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- lS0) (affiliated the International to 0rganization forStandardization IECREC()MMENDATIt)N

Publication 99-l
D e u x i d m d i t i o - S e c o ne d i t i o n de n d

1970

Parafoudres
partie: pour Prami0re Parafoudres i r6sistance variable rdseauxcourant d alternatif

Lightning arreslers
Parl lrlon-linear l: type for systems resistor arresters a.c.

- all reserved Droits reproduction - Copyright rights r6servds de

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- lS0) (affiliatedtheInternational to 0rganization forStandardization IECREC(lMMEIIDATItlN

Publication 99-l
Deuxidme ddition Second edition

1970

Pa res rafoud
partie: Premi0re Parafoudres pour i rfsistance variable reseauxcourant i alternatif

Lightning arresters

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- all Droits reproduction de r6serv6s Copyright rights reserved

Aucunepartie de cette publication peut dtre reproduite utilisde ne ni sous q u e l q u eo r m e q u e c e s o i t e t p a r a u c u n p r o c 6 d 6 , 6 l e c t r o n i q u e m 6 c a f ou nique, compris photocopie les microfilms, y la et sansI'accord dcritde l'6diteur. No part of this publication may be reproduced utilizedin any or form or by any means, photocopying electronic mechanical, or including and microlilm,without permission writing f rom the publisher. in

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- 3 -

CONTENTS
Page

FonewoRo PREpRcr

. .

5 5

SrcrroN ONE Clause l. 2. Scope Normal service conditions

GpNBnar
7 7

SEcrroN Two 3-49.

DnnrNrrroNs
. 7

SEcnoN TsnEE 50. 51. 52. 53. Arrester identification Standardvoltageratings Standardrated frequencies Standardnorninaldischarge currents.

bENtIncATroN . . . . AnnEsrER cLASsrFrcATroN . 1.7 1 1 1 1 7 7 7 7

Sncuox Foun
54. Arresterclassification

SEcrroN Frve 55. 56. 57. 58. Test samples and measurements Power-frequency voltage tests . Wet tests Polluted housins test

. . . . Typr rESTS (onsrcNTESTs)

1 t 1 2

7 9 9 1

SrcrroN Srx
59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. General Power-frequency voltage sparkovertests Voltageimpulsesparkovertests Residualvoltagetest. Current in-rpulse withstand tests Operating-dutytest Pressure-relieftests Testsof arresterdisconnectors SEcrroN 67. 68. Routine tests Standard acceptance tests

. 2 3 . 2 3
,)5 ,)o

. 31 . 3 7 39 . 4 3

ROUTTNE TESTS AND ACCEPTANCE TESTS

. . ' . . . . . . . . . ' .

47 47

A p p r : o r x A -- Typical circuit for operating-duty test (Clause64) B - Abnormal serviceconditions C - Guide to the application of non-linear resistortype lightning arrestersfor a.c. systems D - Proposalsfor the artificial pollution testing of lightning arresters E Typical circuit for a distributed-constant impulse generatorfor the long-duration current (Sub-clause 63.3)

.53 57 59 6l 73

- 5 -

TNTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION

LIGHTNING ARRESTERS Part L: Non-linearresistortype arrestersfor a.c. systems

FOREWORD 1) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters, prepared by Technical Committees on which all the National Committees having a special interest therein are represented, express, as nearly as possible, an international consensus of opinion on the subjects dealt with. 2) They have the form of recommendations for international use and they are accepted by the National Committees in that sense. 3) In order to promote this international unification, the IEC expresses the wish that all National Committees having as yet no national rules, when preparing such rules, should use the IEC recommendations as the fundamental basis for these rules in so far as national conditions will permit. 4) The desirability is recognized of extending international agreement on these matters through an endeavour to harmonize national standardization rules with these recommendations in so far as national conditions will permit. The National Committees pledge their influence towards that end.

PREFACE This Recommendationhas been prepared by IEC Technical Committee No. 37, Lightning Arresters. It forms the secondedition of Publication99-l and supersedes first edition issuedin 1958. the Drafts were discussed meetings in in in at held in Bucharest 1962, Venicein 1963,in Aix-les-Bains 1964, in Tokyo in 1965and in Paris in 1967. As a result of this latter meeting,a new draft was submittedto the National Committeesfor approval under the Six Months' Rule in May 1968. The following countriesvoted explicitly in favour of publication: Austraiia Belgium Canada Czechoslovakia Denmark Finland F rancc lran I srael Italy Netherlands Norway Poland South Africa Switzerland Turkey Union of Soviet SocialistRepublics United Kingdorn Yugoslavia

7 -

LIGHTNING ARRESTERS Part L: Non-linearresistortype arrestersfor a.c. systems

SECTION ONE Scope This Recommendation applies to surge protective devicesdesignedfor repeated operation to limit voltage surgeson a.c. power circuits and to interrupt power follow current. In particular, it applies to lightning arrestersconsisting of single or multiple spark gaps in serieswith one or more non-linear resistors. GENERAL

2.

Normal service conditions Lightning arresters which conform to this Recommendation shall be suitable for operation under the following normal serviceconditions: 'C (-40 oF to 'C to + 104"F). +40 a ) Ambient temperaturewithin the range of -40 Altitude not exceeding I 000 m (3 300 f0. b) c) Frequencyof the a.c. power supply not lessthan 48 Hzand not exceeding62Hz d) Power-frequency voltage applied between the line and earth terminals of the arrester not exceedingits rated voltage. Arresters subjectedto other than normal application or serviceconditions may require special consideration in manufacture or application and each such case should be discussedwith the manufacturer. SeeAppendix B for abnormal serviceconditions and Appendix C, "Guide to the application of non-linear resistor type lightning arrestersfor a.c. systems".

SECTION TWO

DEFINITIONS

the For the purposesof this Recommendation, following definitionsare applicable. 3. Lightning arrester (surge diverter) A device designedto protect electrical apparatus from high transient voltage and to limit the duration and frequently the amplitude of follow current. The term "lightning arrester" includes any external seriesgap which is essentialfor the proper functioning of the device as installedfor service,regardlessof whether or not it is supplied as an integral part of the device.
Note. Lightning arresters are usually connected between the electrical conductors of a network and earth although they may sometimes be connected across the windings of apparatus or between electrical conductors.

4.

Non-Iinear resistor type (valve type) arrester An arrester having a single or a multiple spark-gapconnectedin serieswith one or more nonlinear resistors. Series gap of an arrester An intentional gap or gaps betweenspacedelectrodesin serieswith the non-linear seriesresistor or resistorsof the arrester.

6.

Non-linear seriesresistor of an arrester acts The part of the lightning arrester which, by its non-linear voltage-currentcharacteristics, to as a low resistance the flow of high dischargecurrentsthus limiting the voltage acrossthe arrester at terminals,and as a high resistance normal power-frequencyvoltage thus limiting the magnitude of follow current.

9 7. Sectionof an arrester A cornplete, suitably housed part of an arrester including series gaps and non-linear series resistors in such a proportion as is necessaryto representthe behaviour of a complete arrester with respectto a particular test. 8. Unit of an arrester A completely housed part of an arrester which may be connectedin serieswith other units to a construct an arresterof higher voltage rating. A unit of an arresteris not necessarily sectionof an arrester. 9. Pressure-reliefdevice of an arrester in A meansfor relievinginternal pressure an arresterand preventingexplosiveshatteringof the of housingfollowing prolonged passage follow current or internal flashoverof the arrester.

10.

Rated voltage of an arrester The designatedmaximum permissibler.m.s. value of power-frequencyvoltage between its terminals at which it is designedto operatecorrectly. This voltage may be applied to the arrester continuouslywithout changingits operatingcharacteristics.

I l.

Rated frequencyof an arrester The frequency of the power systemon which the arresteris designedto be used.

12.

Disruptive discharge The phenomena associatedwith the failure of insulation under electric stress which include a of collapseof voltage and the passage current; the term appliesto electricalbreakdown in solid, and combinationsof these. liquid and gaseous dielectrics
Note. A ciisruptive discharge in a solid dielectric produces permanent loss of electric strengthl in a liquid or gaseous diclectric the loss may be only temporary.

13.

Puncture(breakdown) A dis ru p ti v ed i s c h a rg e ro u g h a s o l i d. th

14.

Flashover over a solid surface. A disruptivedischarge

I 5.

Sparkoverof an arrester of A disruptivedischargebetweenthe electrodes the gaps of an arrester.

16.

Impulse risesrapidly oscillations. A unidirectionalwave of voltageor current which, without appreciable loops of opposite to a maximum value and falls, usually lessrapidly, to zero with small, if any, polarity. which definea voltage or current impulse are polarity, peak value, front time, The parameters and t im e to h a l f v a l u e o n th e ta i l .

17.

Rectangularimpulse constant for a A n im p u l s e w h i c h ri s e s ra p i d l y to a maxi munr val ue, remai ns substanti al l y periocl,and then falls rapidly to zero. specified The parameters which definea rectangularimpulseare polarity, peak value, virtual duration of the peak, and virtual total duration.

t:_

ll -

18.

Peak (crest) value of an impulse The maximum value of voltage or current in an impulse. In caseof superimposedoscillations, see Sub-clauses61.2, 63.2e) and 63.3.2c).

19.

Front of an impulse That part of an impulse which occurs prior to the peak.

20.

Tail of an impulse That part of an impulse which occurs after the peak.

21.

Full-wave voltage impulse A voltage impulse which is not interrupted by sparkover, flashover,or puncture.

22.

Choppedvoltage impulse A voltage impulse which is interrupted on the front, peak, or tail by sparkover, flashover or puncture causing a sudden drop in the voltage.

23.

Prospectivepeak (crest) value of a choppedvoltage impulse The peak (crest) value of the full-wave voltage impulse from which a chopped voltage impulse is derived.

24.

Virtual origin of an impulse The point on a graph of voltage vs. time or current vs. time determined by the intersection betweenthe time axis at zero voltage or zero current and a straight line drawn through two reference points on the front of the impulse. a) For voltage impulses with virtual front times equal to or less than 30 ps, the referencepoints shall be at 30 \ and 90\ of the peak value. b ) For voltage impulses with virtual front times greater than 30 ps, the origin is generally well defined and needsno artificial definition. c) For current impulses, the referencepoints shall be l0\ Note. and 90"/" of the peak value.

This definitionapplies only whenscales both ordinateand abscissa linear. Seealso Note of of are Clause 25.

25.

Virtual front time of an impulse (Tr) The time, in microseconds, equal to: a) for voltage impulseswith front times equal to or lessthan 30 g.s, 1.67times the time taken by the voltage to increase from 30/,to 90/" of its peak value; b ) for voltage impulses with front durations greater than 30 ps, 1.05 times the time taken bv the voltage to increasefrom zero to 95/" of its peak value; c) for current impulses, 1.25 times the time taken by the current to increasefrom l0/, to 90% of its peak value.
Note. If oscillations presenton the front, the reference points at l0l,30y;,90land are on the mean curve drawn through the oscillations. 95){ shouldbe taken

26.

