2016 CIGRE-IEC Colloquium

21, rue d’Artois, F-75008 PARIS May 9-11, 2016

http : //www.cigre.org Montréal, QC, Canada

Seismic Solutions and Testing for High Voltage Air Insulated Switchgear

FRANCESCO PICCOLI, RIYAD KECHROUD, HADI ALIDOU,

DANIELLE TREMBLAY, MATTHEW L. SMITH, GEORGES DOUMMAR
GE Energy Connections Grid Solutions
United States of America, Italy, France, Canada

SUMMARY

This paper presents several solutions analysed and/or tested for high voltage air insulated switchgear.
The equipment presented include disconnect switches, a current transformer and a circuit breaker.
Each piece of equipment aims to fulfil the requirements of various international standards to either
0.5g or 1.0g ground acceleration.

First presented are the activities and results of the horizontal disconnect switch SPOLT 550kV 4000A
knee type for the US market. An activity of analysis, design improvements and testing (at IEEE 693-
2005 High Performance Level (1.0g) has been performed, complying with the requirements of the
Standard and the limits of the testing facility. Immediately following are the results of performed
seismic qualifications to high level (0.5g) and to performance level (1.0g) of the single pole 362kV
vertical porcelain disconnect switch according to IEEE 693-2005. The 362kV disconnect switch is
tested in three configurations; disconnect switch open/grounding switch closed, disconnect switch
closed/grounding switch open and finally disconnect switch open and grounding switch open. Tri-
axial tests of this single pole of porcelain vertical disconnect switch mounted on its support structure
are conducted by means of IEEE preapproved time history to determine its dynamic properties and to
qualify this disconnect switch to the High Performance Level.

Next presented are the test results of an OSKF550kV Current Transformer, where the transformer was
subjected to Time History accelerations as per High Response (0.5g) and High Performance (1.0g), the
latter being reported.

Finally is the presentation of the seismic testing of GL range circuit breaker with ceramic insulators
according to IEEE 693-2005 or Chilean ETG specification. The study of the circuit breaker considers
both elastomeric dampeners and wire rope dampeners. Testing is preceded by analysis to estimate
results, and then followed by analysis to correlate with test results to characterize dampeners, then to
spread estimation on other circuit breakers of the range.

KEYWORDS
Current transformer, disconnect switch, seismic qualification, circuit breaker, IEEE
693, performance level, FEM analysis, High Voltage Switchgear

[email protected]
Section A.1 - 550kV Disconnect Switch - Introduction
The knee type disconnect switch SPOLT 550kV 4000A is a horizontal, single pole operated
disconnector with one earthing switch. The mobile arms are linked to a bearing frame that stands on a
post insulator and are operated by a rotating insulator; the fixed contact stands on another post
insulator and has the earthing switch. All the insulators for the project are porcelain BIL 1800kV made
by dry process.
Seismic Qualification of the equipment
1 - FEM analysis and pre-test of standard version, to define the
necessary improvement of the design to comply with the
requirement of IEEE 693-2005 High performance level 1.0g and the
limits of the testing facility, in terms of minimum resonance
frequency and damping factor. The maximum displacement of the
table is 200 mm, and this limits the minimum frequency of the Test
Response Spectrum at 1.0g. Dampers are not used, also to reduce
the maximum displacement at the terminal plates, that can be
limited by the interconnection with adjacent equipment.
2 - Improvement of design and verification with pre-test: live part
reinforced to reduced weight and increase stiffness (for higher
resonance frequencies); customized design of porcelain insulators,
high strength (~C23); reinforced base; support structure with lattice
design to increase stiffness and reduce the weight.
3 - Test campaign on six degree of freedom shaking table at CESI
Laboratory in Bergamo (Italy) [1] (with rigid interface structure to
fit the shaking table dimensions):
 Static calibration of strain gauges applied to the insulators, live Figure 2 - FEM Analysis
part and support structure
 Routine test (5 O/C operations for each configuration +
measurement of resistance – millivolt drop test)
 Sine sweep tests (xyz) for Resonance frequencies search at 0.1g
Resonance DSC OPEN/O DSC CLOSED/O
Damping X Y X Y
Frequency1 2.63 Hz 2.5 Hz 3.42 Hz 3.42 Hz
D.Factor 4.9% 15.6% 5.1% 3.8%
Frequency2 5.75 Hz 4.09 Hz 6.36 Hz 3.42 Hz
D.Factor 3.5% 3.3% 3.5% 3.5%
 Time history test at 1.0 g (three configurations, disconnector
Open/earthing switch Open, Open/Closed, Closed/Open): no
visible damage of the switch was detected.
 Routine test (5 operations after each configuration + resistance):
the switch functioned properly with no sign of wear.
 Sine sweep tests (xyz) at 0.10g
4 - Seismic qualification reporting, signed by a Professional Figure 2 - Test campaign
Engineer registered in
the specific US state [2]:
the equipment results
Qualified to High
Performance Level 1.0g
ZPA of the RRS. A
Seismic Layout Drawing
with foundation loads
(calculated from the tests
results) is included in the
report.
Figure 3- Example of Time histories and RRSs/TRSs

