Insulation Coordination

Fundamentals

Nema 8LA

Rev 0 01-16-2019
Webinar Outline
 Initial basics of Insulation Coordination Studies
 Definitions , Types, Parameters, Purposes
 Examples of an Insulation Coordination Study
 Basic Substation , Complex Substation, Transmission Line
 BIL,BSL
 The Backflash
 Traveling Wave Phenomena
 Arrester Fundamentals
 Margin of Protection
 Ground Flash Density
 The Report
 Resources for this Webinar
1. Book: “Insulation Coordination of Power
Systems” by Andrew (Bob) Hileman, 1999.
2. AR Hileman Software
3. ATP and ATP Draw, XY Plot
4. IEC 60071-1,2,3,4
5. IEEE C62.82.1 and .2 Formerly 1313.1 and
.2 (Insulation Coordination Standards)
6. IEEE C62.11 Arrester Test Standards
7. IEEE C62.22 Arrester Application Guide
8. IEEE 1410 and 1243 Improving Lightning
Performance of lines
 Definition of Insulation Coordination
Simple Definition
Insulation coordination is the selection of the insulation
strength of a system. (Hileman)
Better One
Insulator
Insulation coordination is the process where the
Arrester
insulation characteristics of all components of the
power system are determined, specified and
coordinated to avoid failure due to expected internal
and externally occurring surges. (Hileman)
Types of Insulation Coordination Studies
 Transformer Protection
 Substation Protection Open Air and GIS
 Line Protection
 Distribution and Transmission
 Breaker Protection
 Generator Protection
 Determine clearances
 Determine Separation Distances
 Determine Arrester Energy and Voltage Ratings.
 And on and on and on
 Types of Insulation Coordination Studies
 Deterministic
This is the conventional method where the minimum strength
of the insulation is equal or greater than the maximum surge
stresses.
. Transformer insulation is not
statistical in nature. It has
one lightning withstand
value and one switching
withstand value. Therefore
a deterministic analysis is all
that we can do.
 Types of Insulation Coordination Studies
 Probabilistic
This type of analysis consists of selecting the insulation level
and clearances based on specific reliability criterion. Since
the insulation strength of air is statistical in nature, we can only
determine its probability of Flashover for a given surge.
Studies of transmission line performance is based on a flashover
rate per year per 100km, and because the flashover
parameter is statistical, resulting levels are probabilistic.
Studies of substation performance is also probabilistic for the
same reason. For this type of study we base the performance
on MTBF (Mean Time Between Flashover). More later on this.
 Types of Insulation Coordination Studies
 Lightning Surge Studies
This type of study deals strictly with lightning surges and backflash
over surges. Is completed for all system voltage levels.
 Switching Surge Studies
This type of study is usually for systems above 240kV since it is this
type of system that can produce switching surges of relevance.
If a lower voltage system has large cap banks, then a switching
study is justified.
 Parameters of Importance in Studies
• Purpose of Study
• The Lightning Flash
• Ground Flash Density
• Shield Failure rate if known
• Types of Insulation
• BIL and CFO
• MTBS and MTBF
• Location and Altitude of Study
• Cable and Isophase specs
• Incoming Surge Steepness
• Backflash Rate (BFR)
• Calculating BFR
• Tower Configurations
• Circuit Physical Dimensions
• The Transformer Ratings and
Capacitance
• The Arrester
• VI Curve
• Selecting the Rating
 Purpose of Insulation Coordination Studies
 Can be to design proper insulation and arrester location from scratch
 Can be to validate chosen insulation levels (Very common)
 Can be to determine where to locate arresters
 Can be to determine cause of failure of equipment (After an incident)
 Can be to determine the Width of a ROW (Switching Study)
 Can be to provide assurance that equipment is protected properly
 Can be to put in the file for future reference
 Can be to fulfill a requirement
 Can be to …………. and more……
Examples of Lightning Studies

 Simple Substation from Chapter 12 of “Insulation

Coordination of Power Systems”.
 500kV Line-Substation-Generator
 69kV Line Study
 Overhead Shield Wire


