Full scale lightning surge tests of distribution transformers and secondary systems

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/61.141879· OSTI ID:7308168

Goedde, G L; Dugan, Sr, R C; Rowe, L D ^[1]

---

1. Cooper Power Systems, Thomas A. Edison Technical Center, Franksville, WI (US)

This paper reports that low-side surges are known to cause failures of distribution transformers. They also subject load devices to overvoltages. A full-scale model of a residential service has been set up in a laboratory and subjected to impulses approximating lightning strokes. The tests were made to determine the impulse characteristics of the secondary system and to test the validity of previous analyses. Among the variables investigated were stroke location, the balance of the surges in the service cable, and the effectiveness of arrester protection. Low-side surges were found to consist of two basic components: the natural frequency of the system and the inductive response of the system to the stoke current. The latter component is responsible for transformer failures while the former may be responsible for discharge spots often found around secondary bushings. Arresters at the service entrance are effective in diverting most of the energy from a lightning strike, but may not protect sensitive loads. Additional local protection is also needed. The tests affirmed previous simulations and uncovered additional phenomena as well.

• OSTI ID: 7308168
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States) Vol. 7:3; ISSN 0885-8977; ISSN ITPDE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
240100 -- Power Systems-- (1990-)
240500* -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- Environmental Aspects-- (1990-)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290100 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Analysis & Modeling
BUILDINGS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY MODELS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EQUIPMENT
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
LIGHTNING
LIGHTNING ARRESTERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PLANNING
POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SURGES
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TESTING
TRANSFORMERS