Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal Vol. 2, No.

1, 197-205 (2017)
ASTESJ
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ISSN: 2415-6698
Special Issue on Computer Systems, Information Technology, Electrical and Electronics
Engineering

Performance of Surge Arrester Installation to Enhance Protection

Mbunwe Muncho Josephine1,*, Gbasouzor Austin Ikechukwu2
1
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410101, Nigeria, [email protected]
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, 431121, Nigeria,
[email protected]
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
Article history: The effects of abnormal voltages on power system equipment and appliances in the home
Received: 22 December, 2016 have raise concern as most of the equipments are very expensive. Each piece of electrical
Accepted: 20 January, 2017 equipment in an electrical system needs to be protected from surges. To prevent damage to
Online: 28 January, 2017 electrical equipment, surge protection considerations are paramount to a well designed
electrical system. Lightning discharges are able to damage electric and electronic devices
Keywords:
that usually have a low protection level and these are influenced by current or voltage
Surge
pulses with a relatively low energy, which are induced by lightning currents. This calls for
Arrester
proper designed and configuration of surge arresters for protection on the particular
Protection
appliances. A more efficient non-linear surge arrester, metal oxide varistor (MOV), should
Reliability
be introduced to handle these surges. This paper shows the selection of arresters laying
Technology
more emphasis on the arresters for residential areas. In addition, application and
installation of the arrester will be determined by the selected arrester. This paper selects
the lowest rated surge arrester as it provides insulation when the system is under stress. It
also selected station class and distribution class of arresters as they act as an open circuit
under normal system operation and to bring the system back to its normal operation mode
as the transient voltage is suppressed. Thus, reduces the risk of damage, which the
protection measures can be characterized, by the reduction value of the economic loss to
an acceptable level.

1. Introduction protectors, are devices that are connected between each electrical
conductor in power and communications systems and the earth [2].
A lightning protector also referred to as a lightning arrestor is a These prevent the flow of the normal power or signal current to
device used on electrical power systems and telecommunications ground, but provide a path over which high voltage lightning
systems to protect the insulation and conductors of the system current flows, bypassing the connected equipment. The purpose
from the damaging effects of lightning. The typical lightning is to limit the rise voltage when a communications or power line
protector, depending on the sizes, has a high voltage terminal and is struck by lightning or being close to a lightning strike. If
a ground terminal. When a lightning surge travels along the power protection fails or is absent, lightning that strikes the electrical
line to the protector, the current from the surge is diverted through system introduces thousands of kilovolts that may damage the
the arrestor, in most cases to earth [1]. transmission lines, and can also cause damage to transformers and
In telegraphy and telephony, a lightning protector is placed other electrical and electronic devices including home appliances
where wires enter a structure, preventing damage to electronic [2-4].
instruments within and ensuring the safety of individuals nearby. Also exceeding the capability of an arrester will crack or
Smaller versions of lightning protectors, also called surge puncture the metal-oxide disk(s), in effect reduce the arrester
*
Corresponding Author: Mbunwe Muncho Josephine, Department of Electrical internal electrical resistance, thus, the condition will limit the
Engineering, University of Nigeria Nsukka, +2348036675952;
E-mail: [email protected] arrester’s ability to survive future system conditions. This
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condition does not jeopardize the insulation protection provided strokes, the stroke travels in both directions from the point where
by the arrester, but in an unlikely case of complete failure of an the stroke originated. Wave velocity is an inverse function of the
arrester, a line-ground arc will develop and pressure will build up surge impedance. Waves travel on an overhead line at
inside the housing of the arrester. This pressure will be safely approximately 1000 ft. per microsecond, in cables about 300 –
vented to the outside and an external arc will be established 600 ft. per microsecond and in a buried conductor about 300 ft.
provided the fault current is within the pressure relief fault current per microsecond. The velocity internal to a rotating machine may
capability of the arrester. This low-voltage arc maintains be only 25ft. per microsecond [4-8].
equipment protection. Once an arrester has safely vented, it no
longer possesses its pressure relief/fault current capability and The current resulting from a traveling wave is equal to the
should be replaced immediately. For a given application, the voltage divided by the impedance, E . Wave current is
Z
arrester selected should have a pressure/fault current capability approximately two to four amps per kilovolt of surge voltage.
greater than maximum short-circuit current available at the Lightning waves on overhead lines gradually attenuate with travel.
intended arrester location. This rating of arrester capability should When the wave runs into a change in impedance (transformer,
include appropriate allowances for future growth in the system [3- another line, etc.), the wave continues in the same direction at a
7]. different magnitude. It will also reflect back in the direction from
which it came. When a wave 𝐸𝐸1 traveling on surge impedance 𝑍𝑍1
Surge arresters when installed are exposed to many physical
factors on the earth. These factors that such arresters are exposed encounters surge impedance𝑍𝑍2 , the voltage on the new wave 𝑍𝑍2
to when they are in operation are expected to affect them in one becomes:
way or the other. These factors are temperature, spacing of the
arresters and earth resistance. The villages around the Donga E = E 2Z 2
(1)
Matung Division of North West Province of Cameroon have the
2
E +E
1
1 2