Station
Arresters
Disconnect
Switch

Breaker CT or CCVT
Power
Transformer
 Incoming Surge
Basic Substation Surge at Trans

Lightning Study
Complex Study
 Three generators

Complex Insulation Coordination Study

Cross over line 3 generator step
Switchyard to Generator
with no up Transformers
Incoming Station
transformers
Line
 69kV Sub

69kV Sub Transmission Line Study

69kV Sub Transmission Line Study
Insulator that flashes
over at a specific
voltage 69kV Sub Transmission
Line Study

Underbuilt Circuit
 System Fundamentals Relative to Insulation
Coordination
1. Insulation 7. Physical Dimensions
2. Traveling Waves and 8. Ground Flash Density
Reflections, Backflash, 9. OHGW
and Separation Distance
10. Ground Flash Density
3. Tower Grounds and
Station Grounds
4. Corona
5. Steepness of Surges
6. Clearances
 Self restoring
 External Insulation Insulator
The distance in open air or
across the surfaces of solid
insulation in contact with open
air that is subjected to dielectric
stress and to the effects of the
atmosphere. Examples are
porcelain or polymer shell of a
bushing, support insulators, and Underground Cable
disconnecting switches. with Non-Self Restoring
Insulation

 Self-restoring Insulation
Insulation that completely
recovers insulating properties
after a disruptive discharge
(flashover) caused by the
application of a voltage. This is
generally external insulation. Terminator with
Self-restoring
Insulation on outside
and non-self-restoring
on inside
 Internal Insulation
The internal solid, liquid, or
gaseous parts of the insulation
Non-Self Restoring of equipment that are
Insulation Self Restoring protected by equipment
Insulation
enclosures from the effects of
the atmosphere. Examples are
transformer insulation, internal
insulation of bushings, internal
parts of breakers and internal
part of any electrical
equipment.

Non-self-restoring Insulation
Insulation that loses insulating
properties or does not recover
completely after a disruptive
discharge caused by the
application of voltage.
Generally internal insulation.
 Basic Lightning Impulse Insulation
Level (BIL)
The BIL level is the Dry insulation
withstand strength of insulation
expressed in kV. Is commonly Insulator BIL is directly proportional to the
used to describe substations and strike distance of an insulator
distribution system voltage BIL ≈ 15kV x S(inches)
withstand characteristics.
And is affected by Altitude
 Statistical BIL is used for insulators means there is a
10% probability of flashover and is used for self-
restoring insulation
 Conventional BIL is used for Transformers and
Cable
is the voltage level where there is a 0% probability
of Flashover and is applied to non selfrestoring
insulation

Note 1: Arresters do not have a BIL rating Note 2: Arresters close to an insulator
since their external insulation is self give the insulator infinite BIL.
protected by the internal MOV disks. In
a sense they have an infinite BIL.
 BSL is proportional to the strike
Basic Switching Impulse Insulation distance of an insulator
Level (BSL) BSL= 1080e((0.46 x Strike Distance) + 1)
The BSL level is the switching surge
withstand level of the insulation in
And is affected by Altitude
terms of kV.
BSLs are universally tested under
Wet conditions.

 Statistical BSL of Insulators

apply to self restoring insulation and represents a 10%
probability of flashover.
 Conventional BSL of Transformers and solid
dielectrics
apply to non-self-restoring insulation and represents a
0% probability of flashover

Note 1: Arresters do not have a BSL Note 2: Arresters close to an insulator

rating since their external insulation is self give the insulator infinite BSL.
protected by the internal MOV disks. In
a sense they have an infinite BSL.
 Power Frequency Withstand Voltage
This is the highest power frequency
voltage an insulator can withstand
under wet conditions (low level of
contamination).
It is affected by creepage distance and strike distance.