Virtual steepness of the front of an impulse The quotient of the peak value and the virtual front time of an impulse.

13 --

27.

Virtual time to half value on the tail of an impulse (Tr) The time interval between the virtual origin and the instant when the voltage or current has in to decreased half its peak value. This time is expressed microseconds.

18.

Waveshapedesignationof an impulse A combination of two numbers, the first representingthe virtual front time (fr) and the second the virtual time to half peak value on the tail (Tr), in microseconds. It is written as Ttf Tr, the sign "/" having no mathematicalmeaning.

29.

Standard lightning voltage impulse of desi gnati on 1.2/50. A r r im p u .l s e o l ta g eh a v i n ga w a v e s h ape v

30.

Switching voltage impulse An impulse voltage having a virtual front time greaterthan 30 ps,

31.

Virtual duration of the peak of a rectangular impulse The time during which the amplitude of the impulse is greaterthan 90\ of its peak value.

32.

Virtual total duration of a rectangular impulse The time during which the amplitude of the impulse is greater than l0/" of its peak value. If small oscillationsare presenton the front, a mean curve should be drawn in order to determinethe time at which the l0l. value is reached.

33.

Peak (crest) value of opposite polarity of an impulse The maximum amplitude of opposite polarity reachedby a voltage or current impulse when it oscillatesabout zero before attaining a permanent zero value.

34.

Discharge current of an arrester The surge or impulse current which flows through the arrester after a sparkover of the series gaps.

35.

Nominal dischargecurrent of an arrester The peak value of dischargecurrent, having an 8120waveshape,which is used to classify an arrester. It is also the discharsecurrent which is used to initiate follow current in the operating duty test.

36.

Follow current of an arrester The current from the connected power source which flows through an arrester following the passage dischargecurrent. of

37.

Residual voltage (dischargevoltage) of an arrester of The voltage that appears between the terminals of an arrester during the passage discharge current.

38.

Power-frequencysparkover voltage of an arrester The value of the power-frequencyvoltage measuredas the peak value divided by {f betweenthe terminals of an arrester,which causessparkover of all the seriesgaps. applied

_ 1 5 _

19.

Impulse sparkover voltage of an arrester The highest value of voltage attained before sparkover during an impulse of given waveshape and polarity applied betweenthe terminals of an arrester. Front-of-wave impulse sparkover voltage of an arrester The impulse sparkovervoltage obtained on the wavefront the voltage of which increases linearly with time. Standard lightning impulse sparkover voltage of an arrester The lowest prospectivepeak value of a standard lightning voltage impulse which, when applied to an arrester,causessparkover on every application. Time to sparkover of an arrester The time interval betweenvirtual origin and the instant of sparkover of, the arrester. The time is expressed microseconds. in

.10.

41.

42.

43.

Impulse sparkover-voltage/time curve of an arrester A curve which relatesthe impulse sparkovervoltage to the time to sparkover. Prospective current The current which would flow at a given location in a circuit if it were short-circuited at that location by a link of negligibleimpedance.

44.

45.

Type tests (design tests) Tests which are made upon the completion of the development of a new arrester design to establishrepresentative performance and to demonstratecompliance with this Recommendation. Once made, thesetests need not be repeatedunlessthe design is so changedas to modify its performance.

46.

Routine tests Tests made on each arrester or on parts and materials as required to ensure that the product rneetsthe design specifications.

47.

Acceptancetests Selectedtests which are made when it has been agreed betweenthe manufacturer and the purchaser that the arrestersor representative samplesof an order are to be tested.

48.

Protective characteristics of an arrester The combination of the following: a) Lightning-voltage impulse sparkover-voltage/timecurve as determined in Sub-clause61.3. b) The residual-voltage/discharge-current curve as determined in Clause 62. c) For 10000 A arresters rated 100 kV and higher, the switching-voltage impulse sparkovervoltage/time curve as determined in Sub-clause61.4.

49.

Arrester disconnector A devicefor disconnectingan arresterfrom the systemin the event of arresterfailure to prevent a persistentfault on the systemand to give visible indication of the failed arrester.
Note. Clearing of the fault current through the arrester during disconnection generally is not a function of the device, and it may not prevent explosive shattering of the housing following internal flashover of the arrester on high fault currents.

- 1 7 SECTION THREE 50. Arresteridentifi cation

Lightning arrestersshall be identified by the following minimum information which shall appear o n the rating plate (nameplate): Rated voltage. Rated frequency, if other than one of the standard frequencies(Clause 52). Nominal dischargecurrent (specifying for the 5 000 A arrester whether SeriesA or SeriesB, and for the l0 000 A arrester, whether light or heavy duty). - Long-duration dischargeclass(for 10000 A heavy-duty arresters),seeSub-clause63.3.2. - Pressure-relief class(for arrestersfitted with pressure-relief devices),seeSub-clause 65.2. - The manufacturer's name or trademark, type and identification.
- The year of manufacture.

IDENTIFICATION AND STANDARD RATINGS

51.

Standard voltage ratings Standard values of rated voltage for arresters (in ki l ovol ts r.m.s.)shal l be: 0.175 0.280 0.500 0.660 3 4.5 6 7. 5 9 10.5 12 15 t8 1 24 27 30 33 36 39 2 5l 54 60 75 84 96 t02 108 120 126

r38
150 174 186 198

For voltage ratings above 198 kV, the arrester ratings should be determined as directed in Appendix C. The arrester ratings shall be divisible bv 6.

52. 53.

Standard rated frequencies The standard rated frequenciesare 50 Hz and 60 Hz. Standard nominal dischargecurrents The standard nominal dischargecurrents are: 10 000 A, 5 000 A, 2 500 A and I 500 A, having an 8120waveshape. Note.- For the l0 000A arrester Clause therearetwo types, (see 54) light-duty andheavy-duty, whicharedifferentiated by the amplitude of the long-duration impulse current which they are capable of withstanding. See Sub-clause 63.3.

SECTION FOUR

ARRESTER CLASSIFICATION

54.

Arrester classification Lightning arrestersare classifiedby their standard nominal dischargecurrents and they shall meet at least the test requirements and performance characteristicslisted in Table I, page 19. Arresters having ntore favourable performance characteristics lower protective levels than are or requiredin this Recommendation shall be considered have met this Recommendation. to

SECTION FIVE

GENERAL

TESTING PROCEDURE

55.

Test samplesand measurements Except when specifiedotherwise,all tests shall be made on the same arresters,arrester sections or arrester units. They shall be new, clean, completely assembled,and arranged as nearly as possible in service as and shall be fitted with grading rings, if used.

_ 1 9 _ The measuring equipment shall meet the requirements of I E C Publication 60 (1962), Highr oltage Test Techniques,and the values obtained shall be acceptedas accurate for the purpose of compliancewith the relevant test clauses.
:6.

Power-frequencyvoltage tests All power-frequency testsshall be nradewith an alternatingvoltagehaving a frequencybetween t lr e lim it s o f 4 8 H z a n d 6 2 H z , a n d a n approxi matel y nusoi dal aveshape. si w

57.

Wet tests This clauseis in agreement with the recommendations wet testscontainedin I E C Publicaon tion 60 0962). It is generally recognized that wet tests are not intended to reproduce actual operating conditions but to provide a criterion based on accumulatedexperience that satisfactory serviceoperation will be obtained. Ta.srr | - Arrester classificqtionqnd test requirements
Standard nonrinal discharee clrrrent A

l0 000r)

5 000 1)

L i g h t - d u t y I H e a v y - d L r t y S e r i c s A 2l)S e r i e s B 2 t
l. Voltage 2. Power-frequency sparkover test

2 500 Up to 36 Clause60
Sub-clause 61.2, Table VI, Column 7 Sub-clause 61.3.1

(kV r.m.s.) 3 or more

voltage

3 or more

3 through I

3 through 39 Clause60
Sub-clause 61.2, Table VI, Column 5 Sub-clause 6 1. 3 . 1

Up to 0.660 Clause60

Clause60 Sub-clause 61.2, Table VI, Colun-rn3

Sub-clause

Clar"rse 60
Sub-clause 61.2, Table VI, Colun-rn 3 Sub-clause 61.3.I Sub-clause 61.4 (above

Clause60
Sub-clause 61.2, Table VI, Column 3 Sub-clause 6 1. 3 . 1

3. Standard lightning-voltage impulse sparkover test

Not required

4. Front-of-wave-voltaee sparkover test 5. Switching-voltage impulse sparkover-voltage/ time curve test

6l.3.r
Sub-clause 6l.4 (above

Sub-clause 61.3.1

Not required

Not required

Not required

100 kv)
Clause62, Table VII, Column 2

100 kv)
Clause62, Table VII, 2 Colun-rn Clause62, TableVII, Colun-rn 2 Clause62, Table VII, Colun-rn 3 Clause62, TableVlI, Coh"rmn 4 Clause62, Table VII, Column 5

6. Residual voltage test

7. Current inrpulse withstand: Sub-clauses Sub-clauses Sub-clauses Sub-clauses Sub-clauses Sub-clause a) High current b) Longduration 8. Operating-duty test
9. Pressure-relief test (when fitted with relief device) Arrester disconnector (when fitted)

63.2 63.3.3 Clause64 Clar"rse 65

63.2 63.3.2 Clause64 Clause65

63.2 63.3.3 Clause64 Clause65

63.2 63.3.3 Clause64 Clause65

63.2 63.3.3 Clause64

Not

63.2 Not required Clause64

Not required

Clause66

Clause66

Clause66

Clause66

Clause66

Clause66

t) In some countries, it is customary to classify arresters as: - station for 10000 A arresters; - intermediate (Series A) or distribution (Series B) for 5 000 A arresters; - secondary for I 500 A arresters. ') Series A arresters are based on performance characteristics in practice in all countries. Series B arresters are based on performance characteristics in practice in Canada and the U.S.A. and other countries.

