2017 International Conference on Intelligent Computing,Instrumentation and Control Technologies (ICICICT)
Insulation Coordination Studies and Selection of
Lightning Arrester for 765kV Switchyard
Somepalli Asha, Dr. K. P. Vittal,Senior Member, IEEE.
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal
asha.somepalli@gmail.com, vittal@nitk.ac.in
Abstract—As the Power Transmission System nominal voltages
increase, the expected lightning as well as the switching over
voltages also increase. One way of handling these over voltages is
to design the insulation strength of the equipment and switchgear
to withstand the expected over voltages with sufficient safety
margin. This directly relates to higher cost of the equipment.
The other way is to reduce the expected over voltages at the
equipment of substations to a possible level. Lightning Arrester
plays a major role in reducing these over voltages to allowable
limits under surge conditions. Rating and placement of Lightning
Arresters has to be decided properly. This paper presents various
essential conditions and practices necessarily to be followed as
per standards in selection of lighting arrestors in a 765kV switch
yard. The simulation of lightning and switching transients are
carried out using PSCAD. Over voltages are mitigated and safety
of substation is ensured.
Index Terms—Extra High Voltage (EHV),Basic Insulation
Level (BIL), over voltages,Metal-Oxide Surge Arrester (MOSA).
I. I NTRODUCTION
As the generation increases in a power system, the volt-
age level needs to be increased to handle the large power
transmission. Power transmission at higher voltages has ac-
quired immense prominence in the recent times. The study
of insulation co-ordination of switchgear and equipment of
substation at EHV(Extra High Voltage) are very important,
since the selection of insulation dominates the cost and safety
of equipment and switchgear. A study has been carried out to
investigate the over voltages occuring due to switching and
lightning, which affects an Air Insulated Substation (AIS).
The main objective of this study is to estimate the withstand
capabilities or the Basic Insulation Level (BIL) of various
equipment in a switchyard and maintain them with in the limits
prescribed by standards.
Lightning produces travelling waves to other equipment
connected to transmission lines and causes over voltages in
the lines and devices connected to them [1]. Therefore it is
important to investigate lightning surges for reliable operation
of power system.
Lightning Arrester plays a major role in protecting trans-
mission lines and equipment connected to them against over
voltages caused by lightning and switching in any substation.
This is the major equipment in protecting the equipment
of substation by diverting these over voltages to ground.
Hence selection of Lightning Arrester and their location is of
978-1-5090-6106-8/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE
prime importance [2] [3]. Several published literature discuss
insulation coordination in HV, EHV switch yards, but there is
no reported work on 765kV switch yards.
This paper presents the insulation coordination studies
carried out for 765kV switchyard. Section II presents the
causes of over voltages and standard waveshapes. Modelling of
lightning arrester and surge generator is presented in section
III. Simulation studies and results obtained are furnished in
section IV. Section V concludes.
II. INSULATION COORDINATION STUDIES
Insulation coordination is selection of the dielectric strength
of equipment in relation to the voltages which can appear on
the system for which the equipment is intended and taking into
account the service environment and the characteristics of the
available protective devices [4]. Maximum stress withstood by
the equipment should be below the Basic insulation level given
in standards. Many factors are considered while designing the
insulation strength for equipment like service environment,
atmospheric conditions.
In a power system over voltages can occur due to atmo-
spheric disturbances i.e., external over voltages or due to
changes in operating conditions of the system i.e., internal
over voltages. Most common and the most severe of external
disturbances is the Lightning. Switching and Temporary Over
voltages are internal over voltages.
The typical bay considered in the paper is shown in Fig. 1.
It is one and half breaker scheme.
A. Standard wave shapes
Standard lightning and switching impulses are indicated
by their crest time and their time to half value of the peak
amplitude. Standard waveshapes are given in Fig. 2 [4]
III. MODELLING
A. Modelling of Lightning Arrester
Lightning arresters used for protection of electrical distribu-
tion lines will be Metal-Oxide Surge Arrester (MOSA), with
resistors prepared from zinc-oxide (ZnO) blocks, or gapped
type with resistors prepared from Silicon-Carbide (SiC) [5].
The Metal Oxide Varistor surge arrester’s representation is
notably different when it comes to fast front transients. The
voltage across the surge arrester rises as the time to crest of
1421
 2017 International Conference on Intelligent Computing,Instrumentation and Control Technologies (ICICICT)
Fig. 1. Typical bay in 765kV switchyard
Fig. 2. Classes and shapes of over voltages
the arrester [6] current decreases. The voltage of the arrester
reaches its peak point before the current of the arrester reaches
the peak. The suggested frequency dependent model gives best
results for current surges with time to crest from 0.5 micro sec
to 40 micro sec. For the fast front transient model, two sections
of non-linear resistance are present which are denoted as A0
and A1 ; each comprising the model of surge arrester used for
switching surge transients. These two sections are separated
by an R-L filter. For slow front transients, R-L filter has very
little impedance. It is significant only for fast front surges [7].
Fig. 3 shows the fast front surge arrester model where
the RLC elements are determined initially by the following
formulae:
0.2d
L0 = μH
n
100n
C= pF
d level. The higher the rating of arrester, greater the arrester’s
15d
L1 = μH
n
978-1-5090-6106-8/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE
Fig. 3. Fast Front Surge Arrester Model
65d
R1 = Ω (4)
n
Where
d = is the measured height of the arrester in metres (use the
overall dimension from the catalog data).
n = number of parallel columns of metal oxide in the arrester.
The inductance L0 represents the inductance from the mag-
netic fields in the immediate vicinity of the arrester. The
capacitance C represents the terminal to terminal capacitance
of the arrester. The inductance L1 and resister R1 of the model
represent the filter between the two non-linear resistors [7].
The validity of surge arrester’s protective characteristics
is only at its location. The limitation of overvoltage at any
equipment location should account the separation distance
between the two locations i.e equipment and surge arrester.
The greater the distance of separation from the surge arrester
to the protected equipment, the less is effciency of protection
for that particular equipment, and the applied overvoltage to
that equipment increases above the level of protection of the
arrester with increasing distance of separation [1].
1) Arrester selection: The main objective of selecting any
lightning arrester is to select the lowest rated surge arrester
such that it gives complete protection of the insulation of any
equipment. It has to give service life which is satisfactory
(1) when it is connected to the power system. The lightning
arrester with the minimum rating is selected since it gives
the greatest margin of protection for the specific insulationin
(2)
ability to survive in the power system, but it decreases the
(3) protection margin which it gives for a particular insulation
1422
 2017 International Conference on Intelligent Computing,Instrumentation and Control Technologies (ICICICT)