highest annual average number of lightning storms in the Note: as the new surge impedance 𝑍𝑍2 approaches infinity,
Cameroon. On average, between 40 and 90 thunderstorms hit the
representative of an open line, 𝐸𝐸2 = 2𝐸𝐸1 .
areas along the Binshua each year, while Nkambe and some
villages along the Donga border have an average of less than 10 The reflected wave will actually double in magnitude in its
per year. So, it is easy to understand that surge protection of return in the opposite direction. Unless the wave is discharged to
electrical equipment is a very important part of the electrical ground (lightning arrester connected to ground), the reflected
system design. Lightning strikes are not the only sources of wave can severely damage electrical equipment. Surges produced
voltage surges in the electrical system. The following are a few of by lightning have high magnitudes, but their durations are very
the more frequently encountered causes of transient voltage short. The lightning discharge may reach its crest value in
surges: approximately 1 to 20 microseconds and produce conduction
flashover voltages of 5 to 20 times normal in 1 microsecond or
• Surge voltages associated with switching capacitors; less. The wave shape is customarily expressed by two intervals
• Surge voltages due to a failure in equipment insulation associated with the wave geometry. The first time interval is
resulting in a short circuit on the distribution system; between a virtual zero and crest; the second time interval is
• Surge voltages associated with the discharge of lightning between the virtual zero and the half crest value on the wave tail.
arresters at other locations within the facility. The wave is defined if the crest value is added to the two time
When capacitors are switched in and out of the circuit, it is interval designations. For example, a 20000 amp 10 x 20
possible to get a re-strike when interrupting the capacitor circuit microsecond current wave rises to a crest of 20000 amperes in10
current. A steep-front voltage excursion may be created from each microseconds after virtual zero and decays to 10000 amperes in
re-strike. These voltage excursions may be high enough to 20microseconds after virtual zero.
damage rotating machines applied at the same voltage. A surge
capacitor applied at the motor terminals can change the steepness In addition to component failures, it can cause system upset,
of the wave front enough to protect the motor. A short circuit can lost data, erroneous signals and false system operations. Thus,
cause a voltage surge in excess of 3 times the normal line to surge arresters should be designed for all bus systems and system
neutral crest value. The magnitude and steepness of the wave front configuration to maintain system reliability regardless of the
is not as severe as that of a lightning strike, but can cause damage cause or magnitude of these transients. Surge arrester products
or weaken motor windings that do not have the higher Basic should be invaluable to any business when planning for protection
Impulse Insulation Level (BIL) ratings of other equipment. from unforeseen occurrences [3, 5, 9]. There are different series
of surge arrester and where they can be applied in electrical
When lightning, discharges through an arrester, surge currents engineering. Below is the list:
are discharged into the grounding terminal. It is very important
that substations and overhead lines be protected with well- • Low-voltage surge arrestor
grounded shield wires. It is also equally important that the ground • Distribution arrestor
system between pieces of equipment be bonded together with • The station type of common valve arrestor
interconnected ground wires dedicated to the grounding system. • Magnetic blow valve station arrestor
When a surge is released on a line by direct strokes or induced
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• Protection of rotating machine using magnetic blow
valve arrester: • Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV)
• Line Magnetic blow valve arrester: A metal oxide varistor consists of a bulk semiconductor
• DC or blowing valve-type arrester: material (typically sintered granular zinc oxide) that can conduct
• Neutral protection arrester: large currents (effectively short-circuits) when presented with a
• Fiber-tube arrester: voltage above its rated voltage. MOVs typically limit voltages to
• Plug-in Signal Arrester: about 3 to 4 times the normal circuit voltage by diverting surge
• High-frequency feeder arrester: current elsewhere than the protected load. MOVs may be
• Receptacle-type surge arrester: connected in parallel to increase current capability and life
• Signal Arrester: expectancy, providing they are matched sets (unmatched MOVs
• Network arrester: have a tolerance of approximately ±20% on voltage ratings, which
• Coaxial cable lightning arrester [5-7]. is not sufficient). MOVs have finite life expectancy and "degrade"
when exposed to a few large transients, or many smaller
