EEPM543

HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING

Chapter 8
Insulation Coordination

Assoc Prof Ir Dr Miszaina Osman

BN-1-032
miszaina@uniten.edu.my

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INTRODUCTION INSULATION COORDINATION
• Insulation coordination is the correlation of electrical
equipment insulation with the characteristics of
protective devices such that the insulation is protected
from excessive overvoltages

basic
insulation
level

statistical insulation time lags for

approach coordination breakdown

Deterministic
approach

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 INTRODUCTION INSULATION COORDINATION

From IEEE Std C62.82.1-2010 (Revision of IEEE Std 1313.1-

1996)
– Insulation coordination is the “selection of the
insulation strength consistent with the expected over-
voltages to obtain an acceptable risk of failure”

From IEC 71-1-1993

– Insulation coordination is the “selection of the
dielectric strength of equipment in relation to the
voltages which can appear on the system for which
equipment is intended and taking account the service
environment and the characteristics of the available
protective devices

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 INTRODUCTION INSULATION COORDINATION

• To specify the insulation strength, the normal, usual, and

standard conditions that are used must be known

• There are several methods of describing the strength, such

as the BIL, BSL and CFO which will be defined later

• All specifications of strength are based on the following

conditions:
a) ambient temperature: 20°C
b) air pressure: 101.3kPa or 760 mm Hg
c) absolute humidity: 11 grams of water/m3 of air

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INTRODUCTION INSULATION COORDINATION

• Generally, transformer, switchgear, and other valuable

equipment are equipped with non-self restoring insulation
(NSR) - these equipment must be protected against failures and
internal destruction

• Other apparatus, such as string insulators, are self-restoring

insulation (SR) -- this equipment can be allowed to flashover in
order to save the non-self-restoring equipment

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 INSULATION COORDINATION
Types of Insulation:

EXTERNAL INSULATION

INTERNAL INSULATION

SELF RESTORING INSULATION (SR)

NON-SELF-RESTORING INSULATION (NSR)

 INSULATION COORDINATION
Types of Insulation

External Insulation
• the distances in open air or across the surfaces of solid insulation in
contact with open air that are subjected to dielectric stress and to the
effects of the atmosphere
• Examples: the porcelain shell of a bushing, bus support insulators
and disconnecting switches

Internal insulation
• the internal solid, liquid, or gaseous parts of the insulation of
equipment that are protected by the equipment enclosures from the
effects of the atmosphere
• Examples: transformer insulation, the internal insulation of bushings
• Equipment may be a combination of external and internal insulation
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Types of Insulation

SR insulation
• that completely recovers insulating properties after a
disruptive discharge (flashover) caused by the
application of a voltage
• This type of insulation is generally external insulation

Non-Self-Restoring (NSR) Insulation

• insulation that loses insulating properties or does not
recover completely after a disruptive discharge caused
by the application of a voltage
• NSR type is generally internal insulation
 BASIC INSULATION LEVEL (BIL)

• BIL (Basic Impulse Level) or Basic Lightning

Impulse Insulation Level
• the electrical strength of insulation expressed in
terms of the crest value of the “standard
lightning impulse”
• BIL is tied to a specific wave shape in addition
being tied to standard atmospheric conditions
• BIL may either be a statistical BIL or a
conventional BIL

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 BASIC INSULATION LEVEL (BIL)
1. Statistical BIL is applicable only to SR insulations
– Statistical BIL - the crest value of standard lightning
impulse for which the insulation exhibits a 90%
probability of withstand, a 10% probability of
failure

2. Conventional BIL is applicable to NSR insulations

– Conventional BIL - the crest value of a standard
lightning impulse for which the insulation does not
fail when subjected to a specific number of
applications of the overvoltages

• BSL is similar to BIL, but for switching overvoltages

• However, in IEC, it is not divided into conventional
and statistical definitions

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 INSULATION COORDINATION
Statistical BIL/BSL
• Statistical BIL and BSL is defined statistically or
probabilistically
• The insulation strength characteristics may be
represented by a cumulative Gaussian
distribution as shown on the right
• The mean of this distribution is defined as the
critical flashover voltage or CFO
• Applying the CFO voltage to the insulation results
in a 50% probability of flashover
• Locating the BIL or BSL at the 10% point results
in the definition that the BIL or BSL is 1.28
standard deviations, σf, below the CFO
 f 

