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Surge arrester 3EP6

Operating manual

Order-No: 928 00166 176

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
All rights reserved.
Siemens AG 03/2012

Contents
Technical data

Description

Transportation and storage

Screwed joints

Installation ______________________________________________________________________7
Maintenance ____________________________________________________________________13
Exploded view __________________________________________________________________14
Disposal of arrester and arrester accessories ________________________________________16
The manufacturer of this surge arrester
Siemens AG
Energy Sector Power Transmission
High Voltage
has introduced and applies a quality system in accordance with
DIN ISO 9001 / EN 29 001
Quality systems: Model for quality assurance. This system was first demonstrated in 1989 to the
DQS (German Association for the Certification of Quality Systems).
The electrical testing laboratories and the materials technology laboratories of the manufacturer
have been certified since 1992 by the German Accreditation Body in accordance with DIN EN 45 001.
If you require further copies of the operating instructions, please order them from the appropriate Siemens office,
indicating the title and order number shown on the title page.
Published by:

In case of request:

Siemens AG
E T HP AR
D-13623 Berlin

Telephone switchboard
Sales department:
Fax:
e-mail:

+49 / 30 / 386 1
+49 / 30 / 386 33222
+49 / 30 / 386 26721
mailto:Arrester@Siemens.de

Subject to change.

Note
The equipment covered by these instructions should be installed and serviced only by
competent personnel familiar with good safety practices. This instruction is written for
such personnel and is not intended as a substitute for adequate training and experience
in safe procedures.
This information is intended for the correct installation of this product. Siemens has no control over the condition
of the network, which can be greatly affected by the installation of a product. It is the responsibility of the user to
chose the appropriate method of installation. Under no circumstance is Siemens liable for any direct or indirect
damage caused by the use or misuse of this product.

Siemens AG 03/2012

The 3EP6 surge arrester serves to protect the insulation of a system (or of one of its components)
from undue stresses resulting from overvoltages.

Technical data
The standard model is suitable for an installation altitude of up to 1000 m above sea-level and for a
rated frequency between 48 Hz and 62 Hz.
The arrester consists of 1 or 2 or 3 modular units.

Fig. 1.

Surge arrester 3EP6

The surge arrester meets the following standards as applicable:

Standard
VDE 0675-4

Classification
20 kA

IEC 60099-4

20 kA

IEEE Std C62.11

Station class arrester, Heavy duty

The name plate [Fig. 2.] will be found on the bottom flange (in some cases it has a special design in
accordance with customer requirements).

Siemens AG 03/2012

1
2
3
4
5

Order number
Rated voltage
Continuous voltage
Nominal discharge current
Line discharge class

Fig. 2.

Name plate

6
7
8
9

Pressure relief class

Year of manufacture
Works serial no.
Module no. of arrester and additional information

In the case of arresters consisting of more than one unit each unit will also be provided with a unit
name plate [Fig. 3.]:

1
2

Order number
Rated voltage

Fig. 3.

Unit name plate

3
4

Year of manufacture
Module no.

Description
Design
The active components of the arrester are metal oxide resistors. They are arranged in one or more
parallel columns and accommodated in a hermetically sealed porcelain housing with sheds of high
insulation resistance [Fig. 4./6].
The flanges with integrated gas diversion nozzles are made of a light metal alloy suitable for outdoor
use and are cemented with putty to the porcelain housing. An effective seal is assured for years
thanks to weather and ozone-resistant seals and non-corroding metal diaphragms.
Each module is equipped at both ends with rupturing diaphragms and gas diversion nozzles.
In the rare case of an overload, these rupturing diaphragms will already open at a pressure which is
20% of the pressure resistance of the porcelain housing. In such a case the shape of the gas diversion
nozzles causes the gas jets to be directed towards each other, thus allowing the arc to continue
burning outside the porcelain housing until the time when the line is switched out.
The arresters are, where necessary, equipped with control fittings.