transients. As a MOV degrades, its triggering voltage falls lower
2. Related Work
and lower. If the MOV is being used to protect a low-power signal
2.1. Principles of Surge Arresters (Heading 2) line, the ultimate failure mode typically is a partial or complete
short circuit of the line, terminating normal circuit operation.
Though there are different types and classes of surge arresters, When used in power applications, MOVs usually are thermal
they all work on the same general principle. Surge arrester works fused or otherwise protected to avoid persistent short circuits and
by conducting excess voltages from a signal or power-carrying other fire hazards. In a typical power strip, the visible circuit
conductor to ground. breaker is distinct from the internal thermal fuse, which is not
normally visible to the end user. The circuit breaker has no
2.1. Surge Arrester Specification
function related to disconnecting an MOV. A thermal fuse or
Most electrical equipment is rated for traveling wave voltage some equivalent solution protects from MOV generated hazards.
surge capability by the Impulse Test. The Impulse Test is most • Transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode
common and consists of applying a full-wave voltage surge of a A TVS diode is a type of Zener diode, also called an avalanche
specified crest value to the insulation of the equipment involved diode or silicon avalanche diode (SAD), which can limit voltage
[6]. The crest value of the wave is called the Basic Impulse spikes. These components provide the fastest limiting action of
Insulation Level (BIL) of the equipment. Each type of electrical protective components (theoretically in picoseconds), but have a
equipment has a standard BIL rating. Lightning arresters are relatively low energy absorbing capability. Voltages can be
coordinated with standard electrical equipment insulation levels clamped to less than twice the normal operation voltage. If current
so that they will protect the insulation against lightning over impulses remain within the device ratings, life expectancy is
voltages [7]. This coordination is obtained by having an arrester exceptionally long. If component ratings are exceeded, the diode
that will discharge at a lower voltage level than the voltage may fail as a permanent short circuit; in such cases, protection
required to break down the electrical equipment insulation. may remain but normal circuit operation is terminated in the case
Equipment has certain applicable impulse levels or BIL as defined of low-power signal lines. Due to their relatively-limited current
in industry standards [8]. Follow Current, Discharge current and capacity, TVS diodes are often restricted to circuits with smaller
voltage - The follow current is the current which flows from current spikes. TVS diodes are also used where spikes occur
connected supply sources through lightning arrester following the significantly more often than once a year, since this component
passage of discharge current [11]. From the discharged current, will not degrade when used within its ratings. A unique type of
the surge current flows through the arrester after the spark over, TVS diode (trade names Transzorb or Transil) contains reversed
while the discharge voltage is the peak value of the voltage paired series avalanche diodes for bi-polar operation.TVS diodes
appearing between the line terminals and ground, during the are often used in high-speed but low power circuits, such as occur
passage of the discharge current [5, 9-11]. in data communications. These devices can be paired in series
2.2. Surge Arresters Characteristics with another diode to provide low capacitance as required in
The following types of electrical or electronic devices can be communication circuits.
used to reduce or limit voltage surges. Some surge suppression • Thyristor Surge Protection Device (TSPD)
systems use multiple technologies, since each method has its A Trisil is a type of thyristor surge protection device (TSPD), a
strong and weak points. The first six types listed operate primarily specialized solid-state electronic device used in crowbar circuits
by diverting unwanted surge energy away from the protected load, to protect against overvoltage conditions. A SIDACtor is another
through a protective component connected in a parallel (or thyristor type of device used for similar protective purposes.
shunted) topology. The last two methods also block unwanted These thyristor-family devices can be viewed as having
energy by using a protective component connected in series with characteristics much like a spark gap or a gas discharged tube
the power fed to the protected load, and additionally may shunt (GDT), but can operate much faster. They are related to TVS
the unwanted energy like the earlier systems. Among the diodes, but can "breakover" to a low clamping voltage analogous
numerous types are [6]: to an ionized and conducting spark gap. After triggering, the low