Note 1: Insulator withstand voltages are

often >2-3 times their operating
voltage.
Note 2: Arresters will go into conduction if
the AC voltage across the unit reaches a
1.25 pu MCOV and above. However they
cannot sustain this condition for very long
or they will over heat and fail.
Note 3: If the housing is highly contaminated,
the housing may flashover at levels below
the turn-on voltage of the arrester.
Note 4: In highly contaminated areas,
extra creepage distance insulators are
used to overcome this potentially low
flashover voltage. The same policy
should be applied to arresters.
Critical Flash Over (CFO) Self Restoring insulation only
This is the voltage with a 50% probability of flashover of the
insulator. It applies to both lightning and switching. It is used
to quantify insulation used on transmission and distribution lines.
Typically CFO is 4-6% higher than Statistical BIL on an
insulator.

Chopped Wave Withstand (CWW)

This is a withstand level of equipment. A standard lightning
impulse is used but the surge is chopped at 3us, which means
the stress is applied for a much shorter time than a standard
lightning impulse test and must flashover near the crest of the
wave instead of on the tail as it can in BIL tests. The value of
this characteristic is about 1.10 times BIL for power
transformers and 1.15 times BIL for bushings.

Caused by insulator flashover just past crest.

Can cause winding to winding stress in some
transformers
CWW
Typical Values 70-1500kVp
Chopped Wave Withstand

BIL
Basic Impulse Withstand Level
Another form of Lightning BSL
withstand is CFO Basic Switching Impulse
Critical Flashover Voltage
Withstand Level
 The Backflash
When the OHGW on a
transmission line is hit by
lightning, a rapid series of
events takes place.

If the system is grounded well

than the surge is transferred to
earth and there is no effect on
the phase conductors.

But occasionally a backflash

will occur, this series of slides will
show you a close up view of
the sequence of events.
 The Backflash
Time = 0
The first event is the strike. Of
course there was already a
great deal of activity just to
connect this line to the cloud,
but that is for another
sequence.

When the strike pins to the wire,

it sets up a voltage surge that
travels in both directions down
the line. (1-50 million volts)

This is all happening at nearly

the speed of light and until the
surge actually finds ground,
there is little current flow.
 The Backflash
Time = 1
In a few Nano-seconds, the voltage

Induced
Induced

front meets the down ground and

travels toward earth at the tower
bottom. While at the same time it is
inducing a voltage on to the phase
conductors
When it reaches earth, the current
begins to flow.
The voltage along the tower increases
rapidly due to ground potential rise.
This potential rise is caused by the
resistance of the ground rod of the
tower.
This tower voltage rises as the current
begins to flow.
 The Backflash
Time = 2
The voltage at the base of the
base of the insulators and on
the phase conductors
increases as the surge increases
in amplitude

If the voltage at the base of the

insulator increases at a faster
rate than the induced voltage
on phases, it can reach the
CFO of the insulator
 The Backflash
Time = 3
The voltages continue to
increase across all components
as the surge crests.
 The Backflash
Time = 4 (.5-2 µsec)
If the voltage across the insulator exceeds
the CFO, it can flashover from the pole down
ground to the phase.

This is the backflash……

It flashes from the base to the conductor

which is intuitively backward since the down
ground spends its entire life except for these
few microseconds at ground potential.

This is the part of the event that we are

interested in with insulation coordination
studies. What effect this surge will have the
substation.

But its not over yet…..

 The Backflash
Time = 5 (20-50 µsec)
The lightning stroke is over and
the voltages on the lines revert
back to their pre-strike levels.
But the air around the insulator
is seeping with ions and still
highly conductive.

When the AC voltage reaches

a high enough level, it now
flashes forward from the phase
conductor to the down ground.
 The Backflash
Time = 6 (50 µsec to 200ms)
When the insulator flashes over for a
second time, power frequency
current flows to ground and a fault is
now underway on the circuit and
AC Follow current will remain there until a breaker
causing a Line to
Ground Fault interrupts the event.
Until breaker interrupts

At that point the event is over

assuming no damage occurred on
the insulator.
 The Backflash
The surge that is transferred onto the phase
conductor has entered the station within a
few µsec, even before the fault was initiated.

This is the impulse that becomes the concern

of insulation coordination in substations.
Note the voltage at the
transformer is clamped
by the arresters.

