In the following, the bases for surge counting and leakage current measurements
are described, and the corresponding functions of the EXCOUNT-II are presented.
For general information on various diagnostic methods for metal-oxide arresters,
please refer to IEC 60099-5.
Impulse
current
transformer
Another source of harmonics in the leakage current is the harmonic content in the
system voltage. The voltage harmonics produce capacitive harmonic currents in the
arrester. This is clearly illustrated in Figure 7, showing results from leakage current
measurements on two different arresters in service conditions that are significantly
different in terms of system voltage harmonics.
The capacitive harmonic currents produced by the voltage harmonics may be of
the same order of magnitude as the harmonic currents generated by the non-linear
resistive leakage current. This means that the third harmonic content originating
from the system voltage interferes with the third harmonic content associated
with the resistive leakage current of the arrester. In order to perform accurate
measurements of the resistive leakage current by means of third order harmonic
analysis, it is therefore necessary to compensate for the third order harmonic
content in the system voltage.
Field probe
Zero-flux current
transformer
The total leakage current is measured by means of the zero-flux current transfor-
mer, and the electric field generated by the system voltage is measured in terms
of the current induced in the field probe, both shown in Figure 8. The field probe
current, see Figure 9, is used to compensate for the harmonic content in the system
voltage.
Every 10 seconds, the data communication system of the EXCOUNT-II sensor
is activated to establish contact with an EXCOUNT-II transceiver in the vicinity.
If successful, the sensor makes the current measurements described above and
transmits the measured data to the transceiver. In addition, the sensor also trans-
mits surge counting data along with data on ambient temperature and sensor
identity, etc. For details on the sensor/transceiver data communication system, see
Table 1.
Field
probe
Ip
In the transceiver, the magnitudes of the currents are checked with regard to the
measurement ranges (see Table 1). Extremely low current levels, caused by the
arrester being out of operation etc., are also identified. Accepted measurements
are analysed by means of Discrete Fourier Transformation (DFT) to determine the
magnitude and phase angle of the first and third order harmonic components of
the total leakage and field probe currents (for resistive leakage current option).
Several measurements are analysed to verify the stability of the current levels. The
leakage current data (as well as the surge counting data) are temporarily stored in
the transceiver for later downloading to a personal computer.
By means of the EXCOUNT-II software, the leakage current and surge counting
data are analyzed and presented for each arrester. The resistive leakage current
level (optional) is calculated in two steps: First, the resistive third harmonic of
the arrester leakage current, with compensation for the third harmonic in the
voltage, is determined by the equation below (for a three-phase installation). For a
detailed explanation of the equation, see [2]. Secondly, the resistive leakage current
is determined from the resistive third harmonic current by means of information
supplied by the arrester manufacturer.
The ratio of the resistive leakage current to the third harmonic current depends on
the operating voltage stress (the operating voltage divided by the rated voltage) and
the arrester temperature (in practice, the ambient temperature). These parameters are
therefore recorded at the time of the leakage current measurements. The ambient
temperature is automatically measured by the sensor, while the operating voltage is
entered into the transceiver at the time of the leakage current measurement.
Fig. 10. Typical information for conversion to standard operating voltage conditions.
Fig. 11. Typical information for conversion to standard ambient temperature conditions.
General
Sensor Transceiver
Climatic conditions Sealed, water-tight design, IP 67 Weather-proof, IP 54
(Battery compartment, IP 65)
EXCOUNT-II
ID. No: XXXXXXXX
Cat. No:
1HSA44X XXX-X
Made in Sweden
Sensor Transceiver
References
[1] IEC 60099-5 Ed. 1.1 (2000-03): Surge arresters - Part 5: Selection and application recom-
mendations.
[2] J. Lundquist, L. Stenström, A. Schei, B. Hansen, ”New Method for Measurement of the
Resistive Leakage Currents of Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters in Service,” IEEE Trans. on
PWRD, Vol. 5, No. 4, November 1990.