1
Section A.2 - 362kV Disconnect Switch - Introduction
Disconnect switches are mechanical devices used in substations to isolate others major equipment for
maintenance, inspection, upgrade, repair, etc. or simply to change network configurations. They
perform the following important functions: open and close reliably when called upon to do so, carry
load currents without overheating and remain in closed position under short-circuit currents.
The main objective of the tests was to qualify the seismic performance of the switch to the moderate
level 0.25, high level 0.5g and high performance level 1g according to the IEEE Std. 693 (2005) [3].
One pole of the disconnect switch CGVB 08 362kV 1300kV BIL 4000A (ceramic insulators) with its
grounding switch STB 80 mounted on giraffe type support structure was tested with simultaneous
uncorrelated tri-axial earthquake excitations. The switch assembly was mounted on a six degrees-of-
freedom shake table of the State University of New York at Buffalo [4]. The switch was subjected to
seismic qualifications tests at 0.25g, 0.5g and 1g. Functionality tests were performed after each
seismic qualification test. The switch assembly was tested in three operating positions:
• Position A: main switch closed, grounding switch open
• Position B: main switch open, grounding switch closed
• Position C: main switch open, grounding switch open
Resonance search tests were conducted immediately prior to and after the seismic qualification tests
for each switch position that was tested for verification of system properties.

Resonance Search Tests

Prior to seismic qualifications tests, resonance search tests were
conducted in three directions individually (longitudinal,
transverse and vertical) by subjecting the switch assembly to an
acceleration-controlled moderate level (0.25 g peak nominal)
random excitation. The excitation signal consisted of a flat
spectrum white noise signal, with frequency content from 0.5
Hz to 33 Hz and duration determined according to the formula
shown in Section A.1.2.1 of the IEEE 693-2005.

The natural frequencies and associated modal damping ratios

were determined through the transfer functions between the
acceleration responses at various locations (10 tri-axial
accelerometers) on the tested unit and the input acceleration
controlled input base motion. The damping ratio associated with
each natural frequency was obtained by the half-power
bandwidth method [5].

For position A, the results of the resonance search tests are

summarized in Table 1. Two modal frequencies are identified
for the longitudinal (x - EW) direction, three modal frequencies
for the transverse (y - NS) direction and two modal frequencies
for the vertical (z) direction.
Figure 4 : Disconnect with CGVB-08 362kV-1300kV
BIL 4000A w/ceramic insulators at position C

Table 1: Summary of frequencies and damping in Position A.

Position A Mode 1 Mode 2 Mode 3 Mode 4 Mode 5 Mode 6 Mode 7
Before 0.25g f (Hz) 2.5 3.1 4.2 6.8 11.3 29.8 33.5
Damping (%) 3.2 3.2 5.4 1.9 3.4 2.06 1.3
Before 1g f (Hz) 2.4 3.1 4.0 6.6 11.0 29.5 33.3
Damping (%) 4.1 2.3 6.5 2.6 3.5 2.4 1.1
After f (Hz) 2.2 3 3.6 6.4 9.9 28.7 32.0
1g Damping (%) 4.8 3.5 9.2 2.4 5.6 2.5 1.6

Three modal frequencies are identified for the longitudinal (x - EW) direction, four modal frequencies
for the transverse (y - NS) direction and two modal frequencies for the vertical (z) direction.

