794.75 Joules
2 1800V DC MCOV Rated Surge Arrester:
3 W=0.5 *4.4.2*0.5*45+1.4*4.4*0.5*0.5*1000 =1589.5 Joules

4It should be noted that the calculated values of energy for each surge arrester using 45/1000 s
5wave parameters are lower than the published data of energy discharge capability of the arrester
6using 10/1000s wave. Since the characteristics of the two wave shapes are different, therefore
7manufacturer should be consulted to provide discharge energy capability for (45/1000s) wave.
8 g) Voltage surge through feeder cable (V FC) in kV at the dc switchgear can be calculated
9 by use of equation (5):
10 900V MCOV Surge Arrester: VFC=2x3.65x(40/3)/[400+40/3] = 0.24 kV
11 1800V MCOV Surge Arrester: VFC=2x6.30x(40/3)/ [400+40/3] = 0.41kV

12It appears that without the effect of surge impedances, the conservative voltage impressed at
13the equipment may be 3.65 kV and 6.30 kV, respectively as indicated in item e) above.
14 h) Current surge (IS) associated with voltage surge derived in item g) above can be
15 calculated by use of expression (3)
16 900V MCOV Surge Arrester: IS = ES/ZS = 0.24x(3/40) = 0.018 kA
17 1800V MCOV Surge Arrester: IS = ES/ZS = 0.41x(3/40) = 0.0.031 kA

18Although the energy capability of 1800V arrester is higher than the energy capability of 900V
19arrester, however, the 900V arrester provides better voltage protection if it can withstand system
20energy capability. It shall be noted that 900V MCOV rating appears to be lower than the system
21temporary overvoltage (E TOV) value of 1073 volts derived by using equation (7) and thus may
22lead to premature failures in actual installation. Thus the surge arrester with MCOV rating of 1150
23V may be the proper choice for 800 V dc system.
2412. Lightning Stroke Terminology

25Perhaps it is best to clarify the terminology; reference [B20] makes a distinction between the
26traditionally used term “stroke” and a more precise reference to the term, “flash”. A flash
27describes the entire electrical discharge to the stricken object. Stroke, on the other hand,
28describes only the high-current components of a flash. Because of the observed multiplicity of
29strokes, the relationship between the terms “flash” and “stroke” is that there can be many strokes
30in a single flash. Research into flash characteristics indicates that 55 percent of all flashes
31contain multiple strokes, with an average value of three strokes [B20]. This information is
32important because of the differences in wave shape of the successive strokes. The term
33“flashover” is described as an electrical discharge completed from an energized conductor to a
34grounded support structure, which will be OCS poles in case of an LRT system.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1
2Fig.5 Surge Arresters Configuration – Surge Impedance Diagram 2
3
4Lightning Intensity Estimation
5Lightning intensity within a specific area is generally based upon the ground flash density, N g, in
6flashes per km 2/year. At present, this data is not available in the United States and thus, lightning
7intensity must be based upon the isokeraunic level, or the number of thunderstorms per year, T d.
8The value of Ng may be approximated by using the following empirical expression [B4] [B19].
9With more research data available in the future such an expression may change.
22 Future research may provide a software program to provide surge current distribution

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1Ng = 0.04 Td1.25 (12)

2For example consider the area of a light rail transit (LRT) where T d is in the order of 40-60 [B3]
3[B4]. Using expression (12) and Td of 60, the calculated value of N g will be near 6.68. It is noted
4that the exponent value of 1.25 in expression (12) is somewhat uncertain, for some published
5literature indicates this value to be 1.35. However, 1.25 has been accepted by the committee
6responsible for the development of the standard [B19] and thus, for this example, OCS lightning
7protection analysis will be based upon the value of Ng to be around 6.68.
8This calculated number for Ng provides some measure of likelihood of lightning strike to ground
9in the area. The actual number of lightning flashes/year, N OCS, that may strike the light rail OCS
10or nearby ground inducing direct or indirect lightning surge waves, may be calculated by using
11the following expression:
12NOCS = wLNg (13)
13Where:
14L = length of LRT system in kilometers
15w = Width of area covering LRT tracks in kilometers
16Assuming a double track dc system with width near 0.015 kilometer and N g of 6.68, by
17expression (13), calculated value of NOCS will be: L/10.
18NOCS = L/10 (14)

19Assuming the probability of direct hit of lightning strike to OCS (N D) is 20% of the value
20calculated for the actual number of lightning flashes/year, N OCS in that case, for the above
21example following relationship applies.
22ND = 1/5 (NOCS) = L/50 (15)
23Where: L is the dc electrification system length in kilo-meters