Mode of operation
Metal oxide resistors are markedly non-linear - in other words, they have a strongly curved currentvoltage characteristic, which means that with the continuous voltage obtaining under normal
circumstances only the so-called leakage current of just a few milliamps will be flowing.
In the case of overvoltages due to lightning or to switching operations, the resistors become
conductive (ohm range) thereby allowing a discharge current to flow to ground and the overvoltage to
be reduced to the value of the voltage drop at the arrester (discharge voltage). Here the discharge
currents may range up to 2 kA in the case of switching surges and 1 to 20 kA in the case of lightning
surges.

Siemens AG 03/2012

4
3

5
6

1
2
3

Porcelain housing
Flange with gas diverter
Seal

Fig. 4.

Sectional view of a modular unit

4
5
6

Pressure-relief diaphragm
Compression spring
Non-linear metal-oxide resistor

Transportation and storage

Caution
The arrester components should only be transported and stored
standing vertically on the lower flange.
The modules of the surge arrester are packed in boxes or crates in the factory in accordance not only
with the stresses and climatic conditions they will encounter during shipping, but also with the
requirements of the customer.
The packaging will have the appropriate transportation and storage labelling as well as instructions on
proper handling.
The consignment should be inspected immediately after receipt for signs of damage. If damage is
found the carrier should be informed without delay. Loose parts packed with the consignment should
be checked against the dispatch note to make sure none is missing. This means that all shipping
containers will need to be opened.
If the items are to be stored for extended periods, we recommend you leave the modules and
accessories in their shipping containers.

Siemens AG 03/2012

All of the screws, terminals and supplementary equipment (tell-tale spark gap, surge counter) required
for assembly and installation are supplied in an accessory pack.

Note
To avoid damaging the insulators, do not remove the assembly and shipping protector
until assembly and installation has been completed.

1
2

Porcelain housing
Protective packing

Fig. 5.

Protective packing

Screwed joints
For mounting the arrester use only the bolts supplied.
Grease the bolt threads with Molykote Longterm 2 plus.

Attention
Unchecked tightening can result in damage or loosing of bolt
joints
Use torque wrench for assembly.
Necessary torque for screwed joints:
M 8:
M 10:
M 12:
M 16:
M 20:

18 2 Nm
35 5 Nm
60 5 Nm
90 10 Nm
105 10 Nm

13 1.5 ft lb
25 4 ft lb
43 4 ft lb
65 7 ft lb
75 7 ft lb

Siemens AG 03/2012

Installation
Important note: Note the following before installing:

Warning
Before any work starts:
switch off and isolate
secure against reclosing
verify that equipment is dead
earth and short circuit the equipment
cover or fence off nearby live parts

Death, severe injury and considerable damage to

property and environmental damage may result if
the safety instructions are not followed.

Confirm that these safety measures have been carried out.

Accessories
Standard accessories for standard model:
grading ring and struts (as applicable)
terminal with cable eye [Fig. 10.]
isolated base plate 240 240 mm with bolts M16 x 140 [Fig. 8.] [Exploded view / 11].
Possibilities for isolated installing:
base plate 310 310 mm [Fig. 9.] [Exploded view / 12].
Possibilities for the terminals:
terminal bolt [Fig. 11.]
DIN/NEMA flat terminal [Fig. 12.]
double DIN flat terminal [Fig. 13.].

Place of installation
The range of protection offered by the arresters is restricted, which is why the surge arrester should be
installed as close as possible to that part of the system being protected. The distance between
grounded or live components and adjacent arresters or their control components should be selected
on the basis of the relevant regulations.

Important
If at all possible, the expulsion aperture should not point towards any
other part of the installation, in order to prevent damage caused by hot
gases blowing out.
The arresters must be installed vertically. If they need to be installed in a non-vertical position, you
should first contact the manufacturer. If the arresters are installed non-vertically, make sure that water
can escape from the lower flanges.

Mounting the components

The individual components for mounting are shown in the drawing in [=> Exploded view].

Installing of the arrester

Attention
Danger of damage to the interior of the arrester
The arrows on the top flange of the arrester must always
point upwards.
Siemens AG 03/2012

Do not lean a ladder against the surge arrester.