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clamping voltage allows large current surges to flow while arresters and earth resistance. Figure 1 below shows the effect of
limiting heat dissipation in the device. temperature.

• Gas discharge tube (GDT)

A gas discharge tube (GDT) is a sealed glass-enclosed device
containing a special gas mixture trapped between two electrodes,
which conduct electric current after becoming ionized by a high
voltage spike. GDTs can conduct more current for their size than
other components. Like MOVs, GDTs have a finite life
expectancy, and can handle a few very large transients or a greater
number of smaller transients. The typical failure mode occurs
when the triggering voltage rises so high that the device becomes
ineffective, although lightning surges can occasionally cause
dead.

• Selenium Voltage Suppressor (SVS)

It usually has a longer life than a MOV. It is used mostly in Figure 1.Effect of Temperature
high-energy DC circuits, like the exciter field of an alternator. It
can dissipate power continuously, and it retains its clamping 2.3.1. Effect of Temperature
characteristics throughout the surge event, if properly sized. Arresters installed today are all metal-oxide (MO) arresters
without gaps. ZnO material has negative thermal coefficient, the
• Quarter-Wave Coaxial Surge Arrestor heat generation by the MO elements at a constant voltage will
It is used in RF signal transmission paths, this technology increase to a higher degree as the dissipation of this heat through
features a tuned quarter-wavelength short-circuit stub that allows the housing of the arrester. As a consequence, there are two
it to pass a bandwidth of frequencies, but presents a short to any intersections between heat generation and heat dissipation
other signals, especially down towards DC. The pass bands can characteristic. After heating the MO elements of the arrester, by
be narrowband (about ±5% to ±10% bandwidth) or wideband single or multiple current impulses, below the limit of thermal
(above ±25% to ±50% bandwidth). Quarter-wave coax surge stability the arrester will always return to the stable operating
arrestors have coaxial terminals, compatible with common coax point. However, after heating above the limit of thermal stability
cable connectors (especially N or 7-16 types). They provide the the arrester will become thermally unstable and be destroyed. The
most rugged available protection for RF signals above 400 MHz; effect of thermal stability is strongly dependent on the thermal
at these frequencies they can perform much better than the gas properties of the arrester.
discharge cells typically used in the universal/broadband coax
surge arrestors. Quarter-wave arrestors are useful for
telecommunications applications, such as Wi-Fi at 2.4 or 5 GHz
but less useful for TV/CATV frequencies. Since a quarter-wave
arrestor shorts out the line for low frequencies, it is not compatible
with systems which send DC power for a LNB up the coaxial
downlink.

• Series Mode (SM) Surge Suppressors

These devices are not rated in joules because they operate
differently from the other suppressors, and they do not depend on
materials that inherently wear out during repeated surges. SM
suppressors are primarily used to control transient voltage spikes
on electrical power feeds to protected devices. They are
essentially heavy-duty low-pass filters connected so that they
allow 50/60 Hz line voltages through to the load, while blocking
and diverting higher frequencies. This type of suppressor differs
from others by using banks of inductors, capacitors and resistors
that shunt voltage spikes to the neutral wire, whereas other
designs shunt to the ground wire.
2.3. Factors that Affects Surge Arrester
Surge arresters when installed are exposed to many physical
factors on the earth. These factors are temperature, spacing of the
Figure 2. Effect of spacing of arresters
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2.3.2. Effect of Spacing of the Arresters the equipment insulation and have a satisfactory service when
connected to the power system. The arrester with the minimum
The distance between adjacent surge arrester has influence on rating is preferred because it provides the greatest margin of
the induced voltage particularly if lightning strike point (in the protection for the insulation. A higher rated arrester increases the
case lightning) is nearly equidistant from the sets of surge arrester. ability of the arrester to survive on the power system, but reduces
The closer the arresters are, the lower the voltage magnitude will the protective margin it provides for a specific insulation level.
be. The figure 2(a) and 2(b) below compares the induced voltage Both arrester survival and equipment protection must be
on line with corresponding arrester spacing of 300m and 600m. considered in arrester selection. Generally, surge arrester works
The stroke current front time and time to half-value are about on the basis of impedance division. Under normal condition it acts
3.2µs and 5.8µs, respectively. Figure 2 shows the effect of spacing as a highly resistive unit but under stress (voltage surge) it acts as
of the arresters. a low resistive unit. The mode of operation is best explained using
Figure 3 comprises the voltage induced on a line without Thevenin theorem. Thevenin theorem states that when a switch is
arresters and a line with arrester but with earth resistance of 0Ω closed in a circuit, the current that flows can be determined by
and 200Ω [9]. dividing the voltage across the switch prior to closing, by the
impedance seen looking into the circuit at the open switch
contacts. Consider the figure 4:

Figure 4. Circuit diagram of surge arrester operation

Suppose 𝑍𝑍1 is the impedance of a system on which a surge is

Figure 3.Voltage induced on the lines with and without surge arrester with earth being generated and that 𝑍𝑍2 is a piece of equipment connected to
resistance of 0Ω and 200Ω the system then 𝑍𝑍𝑃𝑃 is the impedance of the arrester. According to
The earth resistance may have a significant influence on the Thevenin, when S is closed the current through the arrester is
induced voltage amplitude, especially when the lightning (in the given by:
case of lightning surge) strike point is in front of a set of arresters.
V + Z 1Z 2 = ( Z 1 + Z 2 )V (2)
This is due to the fact that, for lower value of earth resistance (Rg),
the current that flows to earth (through the surge arresters)
( +
Z P Z1 Z 2 ) ( Z P Z 1 + Z P Z 2 + Z 1Z 2 )
increasing the value of the voltage component that, by coupling,
And the voltage 𝑉𝑉1 across 𝑍𝑍𝑃𝑃 is given as:
reduces the induced voltage in the conductors.

3. Methodology Z P ( Z 1 + Z 2 )V
V1= (3)
( Z P Z 1 + Z P Z 2 + Z 1Z 2)
3.1. Presentation of methods for assessing surge arrester
performance
3.3. Selection of lightning arrester
The choice for selecting the arresters is determined by the
parameters: The lightning arresters are designated by the crest magnitude of
the discharge current having 10 × 20𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 wave shape which the
• Surge arrester ratings. arrester can safely pass without causing damage. The lightning
• Impedance division under normal and abnormal arresters are designated as 8, 10, 20 KA and can safely discharge
conditions to determine whether it will act as low these current crests. The discharge current from the arrester varies
resistive unit under abnormal conditions. from a few hundred amperes to kilo-amperes Maximum discharge
• Selecting station class for its protection capability and voltage (crest value) and discharge factor for the arrester is
distribution class for its restoration capability. defined as the maximum value of voltage which appears across
• Also the location of the arrester, determined by the the arrester terminals at the time of discharging if rated current
terminal point of the protected equipment. determines its impulse level of protection. The discharge factor is
3.2. Application and Selection of Surge Arrester given as in equation 5, to get a result that falls within 2.4 to 3.0:
The objective of arrester selection is to select the lowest rated DF = v da (4)
surge arrester which will provide adequate overall protection of v ra

