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A3-104

CIGRE 2012

Switching Impulse Voltage Flashover Characteristics of Air Gaps in 800kV

UHV DC Transmission Tower and altitude correction
DING Yujian, LIAO Weiming, SHU Zhiyi, Li Qingfeng, GU Chen, SUN Zhaoying
China Electric Power Research Institute
China

SUMMARY
With the development of hydropower in western China and the construction of Ultra High
Voltage projects (UHV), there will be more power transmission lines cross the areas with the
altitude above 2000 meters. The existing correction methods for air breakdown strength are
most applied to the areas at an altitude of 2000 meters and below. This can not meet the
requirements of current projects. Although, carrying out experiment to simulate the real size
of tower gaps at the area where specific projects will be constructed is an accurate way, the
great consumption of time and money makes it impossible to carry out experiments at high
altitude for every project.
Considering the fast growing of power transmission projects in high altitude in China, the
State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) has built High Altitude Experimental Station of
SGCC in Qinghai, western Chinese province (2254 meters) and Tibet High Altitude Test Base
of SGCC in Tibetan Autonomous Region, far west Chinese province (4300 meters), and there
was one impulse generator in each test base. The rating voltage of the impulse generator at
Qinghai Test Base was 3600 kV, 4200kV at Tibet High Altitude Test Base, and 7200kV at
UHV DC Test Base in Beijing. All these tests equipments ensured us to study the effect of
high altitude on the characteristic of air gap discharge of the tower head.
In this paper, the experimental results of 800kV UHVDC air gaps of tower head which were
carried out by China Electric Power Research Institution (CEPRI) in the areas of Beijing,
Xining and Tibet were firstly introduced. The tests waveform was standard front switching
waveform. The tests method was up and down methods. The gap distance range was from 4
meters to 11 meters, the highest 50% switching impulse voltage preponderated over 2000 kV.
The relation curves between 50% switching impulse voltage and gap distance in different
altitude areas were presented in this paper too.
Referring to the altitude correcting method in IEC Standard 60071-2, the coefficient m1 of the
phase - ground clearance on DC transmission line tower was calculated. The results were
compared with the coefficient m in IEC Standard 60071-2. The results showed thatm1 is
different in different altitude areas, m1 in 4000 meters altitude area is lower than that in
1000m altitude area, m1 decreases with the increase of the gap withstand voltage, that is, the
greater the gap distance, the higher withstand voltage, the smaller correction. The m1 from
dingyj@epri.sgcc.com.cn

the tests is quite different from m in IEC Standard 60071-2. There is greater difference when
the withstand voltages is higher. The results show that the correction factor is quite reasonable
when gap distance in a certain range (for example, withstand voltage corresponding to the
800kV ~ 1000kV so), but it is too conservative when the gap in the larger distance
recommended by IEC60071-2 standard formula.
KEYWORDS
800kV UHVDC, air gaps, impulse flashover voltage, altitude correction

. PREFACE

With the development of hydropower in western China and the construction of Ultra
High Voltage projects (UHV), there will be more power transmission lines cross the areas
with the altitude above 2000 meters, most part higher than 3000m, it is urgent in solving the
problem of altitude correction for outer insulation design of the transmission line.
The characteristics of SI (switching impulse) flashover voltage of long air gaps and its
altitude correction is a widely concerned subject in China and other countries [1-6]. CEPRI
(Electric Power Research Institute of China) has carried out many testing research on this
subject for the design of HVDC and UHVDC transmission project since the 80th of last
century [7-11].
In design of the 800kV tower air gaps located at high altitude area the data can be
acquired by correction of the test results at low altitude area, but the correction methods
should be reasonable and the correction factor should be calculated carefully. It is the more
effective way to do tests at the high altitude area according to the actual layout of engineering
project if possible.
Considering the fast growing of power transmission projects in high altitude in China,
the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) has built High Altitude Experimental Station of
SGCC in Qinghai (2254 meters altitude), western Chinese province, and Tibet High Altitude
Test Base of SGCC in Tibetan Autonomous Region (4300 meters altitude), far west Chinese
province. There is one impulse generator in each test base. The rating voltage of the impulse
generator at Qinghai Test Base was 3600 kV, 4200kV at Tibet High Altitude Test Base, and
7200kV at UHV DC Test Base in Beijing. All these tests equipments ensured us to study the
effect of high altitude on the characteristic of air gap discharge of the tower head.
In this paper the SI flashover voltage comparison test for tower air gaps at different
altitudes is carried out, and the atmospheric correction methods nowadays used are discussed
and compared with the test results.
. SWITCHING IMPULSE FLASHOVER VOLTAGE COMPARISON TEST FOR TOWER AIR GAPS