BSL  CFO1  1.28 

 CFO 
 f 
BIL  CFO1  1.28 
 CFO 
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Statistical BIL/BSL
• Explanation on cumulative Gaussian distribution
• For voltages below point A, no breakdown occurs (P = 0)
• For voltages above point B, breakdown will definitely occur (P = 1)
• At point C, there is a 50% probability of breakdown to occur at that
voltage magnitude (P = 0.5)
• 50% or the mean of this distribution is also defined as critical
flashover voltage or CFO
probability for
breakdown, P

0.5

voltage
0 A C B magnitude
 INSULATION COORDINATION

Conventional BIL/BSL

• The conventional BIL or BSL is more

simple definition but has less meaning
as regards to insulation strength
• The insulation strength characteristics as
shown on the right must be assumed to
rise from zero probability of flashover
or failure at a voltage equal to the BIL
or BSL to 100% probability of
flashover at this same BIL or BSL
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Standard BILs and BSLs
• There exists a standard impulse wave shapes (discuss under the generation of
HV impulse) use in obtaining both BILs and BSLs
• Table 1 show the parameter associated with standard impulse wave shapes
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Standard BILs and BSLs
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Standard BILs and BSLs
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Standard BILs and BSLs
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Standard BILs and BSLs
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Standard BILs and BSLs
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Statistical vs. Conventional BIL/BSL
• Tests to “Prove” the BIL and BSL is differrent between the conventional and the
statistical
• Since the conventional BIL/BSL is tied to NSR insulation, it is more than highly
desirable that the test to be nondestructive
• So, the test is to apply one or more impulses having a standard impulse waveshape
whose crest is equal to the BIL/BSL
• If no failure occurs, then the test is passed
• The failure rate is extremely low
• For statistical BIL/BSL, theoretically no test can prove that the insulation has a
10% probability of failure
• Since the insulation is self-restoring, flashovers of the insulation are permissible
• For standardization, 2 types of tests exist which are:
a) n/m test: m impulses are applied. The test is passed if no more than n result in
flashover
b) n+m test: n impulses are applied. If non result in flashover, the test is passed. If
there are 2 or more flashovers, the test is failed. If only 1 flashover occurs, m
additional impulses are applied and the test is passed if none of these results in a
flashover
 INSULATION COORDINATION
CFO Voltage -“Probability Run Tests”
• An alternate method of specifying the insulation strength is by providing the
parameters of the insulation strength characteristics, the critical flash over (CFO)
voltage and σf/CFO
• This method is only used for SR insulations since flashovers are permitted: they
do occur
• This method is primarily used for switching impulses, more difficult to get
lightning impulse
• Limited data exist but equally valid if used for lightning impulses

• In laboratory, switching impulses are

applied to a post insulator
• A 900-kV, 250/2500-μs impulse is applied
100 times and 2 of these impulses cause a
flashover, or the estimated probability of
flashover is 0.02
• Increasing the crest voltage to 1000kV and
applying 40 impulses results in 20
flashovers, or the estimated probability of
flashover is 0.5
 INSULATION COORDINATION
CFO Voltage -“Probability Run Tests”
• The voltage is then increased and decreased to obtain other test points resulting
in the data given below:
• These tests results are then plotted on normal or Gaussian probability paper as
shown in next slide.
 INSULATION COORDINATION
CFO Voltage -“Probability Run Tests”

• The mean value at 50% probability obtained from the plot is the CFO
• As mentioned before, this type of testing is normally performed only for switching
impulses.
• Limited test for lightning impulse indicate that σf/CFO is much less than that for
switching impulses, i.e. in the range of 2 to 3%
• CFO is universally defined at standard atmospheric conditions
 INSULATION COORDINATION
CFO Voltage – Up and Down Method
• Tests may be performed to obtain the entire characteristics or just the CFO
• In many cases, an investigator is only interested in obtaining the CFO
• The procedure employed is called the up and down method:

a) estimate the CFO. Apply one shot. If flashover occurs, lower the
voltage by 3%. If no flashover occurs, increase the voltage by 3%. If upon
application of this voltage, flashover occurs, decrease the voltage by 3%
or if no flashover occurs, increase the voltage by 3%
b) continue for about 50 shots. Discard the shots until one flashover
occurs. The CFO is the average applied voltage used in the remaining
shots.
• This up and down method in a modified form may also be used to
determine a lower probability point.
TIME LAGS FOR BREAKDOWN
• Mechanism of breakdown is a function of ionization
processes
• In practical engineering however, breakdowns are usually
due to rapidly changing voltages, i.e. surge voltage
• Consider an impulse voltage of amplitude V applied to a
gap that breaks down at Vb after a period of time (V>Vb)
• The time which elapses between the application of V and
the breakdown is called the time lag
• It consists of two components:
statistical
time lag,
ts

time
lags
formative
time lag,
tf
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TIME LAGS FOR BREAKDOWN
• Statistical time lag is the time taken to produce primary
electron to cause initial ionization
• The amount of such electron to be produced is statistical
in nature
• Formative time lag is the time taken for breakdown to
occur once the primary electron has been initiated
voltage

breakdown occurs
V

Vb

time

time lag

Statistical time lag Formative time lag

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 INSULATION COORDINATION
Time Lags for Breakdown
• Mechanism of breakdown is a function of ionization processes
• In practical engineering however, breakdowns are usually due to rapidly changing
voltages, i.e. surge voltage
• Consider an impulse voltage of amplitude V applied to a gap that breaks down at Vb
after a period of time (V>Vb)
• The time which elapses between the application of V and the breakdown is called
the time lag
• Statistical time lag: The time which lapses between
the application of the voltage (sufficient to cause
breakdown) and the appearance of the initiating voltag
e
electron V
breakdown
occurs
• Formative time lag: The time lag, after the
appearance of free e-, required for the ionization
Vb
processes to develop fully to cause breakdown of the
gap
time
• Time lag: Total time between the application of time
lag
voltage (sufficient to cause breakdown) and the
occurrence of breakdown
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Time Lags for Breakdown

• Breakdown with step function voltage pulse show the statistical time lag (ts),
formative time lag (tf) and total time lag (t).

statistical
time lag,
ts

time
lags
formative
time lag,
tf
 VOLT-TIME CHARACTERISTICS
• On different impulse voltages applied, breakdown will
occur and the time lag will depend on the rate of rise of
the applied voltage and the field geometry
• Thus for each gap configuration it is possible to construct
a volt-time characteristic
• A number of impulse of increasing level is applied and
time lag for breakdown is recorded using an oscilloscope
• Thus, voltage-time characteristic can be constructed

voltage voltage
volt-time
characteristic

time time

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VOLT-TIME CHARACTERISTICS
• Typical volt-time curve for transformer & classification of
surge
 1 For steep fronted lightning surge
 2 Slow fronted lightning surge
 3  Fast switching surge
 4  Slow switching surge
 5  Power frequency

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VOLT-TIME CHARACTERISTICS

voltage
insulation to
be protected
protecting
device

safety margin

time

• From the figure above, the upper curve represents the

overall BIL for all insulations whereas the lower curve
represents the protective voltage level provided all
protective devices
• The volt-time characteristics of the protection devices can
be obtained and they must be below that of the insulation
to be protected
• Difference between the curves provides the safety margin
for the insulation system
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 INSULATION COORDINATION
Time Lags for Breakdown
• Voltage-time characteristic and the application of actual impulse voltage in practice

• For breakdown to occur the applied voltage (V a) should be greater than the
statistical breakdown voltage (V s)
• The difference in voltage (DV = V a - V s) is known as over-voltage
• Ratio V a/V s is know as impulse ratio
• The volt-time characteristic is very important in insulation co-ordination of the
power electrical apparatus in power system
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Time-Lag Curves

• The figure above, show another sample of time-lag curve

• The procedure is simply to apply a higher and higher magnitudes of voltage
and record the time of flashover
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Time-Lag Curves-Illustrated Protection Example
• The volt-time curve of the transformer (A) with the protective
devices volt-time curve
 B rod gap 1,
 C rod gap 2, and
 D surge diverter

A-transformer

B-rod gap 1
C-rod gap 2
D-surge diverter
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Time-Lag Curves-Illustrated Protection Example

A-transformer

B-rod gap 1
C-rod gap 2
D-surge diverter

• The rod gap 1 will only protect the transformer until the critical slope line X.
• If the impulse slope is high than the critical slope line X, the rod gap 1 will
not be able to protect transformer.
• Rod gap 2 will be able to protect the transformer until slope 2 but with very
small safety margin.
• The surge diverter which have the volt-time curve as given by the D will be
able protected the transformer for most of the time.
 INSULATION COORDINATION
Time-Lag Curves-Illustrated Protection Example