24Assumed low probability of 20% of direct lightning hit to OCS indicated above is based upon the
25reasoning that there are equal chances that lightning may hit any of the OCS support structures,
26nearby buildings, trees, substation structures, communication and control cabinets including
27running rails.
28Thus in the above example for a dc system with 10 km length, the calculated number of lightning
29flashes per year (NOCS) that may strike the OCS system is one (1) and perhaps 50 km length is
30needed for direct hit to OCS. For 10 km length of OCS system, the expected single lightning
31flash per year may not be a direct hit to the OCS system. In addition, the expected single
32lightning flash may or may not be of concern, depending upon the severity and energy
33associated with the lightning stroke (surge) contained in the flash.
13.
34Lightning Stroke – OCS Flash Over
35This discussion is intended to establish the lightning overvoltage intensity to the OCS
36components, especially the contact wire, which is generally protected by dc surge arresters. The
37various components of the OCS, including messenger wire, contact wire, feeder cables and
38supporting structure (which consists of metallic poles, cross-arms, and running rails), are
39relatively close to each other. There are equal chances that the lightning strike may hit any of the
40above-described OCS components.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1The messenger wire, cross-arms, and grounded metallic poles may provide some measure of
2shielding of direct lightning strike to the OCS contact wire. In rare circumstances, if the lightning
3strikes directly to the OCS wire, flashover is almost certain since the insulated air gaps and
4clearances from the grounded metallic components including the poles is relatively low with wet
5and dry flashover values near 20 kV to 35 kV peak respectively for 750 V nominal dc. Lightning
6strike energy after the flashover at the OCS pole will go to ground via grounding path of the
7poles.
8After the flashover, the maximum voltage expected at the OCS contact wire would not be more
9than the actual dry flash over value of the insulator. The time to flashover from stroke, the
10energy contained in the remaining surge wave at the OCS, and its propagation away from the
11point of strike will depend upon the rate-of-rise of the incoming surge waves of the lightning flash
12strokes. As indicated earlier, 60 percent of the strokes may strike the OCS poles and the
13remainder at mid-span of poles.
14The maximum distance that a lightning surge will need to travel before hitting the grounded pole
15for flashover phenomenon is ½ of the pole spacing distance, which in terms of the surge wave
16propagation time is relatively small. Without the application of dc surge arrester at each OCS
17pole, the metallic grounded OCS poles will provide adequate path to the lightning strokes with
18peak voltages exceeding dry flash over voltage of the insulators. This OCS poles flashover to
19ground will cease automatically once the OCS surge voltage falls below the insulator’s actual
20flash over voltage. The flashover may occur again if there are repeated lightning strokes in a
21particular flash.
22If the flashover occurs near the dc feeder poles with dc surge arresters, the dc surge arrester
23may also start discharging during the pole flashing. It is also apparent that as the propagation
24time of the surge to adjacent feeder pole towards the next substation is small, the surge arrester
25on adjacent substation will also start conducting. In addition, the surge wave will also propagate
26via an underground feeder cable to the dc switchgear with a reduced surge magnitude indicated
27by equation (5) in section 4.2 earlier. Thus, surge arresters applied at the dc feeder breakers will
28reduce the effect of surge propagation on feeder cables and the substation equipment.
29For a LRT system in a high isokeraunic area, if the flashover occurs to OCS poles or rails, then
30the induced surge voltage will get into the running rails, or if the surge strikes directly to the
31running rails then the surge may propagate to the substation negative bus via the negative
32underground dc feeders. Therefore in such areas surge arresters should also be applied at the dc
33negative bus or the running rails.
34In case of high isokeraunic lightning stroke, a concern of damage to the surge arrester rises due
35to its limited surge energy handling capability. However, it appears that for such a severe
36lightning stroke, flashover across the outer surface of the surge arrester may occur due to its
37short length. Such flashovers will drain the surge energy to ground leaving lesser surge current
38and energy to be discharged through the surge arrester. If there is still some concern of the dc
39surge arrester to be inadequate in handling the surge energy, then properly rated surge arrester
40with higher surge energy handling capability should be applied.
41The dc surge arresters applied at the dc feeder poles or other locations should be adequate to
42handle the discharge current of the lightning surge wave deposited by the lightning flash strokes
43after the OCS flash over occurs. In addition, the dc surge arrester discharge voltage should be
44such that it provides adequate voltage margin of protection to the operating Light Rail Vehicle
45(LRV) and the traction power substations. Since these surge arresters at the OCS contact wire
46are first lines of defense to trap the lightning/switching surge voltage below the protection level of
47the connected equipment, an engineering analysis of surge arrester voltage ratings should be
48performed for proper selection of the surge arresters [B21].

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
113.1.1 Lightning Stroke Magnitude

2Research on the stroke current peak amplitude reported that the mean value of first stroke is
3near 31 kA, with a 95 percent probability of the stroke magnitude being between 10 and 100 kA
4[B20]. The first stroke wave shape mean value just before the current peak has been reported to
5be near 24.3 kA/s, which is helpful in understanding the impulse voltages that can occur for
6discharges through inductances. It is necessary to indicate that although the average value of
7the peak magnitude of the subsequent stroke(s) is generally less than the first stroke, the wave
8front(s) of the subsequent stroke(s) are typically faster. The average value is near 39.9 kA/s,
9although values in excess of 70 kA/s have been reported. The above mentioned stroke
10parameters relate to the flash itself and much of the data was obtained from mountaintop
11observatories [B28]. It is also reported that 60 percent of the direct flashes hit the tower where
12they would flashover to the ground and the remainder hit on the spans between the towers.
13The above listed current lightning waves develop very high corresponding voltage waves based
14upon their relationship provided by the equations (3) and (4) described under Section 4.2 earlier.
15Consideration must be given to some modification of the flash characteristics striking OCS,
16especially when tracks may be surrounded by urban development. Any high-rise buildings
17including the trees and street light poles that are taller than the OCS poles will provide some
18degree of lightning flash shielding to the OCS. However, since there is no measured research
19data specifically for the dc transit OCS, the conservative approach is to use the data available
20for the transmission towers for the OCS.
2114. Lightning Stroke Induced Over-voltage

