IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 10.No.
3, July 1995
Insulation Co-ordination Aspects for Power Stations
with Generator Circuit-Breakers
M. Sanders G. Koppl, Member, IEEE
ABB HV Technologies Ltd. KOEPPL POWER EXPERTS
Zurich, Switzerland Lupfig, Switzerland
Absfract - The generator circuit-breaker (gen.c.b.) located
between the generator a n d the step-up transformer, is now
being applied world-wide. I t has become a recognized
electrical component of power stations which is largely due
to economical advantages and increased power station
availability.
Technical protection considerations for power stations have
always been the reason for discussion and the object of
improvement. With the use of a gen.c.b., some points of
view need to be considered anew. Not only the protection
system in case of fault conditions will be influenced, but
also the insulation co-ordination philosophy .
Below the results of some calculations concerning expected
overvoltages a r e presented. These calculations are based on
a transformer rated 264/15.5kV, 22OMVA. But the results
a r e transferable to other power plants.
Some measurements carried out on a transformer of the
same rating complement the calculations.
O u r findings may contribute to an improvement in
insulation co-ordination and protection of the electrical
system generator - step-up transformer.
1. INTRODUCTION
Insulation co-ordination in high voltage networks has
been discussed in some detail in ANSI as well as in IEC
Standards [ l , 2, 3, 41. Some of these recommendations
may be used as a basis for judging the insulation co-
ordination in power stations with generator circuit-
breakers (gen.c.b.) between the generator and the
transformer. There are also some publications dealing
with technical questions of protection against
overvoltages in power stations [5, 6 , 71.
94 SM 4L6-5 PWRD A paper recommended and approved
by t h e IEEE Transmission and D i s t r i b u t i o n Committee
of t'ne IEEE Power Engineering S o c i e t y f o r p r e s e n t a t -
i o n a t t h e IEEE/PES 1994 Summer Meeting, San
Francisco, CA, J u l y 24 - 28, 1994. Manuscript sub-
mitted October 5 , 1993; made a v a i l a b l e f o r p r i n t i n g
May 17, 1994.
0885-8977/95/$04.00 0 1994 IEEE
1385
J. Kreuzer
Consultant, Transformer Division
ABB Secheron Ltd., Geneva, Switzerland
The following considerations are being presented in
this paper:
a) temporary overvoltages and power frequency
voltage changes
b) switching overvoltages
c) lightning overvoltages transferred to the generator
side.
In general, lightning arresters and a high-voltage
circuit-breaker are connected to the high-voltage side at
or close to the transformer terminals. However, the
protection of the low-voltage side of the transformer and
the generator is not always adequately ensured, so that
further measures are required. Some calculations are
intended to serve as a help in making decisions, as far as
insulation co-ordination in a power station is concerned.
2.STANDARDE E E C37.0 13-89 FOR GENERATOR CIRCUIT-
BREAKERS [8]
The initial installation of generator switchgear in
nuclear power stations has presented some problems in
relation to national standards. The authorities responsible
for security in nuclear installations demanded that
equipment be fully tested in relation to standards which
were either not yet in force for gen.c.b.s or only partially
relevant to them. In the USA the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission favoured the application of generator
circuit-breakers as a means of ensuring enhanced security
on the one hand, but on the other hand this organisation
impeded the import of electrical equipment without an
USA-approval certificate.
Therefore, a working group of the IEEE was
established in the early 1970's in order to develop a
standard for generator circuit-breakers, including
recommendations for the type tests based on actual plant
requirements.
This work was supported by the results of
measurements and studies regarding transient recovery
voltages of gen.c.b.s, published in [9, lo], and has now
been completed with the issue of an additional
application guide which matches the standard C37.0 13
first published in 1989.
Below, the withstand voltages to ground and across