• Although from volt-time curve it seem that the surge diverter can protected
transformer, some other factors need to be considered especially at the substation
 In a steep fronted traveling wave, the voltage at different point in the
substation can exceed the protection level. Therefore, more that one lightning
arrester may be needed
 The arching horn operation may chopped the wave, the chopped waveform
may harmful to the transformer winding.
 The distance of the equipment from the lightning arrester may give rise to
the voltage because of the sucessive reflection between two terminals
STATISTICAL APPROACH
• In extra high voltage (EHV) and ultra high voltage (UHV)
systems, it is not practical to have insulation levels that
could withstand all forms of overvoltages
• It is also impossible to have 100% failure free insulation
since the current in the lightning stroke can be 200kA
• This is because the insulation needs to be extremely high
due to the magnitude of voltage applied and this cannot
be achieved from economical point of view
• Thus protective devices need to be employed at sensitive
points that would limit overvoltages at those points
where a little risk for failure is permitted in the interest of
economic consideration.
• Current practice of insulation coordination rely on
statistical approach which relates directly the electrical
stress and electrical strength
• In other words, the coordination for insulation is based on
its risk of failure
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STATISTICAL APPROACH
• Consider a case of an occurrence of overvoltage
represented by probability density Po(Vi)dVi (a Gaussian
distribution) between Vi and (Vi + dVi)
• Pd(Vi) is the probability for flashover of the insulation
can be represented by the normal S curve
• The probability of both event occurring simultaneously
at an overvoltage Vi is Pd(Vi) Po(Vi) dVi
• Risk of failure (R) is given by Integration of Pd(Vi)
Po(Vi)dVi from zero to Vi
• Knowledge of these distributions determines the ‘risk of
failure’ (represented by the shaded area under curve R)
insulation
Po breakdown Pb

overvoltage
distribution

voltage 38
applied, Vi
STATISTICAL APPROACH

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STATISTICAL APPROACH
• However, it would be uneconomical to consider the
complete distribution functions for overvoltage and
withstand of insulation because the samples can be very
large
• A simplified procedure (given by IEC) is to be based on:
-statistical overvoltage, Vs that has a 2% probability for
overvoltage to reach Vs
-withstand voltage, Vw that has a 10% probability that
breakdown will occur in insulation
Po Pb

2%

10 %
voltage voltage
Vs applied, V Vw applied, V

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STATISTICAL APPROACH
• Statistical safety factor, γ is given as

• Relative shift of the two curves will vary γ

• Increasing the statistical safety factor γ will reduce the
risk of failure R
• Statistical approach to insulation withstand voltages
establishes the ‘insulation level’
risk of
Po Pb failure, R

R1

R2

10 % R3
voltage safety
Vw1 Vw2 Vw3 applied, V γ1 γ2 γ3 factor, γ

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STATISTICAL APPROACH
• Consider a case of an insulator string protected by a spark
gap of lower breakdown strength
• Both are subjected to the same overvoltage represented by
Po, and probability of breakdown for spark gap and
insulation string are given as Pg and Pi respectively
• Risk of failure for spark gap is much higher than that of
insulation string
• Safety margin is defined as the voltage difference
between 50% flashover values of protecting gap and
insulation
Po Pg Pi Pb

50 %

voltage
applied, V
safety
margin
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 INSULATION COORDINATION
Summary

From IEEE 1313.1-1996

Insulation coordination is the “selection of the insulation strength
consistent with the expected over-voltages to obtain an acceptable risk
of failure”

• Definition of Insulation Strength (NSR versus SR)

 BIL & BSL
 CFO
• Time Lag before breakdown (overvoltage)
• Selection of insulation strength with respect to insulation
strength and time lag curve.
• Safety margin with respect to the risk of failure.
SUMMARY
based on volt-time
characteristics

basic protection is below

volt-time characteristic
insulation level of insulation

safety margin is defined

with respect to voltage
applied
insulation
coordination
based on probability of
overvoltage and
breakdown of insulation

statistical protection has higher

risk of failure than
approach insulation

safety margin is defined

with respect to voltage
applied
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