22Lightning overvoltages are also possible due to electric and magnetic fields induced from nearby
23lightning, often referred to as indirect or induced surges. For transmission lines, peak
24overvoltages induced by first strokes varied between +150 kV and –40 kV, the mean being 23
25kV. The mean rise time for these voltage surges was 6 s. This provides rate of rise of the
26voltage wave to be approximately 4 kV/s. The study further revealed that induced overvoltges
27caused by subsequent lightning strokes had 11 kV peaks, with a mean rise time of 4 s. This
28provides a rate of rise of the voltage wave to be approximately 3 kV/ s, which is much lower
29than the values reported for the direct lightning flash hitting the transmission lines. Such lightning
30wave parameters may be used for LRT system design and engineering analysis of lightning
31protection, which is the purpose of this standard.
3215. Lightning Stroke Surge Energy
33Surge energy (J) may be calculated by the expression [B1]:
t
dv di
t
34J =  V .I .dt  0 dt . dt t 2 dt Joules (16)

0
35Assume lightning stroke with the following parameters:
dv
36  200 kV/ s (2x1011 V/ sec)
dt

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1Assume surge impedance for surge voltage to be near 40 ohms, parallel combination of OCS
2with supplementary feeder cable. Thus surge current wave by use of expression (18) will be as
3follows
di
4  5kA / s (5x109 A/sec)
dt
5The maximum flashover kV peak for OCS is near 35 kV (dry weather condition), thus within
635/200 s (0.18s), OCS poles will flashover to ground with or without the application of dc surge
7arresters.
8Thus the lightning stroke energy that may pose threat of OCS damage or the dc surge arresters
9will be for flashover time of 0.18 s with calculated stroke energy value indicated below.
10t = 0.18 s (18x10-8 sec)

8
11J = 2x1011 x5x109.x [t 3 / 3]18
0
x10
joules
12J = 1021x 10-24 x183 x 1/3 joules = 5.83/3 kJ (17)

13The OCS system appears to get self-relief from the heavy lightning stroke energy (responsible
14for damage to dc surge arresters and other OCS equipment) due to flashover near 35 kV peak
15surge magnitude without the help of surge arresters. However, 35 kV peak voltages are quite
16damaging to the system components, such as dc switchgear and also LRV components. Thus dc
17surge arresters of proper rating should be applied. These surge arresters will discharge current
18and will handle energy as indicated in expressions (20) and (21) below.
1916. Arrester Discharge Energy
20Arrester discharge current is a function of many interrelated parameters, including:

21 Surge impedance of the OCS
22 Stroke current characteristics, wave shape, peak current magnitude, and its rate-of-rise
23 Distance of the surge arrester from the point of stroke
24 Ground resistance at the location of stroke
25 Number and locations of flashovers
26 Flashover characteristics of the OCS insulators
27 Arrester discharge voltage
28The following expression [B4] is used for power distribution overhead lines and may be used for
29the OCS system:
30IA = (ES - EA)/ Z (18)
31Where:
32EA = Arrester impulse discharge voltage (kV) for current I A (kA)
33ES = Prospective surge voltage (kV)
34Z = Surge impedance of the conducting path of the surge arrester ()

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1IA = Impulse current (kA) associated with impulse voltage

2Energy discharged by the arrester, J, in kilojoules (kJ), may be conservatively estimated by the
3following expression [B18]:
4J = 2 DL EA IA /v (19)
5Where:
6EA = Arrester discharge voltage (kV)
7IA = Switching impulse current (kA)
8DL = Line length (miles) or (km)
9v = the speed of light (190 miles/ms) or (300 km/ms)

10The expression assumes that the entire line is charged to a prospective switching surge voltage
11and is discharged through the arrester during twice the travel time of the line.
12If the surge wave shape is known, then another easier expression for the energy discharged
13through an arrester may be calculated by using the equation (11) described under section 5.1.5.
1417. Lightning Stroke to OCS system

15For analysis purposes, assume maximum distance between the substations to be near 1 1/2
16miles. Assume that there are surge arresters installed only at the feeder poles adjacent to each
17traction power substation, and there are no other poles between the substations that are
18equipped with surge arresters as shown in Fig. 5. A lightning strike hitting the OCS wire midway
19between the two substations will propagate equally with 1/2 the impinging surge current
20magnitude to each substation [B2]. Thus, in this example the surge will travel maximum distance
21of 3/4 mile before reaching a pole with dc surge arresters.
22For a 750V dc nominal LRT system voltage, consider a dc surge arrester rated at 2 kV duty cycle
23with MCOV rating near 1800 V dc with discharge voltage rated at 7.0 kV. This discharge voltage
24is the surge arrester test voltage, which is based upon 20 kA peak current of a standard 8/20 s
25wave.
26Time in milliseconds to travel 3/4 mile will be 3/4x1/190 (4s). The energy discharged through
27the surge arrester in kJ using equation (19) may be calculated as shown in equation (21).
28Assume surge wave is magnified to twice its magnitude (2 times 35 kV dry flashover value of
29OCS) due to open circuit condition of a sectionalizing dc disconnect switch. Using OCS surge
30impedance of 40 ohms (surge impedance of OCS wire in parallel with underground
31supplementary cable), and assuming surge arrester discharge voltage (7 kV) to be the test
32voltage at 20 kA peak, the discharge current I A and surge energy discharge will be as follows:
33IA = (2x35 – 7.0)/40 = 1.575 kA (20)
34J = 2 x ¾x(1/190) x 7.0 x 1.575 kJ = 0.088 kJ (21)