The contact faces of the flanges of the arresters must be cleaned with a steel brush, if necessary.
With arresters consisting of several prorated units the units must be placed one on top of the other in
the sequence of their numbers [Fig. 6.]. The unit with the highest number is at the top.

Attention!
Danger of damage to the interior of the arrester.
The plates [Fig. 6./4] must not be removed during installation.
2

3
1
1
2
3
4

lower unit
upper unit
Rating plate for unit
Plate (2x)

Fig. 6.

Surge arrester units

Attention
Shim plates between the individual arrester units are not allowed.

Assembling begins with the fitting the outer grading ring struts [3/Exploded view], [4/Exploded view]
and the terminal plate [2/Exploded view] to the upper flange.

Fig. 7.

Lifting gear

Siemens AG 03/2012

upright installation 240 240 mm

Attention
Do not remove the insulating tube from the bolts M16 x 140.

The arrester must be placed and mounted with four bolts M16 on the support [Fig. 8.] by means of
appropriate lifting gear (crane, tackle) comprising slings and lifting lugs [Fig. 7.].
The arrester must be horizontal (check with a spirit level). If necessary use shims for adjustment.
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Nut M16
Washer 16
Support (customer site)
Washer Da = 35 Di = 17 mm t = 4 mm
Lower insulating socket
Plate
Flange
Upper insulating socket
Washer Da = 35 Di = 17 mm t = 4 mm
Screw M16 140
Arrester

Fig. 8.

Mounting 240 240 mm

Put according to the drilling plan the four washer [4/Fig. 8.] and lower insulating sockets [5/Fig. 8.] to
the holes of the support [3]. The arrester [5] must be placed and mounted with four bolts M16 140 on
the four lower insulating sockets [5] by means of appropriate lifting gear (crane, tackle) comprising
slings and lifting lugs [Fig. 7.]. The flange [7/Fig. 8.] and the upper four insulating sockets [8] and
washer can be mounted with four bolts M16 x 140 on the lower insulating sockets [4].
upright installation with basic plate 310 310 mm

Attention
Do not remove the insulating tube from the bolts M16.

The arrester [5/Fig. 9.] is preassembled to the basic plate 310 310 mm [3]. The arrester [5] must be
placed and mounted with four bolts M16 110 on the support by means of appropriate lifting gear
(crane, tackle) comprising slings and lifting lugs [Fig. 7.].

Siemens AG 03/2012

1
2
3
4
5

Support
Lower insulating socket
Basic plate
Upper insulating socket
Arrester

Fig. 9.

Basic plate 310 310 mm

suspended installation
In other respects, the arrester must be installed at site in accordance with local conditions.

Attention
It is not possible to change upright installation to suspended
installation!

Grounding
The protective effect of surge arresters will be negatively affected with increasing length of the ground
wire, since a voltage drop occurs along the ground wire during a surge event. Thus, the ground wire
should connect the ground terminal of the arrester to the substation grounding system using the
shortest and most direct path. The length of the ground wire, if possible, should not exceed 1 m for
medium voltage surge arresters and 2 m for high voltage surge arresters. Because of the low currents
in operation (mA range) or the short duration of the currents (ms range) in a surge event, we
recommend a cross section of 35 mm , but at least 16 mm for the ground wire.
Even if the arrester is monitored by devices connected in series with the ground wire, e.g. by control
spark gap 3EX6 040, surge counter 3EX5 030/050 or other control systems, the ground wire should
be as short as possible and loops should be avoided. If monitoring devices are to be installed at a
larger distance from the arrester, it is recommended to use devices with separate sensors and display
units, such as the surge monitor with sensor unit 3EX5 060 and display unit 3EX5 062. If monitoring
devices are connected to the ground wire, the conductor between the earth terminal of the monitoring
device and the grounding system of the substation must be protected against contact.
For installation of ground wire and monitoring devices the requirements of the corresponding national
or international standards are to be applied.
The scope of delivery of the arresters and monitoring devices contains no ground wire.