-2rThe test should give reproducible results in the same and in different laboratories. Wet tests shall be made only on arrestersdesignedfor use outdoors. Where such a test is specifled,the test object shall be subjectedto a spray of water of prescribedresistivity provided by a properly located nozzle or nozzles. The spray, consisting of small drops, shall fall on the test object at an angle approximately 45" to the vertical as determined by visual observation or by measurements the vertical and horizontal components of the precipitation rate. of The vertical component of the spray shall be measuredwith a collecting vesselhaving a horizontal opening of area 100 cm2 to 750 cm2. When both vertical and horizontal components are required, the horizontal component will be measured with a collecting vesselhaving a similar vertical oper-ring directed towards the nozzles. The collecting vesselshould be located on the side of the test object facing the nozzlesand as closeto the test object as is possiblewithout collecting splashes from it. For test objects of height greater than 50 cm, measurements the rate of precipitation shall be of rnade near the ends and the middle and values obtained for any one position shall not differ by more than25\fuom the averagefor the three positions; for test objectsof 50 cm height or less, the measurement shall be made near the middle only. The test object shall be sprayedfor at least one minute before the application of voltage. (Alternatively, more consistent results may be obtained if the test object is thoroughly wetted with water of the prescribedresistivity and temperaturebefore the application of voltage.) The characteristicsof the spray shall be as given in the following table. Two setsare given, one in general accordance with European practice,the other with practice in Canada and in the U.S.A. It is recommended that each National Committee use only one of thesepractices.

Tnsrn II Parameters wet tests for

Characteristics Europe
Precipitation rate vertical component

Canadaand U.S.A. 5 nrrn/min l0?; +

3 mm/min * l 0 0 0 0Q . c m + l 0 %
Anrbient tenrperature 150

2. Resistivityof water

An-rbier-rt tcmperature_L 15" SeeFisure 2 * SeeFigure 2

4. Type of nozzle

See

1x<

5. Water pressure

See Figure l x

* Figure numbersrefer to IEC Publication60 (1962).

58.

Polluted housing test The development of artificial-pollution testing has not yet reached the stage at which it is possibleto formulate a mandatory test for lightning arresters. Useful information can be gained, however, from existing test methods, and certain general principles can be laid down in their applicationto lightning arresters. Proposals embracingtheseprinciples,togetherwith ref-erences several to such rnethods given are in Appendix D to stimulate further investigationin the expectationthat from experience gained in such investigations,it will be possibleto devisean agreedmethod on which a mandatory test can be based.

- 2 3 SECTION SIX TYPE TESTS (DESIGN TESTS)

59.

General The following type testsshall be made as lar as requiredin Table I, page l9: l. Power-frequencyvoltage sparkover tests (Clause 60). 2. Standard lightning voltage impulse sparkovertest (Sub-clause 61.2). 3. Lightning voltageimpulse sparkover-voltage/time (Sub-clause curve test 61.3). 4. Switchingvoltage impulse sparkover-voltage/time curve test (Sub-clause 61.4). 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Residual voltage test (Clause 62). Current impulse withstand tests(Clause63). Operating-duty test (Clause 64). Pressure-relief tests (when the arrester is fitted with a pressure-relief device) (Clause 65). (Clause66). Testsof arresterdisconnectors

The requirednumbersof samples are specified the individual clauses. Arresterswhich differ in only in me th o d so f mo u n ti n go r a rra n g ement thc supporti ng of strncture, and w hi ch are otherw i se based on the sante componentswith similar construction and performance characteristics are consideredto be of the same design. Tests | ,2, 3 and 4 in the foregoinglist shall be n-rade the samesamples on and thesesamesamples may also be used for test 5 and when so rnade shall be consideredto have been made on new arresters. For tests6, 7 and 8, seethe recommendations the specific in clauses.

60.

Power-frequencyvoltage sparkover tests Dry and wet testsshall be made in accordance with Clauses.S,5_9, and 12 on threesamples 57 of completearresters eachvoltagerating tested. The performance other voltageratingsof the of for samedesign(as definedin Clause59) rvithin +25% (or 6 kV, whicheveris greater)of a testsample rating can be detennined by adjustifg the voltage level in p.ropg,$.Lg,g the voltage ratings. The to voltageappliedto the arrestershall be switchedon at a valuelow enoyghto avoid sparkoverof the arresterbytheresultirrgswitclringsurgeandraise@atiliilrmratetrntilsparkoverofthe gap occurs. fhe tirne during which the voltagemay exceed series the rated voltageqf the arrester sla_Uld-bq the range of 2 s to J s when testing arrestersusing grading resistorswhich mAy be in damagedbv overheatingif the applied yoltage exceedsthe rated voltage for too long. After. sparkover, the test voltage shall be switched off as rapidly ai ii prcsiiille,pieGrably by putomatic trippingandina@Ifitisdifficulttomeasuretherapidlyincreasingvoltagewith + an indicating type of instrument, a high s recommended that the manulacturerbe consultedabout the permissible test procedure.

T he loa d i mp o s e d n th e te s ti n g i rc u i tby a l i gl i tni ngarrester o gradi ngresi stors c havi ngnon-l i near of high conductivity glves rise to harmonics,and the test circuit must have a sr-rfficientlv imlow pedanceto.maintainthewavefo,ffi?=iEvoltageacroSStl".,,p.. in the current edition of IEC Publication60. The voltage shall be appliea with an interval of about 10 s'between @, successiveapplications.For4llclassesoflightningarreSterS,ryeavy-duty class,tlg-lgwe;lJalug of power-frequencysparkover voltage for each of the samplestested shall be not lessthan 1.5 time: the rated voltage of the arrester. For the 10 000 A heavv-dutvclass

-2sarresters, the lowest value of power-frequency sparkover is subject to agreement between the manufacturer and purchaser. T he av e ra g e p a rk o v e r a l u eof the five testsis adoptedas the power-fre s v for purposesof a comparison of tests made before and after other type tests. It should be noted that the dry power-frequencysparkover test is the minimum requirementfor routine tests to be made by the manufacturer as specifiedin Clause 67.

61.

Voltage impulse sparkover tests

6 1 . 1 General
These tests shall be made in accordancewith Clauses 55 and 59 on the same test samplesof complete arrestersused for the power-frequencysparkover tests describedin Clause 60. Sparkover valuesand voltage/timecurvesfor other voltage ratings of the samedesignas definedin Clause 59within +25%, (or 6 kV, whicheveris greater)of a test samplerating can.bedeterminedby =$gting the volqagglqvel in proporrion tolhe voltage ratings.

61.2

Standard lightning-voltageintpulsesparkover test With the test samplearresterin the circuit, the impulse generatoris adjustedto give a 1.2150 voltage waveshapeand the prospective peak value (Clause 23) specifiedin Table YI, page 49. With this adjustment, five positive and five negative impulses shall be applied to the test sample and the seriesgaps of the arrester shall spark over on every impulse. If in either seriesof five impulses,the gaps fail to spark over once only, an additional ten impulsesof that polarity shall be applied and the gaps must spark over on all of theseimpulses. The time interval betweenthe start of the wave and the instant of sparkoveris immaterialin this test. The tolerances the adjustmentof the testingequipmentshall be such that the measured on values lie wit hin t h e l ' o l l o w i n gl i m i ts : between971and 100% for the specified peak values; from 0.85 6.r,s 1.6 6rsfor the virtual duration of the wavefront; to fiom 40 6rsto 60 gs for the time to half value of the wavetail. Oscillationson the first part of the wavefront (below 50%) shall not exceedI0l of the peak value. Snrall oscillations near the peak of the impulse are permissible provided that their amplitude is lessthan 5\ of the peak value. Measurement shall be macleat the peak of the oscillations.

61.3

Lightning-voltage impulsespevkover'-voltagef curve test time Thistestshallbenladeusingpositiveornegativeinrpulse', over voltgS. Data for plotting the curve shall be obtained by applyingl.2l50 voltage waves of successively increasingamplitudesin stepsbeginning at a voltage below arrestersparkover and increasing the generatorchargingvoltage(and thus the prospective peak voltage)until the virtual steepness the front of the impulse equals that specifiedin Column 2 of Table VI. of Allgryj!.ly, for times to sparkoverof lessthan 1.2 1,r,s, data may be obtuin.d bu r.durinn th. the t ir ne of t he i rn p u l s e . F o r ti n ' re s s p a r koverof l essthan 1.2 ps, the test i mpul se shal l have a to sr,rbstantially unifornr rate of rise to arrestersparkover.

27For each sparkover, the highest voltage attained before sparkover shall be plotted against the time to sparkover measuredfrom virtual origin. Enough data points must be obtained to define clearly the curve which should be drawn through the maximum sparkovervalues.

61.3.1 Front-of-v,aye voltageimpulsesparkovertest Using a voltage impulse with a virtual steepness front equal to that specified Column 2 of in of Table V[, page 49, five positive and five negativeimpulses shall be applied to the arrester and the sparkover voltage is determined from cathode ray voltage-time oscillograms made during each test. On none of the impulses shall the sparkover voltage exceed the value given in the appropriate column of Table VI. It is permissible use the point of intersectionof the curve specified Sub-clause to in 61.3 with a Iine representing virtual steepness front specified Column2 ofTable Vl for determining the of in the maximum fiont-of-wave sparkovervoltage of the test sample arrester for comparison with the maximttm permissiblevalue given in Table Vl provided there are at least five positive and five negativesparkover test points within + 0.I ps of the line representing the prescribedsteepness. T his is illu s tra te d n F i s u re l . i

Maximunr f r on t - o { - w a v e s p a r k o v e rv o l t a g e (must not exceed v a l u ei n a p p r o p r i a t e c o l u m no f U' Table Vl)

!

V i r t u a l s t e e p n e s s f f r o n tf r o n r o C o l u m n 2 o f T a b l eV l

L i g h t n i n g - v o l t a gie p u l s e m sparkover-voltage/ti e curve m s p e c i f i e di n S u b - c l a u s e0 1 . 3

=
c)
(g

o
o aU)

: t e s t s w i t h p o l a r i t yg i v i n g h i g h e r s p a r k o v e rv o l t a g e : tests with opposite polarity Time (microseconds)

Ftc. l. -

Front-of-wavevoltagesparkovertest.

61.4

sv'itching-voltage impulsespurkover-voltageftime curt,e resl This test is applicableonly to l0 000 A light- and heavy-dutyarresters having a rated voltage above 100 kV, and is intended to demonstrate the sparkovercharacteristics switchingsurges. on The procedureis prescribed order to provide a uniform method of making the test so that data in supplied by manulacturerswill be comparable. No limits for the maximum switching impulse sparkovervoltage are specified, but theseare under consideration.

- 2 9 Sparkover tests shall be made using different voltage impulse waveshapeswith virtual front times between: a) 30 prsand 60 1"rs; h) 1506r sa n d 3 0 0 p rs ; c) I 000 ps and 2 000 ps. The time to half value on the tail should be appreciablylonger than twice the front time but the exact value is not of critical importance. For each waveshapeand for both polarities, the 50\ sparkover voltage (Uroz) shall first be determined by applying an impulse having a peak voltage well below the expect.J so 74 sparkover voltage of the test samplearrester and raising the impulse generator charging voltage in approximately 5 [ stepsuntil sparkover occurs. This sparkover shall constitute the first of five impulses whose highest voltage valuesshall be recorded. The remainder of the seriesof five imp'lses shall be applied, decreasingthe generator charging voltage (and thus the prospectivepeak voltage) by about 5i( eachtime the arrestersparksover, and increasing by about 5%each it time the arrester does not spark over. Ur0",,," calculated as the averageof the highest values is of voltage recorded in each of the five tests. Ten more impulses shall then be applied to the test sample with the impulse generator charging voltage increasedso as to give a prospectivepeak voltage about 40% higher than Uro"..