35It should be noted that the time to travel 3/4 mile distance by the lightning stroke is very small
36and it is possible that the lightning stroke time may be longer than two times the travel time for
373/4 mile distance. Under such circumstances, the maximum estimated time for the lightning
38stroke should be used for estimating the energy discharge through the surge arrester. The time

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
13/4x2/190 ms (8 s) used in calculating energy J in kilojoules should be increased to a

2reasonable value, say 300 s, the maximum estimated time the lightning flash containing more
3than an average of three strokes may exist. This will lead to calculated energy of 3.30 kJ, which
4will still be below 4.4 kJ (2.2 kJ/kV) value for a 2000V dc surge arrester. This estimation of surge
5energy is very conservative as the assumed value of surge time and arrester discharge voltage
6seems to be on the high side. However, dc surge arrester selection based upon such high energy
7discharge requirements will assure that the arrester will not be damaged by high isokeraunic
8lightning flash hitting very close to its location.
9In the above calculation it has been assumed that lightning surge impinging the OCS wire will
10flash over to grounded metallic OCS poles once the surge wave voltage reaches 35 kV peak.
11Time to reach 35 kV peak will depend upon the rate of rise of lightning surge wave. If the rate of
12rise for example is near 200 kV/µs, then the time to reach 35 kV peak will be 35/200 µs, which is
13far less than the travel time of 4µs for 3/4 mile distance. Thus, OCS wire will not charge more
14than 35 kV peak voltage unless the surge comes across an open circuit caused by open position
15of a disconnect switch. However, as the surge propagation time to reach open circuit location is
16quite higher than the time to develop 35 kV peak voltages at lightning flash striking location, the
17OCS pole flash will occur before double peak voltage (2x35 kV) is impressed upon the OCS
18contact wire. Thus, flashover phenomena will reduce the surge energy that will be discharged
19through the dc surge arrester.
20To provide assurance that OCS wire flashing over occurs in case of a direct lightning strike
21impinging the system in high isokeraunic areas horn air gap type arresters should be considered
22midway between adjacent traction power substations. 3
233 Underground Supplementary Cable Connections to OCS

24In certain sections of the OCS, it is assumed that there will be underground supplementary
25cable. For discussion purposes, it is assumed that the average distance between the OCS
26contact wire and the underground supplementary cable tap connections are in the order of
27approximately 400 feet. For calculation purposes, assume 4000 feet length of such
28supplementary cable which will then require a total of eleven (11) OCS contact wire-to-
29supplementary cable tap connections. This configuration of OCS and supplementary cable
30connections will have total of nine (9) underground cable splices. Such underground
31supplementary cable installation, electrically in parallel to OCS will require cable splice
32connections to be located in the underground manholes. Lightning surge withstand capability of
33such underground cable splices in the manholes and the tap point connection of cable to
34overhead OCS contact wire are of concern.
35Analysis of the cable splices and cable connections to the OCS contact wire would require a
36derivation of the peak value of the lightning surge voltage expected at these connection points
37and cable splices. Then this surge voltage peak value will be compared to the tolerable values of
38basic surge withstand impulse voltages (BSL) of the cable splices and cable-to-OCS
39connections.
40The basic switching surge level (BSL) of the 2 kV cable is near 75 kV peak. Underground cable
41splice BSL levels to match with the cable BSL level are also available.
42Assume the following:
23 Such air gap horn type surge arresters do not pose any threat of dc leakage current or uncertainty of
3their damage due to ambient temperature. They shall be bonded to the OCS poles that are grounded with
4its own grounding electrode with low resistance-grounding impedance by appropriately sized wire (not
5less than #6 AWG) 600V insulated cable to avoid jeopardizing the OCS double insulators criteria. Another
6alternate to the horn gap is to consider surge arrester with higher duty cycle voltage.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1ZOCS = 400 ohms (OCS contact wire surge impedance) [B2]
2ZC = 40 ohms (cable surge impedance) [B2]
3Vi = Voltage magnitude of the incident lightning wave at the impedance junction point
4 (connection of cable to OCS contact wire or at the underground cable splice)
5Ii = Current magnitude of the incident lightning wave at the impedance junction point
6Vr = Voltage magnitude of the reflected lightning wave at the impedance junction point
7Ir = Current magnitude of the reflected lightning wave at the impedance junction point
8V = Total voltage magnitude (refracted voltage) at the impedance junction point
9I = Total current magnitude (refracted current) at the impedance junction point
10The following expressions are well documented [B1].
11V =Vi + Vr (22)
12I = Ii + Ir (23)
13At the interface of two surge impedances Z 1 and Z2, the expressions for the above indicated
14surge voltage and current are related by the following expressions:
15V = [2x Z2 /(Z1 + Z2)] Vi (24)
16I = [2x Z1/(Z 1 + Z2)] Ii (25)

17For the sake of completeness, expressions for the surge current as well as the surge voltage
18have been described. However, analysis of the surge wave voltage is more critical for the cable
19insulation protection when compared to surge current. It is well understood that the cable can
20tolerate excessive magnitude of surge current for short duration without appreciable heat rise to
21create damage to cable insulation. Hence, only the surge voltage analysis is presented under
22Sections 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 below. Single Line diagram indicated in Fig.1 shows basic elements of
23the power system.
2418. Lightning Hits OCS ahead of the Supplementary Cable Connections

25The initial and final surge voltages at the junction points of cable to OCS or splice point of
26supplementary cable may be calculated by using expression (24) which requires knowledge
27incident voltage magnitude (V i) through surge impedance Z 1 before hitting the junction point of
28surge impedances Z1 and Z2. In the case of OCS and supplementary cable, the surges
29impedances are as follows.
30Z1 = 400 Ώ, for OCS and Z2 = 40 Ώ for the supplementary cable.