level. Both survival of arrester and equipment protection have
to be considered during selection of arrester [3].
2) Predicting the Peak Discharge Voltage: Predicting dis-
charge voltage can be calculated for different currents when
it is not available in the data. When there are limited points
available for VI characteristics and more number of points are
required for proper curve predicting peak discharge voltage
becomes necessary. This gives more accurate graph when
compared to graph with less number of points. The formula
used to obtain peak discharge voltage is as follows:
IV. S IMULATION STUDIES
Various surge wave forms are generated based on the (8)
and parameters given in table I. In Fig. 4, slider represents the
value of I in equation (8). Current source or voltage source
indicates whether the surge injected is voltage surge or current
surge. Varr in Fig. 4 gives the discharge voltage measured.

V = K ∗ In (5)

The equation is the most effective way of calculating the

discharge voltage if other current/voltage pairs are known.
Where V = the discharge voltage
k = constant Fig. 4. Simulation of Lightning Arrester and Surge Generator
I = discharge current
n = nonlinear exponent
A. Lightning Over Voltage studies
If two current-voltage pairs of discharge voltage and current
are known for an arrester, then the values of n and k for that Lightning over voltage study is carried out with 2400kV,
arrester can be determined from the following equations. 1.2/50 microsec voltage surge and 20kA, 8/20 micro sec
current surges.
ln(V2 /V1 ) 1) 2400kV Voltage surge injected at the line end: 1.2/50
n= (6) micro sec 2400kV voltage surge is injected at line end. The
ln(I2 /I1 )
voltages obtained at line end and transformer end are given
in Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 and table II. Disturbances are more when
V1
k= (7) surge is injected into the system and lightning arrsters are not
(I1 )n present in the system. With the presence of lightning arresters
V1 and I1 = first current and voltage pair. voltages are limited to safe values.
V2 and I2 = second current and voltage pair