CCVTs
Arresters
 30 m separation

3 m separation
Note the voltage at the
transformer is higher
than at the arresters. This
is due to traveling wave
reflection

Arresters
Separation Red = Voltage @ Arrester
Distance
Green = Voltage @ Transformer
 Arresters
the other half of
Insulation
Coordination
Arrester Definition
• Polymer Housing
• Metal Oxide Varistor
(MOV)

• Conductive Spacer
• Strength Member
(Fiberglass)
• Spring for Compression
• Rubber Seals
• End Vents and
Diaphragms
VI Characteristics of an Arrester or Disk is the essence of the
MOV. The resistance of the MOV disk is a function of the
voltage stress across the terminals.

Example
50kV MCOV
Arrester
 Typical Varistor/Arrester
V-I Characteristics
Pre-Breakdown
Region Physicists Terminology High Current Region
|--------------------------------------| |---------------------- Breakdown Region--------------------------------| |---------------------------------------|

LPL
SPL
V10kA or
U10kA V1ma or Reference Voltage
Region
Lightning
TOV Region Impulse
Vref or Uref Switching Region
Rated V or Ur peak 20C
Surge
MCOV or UC (peak) Leakage Current Region Region
Engineering Terminology
200C

Normal Operating Region

Fast Front
Voltage

Arrester Discharge
Voltage Curve

10kA Lightning
Protective Level
LPL
Switching Surge Protective Level
SPL

Faster Front Surges Slower Front Surges

 Chopped Wave
Withstand CWW

MP1= (CWW/FOW)-1 BIL

Insulation Withstand
IEEE recommends > .15 or 15%
Curve BSL

MP2= (BIL/LPL)-1
Front of Wave
Voltage IEEE recommends >.15 or 15%
FOW MP3= (BSL/SPL)-1
Arrester Discharge IEEE recommends >.20 or 20%
Voltage Curve
10kA Lightning
Protective Level
LPL

Switching Surge Protective

Level
SPL
Clearances and Altitude
Phase to phase and phase to ground
clearances are often the purpose of a study.
They are easily calculated once the
maximum voltage on a line is determined.
With arresters, the NEC clearances can be
reduced near the arrester and along ROW if
studies are completed.

For example,
Lightning Impulse withstand
of Air at STP is a linear
function at 450kV/m
 Clearance and Altitude/Elevation
1.000

0.950 Change in
Withstand voltage All external insulation is
affected by altitude.
0.900
Specifically in this case,
Ratio of Altitude to Sea Level

0.850
the clearance between
lines needs to be
0.800
increased to attain the
'δ=e-A/26710 same withstand voltage
0.750 at sea level.

0.700

0.650

0.600
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
Elevation in Feet
Physical Dimensions
 Insulation Coordination of Power Systems
by Andrew Hileman
Elongated Substation 6000ft 2000 ft 2000 ft
AFram Eb Ej Et 230/13.8
L_Imp NC
V V V V BCT
V LCC
Y
I
L_imp 3m
2 m 200 m 20 m
Backflash
H
Flashover of 2m

At
C-Phase close
6000 ft out to substation

on the line Arrester 6.3nF

LineA Ea

V
Sourc

LCC
V
NC

I
R(i)

R(i)

R(i)

R(i)
Line Entrance

R(i)

R(i)
Transformer
Arrester
30 0m Arrester

25 meters
230kV
At Surges travel at ~980ft per µs on
2uh 2 meters

Breaker 5 ohms an overhead5 ohms

line.
At Station In this elongated station, It can
Entrance
be seen here that the surge first
appears at the metered points
at different times based on the
distance from the initial surge.
Ground Flash Density
Ground Flash Density
Is used to calculate the
• Backflash rate on a line
• The challenge rate to a line
• The outage rate of lines
• Steepness of a surge on a line
• The MTBF of a substation
The Insulation Coordination Study Report
Webinar Overview
Subjects covered

1. Definitions
2. Examples of Studies
3. Insulation Fundamentals
4. Backflash Concept
5. Traveling Wave Concept
6. Arrester Fundamentals
7. Clearances and Physical Dimensions
8. Lighting Ground Flash Densities
9. The Report