International Electrical Engineering Journal (IEEJ)

Vol. 3 (2012) No. 2, pp. 757-763

ISSN 2078-2365

Estimation of Re-striking Transient Over voltages in a

132KV Gas insulated Substation
M. Kondalu1, P.S. Subramanyam2
Electrical & Electronics Engineering, JNT University. Hyderabad.
1
[email protected]
2
[email protected]
Joginpally B.R. Engineering College,
Moinabad, Hyderabad

Abstract: --This paper presents the most significant results of a Very fast simulation of transients in GIS assumes an establishment of the
transient Overvoltages generated due to switching operations have been models for the Bus, Bushing, Elbow, Transformers, Surge
analyzed and presented. Since the contact speed of dis-connector switches
is low, re-striking occurs many times before the current interruption is Arresters, Breakers, Spacers, dis-connectors, and Enclosures
completed .Each re-striking generates transient overvoltage with level of and so on.
magnitude. These transient have travelling wave behaviour, they travel to
the external systems through enclosures, bushings, cable joints etc.. and A GIS system comprising of an Input Cable, Spacer,
cause damage to the outside equipment. They can lead secondary break
downs in GIS and may give rise to electromagnetic interference. The
Dis-connector Switch, Bus bar of 10mts length and load has
Earth faults give rise to TEV which can interfere with the operation and been considered for modelling into electrical network and
control of secondary equipment in a 3-phase 132kv GIS. Thus it is analysis. The Fast Transient Over voltage waveform generated
important to develop a suitable MATLAB7.8 models for estimation of during Closing and Opening operation of Dis-connector Switch
these overvoltages.
and 3-phase faults has been considered for calculations.
Spacers are simulated by lumped Capacitance. The
Keywords—Gas Insulated Substation (GIS), very fast Transient Inductance of the bus duct is calculated from the diameters of
overvoltages, 3phase faults, MATLAB 7.8 software and Control Conductor and Enclosure. Capacitances are calculated on the
circuitry basis of actual diameters of inner and outer cylinders of central
conductor and outer enclosure. Cone Insulators used for
supporting inner conductor against outer enclosure are assumed
I. INTRODUCTION to be disk type for approximate calculation of spacer
For accurate analysis of transients, it is essential to capacitance.
find the VFTO’s and circuit parameters. Due to the travelling The busduct can be modelled as a series of Pi-network
nature of the transients the modelling of GIS makes use of or as sequence parameters. However in this model, it is
electrical equivalent circuits composed by lumped elements considered as distributed Pi-network. The Schematic Diagram
and especially by distributed parameter lines, surge impedances of a Typical Gas Insulated System (GIS) is shown in below
and travelling times. The simulation depends on the quality of figure 3.
the model of each individual GIS component. In order to
achieve reasonable results in GIS structures highly accurate Frequency nature, the VFTO imposed on the transformers
models for each internal equipment and also for components connected directly to the GIS would not be distributed evenly
connected to the GIS are necessary. on all transformer windings. Some windings, e.g. the first few
turns connecting to the 132kV GIS, would be subject to a
The dis-connector spark itself has to be taken into higher magnitude of overvoltage, posing a potential risk of
account by transient resistance according to the Toepler’s insulation breakdown of the transformers[9][10].
equation and subsequent arc resistance of a few ohms. The
wave shape of the over voltage surge due to dis-connector
switch is affected by all GIS elements. Accordingly, the

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Kondalu and Subramanyam, Estimation of Re-striking Transient Overvoltages in a 132KV Gas insulated Substation
International Electrical Engineering Journal (IEEJ)
Vol. 3 (2012) No. 2, pp. 757-763
ISSN 2078-2365