31If all cable to OCS taps is spaced equally and the installation is uniform, then, for practical
32purposes neglecting the effect surge impedances of cable splices and the OCS/cable connection
33tap points, the combined surge impedance (Z) of underground supplementary cable and OCS
34contact wire may be represented by expression (26) shown below.
35Z = Z1 x Z2 / (Z1 + Z2) ≈ Z2 (since Z1 >> Z2) (26)

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1If voltages (V1), (V2), (V3) and (V11) are successively represented as the surge voltages at the
2first, second, third and last (eleventh) junction points when the surge voltage travels along the
3OCS section with underground supplementary positive cable, the expressions for these surge
4voltages will be as follows:
5V1 = [2x Z2/(Z 1 + Z2)] Vi (27)
6V2 = [2x Z2/(Z 1 + Z2)][2x Z2/(Z2 + Z2)] Vi (28)
7V3 = [2x Z2/(Z 1 + Z2)][2x Z2/(Z2 + Z2)]2 Vi (29)
8V10 = [2x Z2/(Z1 + Z2)][2x Z2/(Z 2 + Z2)]9 Vi (30)

9Using values indicated for the surge impedances in ohms, surge voltages represented by
10expressions (27) through (30) will be practically equal in magnitude, approximately 18% of the
11incident stroke surge voltage magnitude.
12The final (eleventh) point will be end of the supplementary cable where the surge impedance will
13become again Z1 and the surge voltage will be escalated as follows:
14V11 = [2x40/(400+40)].[2x400/(400+40)]V i (31)
15This final voltage appears to be approximately 33% of the initial surge voltage that appeared
16when the surge entered parallel combination of OCS and supplementary cable.
17If installation of the underground supplementary cable riser feeders and OCS connections is
18uniform, then the surge impedance will be practically the same, slightly less than 40 ohms. The
19above calculations indicate that voltage will never be more than the striking voltage unless there
20is a switch that may be in an open position to make this voltage two times the initial surge
21voltage. This twice the initial surge voltage can be derived by using the expression (24) as shown
22below.
23V = [2x Z2 /(Z1 + Z2)] Vi = [2/(Z 1/Z2+ 1)] Vi (32)

24Since Z2 at open switch will be infinite, thus Z 1/Z2 will become zero in expression (32) making
25surge voltage V as two times the initial voltage V i. These surge voltage calculations do not take
26into account the effect of surge attenuation due to cable inductance and capacitance effects.
27If we assume that the striking voltage is limited to 35 kV by the flashover phenomenon, then it
28appears that the underground supplementary cable splices and the OCS-to-supplementary
29feeder cable tap connections may not require surge protection, except at the first and the last
30connection points at the OCS.
3118.1.1 Lightning Hits OCS within Supplementary Cable Connections Zone

32The surge voltage analysis for this case will be identical to the analysis presented under Section
337.1.1 above, with the exception that the incident surge in the air at the OCS will propagate to
34each side traversing the OCS/cable tap connections and underground supplementary cable
35splices. From a theoretical point of view, the current surge that propagates in each direction will
36practically be half the magnitude of the incident surge stroke current. The final maximum surge
37voltage will be at the outermost cable-to-OCS connection tap points, and it will practically
38become double the traveling surge voltage as indicated by the following calculation.
39V = [2x 400 /(400 + 40)] Vi = 1.82x Vi (33)

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1This voltage V will be equal to the initial lightning stroke surge voltage, which initially split into
2half the magnitude at the strike locations. All intermediate tap points will see a lesser surge
3voltage in the order of 9% (from analysis in 7.1.1) magnitude of the initial lightning stroke before
4it splits into half the magnitude.
5Thus, if the OCS flashover voltage is near 35 kV without the application of the dc surge
6arresters, then the maximum surge voltage will be near 35 kV peak or 70 kV if the design
7installation involves dc disconnect switch which is open.
819. Lightning Surge Propagation Discussion for Supplementary Cable

9From a theoretical point of view, more surge current may tend to propagate through the
10underground supplementary cable as compared to the OCS wire due to difference in the values
11of their respective surge impedances. However, the speed of surge propagation through OCS
12wire is two times the speed of surge through supplementary cable and feeder taps [B2]. This may
13lead to balancing out the surge energy propagation through OCS and underground
14supplementary cable and feeder taps.
15It should also be mentioned that the underground supplementary cable switching surge peak
16impulse voltage withstand level far exceeds 35 kV peak surge wave that can be expected
17without considering the doubling effect. Thus it is not necessary that dc surge arresters be
18applied at every 400 feet at supplementary cable-to-OCS connection locations if there is no dc
19disconnect connection.
20However, doubling peak voltage effect cannot be avoided at the dc disconnect switches when
21they are in open position. Thus at disconnect switch locations, dc surge arresters are required on
22each side of the switch.
23In addition, it is prudent to perform surge analysis based upon actual configuration of the
24OCS/supplementary cable to optimize the design of surge arrester applications to the dc system.
25In specific configurations of OCS under the high voltage utility overhead lines, consideration
26shall be made to prevent live ac wire contacting the OCS by use of guard wire or some other
27means. Additional surge arrester at the OCS in the vicinity of OCS/high voltage utility lines
28should not be used due to its misapplication for such a hazard. If the high voltage line touches
29the OCS, then the dc system will be exposed to a sustained over voltage condition equal to dc
30voltage plus the peak ac system voltage leading to damage of the surge arresters and other dc
31system components until the utility fault is cleared
32It is a general opinion that guesswork and overconcern of lightning protection without performing
33surge analysis indicated in this standard has led to a design of applying surge arresters at each
34OCS-to-supplementary cable taps. 4
3520. Grounding
36OCS Pole Grounding