the contacts for a gen.c.b. according to this standard are
given:
1386
Circ. -break. Power frequ. Impulse withst.
rated max.volt. 60Hz, lmin. 1.2150psec
kV, rms Dry, kV, rms kV, crest
15.8 and below 50 110
15.9 to 27.5 60 125
27.6 to 38 80 150
The power-frequency type test is intended to cover the
performance at operating voltage, at temporary over-
voltages and at switching overvoltages.
In addition to this, the gen.c.b. in open position must
withstand 1.5 times the phase-opposition voltage at a
breaker-pressure of 1 bar i.e. 1.5~2Uror 3.67p.u. with
1p.u. = 0.817Ur, equal to the crest value of the phase
voltage, and Ur = rated line-to-line voltage.
The rated max. voltage of the gen.c.b. is equal to the
max. voltage of the generator in the power station. Sofar,
generators have had max. voltages up to 27.5kV. Based
on this voltage a dielectric withstand voltage to ground
and across the contacts of the gen.c.b. of 3.8p.u. (power
frequency) or 5.6p.u. for lightning overvoltages is to be
proved. With lower generator voltages these p.u. values
are higher.
The gen.c.b. shall be tested under conditions of
"current interrupting", like terminal short circuit-current,
out-of-phase current and excitation current at the
corresponding recovery voltage. According to [SI the
max. switching overvoltage imposed on the generator and
transformer and resulting from a fault current
interruption is <2.25p.u. or <50.5kV (based on 27.5kV).
The interruption of the no-load transformer current
where Overvoltages >2.25p.u. may originate is a typical
no-fault switchmg duty.
The ratio between the Switching Impulse Insulation
Withstand (BSL) and the Basic Impulse Insulation
Withstand (BIL) could be assumed to be >0.70 i.e. the
switching impulse withstand voltage of a generator or
transformer is >0.70x125kVcrest X37.5kVcrest or 3.9p.u.
based on the max. generator voltage of 27.5kV.
The power frequency type test for a generator is to be
carried out with a withstand voltage equal to (2Ur+l)kV
or (2x27.5+1)=56kV or 3.5p.u., (see ANSI C50.1-65),
which is considerably higher than the max. switching
impulse due to current interruption.
3. SYSTEM DATAUSED FOR SIMULATIONS.
Fig. 1 shows the single line diagram of the system
modelled. The simulations have been carried out by
means of the EMTP [ 111.
The system consists of a typical power station
arrangement comprising a 228MVA synchronous
generator 15.5kV, 50Hz, a generator circuit-breaker
equipped with capacitors to ground of 125nF, a 220MVA
High-Voltage c.b.
HI
Arrester
Transformer
A Step-up transformer
264155kV,220MVA
Xt=12.2%
I[--/ Arrester
Gen.c.b.
Generator @15.5kV
Xd=14.1%
p
(E)
Fig. 1. Single line diagram ofthe system modelled.
two-winding transformer 264/15.5kV, YNd5, surge
arresters at the H.V. terminals and optionally at the
15.5kV terminals of the transformer. Phase-to-ground
P.T.s were modelled at the transformer terminals, and a
H.V. system 264kV was supposed to provide a short-
circuit current of 26kA three-phase, 2 1kA single-phase.
The system data are given in the Annex in detail.
For stuck-pole simulations the type 59 generator
model of EMTP was used; for all other calculations a
simple source model for the generator with R, L, C
representation was considered to be adequate.
Due to the broad scope of different types and
frequencies of overvoltages different transformer models
have been chosen in accordance with CIGRE guidelines
[15]. A 3-phase representation comprising a YNd-
connection, the correct vector group (YNdS), the turn
ratio and the power frequency values of short-circuit
reactance and series winding resistance were common to
all models. Since mainly 3-legged transformers are used
as step-up transformers, the zero-sequence reactance of
-
the arrangement core air gap - tank seen from the HV
side and arranged parallel to the delta winding was also
taken into account by using in all cases the "three phase"
extension of the "EMTP Saturable Transformer
Component". Core saturation was considered for all
stationary and switching overvoltages (single phase fault,
ferroresonance, interruption of magnetizing current)
basing on manufacturer voltage-current data (rms) which
were transformed to flux-current values by means of the
EMTP support routine "Convert".
 1387