B. Modelling of Surge Generator

The injected current to the surge arrester should be of
the same wave shape and magnitude as the current used by
the manufacturer to estimate the switching surge discharge
voltage. Switching surge test current is injected and resulting
peak voltage is examined.
The impulse current IT EST is approximated by two exponen-
tial functions:
Fig. 5. Transformer end voltage with out LA, 2400kV voltage surge injected
IT EST = I(e−at − e−bt ) (8) at line end

The values of a, b and I of the equation can be determined

for the impulse wave if the crest value I1 and the time to
crest t1 and time to half settle on the tail t2 are known. This
relationship is approximated through by using the curves.

TABLE I
PARAMETERS TO GENERATE SURGES

Itest I a b
1.2/50 μs 1.02 * I1 1.3 E 4 4.4 E 6
8/20 μs 4 * I1 0.866 E 5 1.732 E 5
250/2500 μs 2.083 * I1 1680 8400
Fig. 6. Line end voltage with out LA, 2400kV voltage surge injected at line
30/60 μs 4 * I1 23333 46666
end

978-1-5090-6106-8/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE 1423

 2017 International Conference on Intelligent Computing,Instrumentation and Control Technologies (ICICICT)

to transformer end. Lightning arresters when placed in the

system reduces these over voltages to safe limits.

TABLE IV
L IGHTNING OVER VOLTAGES DUE TO C URRENT SURGE OF 20 K A
INJECTED AT LINE END B INA 1

Circuit Max allowable Peak voltage

S.No
configuration limit in kV in kV
With out LA 2056 near line
1 1826 in system
in switchyard 1867 near trafo
1695 near trafo
With LA in 1230 near trafo
Fig. 7. Transformer end voltage with LA, 2400kV voltage surge injected at 2
switchyard 1371 near line
line end

4) 20kA Current surge injected at the generator trans-

former: 8/20 micro sec, 20kA current surge is injected at
generator transformer end and voltages are given in table
V. Voltages at transformer end are higher compared to line
end, since surge is injected at transformer end. Lightning
arresters helps in maintaining these values below the maximum
allowable limits.

TABLE V
L IGHTNING OVER VOLTAGES DUE TO C URRENT SURGE OF 20 K A
INJECTED AT GT2
Fig. 8. Line end voltage with LA, 2400kV voltage surge injected at line end
Circuit Max allowable Peak voltage
S.No
TABLE II configuration limitin kV in kV
L IGHTNING OVER VOLTAGES DUE TO 2400 K V VOLTAGE SURGE INJECTED With out LA 1732 near line
1
AT LINE END in switchyard 2330 near trafo
1826 in system
With LA in 1270 near line
2 1695 near trafo
Circuit Max allowable Peak voltage switchyard 1318 near trafo
S.No With out LA 1293 near line
configuration limit in kV in kV 3
With out LA 3187 near line in trafo bay 2322 near trafo
1 1826 in system With out LA 1629 near line
in switchyard 2230 near trafo 4
1695 near trafo in line 1322 near trafo
With LA in 1389 near trafo
2
switchyard 1821 near line

B. Switching Over Voltage studies

2) 2400kV Voltage surge injected at the Generator trans-
former: 1.2/50 microsec 2400kV voltage surge injected at Circuit breaker switching is the main reason for switching
Generator transformer end. Voltages obtained are tabulated in over voltages in power system which are capable of destroying
table III. When lightning arrester is not placed at line end then equipment installation. Line energisation, re-energisation, ca-
voltages at transformer and line ends are above the safe limits. pacitor and reactor switching and also occurence of faluts leads
Hence lightning arrester has to be placed at both transformer to switching operations [9]. The duration of these transients
and line ends. vary from tens to thousands of microseconds and by nature are
oscaillatory. The main reason which leads to switching over
TABLE III voltages is phenomena of current suppression. The current
L IGHTNING OVER VOLTAGES DUE TO 2400 K V VOLTAGE SURGE INJECTED carried by a breaker does not cease completely when its
AT GT2
contacts are separated, rather the current ows through an arc
Circuit Max allowable Peak voltage until it reaches its periodic zero. Physically the release of
S.No
configuration limit in kV in kV trapped magnetic energy causes these abnormal over voltages.
With out LA 1897 near line Switching of breaker also happens when there is any fault in
1
in switchyard 3783 near trafo
1826 in system the system to isolate that fault location from the system.
With LA in 1678 near trafo
2 1695 near trafo
switchyard 1420 near line Switching over voltages study is carried out during single
With out LA 3819 near trafo phase fault at first peak i.e., at 0.05009 sec and at first zero
3
in trafo bay 1465 near line
With out LA 1835 near trafo i.e., 0.06508sec. Voltages obtained during switching are given
4
in line 1886 near line in tables VI and VII.
From the tables VI and table VII, voltages at transformer
3) 20kA Current surge injected at the line end: 8/20 micro end are higher when switching is done at zero crossing due
sec, 20kA current surge is injected at line end and voltages are to voltage doubling effect phenomena. With the presence of
given in table IV [8]. Voltages at line end are higher compared lightning arresters voltages are limited to safe values.