378.1.1 OCS support poles with surge arresters shall have dedicated ground rod (ground electrode)
38for connecting the surge arrester to ground by use of exothermic weld. Measured grounding
39resistance of surge arrester ground electrode should not exceed 5 ohms to avoid excessive
24 Such a design should be avoided based upon the surge voltage analysis presented in this standard.
3Addition of such excessive number of dc surge arresters to the OCS is an application concern, especially
4when such surge arresters do not have any indication that the arrester is in a degraded mode and may be
5injecting undesirable dc stray current to ground.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1surge arrester residual voltage at OCS when a heavy lightning surge current discharge current
2takes place either through flash over across the arrester or by current discharge through the
3arrester.
4Surge arrester ground rod should not be bonded to OCS pole foundation re-bars to avoid the
5uncertainly of damage to the footing due to energy dissipation of a lightning surge at a rapid
6speed. Bonding the pole with surge arrester grounding system may also transfer surge hazard to
7the pole which is not desirable. In addition, separate dedicated grounding rod is needed to
8ground OCS pole. All OCS poles with surge arresters shall be grounded individually by a
9maximum of 25 ohms grounding system. For those poles that are accessible to public the
10grounding resistance shall be 5 ohms or less. [B27] Following the installation of the pole
11mounted surge arrester its grounding system resistance shall be measured and recorded for
12future reference.
1321. DC Surge Arresters
144 Application
1521.1.1 Surge arresters shall be provided and shall be connected to the OCS as a minimum at the
16feeder poles. Two (2) parallel surge arresters with separate ground conductor and separate
17ground rods may be needed at feeder poles for high intensity lightning area. [B27]
18 a) Considering the low profile of OCS, proximity of all components, inherently grounded
19 poles, and major portion of the dc rail transit system close to high-rise structures and
20 trees, the probability of lightning striking the OCS is very low. With this configuration,
21 application of the ground shield wire above the messenger and contact wire does not
22 appear to provide any greater degree of protection, especially when the lightning strike
23 tends to flashover the grounded structures.
24MOV surge arresters are sensitive to ambient temperature. In the summer when ambient
25temperature is high, metallic tip of the MOV dc surge arrester may become hot leading to
26transfer of heat to the surge arrester material. This may cause premature surge arrester failures.
27In addition, the surge arrester provides leakage current under TOV conditions leading to heat
28dissipation as well degradation of its internal MOV elements. Thus the installation should
29consider excessive temperature effect on performance and selection of MOV surge arresters.
30 a) Wire lead from arrestor to positive (or negative OCS) shall not exceed 610 mm where
31 possible.
32 MOV dc surge arresters should be installed at the following locations:

33  At positive (and negative for electric trolley bus) feeder poles, close to pole-mounted or
34 pad-mounted dc disconnect switches on load side of the switches.
35  At positive (and negative for electric trolley bus) pole-mounted or pad-mounted OCS
36 sectioning switches. Arresters shall be installed on both sides of the switch.
37  The application of dc surge arrester for dc switchgear is not covered in this standard;
38 however, review of surge arrester at the OCS and dc switchgear should be coordinated.
39  The application of dc surge arrester for vehicle is not covered in this standard; however,
40 review of surge arrester at the OCS and vehicle should be coordinated.
41  For OCS system within high isokeraunic areas, consider installing surge arresters at the

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1 negative bus to protect the equipment under rare circumstances of lightning surge
2 reaching the negative bus via running rails and dc negative feeder cables. 5
3  Install dc surge arrester at positive (and negative for electric trolley bus) underground
4 feeder tap location. As a minimum at the first and last OCS to underground positive
5 (negative) supplementary feeder cable tap location.
6  Surge arresters shall be considered at locations where surge impedance changes due to
7 OCS configuration, such as bridges and end points of the tunnels.
8  Surge arresters shall be considered for high isokeraunic areas, at the midway between
9 the adjacent substations.
10  Surge arrestors shall be considered in the above applications for negative contact wires
11 and feeder cables in electric trolley bus systems.
12 b) An engineering analysis should be performed to determine appropriate voltage and

13 energy capability rating of the dc surge arresters. The analysis should take into
14 consideration the OCS location, ambient environment and operating voltage
15 characteristics.
16 c) MOV dc surge arresters continuously conduct milli-amperes level of current to ground.