4.POWERFREQUENCY
VOLTAGE
CHANGES
Voltage fluctuations of a relatively long duration or of
power frequency can be transferred to the low-voltage
side of the transformer either as a result of switching
operations, or due to a dielectric breakdown on the high-
voltage side. They might also be a result of non-linearity
oscillations such as ferro-resonance. Power frequency
voltage fluctuations across the open generator circuit-
breaker which result from non-synchronism must be
covered by the power frequency withstand voltage test.
4.1 Single phase-to-ground faults, steady state.
The above mentioned conditions lead to 43p.u. phase-to-
ground voltages in the unfaulted phases. Combined with
load rejection power frequency overvoltages of
(l.lt1.4)43p.u. to ground might be generated. [12]
4.2 Overvoltages as a consequence of a mechanical
failure in the operating mechanism .
During closing or opening of a circuit-breaker one pole
of the three phases might fail, i.e. one pole does not open
or does not close (stuck pole),
For an operating system common to the 3 poles of a
gen.c.b. a malfunction of one pole is a very unlikely
failure. However, such an event cannot be completely
excluded and would not be signalled by the auxiliary
switch.
Fig. 2 shows the simulation results of a load rejection
at 100% load (a low probability contingency) combined
with a stuck pole in phase A. After having reached
approximate phase-opposition conditions, which would
take about OSsec, the max. phase-to-ground voltage at
the transformer terminals would reach 2.9p.u. (1.2 + 43),
see also phasor diagram Fig. 3, and at phase opposition
the maximum voltage across the open breaker contacts
would amount to 3.8p.u. (43(1.2 + 1.0)). These are
extreme values which in practice are reduced by the
voltage control of the generator and will take far more
time to develop if the breaker is opened at no-load
conditions.