Data for all sparkovers occurring in the test seriesto establish Uro, as well as during the subsequent series. 1.4 (Uroz) should be used in plotting the iwitching-voltage impulse .at sparkover-voltage/time curve. The highest voltage reached before sparkover should be plotted against the time from actual zero to sparkover for each test in which sparkover occurs. The sparkover-voltageitime curve should be drawn as a smooth curve through the maximum voltage values recorded for both polarities and blending in with the lightning-voltage impulse sparkover-voltage/timecurve obtained by the procedure given in Sub-clause 61.3. It is recommended that coordinate paper with a vertical linear voltage scale and horizontal logarithmic time scale be used.

62.

Residual voltage test The test shall be made in accordancewith Clauses 55 and 59 on three samples of complete arrestersor arrester sections. The samplesmay be the same as those used. for tests of Clauses60 and 61 if desired. The voltage rating of the test samplesshall be at least 3 kV if the rated voltage of the arresteris not lessthan this, and need not exceed12 kv. . An B/20 current impulse shall be used with limits on the adjustment of equipment such that the measuredvalues are from 7 ps to 9 ps for the front time and from 18 ps to 22ps for the time to half value on the tail. Three current impulsesshall be applied to each sample with peak values of approximately 0.5, 1, and2 times the nominal dischargecurrent of the arrester. The time between discharges must be sufficientto permit the sampleto return to approximately ambient temperature.

The maximum envelopeof the test points shall be drawn in a residual-voltage/discharge-current curve' The residual voltage read on such a curve correspondingto the nominal dischargecurrent shall not be higher than the maximum residual voltage of the arrester specified in Table VII, page 51.

31-

When the test is performed on a section of an arrester,the residual voltage of the whole arrester is established the product of the measuredvalue by the ratio of the rated voltage of the whole as arresterto the rated voltase of the section.
6 -1. 6-1.I

Current impulse withstand tests General of with Clauses and 59 on three new samples 55 Each of thesetestsshall be made in accordance in 63.3.3)non-linear resistor completearresters, arrestersections,or (where specified Sub-clause elements only which have not been subjectedpreviously to any tests except those specifiedfor evaluation purposes. The rated voltage of the test samplesshall be at least 3 kV and need not exceed6 kV. If an arresterdisconnectoris built into the designof the arresterunder consideration, in thesetestsmust be made with the disconnector operablecondition (seeClause66).

6-1.2

H igh-curt'entimpul,se te.st Be/brethe test,s, averagedry power-freqllencysparkover voltage shall be determinedforeach tl-re test sampleas specified Clause60. in w T he t es t s hall c o n s i s to f th e a p p l i c a ti o nto e a chsampl eol ' tw o 4/10 current i mpul ses i th peak valuesas follows:
Arresterclass (nominal discharge current) A 10000 light and heavyduty A 5 000 series and B 2 500 I 500 Peakvalue of high-current irnpulse KA 100 65 25 10

The samplesshall be permitted to cool betweenimpulsesto approximately ambient temperature. Both voltageand current shall be measuredon each impulseand the voltagerecordson the same sampleshall show no significantdifference. The tolerances the adjustmentof the equipment on shall be such that the measuredvalues of the current impulsesare within the following limits:

p a ) f r om 90\ t o l l 0 % o f th e s p e c i fi e d e a k v a l ue; b ) f r om 3. 5 ps t o 4 .5 p s fo r v i rtu a l fro n t ti me ; c) f r om 9 pr s o ll p s fo r v i rtu a l ti me to h a l f v al ue on the tai l ; t d ) the peak value of any opposite polarity current wave shall be lessthan 20\ of the peak value of the current; provided their amplitudein the neighborhood e) small oscillationson the impulseare permissible of the peak of the impulseis lessthan 5 % of the peak value. Under theseconditions,for the purpose of measurement,a mean curve shall be acceptedfor determination of the peak value. Following the secondhigh-currentimpulse and after the test sample arrester has cooled to near ambient temperature,the power-ffequencysparkovertestswhich were made before the high current test shall be repeatedand the average power-frequencysparkover voltage shall not have changed by more than 10/". Examination of the test samples shall reveal no evidence of puncture or flashoverof the non-linear resistorsor significantdamage to the seriesgaps or grading circuit.

-:3363.3 Long-duration current intpulse test

6 3 . 3. 1 G ener al Before tlte long-durotiortc:urrentimpulse test, the averagedry power-frequency sparkover voltage (exceptwhere only non-linear resistorsare used as specifiedin Sub-clause 63.3.3)and the residual voltage at nominal dischargecurrent of each test sampleshall be determinedas specifiedin Clauses 60 and 62 respectively. All tests shall be performed with a generator of the distributed-constant type, the general principle of which is describedin Appendix E. The circuit elements of the generator need not necessarilyhave identical values throughout all sections. If an auxiliary impulse generator is used to initiate the dischargeof the distributed-constantgenerator,the stored energy of the former shall not exceed 0.5% of the stored energyof the latter. Each long-duration current impulse test shall consist of twenty discharge operations divided into four groups of five operations. Intervals betweenoperationsshall be 50 s to 60 s, and intervals between groups shall be 25 min to 30 min. Oscillographic records of the voltage across and current through the test sample shall be made on the first and twentieth operations of each test sequence. Follow'ing the long-duratiort current impulse test and after the test sample has cooled to near ambient temperature, the power-frequency sparkover tests and the residual voltage tests which were made before the long-duration current impulse test shall be repeatedand the averagevalues shall not have changed by more than 10\.

63.3.2 Requirements heav.1,-duty 000 A arresters 10 for Arresters of this class may be fitted with current limiting gaps which do not permit the full rectangular current impulse to be maintained. Therefore the characteristicsof the generator, such as the number of sections,the capacitances and inductancesof the generator elements,and the lossesshall fulfil certain requirementsand this shall be demonstratedby the following calibration procedurebefore the long-duration current impulse test on the samplearrestersor sections.

The generator shall be charged to a suitable voltaga, Ua, not less than 50 % of the specified charging voltage, U", and thereafter discharged through a low-inductance load resistor with a resistance, R, approximately equal to Rr. The values of t/" and R, are given in Table III for five different arrester classesbased on different discharge requirements.

TmrE III Parametersfor the long-duration current impulse test on heavy-duty I0 000 A arresters
Long duration discharge class Load

resistor value R1

Virtual duration of peak ps 2 000 2 000 2 400 2 800 3 200

Charging voltage kV d.c.

uc

o
3.3U. *
1 . 8U S 1 . 2U s 0.8 t/s 0.s US

2
J

4 5

3.0 y. * 2.6 Us 2.6 Us 2.4 Us 2.2 Us

* U. : rated voltage of the test sample,in kilovolts.

Note. The classes 1 to 5 of the preceding table correspond to increasing voltages and increasing discharge requirements. The selection of the appropriate discharge class is based on system requirements and is dealt with in Appendix C.

- 3 5 The characteristics the generatorare consideredcorrect if the peak value of the discharge of current, 1o,is such that the value of the expression:

ud
2 ' I d 'R lies between0.95 and I .05, Ud being expressed kilovolts, Iu in kiloamperesand R i1 ohms, in respectively. The current impulsemust be substantially rectangular, it shallfulfil the followine i.e. r equir em e n ts : a) The virtual duration of the peak shall lie between 100% and 120/" of the value specified in T able I I I. b) T he v ir tu a l to ta l d u ra ti o n s h a l l n o t e xceed150)(,of the vi rtgal durati on of the peak. t ' ) O s c illa ti o n s r i n i ti a l o v e rs h o o t h a l lnot exceed 0l ; of the peakcurrentval ue. If osci l l ati ons o s l occur, a rneancurve shall be drawn for the,deternrination the peak value. of d ) If the current pulseis followed by a short pulseof oppositepolarity, the peak value of the latter shall not exceed101, of the peak value of tlie former. For the long-durationcurrent impulse test on the samplearresterafter completion of the foregoing calibration procedure,the load resistorshall be replacedby the test sampleand the charging voltage shall be increased (J", if the value of, k does not exceed1.0, or k(1", if ft exceeds1.0. to
Notes l. The variation range permitted for the value of fr is intended to inclucle the manufacturing tolerances for the load resistor, and the deviation of the generator impedance frorn its icleal value, i.e. equal to Rr. 2 . - The prescribed small increase in charging voltage is intendecl to restore the prospective current to the required value when the sunt of the load resistor value and the generator irnpedance exceeds 2 R,.

3 . - The load resistor value and the generator surge impedance will have to be approximately equal in order

to obtain the specified substantially rectangular current impulse and to .r1ir." that current reversal, i f a n y , r e m a i n s w i t h i n t h e s p e c i f i e dl i r n i t o f l 0 l o f t h e m a i n c u r r e n t i m p u l s e .

63.3.3 Requirements 10 000 A tight-dut1,, and 5 000 A and 2 500A arresters for No demonstration of the generator adjustment is required before the long-duration current impulsetest on light-duty arresters. The test is performedon the non-linearresistors only. The non-linearresistors the test sarnpleare paralleledor series-paralleled of with other resistors (linear or non-linear)and subjected the specified to number of discharge operationsof the generator. The number and resistance the added resistorsand the chargingvoltage sliall be so chosenthat of the current impulse through the test santpleshall have the substantiallyrectangularform definedin S ub- c laus e 3 .3 .2w i th v a l u e so f v i rtu a l d urati on of peak and peak current not l essthal those 6 specifiedin Table IV.

Tnsrr IV Requirements the long-duration currentimpulse teston tight-dutyarresters for

Arresterclass A l0 000 light-duty 5 000 SeriesA or B 2 500
Peak current A Virtual duration of peak ps

150 75 50

2 000 I 000 500

-37

64.