978-1-5090-6106-8/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE 1424

 2017 International Conference on Intelligent Computing,Instrumentation and Control Technologies (ICICICT)

switchyard. Also voltages calculated at transformer and line

end are shown. Effective placement of lightning arrester is
studied.
It can be concluded that lightning surges affect all the
equipment in switchyard because of travelling wave phenom-
ena. when the lightning surge enters the substation through
transmission lines various equipment in the substation, like
transformer experience over voltages. Although magnitude of
switching over voltage is less, disturbances are very high
which is dangerous.
However, by placing Lightning arresters, BIL of various
equipment in switchyard are maintained with in limits and
thus the switchyard is protected.
R EFERENCES
[1] A. R. Hileman, Insulation coordination for power systems. CRC Press,
1999.
[2] G. Radhika, M. Suryakalavathi, and G. Soujanya, “Effective placement
of surge arrester during lightning,” International Journal of Computer
Communication and Information System (IJCCIS), Vol2. No1. ISSN, pp.
0976–134, 2010.
[3] P. Larry Pryor and S. E. GE Sr, “The application and selection of lightning
arresters.”
[4] I. E. Commission et al., “Insulation co-ordination–part 1: Definitions,
principles and rules,” IEC Standard, pp. 60 071–1, 1993.
[5] S. Abdulwadood, “Design of lightning arresters for electrical power
systems protection,” Advances in Electrical and Electronic Engineering,
vol. 11, no. 6, p. 433, 2013.
[6] M. A. K. A. Biabani and M. Imran, “A case study of transformer
protection from lightning and switching impulses using pscad software,”
in Electrical, Electronics, and Optimization Techniques (ICEEOT), Inter-
national Conference on. IEEE, 2016, pp. 1213–1220.
[7] “Modeling of metal oxide surge arresters,” IEEE Transactions on Power
Delivery, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 302–309, Jan 1992.
Fig. 9. Voltages at transformer end, breaker and at line end due to switching [8] H. Hassan, M. Nadeem, and I. A. Khan, “Evaluation of the transient
during single phase fault and with LA’s in switchyard overvoltage stresses on 132 kv power transmission network,” Evaluation,
vol. 3, no. 12, 2013.
TABLE VI [9] A. Ibrahim and H. Dommel, “A knowledge base for switching surge
S WITCHING DUE TO SINGLE PHASE FAULT AT FIRST PEAK transients,” in International Conference on Power Systems Transients
(IPST’05) in Montreal, Canada on June, 2005, pp. 19–23.
Circuit Max allowable Voltage at first
S.No
configuration limit in kV peak in kV
1010 near line
1 With out LA 956 near trafo
1347 in system
1012 near breaker
979 near line
2 With LA 951 near trafo
981 near breaker

TABLE VII
S WITCHING DUE TO SINGLE PHASE FAULT AT FIRST ZERO

Circuit Max allowable Voltage at first

S.No
configuration limit in kV zero in kV
1007 near line
1 With out LA 2154 near trafo
1347 in system
1014 near breaker
976 near line
2 With LA 1253 near trafo
976 near breaker

V. C ONCLUSION
This paper demonstrates an equivalent model for various
pieces of equipment implemented via EMTP in order to
accurately simulate lightning and switching cases for 765kV

978-1-5090-6106-8/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE 1425