Study of arc quenching in SF/sub 6/ gas insulated devices. Final report, June 1977-November 1978

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:5524903

Harvey, R; King, H; Lee, I

The feasibility of arc protection by a scheme called arc quenching (AQ) is examined. Special emphasis is placed on the protection of pressurized-gas-insulated cables used with underground transmission systems. The AQ system (AQS) functions conceptually as an interrupting crowbar switch and takes advantage of the inherent self-healing properties of a gaseous arc. If the arc is rapidly detected and extinguished, the system voltage may be reapplied quickly (i.e., in about 300 /mu/sec) without tripping the system circuit breakers. One variant of the AQSs studied uses the natural interrupting ability of the crossed-field tube together with its capability to automatically sense a fault. A comprehensive systems analysis is presented that covers the known features of typical ac transmission system and the state of the art of AQ components. In the case of a low-voltage dc cable, the deployment of an AQS is thought to be straightforward. When ac phasing requirements are included, the AQS requirements become highly complex. A solution to the phasing problem was found for a simulated, but noise-free, transmission system by utilizing transients generated at the onset of the arc to commutate the arc current off. It appears that, for more realistic high-voltage ac transmission systems, the cost, complexity, and/or availability of components for AQ becomes impractical.

• Research Organization: Hughes Research Labs., Malibu, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-77ET29171
• OSTI ID: 5524903
• Report Number(s): SAN-1403-38
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200301* -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- AC Systems
EHV & UHV-- (-1989)
200302 -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- DC Systems-- (1989-)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
AC SYSTEMS
CABLES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
COST
CURRENT LIMITERS
CURRENTS
DC SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CABLES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL FAULTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
GAS-INSULATED CABLES
PERFORMANCE
POWER SYSTEMS
POWER TRANSMISSION
RELIABILITY
SAFETY
SWITCHES
UNDERGROUND POWER TRANSMISSION