Operating-duty test This is a test in which serviceconditions are simulated by the application to the arrester of a stipulated number of specifiedirnpulseswhile it is energizedby a power supply of specifiedfrequency, voltage, and impedance. Appendix A describesa typical test circuit which may be used. The test shall be made in accordancewith Clauses55, 56, and 59 on three new samplesof complete arrestersor arrester sectionswhich have not been subjectedpreviously to any tests except those specifiedfor evaluation purposes. The rated voltage of the test samplesshall be at least 3 kV if the rated voltage of the arresteris not lower than this, and need not exceed12 kV. If an arrester disconnector is built into the design of arrester under consideration,these tests shall be made with the disconnector operablecondition (seeClause66). in For arrestersrated above 12 kV, it is usually necessary make this test on an arrester section to becauseof limitations of existing test facilities. It is important that the voltage across the gaps of the test sample and the follow current through the sample representas closely as possible the conditions in the complete arrester. For arresterswith uniform voltage distribution, the power-frequencytest voltage to be applied to the test arrester section shall be the rated voltage of the complete arrester divided by the total number, n, of similar arrester sections. The arrester may be consideredto have uniform voltage distribution if n times the power-frequencysparkover of the sectionis not more than 1.2 times the power-frequencysparkover of the complete arrester.
Note. Experience has shown that the voltage distribution at interruption uniform than the voltage distribution at the instant of sparkover. of follow current is generally more

For arresters with non-uniform voltage distribution, the power-frequencytest voltage shall correspondto that of the sectionhaving the highestfraction in the completearrester. To maintain the correct follow-current value, it is necessary that the ratio of the value of the non-linear resistors of the fraction to the value of the non-linear resistorsof the complete arrester is the same as the ratio of the rated voltages. To fulfil this condition, it may be necessary selecta combination of to gaps and resistor elementsdifferent from the combination normally used in the complete arrester. If the gaps are not all of the sameconstruction, it may be necessary test more than one arrangeto ment, using the maximum fractional voltage for each construction. For arresters with nonuniform voltage distribution, the test procedure shall be subject to agreement between manufacturer and purchaser. Before the operating-duty test, Ihe average dry power-fiequency sparkover voltage and the residual voltage at nominal dischargecurrent of each test sample shall be determined as specified in Clauses60 and 62 respectively. The arresteror arrestersection shall be connectedacrossa power supply having a frequency within the range of 48 Hz to 62 Hz. The impedanceof the power sourceshall be such that during the flow of follow current, the peak value of power-frequencyvoltage, measuredat the arrester terminals, does not fall below the peak value of the rated voltage of the test specimenand after the interruption of follow current the peak voltagedoesnot exceed the peak value of the rated voltage by more than 101. This increase is allowed only to permit use of test equipnrentof reosonable power capacity and must not he taken as iustffication.for exceedingthe rotetl t'oltage o.f arresters in .\eryice. A n im p u l s eg e n e ra to rs h a l l b e c o n n ected acrossthe arresterthrough a spark-gap and shal l be acljusted generate 8/20 current impulse having a peak value equal to the nominal discharge to an cltrrent of the arrester. The first test impulseshall be timed to occur approximately60" electrical before voltage peak of the power-frequencyvoltage wave.

39If follow current is establishedconsistently,the test shall be made with this timing. If follow current is not established consistentlywith this timing, the timing shall be retardedin approximately 10o steps towards voltage peak until follow current occurs consistently, at which timing the test shall be made. The polarity of the initiating current shall be the same as that of the half cycle of power-frequencyvoltage during which it occurs. Twenty impulses shall be applied in four groups of five impulses. The interval betweenimpulses shall be 50 s to 60 s and the interval betweengroups shall be 25 min to 30 min. It is not required that the test piece be kept energized betweenimpulsesor betweengroups of impulses. In the case of high arc voltage (cr-rrrent-limiting) gaps, the tirning describedabove would not necessarily representthe most onerouscondition and an appropriate modification of the timing to obtain the hiehestvalue of follow current shall be made. The tolerances the adjustmentof the testingequipmentfor the current impulse shall be such on that the measuredvaluesare within the following limits: between90"/, and ll0:4 of the specifiedpeak valr"re; tiom 7 ps to 9 ps for the virtual front time; from l8 prsto 22 ps for the virtual time to half value of the tail. Follow current ntust be established each test impulseand the test sampleniust interrupt the by follow current each time it is established. The power-frequency voltage and fbllow current shall be recorded oscillographicallyfor at least one dischargein each group. The record shall show at least one complete cycle of the power-frequencyvoltage before the application of the intpulse and at least one complete cycle after the interruption of the follow current. The peak value and waveshapeof the current impulse may be determinedeither during the operating-duty test or during a preliminary test in which the power-frequency voltage may be switchedoff. No more pieceduring calibration. thar-r three irnpulses shall be applied to the test Followingthe operating-duty test and after the test samplehascooled to near ambient temperature, thc porver-fiequencysparkover test and the residual voltage test which were made before the operating-duty test shall be repeatedand the averagevalues shall not have changed by more than

10%.
65. 6 5. 1 Pressure-relief tests G ener ol When an arresteris fitted with a pressure-relief device,it shall be testedin accordance with this The test is made to show that an arresterlailure will not causeexplosiveshattering of the clause. housing. Each test shall be rnade on a test sample contained in a new housing. One such sample shall be tested at high-current (Sub-clause 65.2) and a separatesample at low-current (Sub-clause 65.3). In order to initiate the flou, of current inside the test samplearrester,all of the series gaps and non-linear resistor elements shall be bypassedby a fuse wire which will melt within the first 30 electrical degreesafter test current initiation. The fuse wire bypassingthe non-linear resistor elements shall follow the contour irr close proximity to the surface of the resistors. The test sample shall be mounted to simulate installation conditions that are in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer. The upper end shall be terminated with the end configuration of another unit or the terminal cap, whicheveris the more restrictiveto pressure relief. The baseshall be mounted on a horizontal surlacethat is level with the top of an approximately circular enclosure which is at least 30 cm (12 in) high and which shall encircle the test

41 sample and be concentric therewith. The diameter of the enclosure shall equal the sample diameter plus twice the sample height, with a minimum diameter of 1.8 m (6 ft). The test sample shall be deemed to have passedthe test if the housing remains intact or if it breaks sufficiently non-explosively that all parts are contained within the circular enclosure. The frequency of the test supply shall be not lessthan 48 }{zand not over 62H2.

65.2

High-currentpressure-relieJ'tests The test sample arrester shall be the longest arrester of each different design as defined in Clause 59 and this test shall demonstrate compliance of all ratings of the same design. The short-circuit capacity of the power source shall be high enough so that the r.m.s. value of the a.c. component of the current shall not fall below 75oh of the specifiedvalue in 0.2 s when the arrester is short-circuited by a link of negligible impedance. The short-circuit power factor of, the test circuit shall be not higher than 0.1 (X/R : 10 or more). Testsshall be made on a single-phase circuit and at a voltageof 77 % (-0, *3071 of the rated voltage of the arrester, whenever possible. However, it is expected that tests on high-voltage arresterswill be made at a testing station which will not have sufficientpower to make the tests on all arrestersat 77 \ of the rated voltage. Accordingly, two alternative procedures for making the high-currentpressure-relief are given below in Sub-clauses test 65.2.1and 65.2.2.
Note. -The 77/"voltage corresponds to the voltage applied to an arrester rvhose voltage rating is 75)4 of the system phase-to-phase voltage (i.e. at a location having a 751coefficient of earthing). For locations having an 80)( or 100,9( coefficient of earthing, the phase-to-earth voltage would be 72.'% or 581(, of the arrester voltage rating respectively.

The tests shall be made to demonstratecompliance with one of the pressure-relief given classes in Table V. The test current shall be allowed to flow for at least 0.2 s during tests on the sample, although shorter times may be adequatefor teststo measurethe prospectivecurrent and to adjust the circuit.

TnsrB V Requirements pressure-relief ts tes for

Minimum prospective symmetrical fault current A (r.m.s.) A B 10000 A 10000 A 10000 A 5 000 A 5 000 A light or heavyduty light or heavy d.uty light or heavyduty SeriesA or B SeriesA or B 40 000 20 000 r0 000 t6 000 5 000

Pressure-relief class

Arrester class

('
D E

65.2.1 Higlt-current testsat 77/, rated voltage The prospective current shall first be nleasuredby making a test with the arrestershunted by a solid link of negligibleimpedance. The circuit parameters and timing of the closing switch shall be such that the r.rn.s.value of the a.c. componentof the current shall eqiralor exceed the appropriate value for the pressure-relief classgiven in Table V and the peak value of the current in the first major loop shall be at least 2.5 times the r.m.s. value of the a.c. component of the current.

- 4 3 The solid link shall then be removed and the samplearrestershall be testedusing the samecircuit parametersand tinring. "Ihe resistanceof the restricted arc inside the arrester will reduce the a.c. component and peak value of the current. This does not invalidatethe test sincethis test is made with at leastnormal servicevoltage and the effect on the test current is the sameas would be experienced during a fault in service. The arresteris creditedwith having passed testin which the fault current is the r.m.s. a value of the a.c. component of the prospectivecurrent measuredin the test with the arrestershunted by a link of negligibleimpedance.

65.2.2 High-current testsot lessthan 77)t, rated voltage When testsare made with a test-circuitvoltage appreciablylessthan77%of the voltage rating of the test sample, the resistanceof the internal arc is disproportionally high compared with the impedanceof the test circuit, so that the a.c. component and peak value of the currcnt may be significantlyless than if the test were made at 77 %, of the voltage rating. It therefore may be incorrect to credit the arresterwith the prospective current value. For this reason,when tests are made at less than 77 \ of the rated voltage of the arrester, the peak value of the first major loop of current throughthe orrestershall be at least 1.7 times and adclitionallythe r.m.s. value of the a.c. component shall be at leastequal to the r.m.s value oi prospective current selected from Table V and appropriate to the pressure-relief class.

'

It is not essential make a preliminary test with a link of negligibleimpedanceshunting the to arrester, but allowance shouldbe made in selecting the test-circuitparameters the effectof the for internal arc resistance which will vary with the length and restrictionof the arc within the arrester housing,and this may necessitate increasing prospective the current, particularlywhen the voltage of the test circuit is appreciablylower tltanTT%of the voltagerating of the arrester.

65.3

Low-currentpressure-relief tests The test-sample arrestermay be any rating of'the designunder consicleration and this test shall demonstratecomplianceof all ratings of the same design. With a test-circuitvoltageequal to 77 % (--0, + 30 %) of test-sample rating, the circr-rit parameters should be adjustedso as to produce a current through the test sampleofl800 A, r.m.s. (+tO)0 measured approximately0.1 s after at start of current flow. The current shall flow until venting occurs and the decrementduring the t es t s hall n o t e x c e e dl 0 % o f th a t m e a s ured ni ti al l y. i

Note. -

Should an arrester fail to vent during the test, care should be taken before approaching the arrester to relieve the internal pressure which rnay still be very high even when coo1.

66. 66.1

Tests of arrester disconnectors General These tests shall be made on arresterswhich are fitted with arresterdisconnectors on the or disconnectorassemblyalone if its design is such as to be unaffected by the heating of adjacent parts of the arresterin its normally installed position.

45 -The test sarnpleshall be mounted in accordancewith the manufacturer'spublished recommendations using the rnaximum recommendedsizeand stiffnessand the shortestrecommendedlength of connecting lead. Irr the absenceof published recommendations,the conductor shall be harddrawn bare copper, approxirnately 5 mm (0.2 in or 4 AWG) in diameter and 30 cm (l ft) long, arrangedto allow freedom of movementof the disconnector when it operates.