9-
-I L-G VOLT. GEN.

P
5
0 0.00
"

0.00

Gl

ARRESTER CURR.
m
m
4

zip
-h

"
0.; 140.0b bo.ob *;o.ob ito.ob 2bo.ob *i&
1388
_------
__----.
,/-
.*- --..
'.
I A protection which detects a stuck pole and trips the
,: Ub-b
"\,. I .Y
.%' voltaic
voltage across contacts
G-Generator
T-Transformer
Fig. 3 Phasor diagram: stuck pole close to phase opposition
Surge arresters at the transformer or generator
terminals will not carry significant currents at those
voltage levels (see Fig. 2) and, therefore, they will
neither have any influence nor be stressed in this case.
There is still a substantial safety margin, since the power
frequency withstand voltage to ground of the relevant
equipment is at least 3.5p.u. for a maximum operating
voltage of 27.5kV.
A critical situation can arise if a further contingency
is added, i.e. if a fault to ground occurs in one of the two
phases, where the breaker has interrupted the load
current. If there is a fault on the generator side of the
gen.c.b. the voltage to ground at the transformer side of
the gen.c.b. rises to 3.7p.u. If a phase at the transformer
side of the gen.c.b. is grounded, the voltage at the
generator side of the gen.c.b. will reach a similar level.
Transient overvoltages may be considerably higher (up to
5.6p.u.) provided the fault occurs at the most
unfavourable instant. Surge arresters will be thermally
overloaded and, therefore, be destroyed under such
conditions. Anyhow, they would at least limit
overvoltages for generator and transformer.
Obviously, such a situation includes a certain amount
of risk of damage and must, therefore, be avoided. The
simplest and most efficient means is to open the H.V. c.b.
in case of a stuck pole of gen. c.b. Analysis has shown
that there are two criteria necessary and adequate for
detecting a stuck pole (without or with additional fault-
to-ground):
- there is always a voltage rise in the open delta winding
of the P.T.s on the step-up transformer side of the gen.
c.b. (see Fig. 2), without or with additional fault-to-
ground.
- this voltage rise appears within a certain period after
changing of breaker position, e.g. from 0 to about 20s
after closing or opening of gen.c.b. If it appears later
than about 20s after changing of breaker position then
it indicates a normal fault-to-ground at the L.V. side of
the transformer which must not result in immediate
tripping of the H.V. c.b.
H.V. c.b. could consist of a voltage relay connected to the
open delta at the transformer-side P.T.s and a time relay
wired in series to it, released by a change of the position
of the gen.c.b. auxiliary switch and set to 20s. Such a
protection is feasible at low cost with existing
equipment.
Section 2 shows clearly that the test-voltages of the
gen.c.b. cover the maximum overvoltages to be expected
at a stuck pole at any rate.
4.3 Ferroresonance
The phenomenon of "ferroresonance" or "relaxation
oscillations" is widely discussed in the relevant literature
[13, 141. These oscillations are characterized by the
discharge of capacitances to ground via saturable P.T.
inductances causing periolc displacement of the system
neutral potential. A 3-phase system with an ungrounded
neutral is a prerequisite and following additional
conditions are to be fulfilled:
- inductive P.T.s, single phase-to-ground
- sytem capacitance to ground within certain limits
- luck-on event; normally a switching operation (trans-
former inrush, fault clearing causing asymmetry in the
system).
In order to remain stationary the oscillation of the
neutral potential needs a periodic excitation by the 3-
phase system; in consequence, it will exhibit a harmonic
or subharmonic frequency.
The following multiples of power frequency f are of
importance:
- 3 times f: capacitance to ground very small, phase-to-
ground voltages very high (3.5p.u.), easy to attenuate,
rare
- 2 times f: capacitance to ground small, phase-to-ground
voltages 2 + 3p.u., sometimes beat of oscillations, rare
- 1 time f: overvoltages appear in only 2 phases (1.3 +
3.5p.u.), therefore often mixed up with fault-to-
ground, relatively frequent
- 0.5 times f, (second subharmonic): 1 + 1.7p.u.; with
beat, in all phases, most frequent
- 0.33 times f, 0.25 times f, (third, fourth subharmonic):
very rare, not stable
For the second subharmonic oscillations, which are
found frequently, overvoltages are modest and do not
jeopardize the system; the problem is that the saturation
currents may overheat and destroy the P.T.s which could
result in short-circuits.
According to the conditions mentioned above
relaxation oscillations can only occur when the gen.c.b.
is open (generator neutral grounded via resistor).
 1389

inductance, winding resistances, saturation charac-

X OPEN DELTA VOLT. p.’r.
teristics, coupling capacitances between H.V. and L.V.
windings and capacitances to ground according to the
recommendations given in [ 151. Fault initiation takes
0.00 place at the peak of phase-to-ground voltage. The
parameter was capacitance to ground at the low voltage
side i.e. existence and value of a surge capacitance.
OPEN DELTA VOLT. P.T. The results are shown in the following table.
b)

0
-
,Jfe,OfsE&,dt
80.00
1 . . I ,
200.00
, ,
240.00
, r
200.00
a ,
320.00
,
360.00
TABLE I

