ANALYSIS OF OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR LOW VOLTAGE INSTALLATIONS USING NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS

Ph.D. Konrad Sobolewski Warsaw University of Technology, Department of High Voltage Technology

Abstract: This paper describes a typical overvoltage protection system designed for low voltage installations (i.e. TN-C-S type). As a kind of analysis of proper functionality of this system Author proposed to use numerical simulations. To do this was chosen software MATLAB with library SimPowerSystem. Using builtin elements, as also created new one, model of low voltage installation with overvoltage protection system was built. As a source of overvoltage was consider lightning discharge in two cases. The first one in situation with overvoltage coming from power line, and the second when overvoltage coming from lightning protection system of examined object. Results from both cases were compared, especially voltage and current shapes and values observed on surge protection devices and protected device. Finally Author draw conclusions. Keywords: overvoltage protection, installations, numerical simulations. 1. Introduction In the day of the technological progress and more advanced electronic devices one of the most essential problem is proper protection from conducted overvoltages. This is especialy major topic regards to year by year lower immunity of electronics, and higher values of disturbances possible to appear. One of the most dangerous threat for devices connected to low voltage power systems are cloud to ground lightning discharges. They are characterized by huge energy reaches megajoules and very short rising time of the current, which flow during discharge. This kind of discharges very often leads to destroying connected to low voltage system equipments, or to disturbing their normal works. One of the way leading to making proper overvoltage protection is calculating the risk of possible threats, analyze existing electrical installations and systems, and based on obtained results propose the best overvoltage protection system. This simplified low voltage

algorithm is very often based on the normative regulations, which contains only statisticaly most probably cases of threats and suggestions how to protect. If we want to know if proposed system is proper or no, especialy in cases not included in norms, we should consider numerical simulations. There is a gruop of software, that might be choose for this purpose, i.ex. Matlab with Simulink extension. 2. Normative overvoltage protection The basic standard defining low voltage power network set up in building objects is norm PN-IEC 60364. Despite this, that we can still meet with executed in the past arrangements in practice in many cases, only the one network arrangement of the low voltage power supply installation is used in new objects at present. This installation type is named TN-S, and is schematicaly presented at figure 1.

Fig. 1. TN-S type network arrangement with overvoltage protection system.

This type of low voltage power line arrangement uses five separate conductors. Three of them are used as power conductors (L1 to L3), one as neutral (N) and

last one as protective (PE). From the point of the view of it users this is the the most safe low voltage network, but important thing is, that conductor PE in such solution is also used to the equipotencial connected devices, so in some emergency situations current can flow this conductor and to cause differences in potentials. Typical overvoltage protection system designed for this type of arrangment is also presented at Figure 1. It contains at least one protection level, but as well might be more. First protection level is set with using of spark gap type surge protection devices and placed typicaly inside main distribution point. In many cases electrical equipment inside building is protected only by this one protection level, which might be not enough protection. For example this solution not protect from inducted overvoltages generated by nearby lightning discharges. In cases, where exists sensitive electrical devices, second and even third overvoltage protection level is recommended. As a second level of overvoltage protection is typicaly choose varistor type SPD and is placed in additional distribution point. The third protection level is placed very close to protected device, i.e. at power connector on the wall. 3. The model of installation One of the basic thing is to choose proper software for simulations. In the interest of wide range of applications to do this task was chosen software MATLAB with built-in extension SIMULINK. This software as also permit to make simulations, as also analysis obtained results, without necessity to export results to another software. Considering easy to use interface, accuracy of calculations and quality of final graphs there is proper choice for this purpose. For simulations was created numerical model respondent to theoretical situation as present at Fig. 3. The arrangement was proposed as the low-voltage installation in following type TN- S with the two levels of overvoltage protection system (Fig. 2). The first level was set up using surge protection devices (SPD) spark gap type, which are physically placed inside main distribution box for low voltage installation. The second level was created with varistor type SPDs, and
Continuous powergui
t Clock Time

physically was located inside local distribution box.

Fig. 3. Demonstration of object, protection system and lightning discharge places.

4. Numerical model Based on this principles was created numerical model in MATLAB / SIMULINK environment (Fig. 2). Inside the block with name MV Network / MV-LV Transformer was placed 10 km medium voltage line and medium to low voltage real model of transformer. Next element (LV line 1) was 1 km length low voltage line with parameters also calculated from real data. At this point was placed main distribution point with first level of SPDs (SPD1). Voltage protection level for them was set up at 4 kV using spark-gap type devices. Next element of model was low voltage line 20 m long (LV line 2) and next after were placed SPDs second level (SPD2). Voltage protection level was set up at 1.5 kV with using varistor type devices. As a last part of created model were group of computers located 30 meters along (Computers). Each computer was simulate as transformer, rectifier and filter (Fig. 8). As a source of overvoltage was used lightning surge current generator, which in real situation hit in one of two places (look at the Fig. 2): to the medium voltage line (phase A), to the lightning protection system examined object. The shape of the current surge is shown at the Fig. 4. As a results were calculated voltages and currents at both protection levels (u1 / i1 , u2 / i2), as also input connectors of one computer (uk0).