2
 Table 2: Summary of frequencies and damping in Position B.
Position B Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Before f (Hz) 2.0 3.0 3.6 4.5 5.4 7.1 11.2 30.1 33.4
0.25g Damping (%) 3.5 3.2 3.0 7.7 5.4 2.0 3.0 1.5 2.5
After 0.5g f (Hz) 1.9 3.0 3.4 3.9 5.0 7.0 10.3 29.2 -
Damping (%) 5.0 3.0 3.9 21.0 5.3 2.0 5.2 3.4 -
After f (Hz) 1.8 3.0 3.3 3.7 4.9 6.8 9.8 28.3 -
1g Damping (%) 6.7 4.0 4.6 12.5 5.4 3.5 5.0 3.1 -

Three modal frequencies are identified for the longitudinal (x - EW) direction, three modal frequencies
for the transverse (y - NS) direction and two modal frequencies for the vertical (z) direction.

Table 3: Summary of frequencies and damping in Position C.

Position C Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode Mode
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Before f (Hz) 2.0 3.1 3.6 4.4 5.4 7.1 11.1 29.8 33.3
0.25g Damping (%) 4.1 2.3 3.4 10.0 3.9 2.3 3.3 2.0 1.5
After 0.5g f (Hz) 1.8 3.0 3.4 3.7 4.9 6.8 9.9 28.3 -
Damping (%) 7.7 1.9 4.1 16.8 4.2 3.2 4.7 2.9 -
After f (Hz) 1.8 3.0 3.2 3.6 4.8 6.7 9.6 28.1 -
1g Damping (%) 7.8 2.4 4.0 19.6 5.3 2.8 5.3 3.5 -

Seismic Qualification Tests

The table motions for the seismic qualification tests are IEEE-preapproved records ‘’TestQke4IEEE’’
factored by 1.1. These records are derived from filtered historical ground motions recorded during the
1992 Northridge Landers earthquake such that the amplitude and frequency profiles conform to the
shape of the 2% damping performance level 1g required response spectra as specified by IEEE Std.
693 (2005). The peak values of this factored motion are presented in Table 4. For the shaking table
tests, this time history was filtered to accommodate the limitations of the table. Therefore, the motions
were high-pass filtered with a cut off frequency of 0.60 Hz. The test response spectra TRS are
presented in Figure 6 for different directions and different positions of the disconnect switch. The TRS
results are overlaid with graphs of the corresponding RRS, along with a tolerance band indicating the
upper (+50%) and lower (-10%) constraints specified by IEEE Std. 693 (2005). The TRS of the
achieved table motions compared favorably to the performance level required response spectra
Spectrum (RRS) at 2% critical damping as specified by IEEE Std. 693 (2005). Operational tests and a
physical inspection of the switch assembly undertaken showed that the CGVB-08 362kV passed the
operational tests required by IEEE Std. 693 (2005).

Table 4: Peak acceleration, velocity and displacement for

TestQke4IEEE factored by 1.1 [3]
Direction Acceleration, g Velocity, in/sec Displacement, in
X 1,10 81,3 19,7
Y 1,09 68,2 15,6
Z 0,87 66,0 17,5

Figure 5: Preapproved IEEE-693 input motions TestQke4IEEE conforming to high performance level @
2% damping [3].

3
 Position A (x direction) b. Position B (y direction)

Position C (z direction)
Figure 6: Test Response Spectra compared to performance level required response spectra @2 %
damping [4].

Table 5 reports the maximums reactions measured at anchorage bolt [6]. The table shows that
reactions in tension can be as high as 97 kN and in shear as high as 69kN.
Table 6 shows the safety factors with respect to the ultimate strength bending moment (mean-2s)
within the insulators [6]. All the insulators safety factors are higher than the minimum required safety
factor at performance level. In Table 7, are reported the safety factors with respect to the yield
strength within different components of the disconnect switch [6]. These components remains linear
elastic since the safety factors are higher than one.

Table 5: Reactions measured at anchorage bolts.

Reactions (kN) Position A Position B Position C
Max shear 69.0 40.0 44.0
Max tension 75.0 77.0 97.0

Table 6: Safety factor within insulators.