II. MODELLING OF 132KV GAS INSULATED several nF, depending on its length. First re-strike across the
SUBSTATION gap occurs when voltage across the gap exceeds the breakdown
voltage. The occurrence of re-strikes is described with the
following Fig 2
During the current operation of dis-connector switch in a The voltage across the gap is the difference between U1
GIS, re-strikes(pre-strikes) occur because of low speed of the and U2, if it is assumed that the breakdown voltage UB of the
dis-connector switch moving contact, hence Very fast gap increases with increasing separation and therefore with
Transient Over voltage are developed. These VFTO’s are time as shown in fig 2.Then the curve U2 can be constructed as
caused by switching operations and 3-phase fault follows. At the instant of mechanical contact separation, U1
and U2 have the same value, the voltage U2 continues to retain
When a dis-connector switch is opened on a floating this value, while U1 changes with power frequency, the voltage
section of switchgear, trapped charge may be left on the (U2-U1)
floating section. In the opening operation of dis-connector Across the gap of the isolator also changes. As soon as,
switch, transients are produced and the magnitude of these (U2-U1) exceeds the dielectric strength UB of the gap, a
transients and rise times depends on the circuits parameters. breakdown and thus first re-strike occurs. Both electrodes are
When there is a fault occurs, there is a short circuit in the there by electrically connected by conducting spark, whereby
system. Transients are also produced due to the faults in the GIS section with initial voltage U2 is very rapidly charged to
system. Due to this VFTO’s are caused by switching operation instantaneous value of U1. The transient current flowing
can also lead to secondary breakdown with in GIS. Re-striking through the spark then interrupts as soon as the GIS have been
surges generated by the dis-connector switches at GIS charged to U1 and spark extinguishes.
generally possess extremely high frequencies ranging from
several hundred KHz to several MHz . For the development of The voltage U2 now remains constant with time,
equivalent circuit low voltage step response measurements of while the voltage U1.on the side of supply keeps changing.
the main GIS components have been made. Using MATLAB This continues until the second re- strike occurs with an
7.8 of the equivalent models is developed. increased breakdown voltage UB as a consequence of larger
During opening of Dis- connector switch (DS), separation. Hence U2 follows U1, until finally at the end of the
transients are produced due to internal oscillations. The switching process the gap no longer can be broken down.
magnitude of transients and rise times depends on the circuit Transients are also produced due to faults in the system. When
parameters like inductance, Capacitance and connected Load. there is a fault, there will be short circuit in the system. Due to
Assuming that some trapped charge is left is left during this, oscillations occur due to presence of inductance and
operating operation; transients can be calculated during closing capacitance on both sides of the fault section causing
operation of DS. transients.
Dis-connector Switch (DS) operation typically
Fast transient over voltages generated during Dis-connector involves slow moving contacts which results in numerous
Switch operation are a sequence of voltage of voltage steps discharges during operation .For example, a floating section of
created by voltage collapse across the gas at re-striking specific switchgear between a disconnect switch and an open breaker
over voltage shape is formed by multiple reflections and (load side may be disconnected from an energized Gas
refractions. Operation of Dis-connector Switch (DS) can be insulated system (supply side).
shown by using the fig 1 For capacitive currents below—1 amp, are-strike occurs
every time the voltage between the connects exceeds the
Where L1 = Inductance of Source dielectric strength of the gaseous medium between them.
C1 = Capacitance of Source Each re-strike generates a spark, which equalizes the
C2 = Capacitance of GIS Open part potentials between the switch contacts. Following spark
U1 = Power Frequency Voltage extinction, the supply and load side potentials will deviate
U2 = Power GIS Voltage according to the AC supply voltage variation and the discharge
The more frequent service situation of the isolator is its characteristics of the load side respectively. Another spark will
use to connect or dis-connect unloaded parts of the installation result when the voltage across the electrode gap dependent
as is shown in fig 1 for example apart of the of the GIS is dis- breakdown voltage UB and the potential difference of the load
connected by an isolator from an overhead supply line. Where and supply side U.
by the self-capacitance C2 of this part of circuit can be upto
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Kondalu and Subramanyam, Estimation of Re-striking Transient Overvoltages in a 132KV Gas insulated Substation
International Electrical Engineering Journal (IEEJ)
Vol. 3 (2012) No. 2, pp. 757-763
ISSN 2078-2365

Each Dis-connector Switch (DS) operation generates a

large number of ignitions between the moving contacts. The ∫
number of ignitions depends on the speed of the contacts. The
largest and steepest surge voltages are generated only by those
breakdowns at the largest contact gap. Therefore, only by those Where,
breakdowns (10-50) need be considered for dielectric purpose. = Toepler’s constant
A. Calculation of variable arc resistance = 0.005 volt.sec/mt for SF6 under uniform field
conditions
The Variable arc resistance is calculated using the L = spark length in meters
formula:
= Initial charge or charge at the instant of breakdown
T = spark collapse time in sec.

Fig. 1 Electric Circuit for explaining re-strikes

Fig 2 Voltage of the open –ended GIS side of the Isolator

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Kondalu and Subramanyam, Estimation of Re-striking Transient Overvoltages in a 132KV Gas insulated Substation
International Electrical Engineering Journal (IEEJ)
Vol. 3 (2012) No. 2, pp. 757-763
ISSN 2078-2365