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Where, v da
= discharge voltage of the arrester • Specification of Lightning Arrester for Incoming Side
Incoming side of residential, the specifications of lightning
arrester are as follow.
v ra
= rated voltage of the arrester System nominal voltage = 0.415kV
Rated normal Voltage = 0.415 × 1.1 = 45.65kV
The above ratio for arresters manufactured by different companies Continuous Operating Voltage (kV) rms = 48.0kV
varies from 1.6 to 1.8, so, the average value may be taken as 1.7 Normal Discharge Current (8 /20μs) kA = 10kA
E rated arrester voltage KV (R.M.S value) and LS as the minimum 1/50 Impulse Spark over Voltage = 163.5kV
impulse insulation level in kV (crest valve) with value after Frequency (Hz) = 50Hz
allowing 10% as tolerance factor and 25% as margin factor can be Type = outdoor
obtained.
• Specifications of Lightning Arrester for Outgoing Side
The followings are the specifications of lightning arrester for
1.25 × 1.1 × 1.7 × 2
L S
=
0.8
E = 4.13E (5) outgoing side of residential.
System nominal voltage = 0.220kV
Rated normal Voltage = 0.22 × 1.1 = 24.20kVkV
In a case of Extra High Voltage (EHV) system, the maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (kV) rms = 24kV
impulse LP in kV implies: Normal Discharge Current (8 /20μs) (kA) = 10kA
LP = 2.3 × power frequency withstand voltage in kV (RMS) Frequency (Hz) = 50Hz
Type = outdoor
= 2.3 EL (6)
• Intermediate class arrester
For 75% arrester, Application is based upon the maximum continuous operation
voltage, line to neutral, at the arrester location. For grounded
LP = 2.37 EL (7) neutral systems (GNS), this is computed as:
For 80% arrester,
GNS = sv m (9)
LP=2.53EL (8) 3
3.4. Surge current ratings
Where, sv m
= maximum system voltage.
For historical comparison, the maximum continuous operating
The surge current normally is the largest single surge that a device voltage is 81% of the conventional 71% arrester installed on an
can withstand without damage, should exceed the largest surge effectively grounded neutral system.
that SPD would experience in service. This work uses the largest • Earthing system and Lightning earthing
surge that can be expected at the service entrance as resistance to The frame of every generator, stationary motor, portable motor,
multiple 3 kA (8/20𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇) surge for panel protectors. At the service and metallic parts of all transformers and the regulating and
entrance SPD rate the surge current per phase which can be controlling apparatus connected with supply shall be earthed by
calculated by adding the surge current from individual modes of separate and distinct connection with earth. Every conductor used
protection L-N and L-G. Thus, surge current ratings for residential on earthing shall be of stranded solid copper or suitable copper
should fall within 10 kA to 70 kA per phase with test waveforms alloy, and shall be protected wherever liable to mechanical
other than 8/20 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇 also acceptable. This work uses surge current damage. Also, against corrosion, particular attention being given
ratings of 20 kA to 70 kA (8/20𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇) per phase. For high-lightning in these respects to the earthing leads at its point of connection
area, like Binshua, SPDs with higher surge current ratings in the with the earth electrode. The coefficient of earthing is below 80
range of 40 kA to 120 kA is used in order to provide a longer percent. With earthing coefficient less than 80% in this case, on
service life and higher reliability. four wire distribution systems, the transformer neutral is solidly
grounded at every voltage level. On high voltage transmission
3.5. Lightning Arrester Design systems the coefficient of earthing does not exceed 75%. In
A station class and intermediate surge arresters are used. The earthing system, lightning arresters with PVC coated wire and
system voltage is 0.415kV and maximum continuous cable lug are used.
operation voltage is 48 kV rms. The duty cycle rating is 60 kV •
415V Lighting Arrester (70mm2 PVC Coated Wire) =
rms and maximum discharge current is 10 kA. 50’’
•
220V Lighting Arrester (70mm2 PVC Coated Wire) =
1. Maximum 0.5μs discharge voltage = 163.5 kV 100’’
2. Maximum switching surge protective level=116.4 kV •
70mm2 Cable Lug = 2
3. Maximum discharge voltage using an 8/20=148.8 kV 3.5.1. Design Data
Current wave-kV For incoming side and outgoing side, the discharge voltage,
The maximum discharge voltage for a10kA impulse current insulation level, minimum impulse insulation level and power
wave produces a voltage wave cresting in 0.5μs. frequency withstand voltage base on 100% arrester are as shown

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in Table.1. Ground voltage peak value and switching surge
withstand voltage are also shown in Table.1.
Where, v Hrms
= highest rms voltage of healthy line to earth

