Transmission Line Arrester TLA

TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Introduction

Numerous technical publications have stated that lightning is responsible for approximately
65% of all of the non-scheduled outages occurring on transmission lines, thus creating many
issues for power supply utilities.

Power supply utilities themselves have verified the load losses due to voltage sags on their
systems from transitory outages caused by lightning activity and in some regions they have
found serious permanent damage caused to the system itself due to these transitory
disturbances occurring on important lines.

The effect of these transitory disturbances on transmission lines can also be more critical in
areas with high ground resistivity when associated with high lightning activity.

Although it is a fact that most of the non-scheduled outages are transitory in nature, with a
fault time shorter than 1 minute, in many cases this is still deemed, by power supply utilities
and their customers, to be unacceptable. This loss of supply is critical for all modern
industries now so reliant on sophisticated electronic equipment and especially production
processes sensitive to momentary disturbances on the system.

In order to reduce the number of non-scheduled outages in electrical systems, power

companies and industrial consumers have been studying and promoting improvements to
transmission lines thereby increasing their reliability.

There are different methods to improve transmission lines performance due to lightning:
a)

Increase the dry arcing distance from the insulators strings.

b)

Install shield wires in lines without shield wire.

c)

Improve the shield wire performance.

d)

Improve the grounding system performance of surges by improving the tower footing resistance.

e)

Installation of transmission line arresters to counteract the effects of lightning or switching activity

In most cases line arresters (TLA), electrically connected in parallel with the insulator string,
have been considered as the most effective method currently applied to improve
transmission line performance, especially when associated with improvements to the
grounding system and usually presents the best benefit versus cost relationship in reducing
flashovers of the insulator string due to excessive voltages.

TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

TLA
Transmission Line Surge Arresters up to 230 kV

Suspension Clamp

Utility
Utilities are required by demand to increase
availability and reliability of transmission systems.
Therefore eliminating operational high cost outages
and mandoratory penalties is high on the agenda.
Key Features
HV arrester suspended from a transmission line
giving enhanced transmission line performance.

Grading Ring for

voltages above 150
kV

Increasing system line voltage on standard

insulated transmission lines.
Benefits of TLA Applications

Silicone Rubber
Insulation

Minimising circuit breaker operation with possible

system outage resulting from back flashover on the
transmission line.
Switching overvoltages are absorbed over the
length of the line reducing the severity of surge at
the substation.
Transmission systems can be operated even where
sub-soil gives poor tower footing resistance.

Disconnect Device
Earth Cable with
StrainRelief

Eliminating interrupted power supply for sensitive

industrial processes.
Installing Transmission Line Arresters on a standard
3 phase voltage system along the line, at calculated
intervals, allows for optimum performance of the
TLA, to give an increased system line voltage.
Therefore eliminating the need to increase the
standard insulation level required on conventional
system upgrade.

TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Electrical Performance
Specification:

IEC60099-4

Classification:

10kA

Voltage Rating:

15 to 192kV

High Current Performance:

Line Discharge Class:

100kA
2

Minimum Energy Capability:

4.5kJ/kV at Ur according to IEC60099-4
(Clause 7.4.2 table 4 and 7.5.5.5)
TLA1

15 - 45 kV

TLA2

48 - 96 kV

TLA3

108 - 144 kV

TLA4
150 - 192 kV
Disconnect Device tested in accordance
with IEC 60099-4 Class2.
TLA3-120 - 138 kV System, Brazil
Insulation

Material:

Silicone
Rubber
Report No.
BOE002000

Vibration Tested

TLA4

TLA Dimensions

TLA3

TLA2
A

TLA1
A

TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Protective Characteristics

Product
Code

Rating
Max.
Temporary Max Residual voltage kV crest with current wave
Voltage
cont.
overSwitching surge
Lightning Current
kV
operating voltage
30/60 uS
8/20 uS
voltage capability
(COV)
for 1 sec
125 A
500 A
5 kA
10 kA
20 kA
kV
(TOV)
kV
kV
kV
kV
kV
kV