Fig. 3 Schematic diagram of a typical Gas Insulated Substation

Fig. 4. 132kv GIS MATLAB implemented circuit when CB in Re-Striking Condition

The value of time varying spark resistance R(t) is calculated three post type spacers and a 132kv gas bushing containing
until it reaches a value of 1 to 3 ohms. The integral in the stress capacitor.
denominator sums up the absolute value of current ‘i’ through .
the resistance R(t) over the time beginning at breakdown
inception. Thus, it corresponds to the charge conducted through
the spark channel up to time‘t’. III. 3-PHASE EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT FOR 132KV
The busduct can be modelled as a series of Pi-network GIS SYSTEM FOR 10MTS LENGTH
or as sequence parameters. However in this model, it is
considered as distributed Pi-network. The Schematic Diagram
The bus duct is dividing into three sections of length
of a Typical Gas Insulated System (GIS) is shown in below
1mts, 4mts, 5mts from load side. The GIS bushing is
figure 3.
represented by a capacitance of 125pf. The resistance of 1 ohm
Assuming that some trapped charge is left on the floating
spark channel is connected in series with circuit breaker.
section of switchgear during opening operation of dis-
MATLAB Circuit for 10 mts. length in a 3-phase 132kv GIS
connector switch, a voltage of certain value is considered
shown in the fig. 4.
during MATLAB
Due to trapped charge some voltage remains on the floating
The apparatus as disconnected with an earthing switch, three section which can create severe conditions because the first re-
disc type Spencer’s , a load bus bar above to 10mts long width strike can occur at the peak of power frequency voltage giving
a voltage of 2.0 p.u. On re-strike the voltage on each side will

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Kondalu and Subramanyam, Estimation of Re-striking Transient Overvoltages in a 132KV Gas insulated Substation
International Electrical Engineering Journal (IEEJ)
Vol. 3 (2012) No. 2, pp. 757-763
ISSN 2078-2365

collapse initially zero and hence creating two 1.0pu voltage 7 0.4 1.79 9
steps of opposite polarities. In this, it is assumed that re- 8 0.3 1.71 12
striking is created at 1.0 p.u. respectively on either side of dis- 9 0.2 1.42 11
connector switch (DS). The transients due to closing of the 10 0.1 1.39 9
circuit breaker are calculated and maximum voltage obtained
with a rise time.
This method implemented on MATLAB 7.8. the voltage
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
before and after circuit breaker is taken to be 1.0 pu and -1.0pu
as the most enormous condition but depending on the time of The phenomenon that occurs during the DS closing into
closing of circuit breaker the magnitude of the voltage on the a capacitive load is very nearly the reserve of processes that
load side changes. occur during its opening. Here, the first restrike occurs due to
the residual voltage left behind by a previous opening on the
For different values of voltages on the load side the
load side. Circuit breaker or load break switch closing or
magnitudes and rise time of the voltage wave are calculated
openings also generate VFTO in the case of re-strikes but the
keeping source side voltages as constant as 1.0p.u the values
number of such VFTO is much lower than those generated by
are tabulated in table I.
DS operation. The various transient voltage and current at
Similarly by changing the magnitudes of the voltage on the
different positions in a 3 phase 132kv GIS for the first
source side, keeping voltage on load side constant at 1.0p.u.
switching operation presented in results.
Then the transient due to variation of voltage on source side
Assumed that there is a second re-strike another switch is
obtained. The values are tabulated in Table II.
connected in parallel to the circuit breaker for simulation in
MATLAB modeling. Transients are calculated by closing this
switch when voltage difference across the contacts of the
TABLE I circuit breaker reaches maximum value.
TRANSIENT DUE TO VARIATION OF RE-STRIKE VOLTAGE ON LODE SIDE

S.no Load side Voltage Magnitude of the Rise Time During Re-strike operation (source & Load) the voltage
(p.u) voltage (p.u) (Nanos) through the resistance of the circuit breaker is shown in fig.5
1 -1.0 2.45 10 and fig.6. From the graph it was found the maximum current is
2 -0.9 2.39 13 25A at a rise time of 13ns.
3 -0.8 2.19 12
4 -0.7 2.15 10
5 -0.6 2.03 12
6 -0.5 1.96 11
7 -0.4 1.82 10
8 -0.3 1.77 13
9 -0.2 1.53 12
10 -0.1 1.45 9

TABLE II
TRANSIENTS DUE TO VARIATION OF RE-STRIKE VOLTAGE ON SOURCE SIDE

S.no Source side Magnitude of the Rise Time

Voltage (p.u) voltage (p.u) (nanos)
1 1.0 2.43 9
2 0.9 2.37 10
3 0.8 2.17 11 Fig. 5 Transient voltage waveform during Re-strike for 10mts
4 0.7 2.11 10 from source side in a 3-phase 132kv GIS
5 0.6 2.01 9
6 0.5 1.91 10

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Kondalu and Subramanyam, Estimation of Re-striking Transient Overvoltages in a 132KV Gas insulated Substation
International Electrical Engineering Journal (IEEJ)
Vol. 3 (2012) No. 2, pp. 757-763
ISSN 2078-2365