66.2

Current impulse and operating-duty w,ithstandtests As noted in Clauses63 and 64, thesetestswill be made at the sametime as the testson the arrester in the caseof built-in disconnectors. In the caseof disconnectorsdesignedfor attachnrentto an arrester or for insertion into the line or ground lead as an accessory,these tests may be made separatelyor in conjunction with tests on arrester samples. The disconnector must withstand, without operating, each of the following tests, three new samplesbeing used for each different t es t : A -

Higlt-current impulse test

This test shall be made in accordancewith Sub-clauses 63.1 and 63.2 with the peak current corresponding to the highestclassification arresterwith which the disconnector designed be used. of is to BLong-clurationcurrent impulse test

This iest shall be made in accorclance with Sub-clauses 1,63.3.1and 63.3.3withthe peak current 63. and duration corresponding to the highest classificationof arrester (seeTable IV, page 35) with which the disconnector designed be used. is to COperating-duty test

This test shall be made in accordancewith Clause64, with the sampledisconnectorin serieswith a test samplesectionof the arresterdesignhaving the highestfollow current of all the arresterswith whic h it i s d e s i e n e d b e u s e d . to 66.3 Timefcurrenl c'urvetest Data for a time/current curve shall be obtained at three different symmetricallyinitiated current levels,viz. 20 A, 200 A and 800 A, r.m.s. (+ tO /,), flowing through test sampledisconnectors rvith or without arresters required by Sub-clause as 66.1. For testson disconnectorsaffectedby internal heating of the associated arresters,the non-linear resistors gaps must be bypassed and series with a bare copper wire 0.08 mm to 0.13 mm (0.003in to 0.005in) in diameter,in order to start the internal arcing. For tests on disconnectorsunaffectedby the operation of the associatedarrester, the arrester, if it is used for mounting the disconnector, shall have its non-linear resistors and series gaps shunted or replacedby a conductor of size sufficientto ensurethat it will not be melted durins the test. The test voltage may be any convenient value so long as it is sufficientto maintain full current flow in the arc over the arrester elements,and sufficientto causeand maintain arcing of any gaps upon which operation of the disconnector depends. The test voltage may not exceedthe rated voltage of the lowest-rated arresterwith which the disconnector designed be used. is to The parametersof the test circuit should first be adjusted,with the test sample shunted by a link of negligible impedance,to produce the required value of current. The closing switch should be timed to close the circuit within a few electrical degreesof voltage crest so as to produce nearly symmetricalcurrent. An opening switch may be provided with provision for adjusting the time of

I
I

-47

current flow through the test sample. This switch may be omitted when accuratecontrol over the current duration is not necessary. After the test-circuit parametershave been adjusted, the link shunting the test sampleshall be removed.

The current flow shall be maintained at the required level until operation of the disconnector occurs. At leastfive new sarnples shall be testedat each of the three current levels. The r.m.s. value of current through the specimen and the duration to the first movementof the disconnector shall be plotted for all the samplestested. The time/current characteristiccurve of the disconnectorshall be drawn as a smooth curve through the points representing maximum dur at ion. For disconnectorswhich operate rvith an appreciable time delay, the time/current curve test shall be made by subjectingthe test samplesto co.ntrolled durations of current flow to determine the minimnm duration for eachof the threecurrent levelswhich will consistently resultin successful operation of the disconnector. For the point to be used for the time/current curve, successful operation of the disconnector must occur in five testsout of five trials or, if one unsuccessful test occurs,five additional testsat the samecurrent level and duration must result in successf operaul t ions .

perJbrmances 66.3.1 Evaluation of disconnector There must be clear evidenceof effectiveand permanent disconnectionby the device. If there 'be any question of this, a power-frequency voltage equal to 1.2 tirnes the rated voltage of the highestrated arresterwith which the disconnector designed be used shall be applied for one is to minute without current flow in excess I nrA. r.m.s. of

SECTION SEVEN

ROUTINE

TESTS AND

ACCEPTANCE

TESTS

67.

Routine tests The minimum requirement for routine tests to be made by the manufacturer shall be the dry power-frequencyvoltage sparkover test (Clause 60). If the arrester is constructedwith a number of self-contained units, the testsmay be made on the units.

68.

Standard acceptancetests When the purchaser specifiesacceptancetests in the purchase agreement,the following tests shall be made on the nearesthieher whole number to the cube root of the number of arrestersto be s upplie d :
a) Dry power-frequencyvoltage sparkover test on the complete arrester (Clause 60). b ) Standard lightning-voltageimpulse sparkover test on the complete arrester (Sub-clause61.2).

c) Only when specificallyagreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser, residual voltage test at the nominal discharge (Clause62). current on the completearresteror sections

Any alteration in number of samplesor type of testsshall be specificallynegotiatedbetweenthe manufacturer and the purchaser.

-49TAsrn VI Maximum impulse sporkovertest voltages(Clouse6I )

Arrester rating kV r.m.s.
(l) l0 kA light- and heavy-duty Front and 5 kA, Series A ff steepness F.O.W. *

5 kA, Series ff B

2.5 kA

1 . 5k A

kV/ps (2) 10 10 10 10 25 37 50 62 75 87 100 125 150 175 200 225 2s0 275 300 32s 350 42s 450 500 625 700 190 830 870 940 980 I 030 080 160 180 200 27A 302 324
J+J
i a I J

std.** kV, peak

(5)

F.O.W.* kV, peak (6)

0.175 0.280 0.500 0.660

J

2.2 2.5 3.0 5.0

17.5 22.6 27 32.5 38 43 54 l5 20 26 3l 38 44 50 62 75 88 100 2l 40 26 36 44 52 59 73 83 9l 106 121 133 r43 TTT
+&! l l l ttJ i l l

3.5 3.0 4.5 6.0

3.5 3.0 4.5 6.0

4.5 6 7.5 9 10.5 l2 l5 18 2l 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 51 54 60 75 84 96 102 108 120 126 138 150 174 r86 198

13 17.5 22.6 27 32.5 38 43 54 6-s 76 87 97 108 tl9 130

t5 20 26 31
38 44 50 62 75 88 100 112 125 137 150

58 70 80 85
J*t I l l J!!

ill

n2
12s 137 150 162 174 212
aaA LL+

&*f I l l

TTT fft
&!! l l l

rti

250 310 347 371 394 418 463 485 530 577 660 702 746

363 400 424 460 500 570 610 649

To 2251 To 396T Above396f

3.28U* *xx 3.78U* *** 3.26 Up x't'x 3 . 7 6 U * * * *

ttf

ftt

f For guidance, since standard ratings above 198 kV have not been established.

tt 5 kA, SeriesA, arrestersare based on practice all countries;5 kA, seriesB, arresters are basedon practicein Canada,U.S.A., and other countries. tff No valueshave yet been agreedupon. x F.O.W. : front-of-wave voltageirnpulsesparkovertest as described Sub-clause in 61.3.1. ** Std. : standardlightning-voltage impulse sparkovertest as describedin Sub-clause 61.2. x*{<LrR : rated voltage of arrester.

- 51Tnsrp VII Maximum residual voltages ( Clause 62 )

Arresterrating kV, r.m.s. (1) 0.1 5 7 0.280 0.500 0.660
a J

l0 kA light- and heavy-duty 5 kA, Series ** B and 5 kA, Series ** A kV, peak (2) kV, peak (3)

2 . 5k A kV, peak (4) 2.2 2.5 3.0 5.0

r . 5k A kV, peak
(5)

2.2 2.5 3.0 5.0

4.5 6 7.5 9 10.5 l2 15 l8 2l 24 27 30

a a JJ

l3 l7.s 22.6 27
32.5 3B 43 54 65 76 87 97 108 ll9 130 r4l

18 24 31 39 46 54 64 73 83 9l 99 107
t<*rt {3*.* *{<*

13 17.5

22.s
27 32.s 38 43 54 65 76 87 97 108 l19 130

36 39 42 51 54 60 75 84 96 102 108 120 126 138 150 174 186 198 To 225 * To 396 * Above 396 *

r5l r84 195 216

270 302 324 343 363 400 420 460 500 570 610 649 3 . 2 8U p x x * x 3 . 2 6U * * * x x

***

* For guidance, since standard ratings above 198 kV have not been established. ** 5 kA, series A, arresters are based on practice in all countries; 5 kA, series B, arresters are based on practice in Canada, U.S.A. and other countries. *** No values have yet been agreed upon. *3x{<* LrR : rated voltage of arrester.

53APPENDIX TYPICAL CIRCUIT A TEST (CLAUSE 64)

FOR OPERATING-DUTY

It is the purpose of this Appendix to suggesta suitable test circuit (Figure l) for use in the operatingduty test and to describe the function of the various circuit components rather than to specify a standard test circuit which shall be used in all tests wherever made. The requirementsfor the operatingof duty test, such as the power-frequencyvoltage, the characteristics the initiating current impulse, and the timing of the initiating impulse with respect to the power-frequency voltage wave are described in Clause 64. The exact method by which these requirementsare met is not important. There are many possible variations both in the arrangement of the circuit and in the choice of values for the various components. The test sampleis connecteddirectly acrossthe power-frequencysupply, usually a transformer, although this is not essential. An impulsegenerator,shown as a two-stage circuit although it may be a single-stage circuit if adequate, connectedto the arresterthrough a resistor, R, an inductor, L, and spark-gapS, is Gr and Gr. The waveshape the current impulseis controlled by selecting of suitablevaluesfor C, R, and L. A low-resistance ncln-inductive of shunt, Rr, and a voltagedivider,V.D., are shownfor the measurements current and voltage respectively. A shunt, Rn, is shown in the leads from the power transformer for recordingthe follow current.

G,

GD

;fo

D . C .c h a r g i n g i c i r c ut

c,R.o or
M.O.

To c.R.o. or M.O.

Push-button n

Tripping device

Point-on-wave selector

P o w e r - fr e qu e n c y supply

C.R.O. : V.D. : M.O. :

cathode-ray oscillograph voltagedivider magneticoscillograph

Ftc. l. -

Typical test-circuit diagram for operating-duty test.