Insulator Position A Position B Position C Minimum
Safety Factors
Fixed TR 369 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.0
hinge side
Rotating TR 324 6.0 4.2 3.8 1.0
hinge side
Fixed TR 369 2.2 2.0 1.9 1.0
jaw side

Table 7: Safety factor within disconnect switch components.

Material Component Position Safety factor
Ductile Iron Motor arm C 1.5
Steel Support of insulator C 2.1
Aluminum Blade C 2.7
Aluminum Fork B 1.7
Steel Column Structure C 1.7

4
Section B - 550kV Current Transformer – Introduction
Current transformers are used for monitoring currents on transmission lines that cannot be monitored
directly with meters. The current transformer is of live-tank design with the magnetic windings
housed inside of the tank which is located on the top of the unit. The large tank “head housing” may
sometimes contain up to six magnetic cores rated to C800 protection applications, thus causing
considerable weight to be supported and isolated by a bushing of more than four meters in length.
This delicate, top heavy system presents quite a challenging situation when subjected to large seismic
activity.
6.1 m height
Current Transformer Construction OSKF550
The current transformer consists of four main external assemblies.
The pedestal base, which is constructed of a flat aluminium plate
830 kg
having two galvanized “feet” bolted to it for support. The porcelain
insulator sits atop the pedestal and functions to support and isolate the
high voltage top tank. The top tank involves two cast aluminium
housings which support the primary winding and enclose the
secondary magnetic windings. Finally, the metallic expansion system
is mounted directly to the top tank. The entire transformer is filled
with mineral oil. In the case of the 550kV transformer tested, the
mass of the entire unit is 2075 kg. The insulator weighs 1135 kg and
the top tank 830 kg. The remaining weight is in the pedestal.
1135 kg

Seismic Testing Program

The seismic program was to experiment with subjecting the current
transformer (CT) to time history accelerations starting with the
Moderate RRS (0.25), followed by High Seismic RRS (0.5 g), and
finally the High Performance Level (1.0g) as per IEEE 693-2005.

First, static pull tests were conducted to establish a moment to strain relationship at the base of the
insulator (point of critical stress). The resulting relationship can be seen in Table 8.
SG7

SG6 SG8
S-S direction

SG5
After completion of the static pull test, the CT was bolted
F-B direction
directly to the shake table top and a frequency search was
conducted to determine the resonant frequencies between
1 Hz and 33 Hz. Due to violent interaction between the
table and the unit, the search was cut to 20 Hz at the top
limit. The resonant frequencies found are displayed in
Table 9 along corresponding damping ratios.

Following the sine sweeps, Time History motions were learned and applied to the CT. Figures 7, 8
and 9 display the RRS and TRS curves for the High Performance Level (1.0g) per IEEE 693-2005.

Figure 7 [7] Figure 8 [7] Figure 9 [7]

5
Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 are the corresponding measured strain values at the base of the insulator for
the 1.0g run.

Figure 10 [7] Figure 11 [7]

Figure 12 [7] Figure 13 [7]

Results
The allowable moment for this particular hollow ceramic insulator is taken to be 220150 Nm,
therefore establishing the allowable strain measured on the strain gages, as calculated based on the
values from Table 8, to be as displayed in Table 10.

Following the conclusion of the Performance Level Time History test, the CT was inspected for
damage and/or oil leaks. No leaks were detected, however, it was noticed that the hardware use to
clamp the insulator to the pedestal plate, and the hardware used for fastening the galvanized feet to
the pedestal plate had become loose. The hardware was re-torqued. Finally, a post test sine sweep
frequency search was performed to verify the resonant frequencies. The values were as follows:
1.94 Hz in the F-B direction and 2.10 Hz in the S-S. Both of these values are within the allowable
20% variation.

6
Section C - Live-Tank Circuit Breakers - Introduction
Circuit breakers are mechanical devices used in substations to protect electrical network. They ‘break’
short circuit currents. The difference between open and closed positions is a small displacement inside.

Seismic Design
The testing of one position is sufficient. The seismic design targets the reduction in stresses in order
to comply with the required safety factor. The reduction is especially critical in ceramic insulators.
To avoid having to utilize heavy, large diameter insulators, dampers are used. See ‘The Oak and the
Reed’ = ‘Le Chêne et le Roseau’ Jean de La Fontaine. The dampers used are either elastomeric or
wire rope. A free oscillation test is first performed in factory to determine first natural frequency and
damping ratio. With these values we find the required acceleration on the spectrum in the considered
specification and knowing the mass of each component we estimate the bending moment on the
insulators.