In order to study the SI flashover characteristics of tower air gaps for 800kV
transmission line at different altitude and their altitude correction factors, comparison tests
were carried out by CEPRI in test sites at different altitude, including the UHVDC Test Base
of SGCC in Beijing (50m altitude), the Qinghai High Altitude High Voltage Test Station in
Xining (2254m altitude), and the Tibet High Altitude Test Base of SGCC at Yangbajing of
Tibet (4300m altitude).
For comparison the simulation towers of the same frame structure and size with V type
insulator strings and 6 split bundle conductor arrangement were used in test at different sites.
The specimen arrangements are shown in Fig. 1. In which the width of the beam and post is
3.4m. The insulators are arranged in V type with angle of 90. The diameter of the shielding
ring at the terminal of insulator string near the conductor side is 1.1m. During test the gap
distances of bundle conductor to beam and post of the simulation tower are changed by
changing the length of insulator strings and their hanging point on the beam. The SI flashover
voltage test results are shown in Fig. 2.

(a) Test arrangement in Beijing

(c) Test arrangement in Xining

(d) Test arrangement in Tibet

Fig. 1 Configuration of V-type insulator string tower air gap for SI flashover test

Fig. 2 SI flashover test results for V type insulator strings

. CALCULATION OF THE SWITCHING IMPULSE FLASHOVER VOLTAGE AT DIFFERENT
ALTITUDE

Refer to the basic idea of altitude correction method recommended by standard GB/T311.1
as the insulation strength would decrease by one percent while the altitude increase by 100m,
the principle of the insulation strength would decrease by same percentage while the altitude
increase by 100m is used in insertion method calculation in this article. The insertion method
can be expressed in following formula.
1
(1)
1 m H / 100
In formula: kaaltitude correction factor;
Hheight of the altitude, m;
mfactor of decrease rate.
The relationship curve of SI flashover voltage U50 versus gap distance d under different
altitude as shown in Fig.3 can be acquired by insertion calculation to the flashover voltage got
in Beijing and in Tibet shown in Fig.2.
ka

Fig.3 Relation of SI flashover voltage versus gap distance under different altitude

It can be seen from Fig.3 that the test data acquired in Baoji and Xinin are relatively close to the
calculation results by insertion method. So it is reasonable to use the insertion method in calculation of
the flashover voltage at different sea level.
. COMPARISON OF THE ALTITUDE CORRECTION METHODS

The SI flashover voltage acquired by test at different altitude would include the influence of local
temperature, humidity and air pressure. In order to use the test results acquired at low altitude area to
outer insulation design of the transmission line at high altitude area, it is necessary to correct the
discharge voltage acquired at different altitude of non-standard atmospheric condition with influence
of air pressure, temperature and humidity etc. to the standard atmospheric condition.
Nowadays there are several usually quoted criterion relate to altitude correction [11], such as
GB/T311.1, IEC60071-2 and GB/T 16927.1. In which the g parameter method quoted from
IEC60060.1-1989 is equivalently used in GB/T16927.1-1997.
In order to decide the suitability of the correction methods recommended by standards of
GB/T311.1, IEC60071-2 and GB/T 16927.1 in correction up to 4000m altitude, the SI flashover
voltage test result of tower air gaps acquired at altitude of 4300m is corrected to sea level by the three
correction methods and is compared with the test result acquired in Beijing (corrected to standard
atmospheric condition at sea level), as shown in Fig.4.

