Evaluation of overshoot rate of lightning impulse withstand voltage test waveform based on new base curve fitting methods - study on overshoot waveform in an actual test circuit
In a lightning impulse withstand voltage test for large-sized electric power equipment, voltage waveforms sometimes contain overshoot due to the capacitance of the test equipment and the residual inductance of the test circuit including the power source. The authors have been studying fitting methods for extracting a reasonable base curve from this overshoot waveform. In the previous study, each of the fitting methods was applied to the overshoot waveform simulated using a mathematical equation to evaluate the respective merits and demerits. As the test waveform, the present paper used the overshoot waveform actually generated using a large-scale test circuit. This actual waveform was determined as one over which an oscillation waveform of several hundred kHz, which was actually at issue, was superimposed. The correct base curve of the actual waveform was derived through detailed analysis of the equivalent circuit of the test circuit and the overshoot rate was calculated based on this correct value. This correct overshoot rate was compared with that calculated using each of the fitting methods to evaluate which was an optimum fitting method. Consequently, it was found that an overshoot rate close to the correct value could be derived using the new base curve extraction method for the actual waveform. Meanwhile, it should be noted that the kfactor filtering scheme was implemented after the application of various fitting methods, and then the shape parameters of the test voltage waveforms, such as the crest value, wavefront duration, and wavetail duration, were almost identical, which confirmed that fitting methods had only a minor influence on the test voltage waveform.
Procedures to Determine k-Factor Function for Air Gaps
The new IEC 60060-1 standard establishes the k-factor function to determine the test voltage value of lightning impulses with superimposed oscillations, but no rule is given to determine experimental k-factor values. Testing methods, testing setups, and formulas to determine k-factor values are some crucial issues to obtain good results. This paper describes the two procedures used in the investigation funded by the European community and referenced in the Annex D of the last edition of IEC 60060-1 standard to determine experimental k-factor for air gaps, one for nonhomogenous fields and other for quasihomogenous fields. Both procedures were implemented using a setup with only 1 generator and a setup with 2 generators. Compatibility of new experimental k-factor values determined for air gaps up to 900 kV in quasihomogenous field with the factor function stated in IEC 60060-1 is shown by means of several examples, but additional examples show a significant discrepancy for air clearances of a sharp rod-plate configuration in the voltage range 250 to 800 kV.
Common insulating properties in insulating materials
Insulating materials exist in a variety of different forms, including gas, liquid, solid, and vacuum, and different forms of insulating materials have significantly different dielectric strengths and insulating properties. Power transmission/substation facilities for UHV AC and 500 kV DC power transmission and 500 kV underground power transmission facilities have been designed and constructed by taking advantage of the insulating properties of various insulating materials and structures so that they conform to the demanded insulation specifications. Conventionally, insulating material technology has been developed by making a close study of apparatuses and insulating materials individually. In this paper, as a new attempt, the insulating properties of various insulating materials/apparatuses are cross-sectionally compared and examined from an entirely new viewpoint through the assessment of commonalities and differences between them. A listing of lightning impulse and AC dielectric strength data is prepared and systematically positioned from the standpoint of material and structure, and compared and evaluated in a unified way from the viewpoint of typical indices of insulating properties including the "n" value of the V-t characteristic, Weibull parameters, and impulse ratio. Further, an insulation assessment of apparatuses is systematically made with consideration given to their sizes and structures as well as the insulating materials themselves. As a result, it was found, for example, that the design field strengths of power capacitors were high and those of generators were not, and there was a noticeable difference in design field strength between SF/sub 6/ gas insulated apparatuses and oil-immersed transformers. It is expected that the analysis conducted from an entirely new angle may provide a new approach to the development of apparatus insulation technology and to the rationalization of insulation design.