Table.1. Design Data Sheet v LLrms

= normal line to line rms voltage
System Voltage
The proper selection also involves decisions in three areas:
Incoming Side of Outgoing Side
0.415 kV of 0.220 kV • Selecting the arrester voltage rating which is based on
Rated Voltage (kV) 45.65 24.20 whether or not the system is grounded and the method of
Discharge Voltage 188.76 93.6 system grounding.
on 100% Arrester • Selecting the class of arrester, from the three classes of
(kV) arresters, in order of protection, capability and cost. The
Insulation level for 284.78 164.4 classes are: Station class, Intermediate class and Distribution
100% Arrester (kV) class. The station class arrester has the best protection
Minimum Impulse 732.389 363.168 capability and is the most expensive.
Insulation level on • Determine where the arrester should be physically located.
100% (kV) The rating of the arrester is defined as the RMS voltage at
Power Frequency 151.8 75.9 which the arrester passes the duty-cycle test as defined by the
withstand Voltage reference standard. Metal oxide arresters are designed and tested
on 100% (kV) in accordance with ANSI/IEEE C62.11. This states that, the lower
Ground Voltage 59.28 29.63
the arrester voltage rating, the lower the discharge voltage, and
Peak Value (kV)
the better the protection of the insulation system. The lower rated
Require Switching 215.6 107.8
arresters are also more economical. The challenge of selecting and
Surge withstand
arrester voltage rating is primarily one of determining the
Voltage (kV)
maximum sustained line-to-ground voltage that can occur at a
given system location and then choosing the closest rating that is
For the arrester to work properly neither the voltage V across S not exceeded by it. This maximum sustained voltage to ground is
prior to closing nor the voltage 𝑉𝑉1 should exceed the voltage that usually considered to be the maximum voltage on the non-fault
the equipment is capable of sustaining. The proper selection and phases during a single line-to-ground fault. Hence, the appropriate
application of surge arresters in a system involve impulse test arrester ratings are dependent upon the manner of system
considering the following: grounding. All of the system parameters need to be considered
while choosing an arrester classification. If the actual arrester
Basic Impulse Insulation Level (BIL), which is the reference energy duties are not known and a transient study cannot be
insulation level expressed as an impulse crest (or peak) voltage performed, then it is suggested that Station class arresters be
with a standard wave not longer than a 1.2 x 50 microsecond wave, applied. This is a conservative approach that reduces the chances
that is, the impulse takes 1.2 microseconds to reach the peak and of misapplication.
then decays to 50% of the peak in 50 microseconds. This BIL also
have a level that can repeatedly be applied to equipment without The ideal location of arresters from the standpoint of protection
flashover, disruptive charge or other electrical failure under test is directly at the terminals of the equipment to be protected. At
conditions. this location, with the arrester grounded directly at the tank, frame
Chopped Wave Insulation Level is determined by using or other metallic structure which supports the insulated parts, the
impulse waves that are of the same shape as that of the BIL surge voltage applied to the insulation will be limited to the
waveform, with the exception that the wave is chopped after 3 discharge voltage of the arrester.
microseconds. Generally, it is assumed that the Chopped Wave When arresters are connected to the power system they
Level is 1.15 times the BIL level for oil filled equipment such as continually monitor the system operating voltage, which is
transformers. However, for dry type equipment, it is assumed that referred to as Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV).
the Chopped Wave Level is equal to the BIL level. For each arrester rating, there is a limit to the magnitude of voltage
Critical Flashover Voltage, which is the peak voltage for a 50% that may be continuously applied to the arrester.
probability of flashover or disruptive charge.
For surge arrester applications the “solidly grounded”
Impulses Ratio is the ratio of breakdown voltage at surge classification is usually found in electric utility distribution
frequency to breakdown voltage at normal system frequency, (60 systems where the system is usually only grounded at the point of
Hz). supply. These systems can exhibit a wide range of grounding
Coefficient of Earthlings (CE), which is defined as the ratio of coefficients depending upon the system or location in the system.
highest rms voltage of healthy phase-to-earth to phase-to-phase Accordingly, these systems may require a study to ensure the most
normal rms voltage and multiplied by 100; that is: economical, secure, arrester rating selection. If this information is
not known or available, the ungrounded classification should be
CE = v Hrms
× 100 (10)
used.
vLLrms

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The lists arrester ratings, from a manufacturer, that would 3.6. Designing a Home Surge Arrester System
normally be applied on systems of various line-to-line voltages The design of any surge arrester comes under the same
are as shown in Table 2 [12]. principle which is to ground any excess voltage that comes into
the electrical or electronic system. This could be achieved by
Table 2: Typical Arrester Ratings for System Voltage
considering the circuit diagram as shown in Figure 5.
Arrester Rating (kV)
Norminal System Grounded High Impedance
L-L Voltage Neutral Circuits Grounded,
(kV) Ungrounded or
Temporarily
Ungrounded