Fig.4 Comparison of correction result for SI flashover voltage of tower gap with different correction method

The correction results in Fig.4 show that the voltage corrected by GB/T311.1 method goes
much higher than the tested voltage in Beijing with the gap distance increased. So this
correction method does not suitable for SI correction over the altitude of 4000m. The voltage
corrected by IEC60071-2 method goes higher than the tested voltage in Beijing when the gap
distance is larger than 5m, which means the correction result by IEC60071-2 method is going
conservative when the gap distance is larger than 5m. The voltage corrected by GB/T 16927.1
method is relatively close to the tested voltage in Beijing when the gap distance is less than
9m.
In conclusion the correction methods recommended by GB/T16927.1 and IEC60071-2 are
suitable for altitude correction of the SI voltage of tower air gaps with V type insulator string
up to altitude of 4300m, but the correction result by IEC60071-2 method is going
conservative when the gap distance is larger than 5m.
Since the correction by GB/T16927.1 method needs the local atmospheric parameters and
the 50% flashover voltage under this condition at test site, but usually it is difficult to get
these parameters at local condition, so it is inconvenience to use in engineering design.
For engineering design poppers it is more convenient to select IEC60071-2 method in
altitude correction. The formula to calculate the correction factor ka for SI withstand voltage
recommended by IEC60071-2 can be used to correct the withstand voltage at different altitude
to sea level, see formula (2), but the maximum altitude it suits for using is 2000m.

ka e

m(

H
)
8150

(2)

In formula:
kaatmospheric correction factor;
Hheight of the altitude, m;
mfactor related to the voltage mode and the electrode shape.
For SI correction the factor m can be chosen by checking the Figure attached to the standard, as
shown in Fig. 5. The curve a in Fig.5 is usually used for correction of SI voltage of conductor to earth
air gaps of transmission tower.

Fig.5 The correction factor m for different configuration of air gaps

The atmospheric correction factor ka is only related to the influence of air pressure
corresponding to the altitude of the location but not related to the influence of temperature
and humidity, as it is assumed that the effects of ambient temperature and humidity tends to
cancel each other.
4

In order to further compare the difference of correction between by IEC60071-2 method

and by tested result, factor m1 is calculated from the tested voltage ratio ka1 at different
altitude accordion to the mode of formula (2) and to compare with factor m (curve a ) of
IEC60071-2.
Firstly the calculation based on Fig.3 is performed to obtain the relation between tested
voltage ratio ka1 and the altitude height, and the relation between tested voltage ratio ka1 and
the SI withstand voltage Ucw, as shown in Fig.6 and Fig.7.
In calculation the relation between the SI withstand voltage Ucw and the 50% SI
flashover voltage U50 is expressed in formula (3).
U cw U 50 (1 3 ) (3)
In formula: standard deviation, 0.05.

Fig.6 Relation between tested voltage ratio ka1 and altitude height for tower gaps with V string

Fig.7 Relation between tested voltage ratio ka1 and SI withstand voltage Ucw for tower gaps with V string

Then the tested voltage ratio ka1 in Fig.7 is transferred to factor m1 by formula (4). The
relation between factor m1 and the SI withstand voltage Ucw is shown in Fig.8. For easy to
compare the curve a in Fig.4 is also drawn in Fig.8.
m1ln(ka1)8150/H(4)

Fig.8 Relation between factor m1 at different altitude and SI withstand voltage Ucw for tower gaps with V string