Overvoltages to ground in P.U. on the delta-winding of the transformer as

a consequence of a single phase short-circuit in the phase “A” of the high-
Fig. 4 Ferroresonance with P.T.s: voltage network.
a) without, b) with damping resistor in open delta winding at fault steady after current
inception state interruption
Fig. 4a shows the simulation results of a transformer surgecap. no yes no yes no yes
energization from the H.V. side and generated relaxation UA-G 1.4 1.0 1.3 0.7 1.4 1.2
oscillations. The second subharmonic is clearly visible in UB-G 1.0 1.0 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.0
the open delta voltage of the P.T.s. If an appropriate UC-G 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.6 1.8 1.2
damping resistor is inserted in the open delta the
oscillations disappear very quickly (Fig. 4b). We can, therefore draw the conclusion, that single
The following factors are important for avoiding phase-to-ground faults at the HV-side have only a minor
relaxation oscillations: influence on the voltage displacement at the LV-side and
selection of P.T.s with a high voltage factor (>1.9) that surge capacitors equalize and reduce transient and
ample VA rating of P.T.s and delta winding steady-state voltages. A larger surge capacitance (250nF)
damping resistor in open delta corresponding to VA did show only negligible improvements.
rating;
if not sufficient, time-controlled resistor (>VA rating of 5.2 Overvoltages due to single phase-to-ground faults
delta winding), or special P.T. designs . at the L.V.-side of the step-up transformer
Due to the high neutral-to-ground impedance the fault
4.4 Dielectric breakdown between H.V. and L.V. current is at any rate very small irrespective of the fact
windings of the transformer that the gen.c.b. is closed or open (resistive if the
A dielectric breakdown through the transformer with generator neutral is grounded via a resistor and gen.c.b.
partial transfer of the high voltage to the low voltage side closed, capacitive at open gen.c.b.). The natural
can be regarded as another low probability event. Surge frequency of the voltage oscillation in the unfaulted
arresters are likely to be destroyed in such an event, but phases is rather high. It is determined by subtransient
would keep away overvoltages from the generator in and short-circuit inductance and the small capacitances
combination with rapid tripping of the H.V. c.b and the to ground. As far as our calculations are concerned
gen.c.b., thus limiting further damages. 8.lkHz were reached at gen.c.b. closed and 10.3kHz at
gen.c.b. open, even with capacitors of 250nF at every side
5. SWITCHING
OVERVOLTAGES of the gen.c.b.. Over-voltages are modest and quickly
damped out, see following table.
5.1 Overvoltages due to single line-to-ground faults
in the H.V. system TABLE 11
A single line-to-ground fault in the H.V. system and ~ ~~~

its clearing causes displacement of the voltages at the Transient overvoltages to ground in p.u. on the delta-winding of the step-
delta windings of the step-up transformer. However, up transformer at a single phase-to-groundfault in phase k
these effects are rather weak, which is shown by the
following results. Since the influence on the low voltage gen.c.b. closed gen.c.b. open
side is more pronounced if the gen.c.b. is open (due to a UB-G 2.2 2.0
small capacitive coupling of the delta winding of the UC-G 2.2 2.0
transformer to ground) only this case was analyzed. The
transformer was modelled three-phase by short-circuit
1390
-
I ime Ge!2y td
Fig. J Inherent recovery voltage after short-circuit interruption
5.3 Fault current interruption with the gen.c.b.
The inherent recovery-voltage is shown in Fig. 5
(see "Application Guide" of Standard C37.013-93). After
a short-circuit interruption the recovery-voltage appears
across the contacts of the first phase-to-clear with a rate-
of-rise of
s = 1.5. (1/ 0.85)-2.& - lod U, *J2/3[kV/psec]
with y = 1.5 = amplitude factor of the inherent TFtV and
fo = natural frequency of the network. The maximum
voltage is
Ez = 1 . 5 - 1 . 5 - U r - m =1.84Ur ~ 2 . 2 5 p . u .
with lp.u.= U, = O.816Ur
Ur = maximum line-to-line voltage of the generator.
The voltage E2 appears also at the generator, transformer
terminals respectively in case of clearing a 3-phase fault-
to-ground.
5.4 Interruption of the transformer magnetizing
current
Due to instabilities of the arc between the breaker
contacts premature current zeros at high frequencies
occur frequently when switching small inductive
currents, leading to "current chopping". The "chopped"
current flowing in the no-load inductance can only
charge the transformer capacitances. This results in
voltage oscillations of high amplitudes, occasionnally.
The tendency to chop a current also depends on the
breaker-type, but various tests have shown, that the
maximum overvoltages to be expected are C3.5pu [16].
Arresters on either side of the transformer would
reduce these overvoltages to less than 3p.u. The energies
to be absorbed by the arresters are extremely small.
Therefore, switching a transformer at no-load by means
of a gen.c.b. is uncritical if arresters are connected to
either side of the transformer.
6. ATMOSPHERIC
OVERVOLTAGES AND SURGE TRANSFER
Since the analyses for power frequency and switching
overvoltages are based on proven models, the accuracy of
calculations rarely comes up for discussion. However, the
situation is different for atmospheric overvoltages with
steep fronts hitting a step-up transformer and being
transferred to the generator side. The practical
consequence of this is that the dimensioning of
corresponding counter-measures as surge capacitors and
arresters is carried out on the safe side (which is always
recommendable).
Obviously, the transformer is the crucial component.
There is some literature on how to model a transformer
for this problem [15, 171 indicating that coupling
capacitances and frequency dependent damping must be
correctly represented, but being of little help as far as the
choice of values is concerned.
Below, a rather simple approach is described. It
resulted in satisfactory conformity between measurements
and simulations for a typical 220MVA two-winding step-
up transformer. The basis for this approach were
measurements of the transformer (data see Annex) at
various conditions and with various shapes of impulse
voltages. The transformer neutral was ungrounded and
the H.V. terminals A and B were grounded via resistors
of 500Q each representing the surge impedance of a
transmission line. The impulse voltage, stemming from a
low-voltage impulse generator of 400V was applied to the
H.V. terminal C of the transformer. The chosen impulse
voltage shapes were full wave 1/50ps, chopped wave
(1/50ps, 18ps) and wave 65/520ps.
Fig. 6a and 6b show as an example the voltage
responses at the L.V.-side of the transformer (without,
respectively with surge capacitor), if a full-wave is
applied at a H.V. terminal.
The same conditions (voltage shapes applied on H.V.
terminal C, 500R resistors at the H.V. terminals A and
B, etc.) have been chosen for the simulation model. The
transformer was modelled according to Fig. 7, i.e. correct
winding ratio, vector group, total short-circuit
inductance, partitioned equally between the H.V. - and the
L.V.-side. The frequency dependence of short-circuit
inductance and damping has been taken into account by
subdividing the short-circuit inductance on both voltage
sides (La/Lb = 20/80) and inserting a parallel resistance
to each inductance. Such a circuit with k elements has
been shown in [ l j ] , without giving any proposal
regarding the choice of values of inductances or
resistances, however. In [ 181 there are time constants
 ~