Steep
Current
Residual
Voltage
10 kA
kV
Crest

TLA1B15L1E1M2

15

12

17.1

31.1

33.3

41.4

45.9

51.6

46.7

TLA1B18L1E1M0

18

14

20.5

39.2

41.7

50.5

54.4

61.8

59.5

TLA1B21L1E1M0

21

17

24.0

43.8

46.5

56.4

61.4

69.0

67.1

TLA1B24L1E1M0

24

19

27.4

50.1

53.2

64.5

69.5

78.9

75.6

TLA1B27L1E1M0

27

22

30.8

54.8

58.2

70.6

76.3

86.4

83.3

TLA1C30L1E1M0

30

24

34.2

60.9

64.8

78.5

84.6

96.0

92.0

TLA1C36L1E1M0

36

29

41.1

71.8

76.3

92.4

100

113

108

TLA1C39L1E1M0

39

31

44.5

76.4

81.2

98.4

106

120

115

TLA1E42L1E1M0

42

34

47.9

82.7

87.8

106

115

130

125

TLA1E45L1E1M0

45

36

51.3

88.8

94.4

114

123

140

134

TLA2C48L1E1M0

48

38.4

54.8

93.9

100

121

130

148

142

TLA2C60L1E1M0

60

48

68.4

115

122

148

160

182

174

TLA2C72L1E1M0

72

57.6

82.0

137

146

176

190

216

207

TLA2C75L1E1M0

75

60

85.5

144

153

186

200

227

218

TLA2E84L1E1M0

84

67.2

95.8

159

169

204

220

250

240

TLA2E96L1E1M0

96

76.8

109

182

193

234

252

286

275

TLA3C108L1E1M0

108

86.4

123

202

215

260

281

319

305

TLA3C120L1E1M0

120

96

137

225

239

286

312

354

339

TLA3E138L1E1M0

138

110

157

261

277

336

362

411

394

TLA3E144L1E1M0

144

115

164

271

288

349

377

427

410

TLA4C150L1E1M0

150

120

171

285

303

367

396

449

430

TLA4E168L1E1M0

168

134

192

314

333

404

435

494

474

TLA4E180L1E1M0

180

144

205

338

359

435

470

533

511

TLA4E192L1E1M0

192

154

219

376

399

484

521

594

591

TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Mechanical and Reference Information

Total
Creepage
mm
(nom)

Overall
height
mm
(max)
A

Drawing
Reference

Pivot
Suspension
Clamp
Drawing
Reference

Disconnect
Drawing
Reference

Strain
Relief
System
Drawing
Reference

E1

E2

Data
Sheet
Reference

930

321

BOW-19-001

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1B-15

930

321

BOW-19-001

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1B-18

930

321

BOW-19-001

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1B-21

930

321

BOW-19-001

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1B-24

930

321

BOW-19-001

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1B-27

1310

476

BOW-19-002

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1C-30

1310

476

BOW-19-002

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1C-36

1310

476

BOW-19-002

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1C-39

2000

476

BOW-19-003

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1E-42

2000

476

BOW-19-003

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-012

BOW-EPP-TLA1E-45

2620

952

BOW-19-004

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013

BOW-EPP-TLA2C-48

2620

952

BOW-19-004

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013

BOW-EPP-TLA2C-60

2620

952

BOW-19-004

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013

BOW-EPP-TLA2C-72

2620

952

BOW-19-004

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013

BOW-EPP-TLA2C-75

4000

952

BOW-19-005

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013

BOW-EPP-TLA2E-84

4000

952

BOW-19-005

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013

BOW-EPP-TLA2E-96

3930

1428

BOW-19-006

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA3C-108

3930

1428

BOW-19-006

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA3C-120

6000

1428

BOW-19-007

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA3E-138

6000

1428

BOW-19-007

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA3E-144

5240

1904

BOW-19-008

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA4C-150

8000

1904

BOW-19-009

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA4E-168

8000

1904

BOW-19-009

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA4E-180

8000

1904

BOW-19-009

BOW-19-011

BOW-19-013 BOW-EPP-TLA4E-192

TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Accessories

TLA Pivot Suspension Clamp

Suspension Clamp
Assembly

Copper Shorting
Braid / Cable
Galvanised Steel
Clamp Straps &
Fixings

Aluminium Line
Clamp

Galvanised
Steel Line palm

M12 Connection
For Shorting
Braid / Cable

M16 x 35 Min.
Full Thread

TLA Surge Arrester

Clamp

Conductor

Dimensions mm

U Bolt

Weight

Range Dia.