The factor m1 in Fig.8 shows: The factor m1 is varying at different altitude. The value
of m1 at altitude of 4000m is lower than that of at 1000m.Under same altitude the value of
m1 would decrease with the increase of Ucw, that means the larger is the gap distance or the
higher is the Ucw, the lower would be the altitude correction factor. The factor m1 calculated
by test results has obvious difference from factor m of IEC60071-2 (curve a in Fig.4), and the
difference would increase with the increase of Ucw and altitude height. That means the
correction method recommended by IEC60071-2 would be conservative when the gap is large
enough or the withstand voltage Ucw is high enough.
. THE ALTITUDE CORRECTION FOR SWITCHING IMPULSE FLASHOVER VOLTAGE OF 800kV
TOWER GAPS

In China until now most 800 kV UHVDC transmission line straight tower are arranged
in single circuit with V type insulator string and 6 split conductor. The maximum DC
operation voltage Um for the line is 816kV. The result of over-voltage research shows that the
maximum switching over-voltage for 800kV UHVDC line is about 1.6 p.u. to 1.7 p.u.
occurred at the middle part of the line. So by insulation cooperation calculation the SI
withstand voltage Ucw for the tower gaps will be 1306 kV to 1387kV, and the 50% SI
flashover voltage U50 will be 1536 kV to 1362 kV calculated by formula (5).
U cw
U 50
(5)
1 3
in formula: standard deviation, 0.05.
When altitude correction is considered, the correction factors up to altitude of 4000m
calculated by IEC60071-2 method and by tested voltage ratio are shown in Tab.1.
The calculated results in Tab.1 show that for over-voltage of 1.7p.u. the correction factor
calculated by IEC60071-2 method is about 6.8% higher than that of by tested voltage ratio at
4000m altitude, and is about 1.9% higher than that of by tested voltage ratio at 2000m altitude.
It is relatively conservative for IEC60071-2 method used in correction of tower air gaps of
800kV UHVDC line in altitude higher than 4000m, but is reasonable for using in altitude
under 2000m.
Tab.1 Altitude correction factors for SI voltage of tower air gaps of 800kV UHVDC line
Over voltage
1.7 p.u.

1.6 p.u.

Altitude m
IEC60071-2 method
SI U50 kV
Tested voltage ratio
SI U50 kV
IEC60071-2 method
SI U50 kV
Tested voltage ratio
SI U50 kV

0
1
1632
1
1632
1
1536
1
1536

1000
1.072
1749
1.063
1736
1.075
1652
1.068
1641

2000
1.148
1874
1.127
1840
1.156
1776
1.138
1748

3000
1.230
2008
1.185
1934
1.244
1910
1.203
1849

4000
1.318
2151
1.234
2014
1.338
2055
1.259
1935

. CONCLUSIONS

(1) The correction methods recommended by GB/T16927.1 and IEC60071-2 are suitable
for altitude correction of the SI voltage of tower air gaps with V type insulator string up to the
altitude of 4300m, but the correction result by IEC60071-2 method is going conservative
when the gap distance is larger than 5m.
(2) The factor m1 calculated from the tested voltage ratio ka1 at different altitude shows:
The factor m1 is varying with altitude. The value of m1 at altitude of 4000m is lower than
that of at 1000m. Under same altitude the value of m1 would decrease with the increase of
Ucw. The factor m1 has obvious difference from the factor m of IEC60071-2.That means the
correction method recommended by IEC60071-2 would be conservative when the gap is large
enough or the withstand voltage Ucw is high enough.
(3) The calculated results in Tab.1 show that for over-voltage of 1.7p.u, the correction
factor calculated by IEC60071-2 method is about 6.8% higher than that of by tested voltage
ratio at 4000m altitude, and is about 1.9% higher than that of by tested voltage ratio at 2000m
altitude. It is relatively conservative for IEC60071-2 method used in correction of tower air
gaps of 800kV UHVDC line in altitude higher than 4000m, but is reasonable for using in
altitude under 2000m.

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