17 This current may increase if the internal material becomes defective. 6
1821.1.2 Name Plate Information
19The following information shall be provided:
20  DC Surge Arrester
21  Rated voltages, duty cycle voltage and MCOV
22  Nominal peak discharge current with current waves of 8/20 s, and 100/1000 s
23  Surge discharge capability kA peak
24  Energy discharge capability (klo-joules)
25  Manufacturer’s name
26  Year of manufacture
27  Serial number
25 Surge arrester at appropriate locations on running rail may be applied in elevated guideways in areas of
3high isokeraunic levels
4
56 Future development of dc surge arresters should provide visual indication when the surge
6arrester becomes defective or fails so that it can be removed to avoid the uncertainty of draining
7continuous dc stray current to ground.
8

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
15 Surge arrester Rating

221.1.3 Surge arresters discharge voltage shall be no more than 80% of the BIL of the equipment
3that is being protected.
421.1.4 MCOV voltage rating of surge arresters shall be greater than Temporary Overvoltage TOV
5of the OCS system. For dc surge arrester ratings refer to Tables 1, 2 and 3 under Section 5 and
6Table 5 below.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
2 Table 5: OCS System Surge Arrester Voltage Levels
System Nominal Voltage System Max. Temporary

(Volts) dc Continuous Voltage overvoltage
(Volts) dc voltage (ETOV )
(Volts) dc
600 to 850 1,020 1,150
1,500 1,800 2,000
3,000 3,600 4,000
321.1.5 DC Traction Power System Components’ Voltage Withstand Capability. DC Traction

4Power System components’ including OCS and dc switchgear voltage withstand capability listed
5in Table 6 is the per IEEE draft Standard P1626 [B22] and IEEE STD C37.14 [B7].
6 Table 6: DC Traction Power System Components’ Voltage Withstand Capability
DC Switchgear OCS minimum dc Spark over Voltage
Rated Voltage BIL Dry Weather Wet Weather

(Volts dc)* (kV Peak)* (kV Peak)** (kV Peak)**
1,300 65 45 25
2,100 65 45 25
4,200 65 45 25
7* Per IEEE STD C37.14 [B7]

8** Per IEEE Draft STD P1626 [B22]
922. DC Surge Arrester Service Requirements
10Operating ambient temperature shall be within the range of the operating environment between
11-40 degrees Fahrenheit and + 104 degrees Fahrenheit. System OCS to ground voltage shall be
12within the rating of the arrester under all system operating conditions. For OCS systems above
131,800 feet consult the surge arrester manufacturer for revised ratings.
1423. DC Surge Arrester Testing
156 Design Tests

16Surge arresters shall be subjected to the following design tests:

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1  Insulation withstand test between the terminals

2  DC dry and wet spark over test
3  Discharge voltage test
4  Impulse protective level voltage time characteristics
5  Accelerated aging procedure
6  Pressure relief test
7  Leakage current at MCOV and 5% voltage in access of MCOV, leakage current v/s
8 voltage
9  Effect of higher temperature on leakage current, current v/s temperature graph
10  Peak discharge voltage under 8/20 µs lightning surge, with peak current of 200 A, 500
11 A, 5 kA and 10 kA
12  Peak discharge voltages under 45/1000 µs switching surge, with peak currents of 100
13 A, 200 A and 500 A.
14  Energy absorbing capability for the 45/1000 µs switching surge with 100A, 200A and
15 500A peak current
16  Energy absorbing capability for the 8/20 µs lightning surge with 200A, 500A , 5 kA and
17 10 kA peak
18New and clean arresters shall be used for each design test. For additional test requirements, see
19IEC Draft Standard NE 50562-1.
20The arrester shall be mounted in the position(s) in which it is designed to be used.
21Ambient temperature for test shall be -40 to +104 degrees Fahrenheit.
227 In Service (Field) Tests

23All surge arresters shall be visually inspected per IEEE Std. P1628 recommendations.
24Surge arresters shall be subjected to electrical tests per manufacturer’s recommendations.
25Apply dc test voltage in very slow increments of 20V dc each till the voltage reaches MCOV
26rating of the surge arrester. At each voltage step, measure leakage current through the arrester
27as excessive leakage current will result if arrester is defective. Do not apply voltage above
28MCOV rating for longer than manufacture’s recommended time to avoid damaging the surge
29arrester during testing. Voltage above TOV rating of OCS system shall only be surge waves and
30not the dc voltage. Surge wave shall be 8/20s with peak current magnitudes of 0.5kA, 1.0kA
31and 1.5 kA. Such surge waves if applied should be for a very short duration less than 25s.
32Review such testing requirement with the manufacturer of the surge arrester under test before
33application of the suggested surge current for testing.