Torque

L2

9.5 - 19 mm

180

80

90

40

45 Nm

1.8 kgs

L3

18 - 30 mm

217

90

110

50

45 Nm

3.0 kgs

L4

30 - 45 mm

267

100

120

64

75 Nm

4.3 kgs

L5

45 - 65 mm

320

120

140

86

75 Nm

6.0 kgs

Earthing Configuration
TLA Disconnect - E1

TLA Strain Relief System - E2

TLA Surge Arrester

TLA Surge Arrester

Disconnect Device
Earth Connection
Disconnect Device
Strain Relief
Shackle and Swivel
Joint
Earth Connection

Strain Relief Wire

Connection
7

TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Performance

Improving the reliability of a 69kV transmission line effected by lightning.

Individual Towers Protected with TLA

100.0

Probability
of
flashover

80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0
26

27

34

35

36

43

52

61

63

73

75

81

83

84

86

Tower Numbers
1 TLA per circuit

Actual without TLA

2 TLAs per circuit

Installing one TLA on an individual tower reduces the probability of flashover. If you take
a look at (tower 35) which has an 80% probability of flashover, this can be reduced to less
than 60% with one TLA installed on the bottom phase. If a second TLA is installed the
reduction in probability is minimal.

Typical Transmission Line 69 kV

Adjacent Towers Protected With TLA

Probability
of
flashover

100.0
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0
26

27

34

35

36

43

52

61

63

73

75

81

83

84

86

Tower Numbers
Actual without TLA

1 TLA per circuit

2 TLAs per circuit

Installation of additional TLAs on adjacent towers reduces the probability of flashover on

(tower 35) to less than 30% and then if you install a further TLA on (tower 35) again the
probability of flashover is reduced to less than 20%.
8

TLA Transmission Line Surge Arrester

Tower installations

The number of the TLA installed on the tower depends

basically on the tower geometry and configuration as well as

Tower

the earthing transient impedance behaviour.

Insulator

For towers with a horizontal conductor configuration,

Line

conductors in a single line across the tower, normal practice is

to install a TLA on both of the two outside phase conductors.

TLA

For towers with a vertical conductor configuration, conductors

Lead Earth
Disconnect
Device

arranged above each other, the resultant transient voltage

across the insulators string sets is usually higher at the bottom
phase, which presents a lower distance to the soil and lowest
coupling with the shield wire. Therefore, transmission lines
with a vertical configuration and low tower footing
impedance, only one TLA is necessary to install on the bottom

Tower

phase, but for higher impedances it might be necessary install

Insulator

two and sometimes three TLAs.

Line

A direct lightning strike to the transmission line without a

shield wire will cause the discharge current i(t) to divide into

TLA

two current waves travelling on the both directions down the

line with magnitude of i( t ) / 2 (it is valid when we consider
Lead Earth
Disconnect
Device

the impedance of the discharge channel as infinite). This

current therefore produces a voltage wave v (t) in both
directions which considering as a first approach that the
transmission line is without losses and distortions, results in a
voltage along the line which can be estimated by:
V ( t ) = Z0 . i ( t ) / 2

Tower
Insulator Line

For lines with shield wires, the voltage on the top of the tower
will be significantly lower and will depend on the lightning
striking point, the tower impedance and mainly of the earthing
transient behaviour.

TLA

Disconnect
Device
Earth Lead

Additional Product Lines:

Energy Division
http://energy.tycoelectronics.com

Transmission Surge Arresters

Polymeric DC Traction
Surge Arrester

SparkGap TypeSPG1

The SPG1 Spark Gap is designed for use with traction

circuits to provide virtually instantaneousprotectionof
both equipmentand personnel from power system
faults.The unit also provides protectionagainst
lightninggenerated voltages which would otherwise
cause damage to signallingand cable circuits.
The SPG1 is constructedin stainless steel of rugged
design allowingthe SPG to be installed in harsh
environmentssuch as track side locations without
additionalweather protection.
Suitable for use on circuits where standing/induced
voltages do not exceed 110v RMS.
Fast operationTypical 5 microseconds with 11kA fault
current.
Internal spark gap module unit easily replaced after
fault current operation.
Fail safe feature ensures safety to personnel and
equipment.
Service proven performance.
High internal impedance with low capacitance does
not interfere with track signallingcircuits.