2.4 2.7 3.0

4.16 3.0 ---

4.5 4.5

5.1

4.8 4.5 ---

5.1 5.1 Figure 5. Home Surge Arrester Circuit

--- 6.0 From the Figure 4, MOVs are connected in parallel to increase
6.9 6.0 --- current capability and life expectancy, which, when exposed to a
few large transients, or many smaller transients. The MOV
--- 7.5 degrades, when its triggering voltage falls lower and lower.
--- 8.5 When used in power applications, MOVs usually are thermal
fused or otherwise protected to avoid persistent short circuits and
12.47 9.0 ---
other fire hazards. In a typical power strip, the visible circuit
10 --- breaker is distinct from the internal thermal fuse, which is not
normally visible to the end user. The circuit breaker has no
--- 12
function related to disconnecting an MOV. A thermal fuse or
--- 15 some equivalent solution protects from MOV generated hazards.
13.2, 13.8 10 --- 3.7. Modes of Protection

12 --- The modes of protection required at the service entrance depend

on the configuration of the electric distribution system. Surge is
--- 15 transmitted in the normal mode as line-to-neutral (L-N) or line-to-
--- 18
line (L-L), or in the common mode as line-to-ground (L-G) or
neutral-to-ground (N-G). Immediately after a transformer or at the
23, 24.94 18 --- main entrance, L-N or L-G should be the only protection modes
that are required, but into the building, L-N, L-G, and N-G should
21 ---
all be the protection modes required. A simplified surge protection
24 24 device (SPD) circuit showing how the components are connected
is shown in Figure 6.
--- 27
The entrance protector shown in Figure 6a uses two varistor
34.5 27 ---
groups to protect the L-G modes. The L-L modes are protected by
30 --- the two varistor groups in series. This varistor conduct negligible
current until a specific limiting voltage across the terminals is
--- 36
reached. Above that voltage, the device starts to conduct, thereby
--- 39 limiting the voltage across the terminals. The point-of-use
protectors, as shown in Figure 6b and Figure 6c, uses three
46 39 --- varistors to protect all three modes, L-N, L-G, and N-G, as
--- 48 recommended
Since the N and G are directly bonded at the service entrance,
69 54 --- SPDs used normally have no need to protect the N-G mode.
60 --- However, protectors downstream from the service entrance or at
the load should protect the N-G mode, since N-G surges might
--- 66 arise from downstream in the building. This work effectively uses
--- 72
two varistors in series, each rated for the L-N supply voltage, to
provide the L-L limiting voltage. Although the limiting surge
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 M.M. Josephine et al. / Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal Vol. 2, No. 1, 197-205 (2017)
voltage obtained this way may not be as low as that from separate avoid surge protector overflow is to install a whole-house surge
L-L components, the configuration is usually satisfactory. arrester right in your electrical panel. This device will replace one
of the existing double-pole circuit breakers in the electrical panel
and is relatively easy to install. Although the surge arrester will
be technically wired to one circuit, it will protect all of the circuits
in the panel. Once your home is protected by the surge arrester, it
is still recommended to use surge protectors with your most
sensitive equipment as an extra safety measure.

4. Conclusion
In this paper, the basis theory of lightning, lightning shielding
and design of lightning arrester are presented. Station class and
intermediate arresters are used. The type of arrester is outdoor
type. The rated voltages of arresters are 46kV and 25kV, the
maximum discharge current is 10kA and MCOV are 48kVrms
and 24kVrms. The lightning arrester in this paper is provided for
overvoltage protection in a high-lightning area. This paper will
help and give the electrical knowledge of the protection system in
6(a) high-lightning area which coach to the technicians, the
professional engineers, the students who are facing the
overvoltage condition and protection coordination in high-
lightning area.

So many standards are listed but none of them guarantee that a

protector will provide proper protection in a given application.
Each standard defines what a protector should do or might
accomplish, based on standardized tests that may or may not
correlate to conditions present in a particular real-world situation.
A specialized engineering analysis may be needed to provide
6(b) sufficient protection, especially in situations of high lightning
risk.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References
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6(c) [4] Allan Greenwood, “Electrical transients in power system”, Wiley, 1971
- Technology & Engineering - 544 pages
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[7] Surge arrester, G31-A75X-X809. www.epcos.com
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