Fig 6Transient voltage waveform during Re-strike for Fig.8 Current waveform during Re-strike for 10mts from
10mts from Load side in a 3-phase 132kv GIS Load side in a 3-phase 132kv GIS

TABLE III
THE ANALYSIS VALUES ARE TABULATED AS FOLLOWS:

Magnitude of Rise time

Mode of operation
voltage(p.u) (Nano sec)
During closing
2.46 69
operation
During opening
1.22 56
operation
During second re-
2.45 112
strike

Fig 7 Current waveform during Re-strike for 10mts from V. CONCLUSION

source side in a 3-phase 132kv GIS
A model is Developed for the prediction of the VFTO
To introduce the current chopping, the circuit breaker is phenomena in the circuit of voltage and current transformers in
opened remains. Hence to calculate transients due to opening GIS. The main advantage of such model is to enable the
operation the CB is opened at 12ns. The transients are obtained transient analysis of GIS.A spark collapse time was correctly
and show in fig.7. simulated by the variable resistor. By this spark collapse time,
The transient calculated due to re-strike gives the peak resistance of the VFTO is extended, and the component caused
voltage of 2.45p.u at a rise time of 112ns show in fig.8. by short surge impedance discontinuities such as spacers, dis-
connectors and short bus branches were damped.

A GIS system comprising of spacers, bus bar and dis-

connectors has been considered for modeling into electric
network. The inductance of the bus bar is calculated from

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Kondalu and Subramanyam, Estimation of Re-striking Transient Overvoltages in a 132KV Gas insulated Substation
International Electrical Engineering Journal (IEEJ)
Vol. 3 (2012) No. 2, pp. 757-763
ISSN 2078-2365

diameters of conductors and enclosure using standard formulae.

Cone insulators used for supporting inner conductor against
outer enclosure are assumed to be disk type for approximate
calculation of spacer capacitance is calculated using formulae
for concentric cylinders. The entire bus length is modeled as
distributed pi-network. The peak magnitude of fast transient
currents generated during switching event changes from one
position to another in a 132kv GIS for a particular switching
operation. These transients over voltages are reduced by
connecting suitable resistor in an equivalent circuit during
closing and opening operation.

VI. REFERENCES

[1] Boggs SA., Chu F.Y. and Pujimotor N. (IYXZ), 'Disconnect Switch
Induced Transients and Trapped Charge in GIs', EEE Trans. PAS, Vol.
PAS-101, No.IO, pp3593-3601.
[2] MohanaRao M., Naidu M.S. (199% 'Estimation of Fast Transient
Overvoltages in the case of Disconnnector operation in a GIS', 3d
workshop & conference on EHV Technology, IISC Bangalore.
[3] J.B. Kim,M.S. Kim,K.S.Park, W.P.Son.,.D.S. Kim, G.S. Kil.
Development of monitoring and diagnostic system for SF6 gas
insulated switchgear.
IEEE Conference Record of the 2002 IEEE International Symposium
on Electrical Insulation. Boston, Massachusetts, UnitedStates, pp.453-
456, 2002.
[4] M.kondalu, G.Sreekanthreddy, Dr. P.S. subramanyam,” Estimation
Transientover voltages in gas insulated bus duct from 220kv gas
insulated substation”, International journal of Computer applications,
(0975-8887) volume 20-no.8 april 2011.
[5] M.kondalu, G.Sreekanthreddy, Dr. P.S. subramanyam,” Analysis and
Calculation of very fast transient over voltages in 220kv gas insulated
substationIinternational Journal of Engineering &techsciencevol 2(4)
2011
[6] Li Liu-ling, Hu Pan-feng, Qiu Yu-chang, Analysis of Very Fast
Transient Overvoltage Calculation Affected by Different Transformer
WindingModels, Journal of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 2005 10
Vol.39 No.10:1160-1164.
[7] Yang Linghui, Zhang Jiamin, Research on transient overvoltage during
Operation of 500kV GIS disconnecting switch, East China Electric
Power, Jan.2004, Vol.32 No.1:37-41
[8] Shibuya Y, Fujita S, Shimomura T. Effects of very fast transient over-
Voltages on Transformer [J].IEE Proceedings, Part C,1999,146(4): 459
464.
[9] G. Ecklin, D. Schlicht, and A. Plessel. Over voltages in GIS caused by
the Operation of isolators in Surges in High Voltage Networks.
K.Ragaller, Ed. New York City: Plenum Press, 1980.
[10] H. Hiesinger,RWitzmann. Very fast Transient Breakdown at a
needle Shaped Protrusion, IX Int. Conf. on Gas Dis. and Their
Appli. Sep 1988.

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Kondalu and Subramanyam, Estimation of Re-striking Transient Overvoltages in a 132KV Gas insulated Substation