Transmission Surge Arrestres

Modular Single Column Polymeric Surge
Arrester
Modular Series Parallel Polymeric Surge
Arrester
Polymeric Housed Surge Arrester
Porcelain Housed Surge Arrester

Polymeric DC Traction Surge

Arresters
Rolling Stock
Track Side

Spark Gap Type SPG1

Protection between overhead catenary
structure earth and system earth
Protection of single bonded power cable
circuits
Protection of low voltage DC power supplies
Protection of cathodic protection power
supplies.

Safety, Connectors and Earthing Equipment

Surge Counters
Type SC12 & SC13

The Bowthorpe EMP range of Surge

Arrester monitoring instruments are
fully tested for use with any
manufacturers surge arrester. The
SC12 is a Surge Counter only, whilst
the SC13 provides the additional
measurement of total leakage
current. The analogue instrument
provides a means of monitoring the
current through the arrester and the
leakage current over the surface of
the arrester housing. Significant
changes after installation may
indicate a deterioration in the
arrester or a build up of surface
contamination.
These instruments, which require no
auxiliary supply, are designed for
installation in the earth connections
of a single surge arrester or
alternatively the SC12 may be used
with the common earth of a three
phase set. Fully weatherproofed and
sealed for life they are housed in a
one piece gravity die cast aluminium
case coated to enhance its already
high degree of resistance to surface
corrosion. The glass viewing
window is sealed in place, using a
silicon rubber adhesive, and a
desiccator is enclosed to ensure any
residual moisture trapped during
sealing is absorbed for the service
life of the counter. Mounting is
effected by means of an integrally
cast lug at the rear of the case

Safety, Connectors and Earthing

Equipment.
Portable Earth Kits
Insulated Poles
Pole Heads
Earthing Clamps
Line Taps and Shrouds
Cable Spiker

Airfield Lighting Box Type 2DCAFL4

Protection of airfield lighting control
equipment.

providing a single clearance hole for

the galvanised steel M12 bolt
supplied.
The SC12 and SC13 are service
proven and require no special
maintenance or servicing apart from
general cleaning of the glass
viewing window and the moulded
epoxy resin line terminal bushing.

Surge Counters Type SC12 & SC13

Used in series with HV Surge Arrester
SC12 Surge Counter
SC13 Combined Surge Counter with
Leakage Current Meter

For further information contact hvsurgearresters@tycoelectronics.com

Energy Division a pioneer in the development of economical solutions for

the electrical power industry. Our product range includes: cable accessories,
connectors & fittings, electrical equipment, instruments, lighting controls,
insulators & insulation enhancement and surge arresters.
For more information and your country contact person, please visit us at:
http://energy.tycoelectronics.com
Tyco Electronics Bowthorpe EMP
Stevenson Road, Brighton, East Sussex, England BN2 0DF
Phone: +44 (0) 1273 692591, Fax: +44 (0) 1273 601741
http://www.bowthorpe-emp.com
Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH, Energy Division
Finsinger Feld 1, 85521 Ottobrunn/Munich, Germany
Phone: +49-89-6089-0, Fax: +49-89-6096345

BOW-EPP-004-02-04

All of the above information, including drawings, illustrations and graphic designs, reflects our present understanding and is to the best of our knowledge and belief correct and
reliable. Users, however, should independently evaluate the suitability of each product for the desired application. Under no circumstances does this constitute an assurance of any
particular quality or performance. Such an assurance is only provided in the context of our product specifications or explicit contractual arrangements. Our liability for these products
is set forth in our standard terms - conditions of sale. ALR, AMP, AXICOM, B&H, BOWTHORPE EMP, CROMPTON INSTRUMENTS, DORMAN SMITH, DULMISON, GURO, HELLSTERN,
LA PRAIRIE, MORLYNN, RAYCHEM, and SIMEL are trademarks.