1391

I I 1 I
low-voltage ride high-voltage ride
B -
-

Fig. 7 Transformer model for surge transfer simulations

(only one phase shown, without external connections)

The surge capacitance of 2 times 125nF decreases the

C natural frequency of the transformer at the L.V.-side
Fig. 6 Measured voltage responses at L.V.-side of step-up transformer at
full wave applied to H.V. terminal C
a) without, b) with surge capacitor
given for transformers of various ratings and
corresponding preliminary values for these resistances
have been chosen. By adjusting the resistances and
simulation results to the test results satisfactory
conformity was found, if
Ra = 7 * o 5 0 ~ z * L aand
Rb 2000 . o5OJ-j~* Lb.
Fig. 8a shows simulation results corresponding to
measurements of Fig. 6. The numerical results of the
simulations and the test-results, i.e. the crest values of
the transferred surges as a percentage of the applied
voltage, are given below.
from 60kHz (without capacitance) to I7kHz, mitigating
the voltage rise. With regard to the voltage peak values to
ground there is also a difference of about 20% (100%
versus 82% with surge cap.).
It should be noted that at a full wave crest of 1050kV
(BIL) at the H.V. terminal of the step-up transformer,
with gen.c.b. in open position and without surge
capacitor, 63kV to ground would appear, i.e. 5.0.p.u.
w h c h is clearly below the withstand voltage of llOkV
crest (8.7p.u. at max. operating voltage of 15.5kV).
However, a surge capacitance of 2125nF will prevent
voltage spikes with steep fronts at the transformer L.V.-
side and lower the natural frequency of the transformer
considerably.
ON
L-6 VOLT. [LVI