Then a Campaign at a Shaking Table Facility[8]

The campaign begins with the strain gauge calibration to determine the correspondence between micro
deformation of gauges and the bending moment on the insulators. This can then be compared to the
ultimate bending moment proven.
Following is a sine sweep test (resonance search) with results displayed below.

First natural frequency f1 [Hz] damping 1 [%]

Resonance search X .76 13.1
Resonance search Y .71 17.6
Resonance search Z 3.9 1.8

Figure 14: GL317D Circuit breaker with wire rope dampers and finite element representation of the same

7
Finally, a tri-axial seismic test, according to the required spectrum, introduces micro deformations on
the strain gauges. These deformations can then be compared using the calibration results, thus
determining the bending moments on the insulators.

Correlation Finite Element Model Analysis

The circuit breaker is represented with its components with dimensions and masses. Dampers are
represented each by 6 elements, one in each of the 6 degrees of freedom, having each a stiffness value
and damping ratio. Then performed, is a modal and spectral analysis. Stiffness values and damping
ratios are modified along several iterations until obtaining the global 1st natural frequency and
damping in each of the 3 directions measured during shaking table campaign. The spectral analysis
and combination of directions shows then bending moments near enough to the measured values
during shaking table tests and correlation is considered satisfactory. The values are the characteristics
of the dampers considered fixed and are then used to simulate other circuit breakers of the same range
with similar geometry.

Conclusions
With regard to the disconnect switch, the paper summarizes the results of simultaneous uncorrelated
tri-axial earthquake excitations applied to the SPOLT 550kV 4000A disconnect switch along with
disconnect switch CGVB 08 362kV 1300kV BIL 4000A and its grounding switch STB 80 with
ceramic insulators on giraffe support structure. The main objective of the tests were to qualify the
disconnect switches to the High Performance (1.0g) RRS under the IEEE Std. 693 (2005). The
disconnect switches were tested in three operational positions. The article presented also some results
of the resonance search tests conducted on the units. The obtained results demonstrated that both the
SPOLT 550kV and the CGVB-08 362 kV pass the qualification tests at the High Performance Level.

In the case of the current transformer, it has been previously considered that the tall, slender, top heavy
construction of voltage classes of 362kv and higher, could not withstand the rigours of a high (0.5g)
seismic, or perhaps even a moderate (0.25g) event without cost prohibitive dampeners. The above
study demonstrates that with standard equipment configuration, the unit is capable of exhibiting
acceptable behaviour.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Lancini S., Vidori M., Pucci G., Arcidiaco L. Report No. CESI_B4010441_tr “Seismic Test –
Qualification Report” (CESI SpA – Testing & Certification Division – April 2014). Internal
report
[2] Black C. J. Report No. SIE-AG-SPOLT550kV “Seismic Qualification Tests Report” (Seismic
Isolation Engineering, Inc. – December 2014). Internal Report
[3] “IEEE Recommended Practice for Seismic Design for Substations”, in (IEEE Std 693-2005
Revision of IEEE Std 693-1997), vol., no., pp. 0-167, 2006 doi:10.1109/IEEESTD.2006.246239
[4] Mark Pitman, Myrto Anagnostopoulou, Andre Filiatrault, Report No. UB-CSEE/SEESL – 2010-
07 University of Buffalo, New York, August 25, 2010. Internal Report
[5] Chopra, A. K., 2001. “Dynamics of Structures – Theory and Applications to Earthquake
Engineering”, Second Edition, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
[6] R. Kechroud, Report no.: 1-2110-007 seismic test-qualification report qualified to level high
performance of the disconnect switch, vertical break, type CGVB-08 362kV, 1300 kV BIL,
4000A with grounding switch stb 80, August 2010. Internal Report.
[7] Clark Laboratories, Report no. JID 15-00044, “Seismic Testing of Multiple Alstom Grid CT
Assemblies”, September 30, 2015. Internal Report
[8] ETS-REP-MECH-4516 FDR “Circuit Breaker Vibration Test ETS Facility Data Report” 2012