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The literature survey shows that transient phenomena are 3.1. Vacuum circuit breaker tests
often complex interactions between different system
components. The study definitely convinces us that a As a first step, extensive laboratory measurements were
combination of phenomena is responsible for many performed to investigate the switching transients produced
unexplained failures in distribution transformers. The by vacuum circuit breakers, and the influence of different
phenomena themselves are each well-known and accepted, factors such as the vacuum circuit breaker type and its
but the combined action of them, leading to a transformer contact material, the cable length between breaker and
breakdown, is only recognised by a limited number of transformer, the applied protection devices and the
people. different winding types.
A lot of confusion has been caused by circuit breaker The measurements were performed on a Nicolet Pro 40
specialists who generally tend to minimise the problem, or wide band analyser, equipped with TEK P6015 voltage
even deny its existence. Lots of misunderstandings are still probes and Pearson current probes. A special synchronising
alive, and need to be removed. The large number of papers device was used to guarantee current chopping at any
and reactions reporting similar problems shows that this chosen current phase angle. The measurement
specific overvoltage problem is not just a rare exception, arrangements were optimised in co-operation with a well-
and that similar problems will occur more and more often known circuit breaker manufacturer.
in the future. The ever wider use of modern equipment, as The following elements were used in the test set-up :
powerful circuit breakers and fast switching power one cast resin transformer 1600 kVA 11 kV/400 V;
electronics increases the high frequency contents in the 3 different disk winding types encapsulated in cast-resin.
electrical power system and they are clearly entering the The winding types mainly had different conductor
range of natural frequencies of the electrical systems and dimensions and different numbers of disks;
its components. 2 different circuit breakers from different manufacturers,
Even though typical symptoms, critical factors, and one with Cu-Cr contacts, one with Cu-Bi contacts;
suggested protection devices can be collected from the 3 sets of different cables between circuit breaker and
available literature, practical diagnostic tools or decision transformer: a 10 m long three phase cable, three single
criteria are not available yet. phase cables of 4 m, and 3 blank copper conductors of
Confirmation of our assumptions can be found in the about 4 m;
discussions of the IEEE/PES Transformer Committee 3 types of surge arresters with different protection levels
Working Group Switching Transients Induced by an RC surge protection (6.3 kV / 3x0.1 F / 100 ).
Most of the components were specifically chosen to the stochastic behaviour of the vacuum circuit breaker is
simulate a specific failure case that had occurred in the so determining, that only statistical conclusions can be
past. Some experiments were conducted on the full level of drawn; the use of, for example, a statistically better
11 kV, while most tests were conducted on a reduced protection device will not guarantee a better
voltage level of 6 kV in order to reduce the risk of partial performance for one specific switching operation.
discharges damaging the test transformer.
For different combinations of winding types, circuit 3.2. Frequency response analysis
breakers, cables and protection devices, a large number of
switching operations were performed. The responses were Further laboratory experiments were performed on three
measured on the transformer taps and digitally recorded. A oil-filled distribution transformers (400 kVA/12 kV and
typical multiple reignition response measured during 630 kVA/ 15kV) in order to determine the natural
disconnection of the unloaded transformer is shown on frequencies of layer windings and their internal winding
Fig.1. The specific contact material was Cu-Bi and the resonance patterns.
voltage level was reduced to 6 kV. Three special transformers were built, equipped with a
large number of exit leads in order to measure a large
500 number of internal voltages inside each layer. This enabled
to determine the full frequency behaviour of three different
HV layer windings. Radial voltage differences for one
0
-0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5
double layer of a transformer are shown on Fig.2. The
voltage amplification at the resonance frequency around 60
Voltage [V]
10
30
49
330-580
59
69
89
310-600
Frequency [kHz]
98
108
up to 29 pu for Cu-Bi;
surge arresters were able to limit the overvoltage Fig.2 : Double layer voltage transfer characteristic
magnitude at the transformer terminals, thus reducing
the internal overvoltages as well. However, the arresters
could not guarantee a maximum overvoltage level inside 3.3. Conclusions of the laboratory measurements
the windings;
The first study shows that vacuum circuit breakers certainly
the RC protection statistically performed better (lower
produce multiple reignitions when an unloaded transformer
overvoltages at terminals and inside the windings) than is switched off. The experiments confirm most of the other
the arresters; using the Cu-Cr breaker, q-factors were conclusions found in literature [4, 28]:
measured inside the winding up to 4.95 for RC, up to
overvoltage amplitudes are not extremely high at the
8.87 for ZnO;
terminals;
winding types with larger conductor sizes (larger eddy
the influence of the circuit breaker contact material is
current losses) statistically performed better;
large;
the presence of a cable and protection devices has a 5.2. Moral, legal and commercial aspects
positive influence;
In most cases of transformer failure due to transient
due to the statistical behaviour of the circuit breaker and
overvoltages, the transformer manufacturers will find
the resulting switching transients, surge arresters and
themselves in a difficult position. Even if they are
untuned capacitors do not guarantee a full protection.
convinced that their product is in full compliance with all
The second laboratory study shows that distribution
applicable standards, their explanation is often disbelieved.
transformers exhibit a wide range of natural frequencies, in
Whatever effort they make to help the customer, e.g. a
our specific cases starting from 30 kHz. These natural
replacement by reinforced windings, it will always be
frequencies will clearly be triggered by circuit breaker
regarded as a confession of guilt, and finally the customer
transients.
will always end up asking the replacement of all identical
Although no winding design will ever eliminate the risk of
units. Ref. [17] clearly confirms this typical reaction. In the
internal resonances, one specific winding design has
end the transformer manufacturer will always be forced to
proved to be less sensitive to resonance than the others.
accept some kind of commercial agreement.