55The spark-gapwhich isolatesthe impulse generatorfrom the power circr-rit may be of various forms. In the type of gap shown,the resistor,R1, if used,may be of the order of a megohm and serves maintain to a point in the multiple spark-gap at earth potential when no current is flowing. The part, Gr, of the gap does not, therefore,have any of the power-frequency voltage acrossit and can be made to spark over at any point in the cycle. The part, Gr, of the gap is made as small as is consistent with its ability to withstand the power-frequencyvoltage. The part, Gr, is intended to interrupt any power-frequency current flowing to the impulse generatorafter the end of the impulse,and it is to assistin this that a multiple construction is shown. If the gap remains conducting after the end of the impulse, there may be an interchangeof energybetweenthe capacitance the impulse generatorand the power sourcewhich will of disturb the test procedure. Damageto the irnpulsegeneratormay also result lrom the continued flow of power-frequency current. Follow current may be recorded either by a magnetic oscillographor a cathode-rayoscillograph if proper precautionsare taken. The power-frequency voltagemay be recordedby a magneticoscillograph or a cathode-rayoscillographthrough a voltagedivider or a potential transformer. T he im puls e ge n e ra to rmu s t b e tri p p e d a t th e correct i nstant on the power-fiequencyvclltage wave. This may be acconrplished meansof a synchronous by spark-gapor by a poi nt-on-w ave ector show ni n sel as Figure l, through a tripping device. This applies a high-voltagepulse to the centre electrodeof the three-electrode in the impulse generator. A high resistance, preventsappreciable gap Rr, impulsecurrent flowing in the tripping circuit. The tripping of the impulsegeneratormay be initiated by meansof a push button or any meansw hi ch setsin operation the recordingsystemand trips the impulsegenerator at the selected instant on the powerfrequencyvoltage wave.

57APPENDIX ABNORMAL B

SERVICE CONDITIONS

The following are typical abnormal serviceconditions which may require special consideration in the manufactureor application of lightning arrestersand should be called to the attention of the manufacturer.

Physical conditions l) 2) 3) 4) T em per at uren e x c e s s f * 4 0 " C (+ 1 0 4 ' F ) or bel ow -40' C i o Application at altitudes higher than 1 000 m (3 300 ft). Fumes or vapours which may causedeteriorationof insulatingsurfaceor mounting hardware. Excessive contaminationby smoke,dirt, salt spray or other conductingmaterials. (-40' F).

5) Excessive exposureto moisture,humidity, dropping water or steam. 6) Explosivemixtures of dust, gases, fumes. or 7) Abnormal vibration or mechanicalshocks. 8) Unusual transportationor storage.

59APPENDIX C

GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION OF NON-LINEAR RESISTOR TYPE LTGHTNING ARRESTERS FOR A.C. SYSTEMS (1965). The followAppendix C, Application Guide, has been published as I E C Publication 99-1,4. printings of IEC Publiwill be insertedfollowing Sub-clause 3.4.1c) 2) in subsequent ing information cation 99-1A. Selection of the long-duration dischargeclass of heavy-duty arresters Heavy-duty arrestersare normally applied where line dischargeaapability is required. e The test requirements shown in Table III of Sub-claus 63.3.2are based on the duty involved in diswhich are consideredto cover the majority charging transmissionlines with the following characteristics, of applications: Tesrp C III Transmissionline characteris tics
Long duration discharse class Approximate range system voltages KV Approximate length line I I Approximate line surge impedance Approximate overvoltage factor (p.u.) *

km 245 300 420 525 765 300 300 360 420 480

(miles) (190) (re0) (225) (260) (300)

C) 450 400 350 325 300

I 2
J

4 5

Up Up Up Up Up

to to to to to

3.0 2.6 2.6 2.4 )')

* The base for the per unit values is the crest of the highest system line-to-neutral voltage.

Normally, the long-duration dischargeclassis based on the correspondingsystemvoltage in accordance with Table C III. However, where systemcharacteristics vary appreciablyfrom those in the table, arresters of one dischargeclassmay be used at systemvoltagescorrespondingtcl higher or lower classes. In such casesa study of the particular circumstancesis recommended. In general, arrester gaps and non-linear resistors should not be used in situations where either the energy or the current developed during the dischargeof switching surgesexceedthose developedin the long-duration tests performed on these components. At lower voltages the energy may be the predominant requirement and at higher voltages the current. As shown in Table C III, systemparametersrequiring consideration in determining the severity of the duty imposed during the dischargeof switching surgesare: line length; line surge impedance; level of overvoltagedeveloped(overvoltagefactor).

A further parameter to be consideredis the rated arrestervoltage in relation to systemvoltage. Other parametersand systemconditions are also of importance but as the test requirementsdo not, for practical gire consideration these,they are not dealt with here. rc-r:t\nS. to

I
APPENDIX PROPOSALS FOR THE ARTIFICIAL POLLUTION D TESTING OF LIGHTNING ARRESTERS l. Basic principles and objectivesof the test method It is well known that under conditions of heavy industrial or coastal pollution an arrester can fail owing to the creation of a very non-linear voltage distribution on its external surface insulation, or becauseof very rapid changesin this distribution. These two statesarise as a consequence the of formation under such conditions of an initially nearly continuous conducting surfacelayer consisting typically of an aqueous solution of electrolyteformed under high humidity by the moisture pick-up of hygroscopic solid particlesor liquid dropletsdeposited the surface. Dusts may also be present, on affecting the washing and drying characteristicsof the surface. It is well establishedalso that the effect of leakagecurrent heating in the layer, when the conductivity is high enough, is to cause"dry bands" to form, across rvhich most of the voltage drop occurs and that surges of leakage current occLlrwhen thesebands are temporarily bridged by an arc.

Thesephenomenacan caLrse voltageapplied to an arresteror portion of an arresterto exceeC the its sparkol'ervalue eitl-rer continuonslyor transiently,during leakagesurging,through disturbance of the gap potentials causedby capacitivecoupling betweenelectrodesand wet bands (see,for example, CIGRE Paper 404, 1966). Failure can occur if this takes place. It is consequently purpose of artificial pollution testing of arresters simulatepollution conthe to ditions of appropriateseverityand establishthat, when subjected these,the arrester,energized to at appropriate porver-frequencyvolta-ee.suffers neither gap sparkover nor flashover of its external insulation:it follows from the above accountof the mechanismof pollution failure that the test must be made on a completearresterunit rvith the normal spark-gaps and gradingresistors, etc. There is at presentno standardor universallyaccepted test but one or two techniques are already in an advancedstageof developmentand are regularly usedto determinethe pollution performanceof insulators. The essentialcommon feature of such tests, even though there are differencesin the polluting techniques, are the repeatable production of various degreesor "severities" of pollution, treasured in terms of specificconductanceor other directly related parameters,application of a suitabletest voltageand consequent determinationof the performancein terms of a given pollution severitr'. The proposedmethodsof testinglightning arresters put forward here have been basedon thesecomnton featuresand are thus independent the precisepolluting technique. of

Section One of this Appendix deals with the test procedure and objectives specific to arresters, while in Section Two are given references to, and summaries of, existing pollution methods considered applicable here.

SECTION ONE 2. General requirements

PROPOSED TEST METHOD

AND

PROCEDURE

2.1 Test arrester The test must be made on a completearrester,with all normal spark-gaps, grading resistorsand any grading rings, etc.,which may significantly affectthe voltagedistribution of the arrester.

I
L E;E;

{
632.2 Cleaning Before the arrester is tested for the first time by the salt fog method. the metal parts and cement paint, if found to be necessary, ensurethat no corrosion to shouldbe paintedwith a corrosionresistant products wash down onto the insulating surfacesduring the test. The surlace must be carefully cleanedso that all tracesof surfacecontaminationare removed before testing.

2.3 Installation The cleanedarrester shall be erectedso that the minimum distancebetweenany part of it and any earthedobject other than the jets and a ceiling or a wall is not lessthan one-halfof the length of the arrester. The arrestershould be in thermal equilibrium with the ambient air at the start of the test and the temperatureshall be noted: it must not be below 5 'C (41 "F) or greaterthan 30 'C (86 'F).

2.4

Test tronsformer The regulationof the transformerand regulatorshould not be so great that sparkoveror flashover is inhibited by a drop in the volta-ee distortion of the waveshape. The short-circuitcurrent should or be as high as p o s s i b l e n d a t l e a s t5 A . r.m.s. a

2.5 Procedure The preparedarresteris installed in its test position and energizedas describedbelow (Clauses3 and 4). The test is deemedto have begun when the full test voltage is applied.

3.

Voltage application The requirements hereare specific lightning arresters, to two modesof applicationbeing recognized accordingto the rating.

3.1 Arrestersrated 138kV and belovr A steady voltage equal to the rated voltage of the arrester is applied throughout the test.

3 .2 , 4r r es t er r ate da b o v e 1 3 8k V s A r oltage of 0.75 >< rated voltage is applied initially and at intervals of 5 min the voltage is increasedquickly to the rated value for not less thar-r10 s, and not more than 20 s, including the t im e t o r ais e a n d l o w e r th e v o l ta g e . T h is procedurei s conti nuedthroughout the test.

4.

Test procedure

4.1 Test duratiort Voltage is applied to the arresteraccordingto its rating, as set out in Sub-clauses and3.2and 3.1 the test started as described in Sub-clause2.5 above and terminated after a specifiedtime, or when internal sparkover or external flashover occurs.

4.2

Test sequence Testsas described Sub-clause I should be madeat eachdegree pollution severity in (seeClause5 4. of and Section Two of this Appendix) and the occurrence noted of arrestersparkoveror flashoverof the surfaceinsulation.

-6s4.3 Test signiJtcance The ability of the arrester to withstand a given pollution severity is establishedif it undergoes neither internal sparkover nor external flashover during the complete period of voltage application at that severity. 4.4 Monitoring: indication o.fbreakdo*-n Separate measurementof the surface leakage current and current flowing internally provides a suitable means of recording whether flashover of the surface or sparkover of the gaps occurs. A surface leakage current collecting band should be fitted approximately 2 cm above the bottom flange. Cnrrent flowin_s internally is collectedfrom the flange. In the caseof a multi-unit arrester, the band is applied to the bottom unit. A suddenincrease surfacecurrent to near short-circuit in flashover. A similarincrease current,usuallysupplenrented visualand aural observation, by indicates g in int er nalcu rre n ti n d i c a te s a p s p a rk o v er.

5.

Test objective Tlie objectiveis to determinethe severityof pollution which the arrestercan withstandwith neither s par k ov ern o r e x te rn a lfl a s h o v e r. It is not yet possibleto definewithin closelimits what salinity or specificconductance artiflcial in testsrepresents given degreeof natural pollution severityconditionsin service, itself not accurately a definableat present. It is, in any case,desirableto test over a range of salinitiesor specificconductancesrather than only at those correspondingto severeconditions because there is some evidence that relativelylow conductivity pollution can causegap sparkover.

The resultsof the testsshould be made availableto the pulchaser. When sufficientexperience has been gained from these tests, it should be possibleto establish valuesor rangesof pollution severities specific which an arrestershould withstandwithout sparkover or flashover. Such valuescould then form the basis of a type test.