Udar GND

Surge
+ v Ain A N B C A B C Ua Ub a Bin b Cin c Nin n PEin pe PEout Nout Cout Bout Ain Bin Cin Nin Aout Bout Cout Nout Ain Bin Cin Nin Aout Bout Cout Nout B Osc1 C N Osc2 + v A PE Aout

uk0 Uk0

Measure Uk0

3-phase power

PEin PEout

PEin PEout

uk1 Uk1

LV line 1 Measure I1
+

MV network MV /LV transformer

LV line 2 Measure I2
+

LV line 3

Measure Uk1

Computers

i -

C GND

GND

Measure Usn usn usn

Measure Unn unn unn

SPD1 R1gnd

+ v -

+ v -

i -

SPD2

+ v -

u2 U2 / I2 u1 U1 / I1

Measure U 2
+ v -

Measure U 1

Fig. 2. Numerical model based on MATLAB / SIMULINK software.

12

x 10

10

The second type of SPD uses varistor model with additional R-L-C elements responsible for voltagecurrent characteristics of whole element (Fig. 7).
1 A

I [A]

R0 / Cw2
4

0 0.0299

0.03

0.0301

0.0302

0.0303 t [s]

0.0304

0.0305

0.0306

0.0307

Rw1
-

Fig. 4. Shape of lightning surge current.

Each line was modeled with PI Section Line elements, but R-L-C values were calculated from real line parameters (Fig. 5).
1 Ain 3 Bin 5 Cin 7 Nin 9 PEin 2 Aout 4 Bout 6 Cout 8 Nout 10 PEout

Fig. 7. Model of varistor type SPD.

L1 Phase L2 Phase L3 Phase Neutral Protective

The last element in the model were input elements of computers power suppliers (Fig. 8).
F 1

Series RLC Branch

Faza A 1 2
A +

R0 / Cw1

Cf2 Linear Transformer

B -

2 + 4 -

Fig. 5. Exemplary model of five-cables line.

Universal Bridge

Cf3 Cf1

Because of using two kinds of surge protection devices was needed to create both of them. As a sparkgap type was proposed model as presented on Fig. 6.
1 A

3 N

Fig. 8. Model of computers power suppliers. They were modeled with transformer, rectifier and low-pass filters. 5. Exemplary results of analysis. During simulations, besides two cases of lightning hit places, were considered two cases about existing protection devices. In first case this protection exists (this case was marked as A), and in the second one object exists without this devices (marked as B). In each configuration were compared three voltages: at the SPD1 (u1), SPD2 (u2) and input power connectors of computers (uk0). Obtained results for overvoltage coming from medium voltage line are presented on the figures below.
1600 1400 1200 Case A Case B

R Umax level Abs |u|

v + c 2 1

T 0.05 s Monostable

Uogr

Breaker

Up level

GND
U1 [V]

1000 800 600 400 200 0 -200

Fig. 6. Model of spark-gap type SPD.

This model was based on breaker, which change it state to close when voltage in this point of installation is bigger than Umax level. When this condition is true Monostable starts to generate impulse which affect in closed Breaker. This method eliminates oscillations which might exists in case of simpler model.

0.03

0.0305

0.031

0.0315 t [s]

0.032

0.0325

0.033

0.0335

Fig. 9. Voltages observed at SPD1 point.

2
1600 1400 1200 Case A Case B

x 10

1 0 -1 -2 -3

Case A Case B

U2 [V]

800 600 400 200 0 -200

U [V]

1000

-4 -5
0.03 0.0305 0.031 0.0315 t [s] 0.032 0.0325 0.033 0.0335

0.03

0.0305

0.031 t [s]

0.0315

0.032

Fig. 10. Voltages observed at SPD2 point.

1600 1400 1200 1000
U [V]

Fig. 14. Voltages observed at input power connectors of computers.

6. Results discussion and conclusions

Case A Case B

800 600 400 200 0 -200

0.03

0.0305

0.031

0.0315 t [s]

0.032

0.0325

0.033

0.0335

Fig. 11. Voltages observed at input power connectors of computers.

After first part of simulations was done the second one with lightning hit at the LPS.
3 2 1 0
U V]

x 10

Case A Case B

-1 -2 -3 -4 -5

0.03

0.0305

0.031 t [s]

0.0315

0.032

Fig. 12. Voltages observed at SPD1 point.

2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 x 10
4

With using computer software is possible to make numerical models of overvoltage protection elements, which may enable to build more complex systems. In described simulations were proposed models of two types of SPDs and next they were used in model of low voltage installation. This examination demonstrate that the overvoltages coming from medium voltage line are generally not dangerous for electronic equipment (their voltage value is less than protection voltage level), even when there is no overvoltage protection at the object. Voltage value reach 1.5 kV and the shape of overvoltage is superposed with surge shape and oscillations. But when lightning strikes direct to LPS, situation is more complicated, because when object is divested of SPDs the overvoltages observed at input power connectors of computers reach values close to 45 kV. That values may destroy not only sensitive electronic devices, but every other too, as also low voltage line might be broken because of isolation stress and possible discharges between conductors. Using numerical simulations, like in this experiment, we may to test various configurations of any kind low voltage systems, with or without protection devices, and even in non-normative situations, like broken connection to ground. Obtained in this way results might be useful for overvoltage protection designers. 7. References. 1. K. Sobolewski Modeling and analysis of normative overvoltage protection system in the low voltage installation TN-C-S type, EMD 2008, Vilnius 2. K. Sobolewski Evaluation of normative lightning and overvoltage protection systems for low voltage electric devices, 2010 Warsaw

Case A Case B

U [V]

0.03

0.0305

0.031 t [s]

0.0315

0.032

Fig. 13. Voltages observed at SPD2 point.