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
18 Bibliography
2[B1] Dr. Allen Greenwood, Electrical Transients in Power Systems, New York, Wiley 1971 Edition
3[B2] IEEE Standard 141 – 1986, (Red Book), IEEE recommended Practice for Electric Power
4Distribution for Industrial Plants
5[B3] Dev Paul and S.I Venugopalan, " Power Distribution System Equipment Overvoltage
6Protection", IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. 30, pp. 1290-1297, Sept./Oct. 1994
7[B4] ANSI/IEEE Standard C62.22-1997, IEEE Guide for the Application of Metal -Oxide Surge
8Arresters for Alternating Current Systems
9[B5] Transient Voltage Suppression Devices Data Book .1992 Edition by Harris Semiconductor
10Corporation
11[B6] ANSI/IEEE Standard C37.20.1- 1987, IEEE Standard for Metal - Enclosed Low - Voltage
12Power Circuit-Breaker Switchgear.
13[B7] ANSI/IEEE Standard C37.14 - 1999, IEEE Standard for Low-Voltage DC Power Circuit
14Breakers Used in Enclosures
15[B8] NEMA Standard, Publication No. RI9-1968 (1978), Silicon Rectifier Units for Transportation
16Power Supplies.
17[B9] Tseng WU Liao and Thomas H. Lee “Surge Suppressors for the Protection of Solid-State
18Devices," IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. IGA-2, pp.44-52, Jan. /Feb. 1966
19[B10] Luke Yu, “ Quick Evaluation of Voltage Surge in Electrical Power Systems,” IEEE Trans.
20Ind. Appl., vol 31, pp. 379-383 Mar./Apr. 1995
21[B11] ANSI/IEEE Standard C62.33-1982, IEEE Standard Test Specifications for Varistor Surge-
22Protective Devices
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24Junction Semiconductor Surge Protective devices.
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26Quality” Chapter 4, McGraw-Hill Edition.
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28Devices: High-Low versus Low-High", IEEE Trans. Ind. App. vol. 29, pp. 680-687, July/Aug. 1993
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32Suppressors” IEEE Trans. Ind. App. vol. 36, pp. 1734-1740, Nov/Dec. 2000

1August 28, 2009 IEEE P1627/D1.3
1[B17] Paul G. Shade, “Vacuum Interrupters: The New Technology for Switching and Protection
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8932, 1985.
9[B20] Transmission Line Reference Book, 345 kV and Above, Second Edition, Electric Power
10Research Institute, pp .545-552.
11[B21] Dev Paul, “Light Rail Transit DC Traction Power System Surge Overvoltage Protection”
12IEEE Trans. Industry Application, Vol. 38, pp 21- 28, Jan. /Feb. 2002
13[B22] IEEE Draft Standard P1626, “Standard for DC Overhead Contact System Insulation
14Requirements for Transit Systems”.
15[B23] NFPA 780 “Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems”
16[B24] IEC 62305, “Protection against Lightning”, 2006-01

17
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19Std C.62.41 – 1991, pp 34.
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24System”, IEEE I&CPS Conference 2005, pp.160-169


P1627D4.1-Draft Standard For DC Electrification Overhead Contact Systems (Rev)

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P1627D4.1-Draft Standard For DC Electrification Overhead Contact Systems (Rev)

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1August 28, 2009 IEEE

1DraftStandard for Grounding Practices for

5Prepared by Working Group 17 of the Overhead Contact System Subcommittee

8Copyright © 2008 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

22IEEE Standards Activities Department

2Surge arrester, Lightning, Overvoltage, Switching surges.

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

24  Selection of appropriately rated dc surge protection (lightning arrester) devices to protect

26  Grounding of surge arresters by individually dedicated shortest possible grounding

18 d) Do we need to apply surge arresters at the connection points of underground dc

22 e) Should there be shield/ground wire above the messenger to enhance lightning

24Responses to the above questions are discussed in this standard.

25IEEE P1627 “Standard for Transient Overvoltage Protection of dc Electrification Overhead

29Origin and Development of IEEE P1627

16 Dev Paul, Chair

17 Ramesh Dhingra, Vice Chair

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

5 1.3 Format of Standard.................................................................................................. 1

73. Definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms.............................................................................2

9 3.2 Abbreviations and Acronyms....................................................................................4

104. Transient Surges................................................................................................................... 4

11 4.1 Lightning and Switching Surges...............................................................................5

12 4.2 Surge Characteristics - Propagation.........................................................................6

13 4.3 Magnetic Stored Energy of Surge............................................................................7

145. Surge Environment – DC Electrification System..................................................................8

15 5.1 DC Surge Protection Device Requirements.............................................................8

166. Lightning Stroke Terminology.............................................................................................. 17

17 6.1 Lightning Intensity Estimation................................................................................18

187. Lightning Stroke to OCS system......................................................................................... 23

19 7.1 Underground Supplementary Cable Connections to OCS.....................................24

21 8.1 OCS Pole Grounding.............................................................................................. 27

229. DC Surge Arresters............................................................................................................ 28

24 9.2 Surge arrester Rating............................................................................................. 30

2510. DC Surge Arrester Service Requirements..........................................................................31

2611. DC Surge Arrester Testing................................................................................................... 31

27 11.1 Design Tests........................................................................................................... 31

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

1 11.2 In Service (Field) Tests........................................................................................... 32

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

1DraftStandard for DC Electrification Overhead

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

20National Electrical Code (NEC)

21Canadian Electrical Code (CEC)

22British Standard BSN EN 50124-1:2001 Railway Applications – Insulation coordination

323. Definitions, abbreviations, and acronyms

363.1.1 Clearance: Shortest distance in air between two conductive materials.

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

163.1.9 Rated Voltage: Value of voltage assigned to a component, device or equipment.

293.1.14 Surge Arrester: See Surge arrester.

383.1.18 Lightning stroke: Same as lightning flash.

393.1.19 Lightning strike: Same as lightning flash.

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

13.1.20 Lightning Intensity: Number of lightning strikes/per square meter/year in an area is

33.1.21 Temporary Overvoltage (ETOV): The maximum root-mean-square (rms) temporary

12Abbreviations and Acronyms

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

14. Transient Surges

13Lightning and Switching Surges

275. Causes of Lightning Surges

2 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved.

106. Causes of Switching Surges in the DC traction power system

3 W=0.5 4.4.20.545+1.44.40.50.5*1000 =1589.5 Joules