S E CT I O N T WO 6. General

M ET H O D S OF A P P LY IN G P OLLU TION TO A R R E S TE R

For a satisf'actory testing procedure,it is necessary apply a conductinglayer of pollutant in the to most reprodr"rcible manner to the complete surface of the arrester, and apply the test voltage for a specified time. Leakagecurrentswill flow over the surfaceand produce "dry bands" with consequent non-linear voltage distribution. Complete drying out of the surfacewith appreciablereduction in leakagecurrent must be preventedby keeping the surface sufficientlydamp.

The following methodsof applying pollution have been used,and are considered be suitablefor to these tests,althoughin somecases as they havebeenused on other appalatus,sLrch insulators,and thc rnethod of voltage application has been different from that proposed in Clauses3 and 4 of Section O ne of t his A p p e n d i x . Two basicmethclds are proposeci: l) The continuous application of a salt fog while the arresteris energized specified test voltage. at 2) The application of a conducting layer of pollutant which is kept damp with a non-conducting water fog while the arrester is energrzed the specifiedtest voltage. at

F
L I

- 6 7 -

I
I I

7.

SaIt fog method 2.1 and 2.3 of Section One of this Appendix, After preparation in accordancewith Sub-clauses a fine mist or fog of salt solution of controlled salinity is produced from arrays of specialspray jets of specified design, see Figure l, arcangedin two columns on opposite sides of the arrester, to which are fed the solution and compressedair. The solution flow rate per nozzle during the test is 0.5 l/min +5%. Air-supply pressure between6.5 kg/cm2and 7.0 kg/cm2. is

Compresseair d

,f
A
('/'. in)

1 0m m ( ' / ' i n ) 3 mm ('/u) 6 0m m ( 2 ' l ' i n )

Clampinghole

3 2 m m ( ' l ' l oi n )

25 mm (1 50 mm

A : B C D :
tr

perspex body stainless steel parallel male stud coupling for 8 mrn (1 r in) nominal bore tube s t a i n l e s ss t e e l 6 m m n o m i n a l S I t h r e a d o r O . B . A . s e t s c r e w . i i i t h 1 . 6 n r r n ( 1 1 6i n ) b o r e t r . r b e s 6 m m n o m i n a l S I t h r e a d o r O . B . A . x l 6 m m ( 5 / ei n ) l o n g n y l o n c h e e s e - h e a d c r e \ \ \ \ i t h s t a i n l e s s s t e e l t u b e fitted centrally perspex cheese-headplug

Ftc. l. -

Fog nozzle.

mm, external *0.05 mm. The tolerances the air solution nozzlesare as follows: internal -1-0.02 on The ends of the solution nozzlesshall be squarecutand polished. The end of the solution nozzle shall lie on the axis of the air nozzle +0.05 mm and the maximum distancebetweenthe axesof these tubes shall be 0.05 mm.

69The test voltage as specified SectionOne of this Appendix is applied for 60 min or until sparkover in or flashoveroccurs. This process repeated,cleaningthe arresterbetweeneach test, to deterrninethe is "withstand salinity" defined as the maximum salinity of sprayed solution which the arrester will withstand for 60 min on not lessthan three out of four tests. Recommended salinity concentrations thesetestsare: 2.5 g,5 g, l0 g, 20 g, 40 g, 80 g and 160 g for of NaCl/litre of normal tap water. If intermediate concentrationsare required the following values s h o u l db e u s e d :3 . 5 g , 7 g , 1 4 9 , 2 8 g , 5 6 g a n d l l 2 g .
R e . f b r e n t ' e : C I G R E P a p e r 2 5 - 0 8 - 1 9 6 8 ,T h e S a l t F o g A r t i l i c i a l P o l l u t i o n T e s t .

8.

Solid pollutant and water fog method After preparationin accordance with Sub-clauses and 2.3 of SectionOne of this Appendix, the 2.1 arresteris sprayeduniformly, including the area under the sheds, with asuspension pollutant, (see of Claus e9) . The polluted arresteris then subjectedto a fine rnist or fog of normal tap water produced from arraysof sprayjets. There must be uniform distribution over the whole length of the arrester, and no washingoff of the layer r-r'rust occur. A voltage of about 2 kV per metre length of the arresteris applied and the conductanceof the coating measured,using the surface leakagecurrent collecting band describedin Section One of this Appendix, Sub-clause 4.4. From the total surfacelayer conductanceand the geometry of the arrester,the layer conductivity in micro-siemens can be calculated. It may take some time (15 min to 30 min) for the arresterto becomecompletely wetted, as indicated by the attainment of maximum value of surface conductance. When the ntarintum conductance has been attained,the test voltageas specified SectionOne of in t his A ppen d i r i s a p p l i e dfo r 3 0 m i n o r u nti l sparkoveror fl ashover occurs.the w ater sprayi ngbei ng I u r n e c o f Fa l i e r l 5 r l i n . l The seriesof testsis continued, cleaningthe arresterbetweeneach test, to deterrninethe "withstand condLrctivity"definedas the maximum layer conductivitywith which the arrestercan be coated it nc it lt er tw' i tl i s ta n d e te s tv o l ta g efo r 3 0 mi n on not l essthan threeout of four tests. th

9.

Suitablesolid pollutants The following rnixtureshave been used and are suitablefor thesetests:

9 . 1 . 1 . s u. s pert.s ifo tt o : 100g Kieselguhr(Diatomaceous earth, Diatomite) 100g Aerosil (SiO2,particle size2 pm to 20 pm), a thickening agent I 000 g water T o t he a b o v e m i x tu re , h o m o g e n e o u s ldi spersed, quanti ty of saturatedC aC l , sol uti on i s then y a addedt o giv e th e re q u i re dc o n d u c ta n c e . Rec ont r n e n d ev a l u e s , i th a to l e ra n c e + 15\and referred 20 oC ,for these d w of to testsaccordi ng to C l a L r s8 a r e : e V o l L t t l ec o n d u c t i v i t y t ' s u s p e n s i o(n S 1 c m ) p o Surfaceconductivity of,layer (wet) (pS)
ReJbrence Gernran Regulatiorrs VDE-0448. :

750 I 500 2.5 5

3 000 l0

6 000 20

7l 9.2 A suspension of: 30.7% china clay 0.2% bentonite(Al, Mg, Na, SinOro(OH)J 69. 1%wa te r The addition of the bentonite makes the layer sticky so that it can take up a considerableamount of water without dripping. The uniformity of the layer thicknesscan be checkedvisually by judging the colour after it has dried out. A "thick" layer appearsuniformly white when viewed from a distanceof about I m. A "thino'layer looks grainy, porous and patchy at closedistance,and uniformly white ata distance of about 5 m. It is not necessary determinethe actual thickness. to using The conductance the layer can be varied by sprayingwith water of differentconductances of sodium chloride solutions,before measuringthe specificconductance.
ReJbrence:CIGREPaper 404-1966, The lnfluence of Pollution on the Characteristics of t,ightning Arresters Theoretical aspects and artificialtests, L . T o r s e k e a n d T . E . T h o r s t e i n s e n . by

9.3

A suspension o./': 40 g Kaolin powder I 000 g water

To the above is added a quantity of sodium chloride, e.g. 20 g, 40 g, 80 g or 160 g, to give the required conductance. Japanese Metl'rod ArtificialPollution of Teston Paper July ReJbrence: I.E.E.E. Transactions No. 31TP 67-491, 1967, H. S. andM. Yamamoto. Insulators, S. Fujitaka, Kawamura, Tsurumi, Kondo,T. Seta T. by salts to vary conductance of 9.4 A suspension Portland centent v'itlt the addition oJ'vrater-soluble Insulation Methods Electrical Strength External of ReJ'erence: Standard GOST10390-63, ComparativeTest of U.S.S.R.
of High-voltage Electric Equipment in Polluted Conditions.

9 . 5 A colloidal solution of methyl cellulose in demineralized h,eter, with the addition of chalk to allow
visual control of the uniformity of the sprayed layer, and salt to achievethe required conductance. The viscosityof the methyl cellulosesolution should be about 2 500 cP.
*qt q

Reference: Artificial pollutior-r test rnethod proposed by the Czechoslovak National Committee.

9.6

A water solution o/'sodium chloride ( lVaCl) High-resistivity water is mixed with a saturatedsolution to produce a known percentageof saturation in order to vary the surfaceconductance.
Reference:I.E.E.E. Conference Paper 3l CP 65-72, February 1965, Contamination testing of lightning arresters by W. H. Eason and E. C. Sakshaug. I,

lT

73APPENDIX E TYPICAL CIRCUIT FOR A DISTRIBUTED.CONSTANT IMPULSE GENERATOR FOR THE LONG-DURATTON CURRENT TMPULSE TEST (SUB-CLAUSE63.3)
It is the purpose of this Appendix to give the principle of a suitabletest circuit for usein the long-duration current impulse test and to describethe function of the various circuit componentsrather than to specifya standardtest circuit which shall be used in all tests. The requirementsof wave shape, duration, charging voltage, load resistor, interval between impulses, etc., are given in the test specification. The exact rnethod by which these requirernentsare met is immaterial. There are many possible variations both in the circuit and in the choice of values for the various components. Figure I shows a simplified diagram of a distributed-constantimpulse generator. The surge impedance of the generator is determinedby:

z:l+

when neglectingthe resistance

The number of LC sectionsof the generator will normally be about ten to produce an acceptablewaveshape. To limit the oscillationsat the beginning and the end of the peak of the wave, it may be necessary to increasethe inductancesat both ends of the generator as well as to introduce parallel resistors,R, to inductances. for compensate the reducedfront steepness causedby the increased The triggering gap can be a sirnple switch. However, if the generator charging voltage is insufficientto spark over the arrester sample, a small auxiliary impulse generator may be required. In that case,both from the impulsegeneratorand the auxiliary impulsegeneratormust be separated the distributed-constant arrestersampleby triggering gaps.

Triggering gaps

T o a u x i l i a riy p u l s e m g e n e r a t o ri,f r e q u i r e d

f::}R

t_]
R

.c:]
R Arrester sample Voltage divider D , C ,c h a r g i n g circuit Shunt

To C,R.O.

Flc. L -

Typical distributed-constantimpulse generatorfor the long-duration impulse test.

-75The current through and the voltage acrossthe arrestersampleshould be recordedwith a cathode-ray oscillograph. Sub-clause63.3 requires that the waveshapeshall be checked by a calibration procedure using a load resistor,the value of which should be very closeto that of the generator surgeimpedance. Otherwise,the requirementswith respectto the waveshapewill not be fulfilled. The designof the distributed-constant impulsegeneratorshould be such as to permit the inductance and capacitance be changedreadily. Moreover, a generatorof adequatevoltage permits alteration of the to test samplerating so as to suit the surgeimpedance. However, it should be noted that the samplerating can only be alteredin stepsequal to the lowestvoltagerating of the arrestersections usedin the particular arresterdesign.