T-LE I11

ulv/Uhv, in %, surge wave 1.2/5Ops

surge cap. no Yes

sim./measur. sim./measur.
ua-G - 1 3.4 0.3 I 0.5
Ub-G -1 6.0 4.91 4.5
uc-G -
- 1 5.4 - 4.8 I - 4.8
This transformer model for surge transfer calculations
seems to reproduce voltage responses adequately correct Fig. 8 Calculated voltage responses corresponding to Fig. 6b
with respect to insulation co-ordination purposes. a) without, b) with surge arrester at L.V.-side
1392
It is common practice to install surge arresters at the
H.V. terminals of a transformer which is exposed to
atmospheric overvoltages. According to IEC recom-
mendations [4] the protective level should be at least
BIL/1.2 which would increase the safety margin for the
L.V.-side, too.
In our opinion, arresters at the low voltage side - in
-
addition to the surge capacitors are not an absolute
necessity. Since their maximum continuous operating
voltage (MCOV) related to the nominal voltage is higher
(system with insulated neutral) than that of the H.V.-side
arresters, their protective effect is weaker.
The influence of arresters at the L.V.-side is shown in
Fig. 8b (otherwise same conditions as for Fig. 8a). The
overvoltage is reduced to about 80%.
If arresters - in addition to the surge capacitors - are
installed, their location is of minor importance. As
calculations have shown a distance of even 20m from the
transformer to the arrester does not lower the
effectiveness of the arrester. Obviously, this is due to the
rather low frequencies originated at the transformer LV-
side.
7. CONCLUSIONS
In this paper insulation co-ordination aspects for a
power station with gen.c.b.s have been considered.
By means of a typical power station configuration
with gen.c.b. the full scale of overvoltages (from power
frequency to atmospheric) has been analyzed.
The analysis consists of computer simulations and
measurements.
As far as power frequency overvoltages are concerned
the situation is the same without and with gen.c.b. for
single phase faults to ground; the gen.c.b., however,
allows selective protection in case of a fault.
Ferroresonance overvoltages occurring when the step-
up transformer is energized from the HV-side can easily
be avoided by appropriate damping resistors in the delta
windings of the P.T.s.
The consequences of faults of an extremely low
probability as breakdown through the step-up transformer
may be mitigated by the gen.c.b..
Another low probability occurrence, i.e. a mechanical
failure in the gen.c.b., leading to a stuck pole condition
will result in high power frequency overvoltages if there
is no adequate protection system. The criteria for such
protection are given; the realization is feasible at low cost
with existing equipment.
Switching overvoltages transferred from the HV-side
to the LV-side of the step-up transformer are modest.
Transients from a single phase to ground fault at the
LV-side rarely exceed 2.3p.u. and their frequency is
lowered by the surge capacitance .
TRVs due to fault current interruption are amply
covered by the corresponding standards.
Overvoltages at i n t e m p t i o n of magnetizing currents
("current-chopping") are a special case and specific to
gen.c.b. design. Experience shows that the maximum
overvoltages to be expected are <3.5p.u. Arresters at
either side of the step-up transformer will further reduce
these values.
The transfer of atmospheric overvoltages through the
step-up transformer was measured and a simulation
scheme was developed based on these measurements
showing suffkient accuracy. It seems to the authors that
the transformer model developed could also be applied to
surge transfer calculations for other step-up transformers
of similar rating. Those measurements and calculations
confirmed that a surge capacitor at the LV-side of the
step-up transformer is highly recommendable, even if the
overvoltages to ground without surge capacitor are below
the withstand voltage of the breaker. With a surge
