Fault location in SF/sub 6/ insulated conductors using direct fluxgate magnetometry

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · IEEE Trans. Power Appar. Syst.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TPAS.1983.317768· OSTI ID:6139121

Itani, A M; Houston, J M; Perry, M P

Gas insulated substations (GIS) are becoming more popular for substation design largely due to reduced space requirements as well as environmental benefits. Isolated phase designs generally consist of a single cylindrical conductor enclosed in a coaxial aluminum tank (or sheath). Pressurized SF/sub 6/ is usually used for electrical insulation. For increased reliability, instrumentation methods have been developed to detect the location of power arcs which occur within the enclosed containers. The authors have developed a new technique in which the location of a fault is detected by directly measuring the axial component of the 60 Hz magnetic field which appears outside the sheath during the flashover. The instrument is a specialized form of ''fluxgate'' magnetometer modified to allow long life using inexpensive batteries. The magnetometer output is coupled directly to a switching circuit which operates a ''magnetic disc'' indicator. When a fault is registered, the disc indicator exhibits a bright color which can be easily read from a distance of 10-15m. The instrument is proposed for use at areas within the substation which are more prone to flashovers, especially near dielectric spacers which support the inner conductor every few meters. Flashover measurements indicate that the sensor reliably detects a fault current of 4 kA or larger under typical substation conditions. This sensor is attractive for retrofitting existing gas-insulated systems in that installation does not require shutting down the system. Since no penetrations or alterations of an existing system are required, there is no way that sensor installation can compromise system operation.

• Research Organization: General Electric Company, P.O. Box 8, Schenectady, NY 12301
• OSTI ID: 6139121
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Power Appar. Syst.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Power Appar. Syst.; (United States) Vol. 102:2; ISSN IEPSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200100 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Power Plants & Power Generation
200300* -- Electric Power Engineering-- Power Transmission & Distribution-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
ALUMINIUM
CABLES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CURRENTS
DESIGN
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CABLES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL FAULTS
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENT
EPRI
EQUIPMENT
FLASHOVER
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
FLUXGATE MAGNETOMETERS
GAS-INSULATED CABLES
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
MAGNETIC DISKS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICES
MAGNETOMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
MEMORY DEVICES
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWER SUBSTATIONS
RELIABILITY
SPACE
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR FLUORIDES
SWITCHING CIRCUITS