HV-Terminal

Attention
High-voltage connections with tube conductors should be flexible in
order to prevent exertion of any inadmissible mechanical forces on
the surge arrester.
Pay attention to the electro-chemical compatibility of the materials
utilized.

10

Siemens AG 03/2012

Terminal with cable eye:

The terminal must be mounted with a cable eye according to [Fig. 10.].

Fig. 10. Terminal with cable eye

Bolt terminal 3EX6 116 or flat terminal 3EX6 117 (DIN) / 3EX6 115 (NEMA):
If the terminal is mounted by means of a bolt terminal [Fig. 11.] [Fig.10] or a flat terminal [Fig. 12.],
[Fig. 13.], the necessary accessories are already installed by the manufacturer.

Fig. 11. Bolt terminal

Fig. 12. Flat terminal (DIN/NEMA)

Siemens AG 03/2012

11

Fig. 13. Flat terminal (double DIN)

12

Siemens AG 03/2012

Maintenance
Warning
Before any work starts:
switch off and isolate
secure against reclosing
verify that equipment is dead
earth and short circuit the equipment
cover or fence off nearby live parts

Death, severe injury and considerable damage to

property and environmental damage may result if
the safety instructions are not followed.

Confirm that these safety measures have been carried out.

Regular maintenance of the arresters is not necessary.

The only monitoring required is to:
Read the operations counter (if fitted)
Check the tell-tale spark gap (if fitted)
Check the arrester for any overloads (blackening or traces of burning at the blow-out aperture of
the flange). In such a case you will need to replace the arrester
Check the level of contamination of the porcelain. (If there is marked contamination or
contamination at one end, cleaning is recommended.)

Siemens AG 03/2012

13

Exploded view
Pos. Quantity Designation
1
4
Screw M12 70
8
Washer 12
4
Nut M12
2
0/1/3/5
Plate
3
0/4
Strut
4
0/1
Grading ring
5
0/4
Screw M10 30
0/8
Washer 10
0/4
Spring washer B10
0/4
Nut M10
6
1/2/3
Porcelain housing
7
0/4/8
Screw M12 70
0/8/16
Washer 12
0/4/8
Nut M12
8
1
Rating plate
9
0/2/3
Rating plate for unit
10a 0/1
Bolt terminal
10b 0/1
Flat terminal DIN / NEMA
11
4
Screw M16 140
8
Washer Da = 35 mm Di = 17 mm t = 4 mm
4
Insulating tube B16 1
8
Insulating socket
4
Spring washer B16
4
Nut M16
4
Washer 16
12
4
Screw M16 110
4
Washer 16
4
Insulating tube B16 1
8
Insulating socket
4
Spring washer B16
13
1
Base plate 310 310 mm
14
1
Plate
15
1
Screw M12 30
1
Spring washer B12
1
Washer 13
15a 0/1
Screw M12 30
Spring washer B12
Washer 13
16
0/1
additional accessories

14

Siemens AG 03/2012

Fig. 14. Surge arrester 3EP6

Siemens AG 03/2012

15

Disposal of arrester and arrester accessories

Surge arresters and the accessories are an environmentally compatible product. In disposal, priority
must be given to reuse of the materials. Environmentally acceptable disposal of the surge arresters
and the accessories is possible in line with current legislation.
The following materials have been used to make up the device: Steel, copper, aluminium, PTFE, cast
resin or cast-resin-impregnated fabric, glass-fibre-reinforced plastics, polyurethane, rubbers for
sealing, ceramics, electronic components and silicone rubber (VMQ), ceramics (porcelain, metal
oxide).
The device can be recycled as mixed scrap, or, if it is dismantled as far as possible, in a more
environmentally acceptable way as sorted scrap with a mixed-scrap residual portion. The arrester
resistors of metal oxide (MO) should be disposed of as industrial waste similar to domestic garbage
(not as building rubble).
In as-supplied-by-Siemens state, the device incorporates no hazardous substances in the sense of the
pertinent regulations in Germany. If the device is to be operated outside Germany, the locally
applicable laws and regulations must be followed.
Local customer support offices will be able to answer any questions concerning disposal.

16

Siemens AG 03/2012