capacitor of 2125nF the steepness of the voltage surges is
significantly reduced.
If arresters are installed at the H.V. side (usual case)
arresters at the L.V. side do not additionally improve
the situation and may, therefore, be omitted.
The statements deduced from the analysis of a
typical step-up transformer are applicable to the
conditions in other power stations under the assumption
that with increasing voltage level at the HV-side also
the generator operating voltage correspondingly grows.
8. LITERATURE
ANSI C62.2-81: Guide for the Application of Valve
Type Surge Arresters for A.C. Systems
ANSI C92.1-1984: IEEE Standard for Surge
Arresters for AC Power Circuits
ANSI C92.1-1982: American National Standard
Voltage Values for Preferred Transient Insulation
Levels
IEC-Standard 7 1-2, 1976 Insulation Co-ordination,
Part 2, Application Guide
Surge Transfer through Transformer-Generator
Units, C.H. Hickling Proc. LEE Vol 116, No. 5 , May
1969
E.P. Dick, B.K. Gupta: Review of Generator Surge
Protection Including Generator Breakers. IEEE
1987, WM 216-5
E.P. Dick, B.K. Gupta: Practical Design of
Generator Surge Protection IEEE Vol 6, No. 2,
April 1991
ANSIAEEE Standard C37.013-1993 with
Application Guide. Standard for AC High-Voltage
 1393
Generator Circuit-Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Rated power 220MVA
Current Basis Connection YNd5
Electra No. 113, July 1987, pp. 43-50, "Generator Short-circuit reactance at rated voltage 12.30%
Circuit-Breaker. Transient Recovery Voltage in Tap changer, voltage change -5%/+5%
most Severe Short-circuit Conditions" X/Rratio 60
Electra No. 126, October 1989, pp. 555-63, BIL: Hv lO5DkVcrest
"Generator Circuit-Breaker. Transient Recovery LV 12SkVcrest
Voltages under Load Current and Out-of-Phase Power frequency, 50Hz, lmin 460kV
Conditions" no-load current at 0.92Ur 0.20%
Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) 1.OOUr 0.34%
Rule Book, Bonneville Power Administration 1.06Ur 0.52%
Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters in AC Systems - Transformer capacitances:
CIGRE Brochure 60, April 1991 C1, low-voltage side to ground 8600pF
J.D. McCrumm: An Experimental Investigation of C2, high-voltage side to ground 2080pF
Subharmonic Currents, AIEE Transactions, 1942 c12, LV-Hv, 2870pF
Vol. 60, pp. 533-540 Losses, 3 phase, no-load 177kW
N. Germay et al.: Review of ferroresonance - Voltage transformer, 15.5kV
phenomena in h.v. power systems and presentation Type Pfiffner, VD2411 voltage factor 1.9130sec
of a voltage transformer model for predetermining 15.75kVl43; 0.1143; 0.1143; 0.113
them 130VA; 30VA; 1OOVA; 200VA, 8h
CIGRE 1974; Report 33-18 - System source short- circuit current on
Guidelines for Representation of Network Elements high-voltage side of transformer,3 ph. 26kA .
when Calculating Transients, by Working Group - Arrester, 15,5kV-side
33.02 (Internal Overvoltages), Type ABB MWA18,
CIGRE Brochure 1990 uc 18kV
M. Erche: Switching surges, Up (10kA) 52kVcrest
Book: Surges in High-Voltage Networks, edited by - Arrester 22OkV-side:
Klaus Ragaller, Plenum Press, New York 1980 Type: ABB MWL224
P. Glaninger: Das 'Schwingungsverhalten eines ein- uc 224kV
fachen Transformator-Ersatzschaltbildes Up (1OkA) 678kVcrest
ETZ-Archiv Bd. 5 , 1983 H. 11, S. 369-375 - Surge capacitor:
CIGRE Working Group 13.05: The Calculation of calculations based on values of: 125...250nF
Switching Surges
ELECTRA, NO. 32, pp. 17-42, 1974

9. ANNEX.

-
Data of generator, step-up transformer, voltage-trans-
former, high-voltage network and arresters used for the
analysis
- Power frequency 50Hz
- Generator data:
Rated power 228MVA
Rated voltage 15.5kV
BIL 125 kVcrest
Subtransient direct axis (xd") 0.141p.u.
Capacitance of armature winding to
ground all phases together 1 1.35pF
Generator grounding:
high resistance grounding (632.50, 16AIlOsec)
Inertia constant (H) 7.4sec

- Step-up transformer (rated values):

Rated voltage 264115.5kV