Constructional Details of Lightening

Arrestor, Wave Trap and Insulator

A. K. Behera
Chief Manager,
Baripada S/S
Lightning
Arresters
LA Characteristics
 Arrester Fundamentals

Need for High Resistance to limit

Discharge
Current

Need Low Resistance during flow of

lightning
current to limit Surge Voltage
A non-linear resistance material required
EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF SURGE ARRESTER
 Concept of Leakage
Current

Resistive Current Capacitive Current

In 90 Deg phase with voltag

In phase with voltage

Increase with Insignificant change with

temperature temperature and voltage

Increase with aging does not affect due to agin
Selection of Surge Arrester

Voltage 400/3 = 230kV

During single phase to ground fault,
voltage on healthy phase may go
upto 1.4 to 1.5 times
230 x 1.4/1.5 = 323 346
Temporary O/V = 1.5 pu = 336kV
LAs are available at 336kV, 360kV,
372kV and 390kV
Higher ratings are selected taking
into consideration of ageing of LA
elements
Construction of disc
These are made by mixing ZnO with
small amount of additives such as
Bi2O3, CoO, Cr2O3, MnO and Sb2O3

ZnO grains (about 10m dia) have

low resistivity and surrounded by a
granular layer which is a high
resistive Oxide layer(0.1 m thick).
The two are strongly bonded.
LA
 THE MEASUREMENT PRINCIPLE

- HARMONICS ARE CREATED IN LEAKAGE

CURRENT ON APPLICATION OF
FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY, DUE TO NON
LINEAR VOLTAGE-CURRENT
CHARACTERSTIC OF SURGE ARRESTERS.

- THIRD HARMONIC IS THE LARGEST

HARMONIC COMPONENT OF THE RESISTIVE
CURRENT
Basic circuit for LA testing
POWERGRID Norms for replacement of
LAs

THRC value Action Remarks

Upto 150 micro- Normal
amp

150-350 micro- Needs monitoring IR test to be

amp. conducted

>350 micro amp LA to be removed

from service
REASONS OF FAILURE OF SURGE ARRESTERS

1. MOISTURE ENTRY THROUGH

SEALING SYSTEM/GASKETS HAS
LED TO DEGRADATION OF DISCS
AND CONSEQUENT INCREASE IN
THRC.

2. ACCELERATED DEGRADATION OF
THE ZnO DISCS, POSSIBLY DUE TO
MANUFACTURING
DEFECTS/PROCESS PROBLEMS

- END -
Wave Traps (Line Traps)
Wave Trap is generally R-L-C circuit
and connected in series with the line.
It blocks high carrier frequency and
noise to enter in system.
Equivalent Circuit Of Wave Trap
Inductance
of
main Coil

Series
Lightning resistance
Arrester

Tuning
Capacitor
Construction
Line Trap main components

Corona ring
Lifting lug
Terminal
Main coil
Tuning device
Pedestal
Protective device
Tie rod
 Line Traps Mounting Options
Vertical Horizontal Suspension
Pedestal Pedestal
Line Traps -
Surge Arrester

Connected across the main coil and the

tuning device to prevent the LT from being
damaged by transient over voltages
Line Traps - Technical
Issues
Bird Barriers
Temperature and UV resistant fibre glass reinforced plastic
grid with square shaped 15 X 15 mm openings are
provided.
Cooling of the line traps remains unchanged.
 Line Traps
SELECTION OF THE LA
The LA is selected on the basis of the voltage developed
across the line trap under short circuit by the following
calculation
U= 2*f * Isc * L
Where f= rated frequency =50or 60Hz
Isc = Short circuit current
L = Rated inductance

- END -
INSULATORS
Insulators for substations and
apparatus require a high degree
of safety and service reliability.
These insulators may be
subjected to high degree of static
and dynamic loading, severe
climatic conditions and very
heavy levels of pollution.

Porcelain insulators are most

commonly used in worldwide
Types of Insulators
Pin insulator
Post Insulators
Disc Insulator
Transformer Bushing
Solid Core Insulator
Hollow Core Insulator
Current Transformer Bushings
Constructional Features
Bus Post Insulators:
Post type insulators consists a porcelain part
permanently secured in metal base to be
mounted on the supporting structures.
They are designed to withstand any shocks to
which they may be subjected to by operation
of associated equipments.
Porcelain used should be homogeneous, free
from lamination, cavities and other flaws or
imperfections that might affect mechanical or
dielectric quality and should be thoroughly
vitrified, tough and impervious to moisture.
Constructional Features
Disc Insulators:
Disc insulators are made of
dielectric materials.

Many disc insulators are

connected in series to achieve
desired level insulation.
Insulators Checks/tests
Every insulator manufactured is subjected to an
array of thermal, electrical and mechanical tests.
Apart from the routine tests, samples from each
lot are subjected to acceptance tests in line with
the relevant standards.
At site the insulators must be visually checked for
any deformation, cracks and any other defects.
Disc insulators must be Meggered before erection.
If one unit disc insulator in a string fails
(electrically), the other units shall be electrically
over-stressed.