Very Fast Electromagnetic Transients in Air
Insulated Substations and Gas Insulated Substations
due to Disconnector Switching
Salih Carsimamovic, Zijad Bajramovic
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
csalih@bih.net.ba z.bajramovic@kfbih.com
Abstract. Very fast electromagnetic transients (VFT) in air
insulated substations (AIS) and gas insulated substations (GIS)
caused by switching operation of disconnectors are investigated.
Results obtained from very extensive field tests and from digital
simulations as well as a comparison between field tests and
calculation results of VFT in AIS and GIS due to disconnector
switching are presented. Field tests of disconnector switching in 220
kV air insulated substations Grabovica and Kakanj as well as test
circuit of 110 kV GIS section are performed. Digital simulation of
VFT for different models of power network are performed using
EMTP-ATP [1].
Key words: electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), very fast
transients (VFT), disconnector switching, air insulated substation
(AIS), gas insulated substation (GIS)
I. INTRODUCTION
Switching operation in power stations and substations, high-
voltage faults and lightning cause high level of high frequency
overvoltages that can be coupled with low voltage secondary
circuits and electronic equipment unless they are suitable
protected. The function of high-voltage disconnectors is to
provide electrical isolation of one part of the switchgear.
Disconnector's standards define that they are able to open or
close a circuit if either a neglibile current (≤0.5 A) is switched
or if no significant change occurs in the voltage between the
disconnector contacts. These values of currents include the
capacitive charging currents of high-voltage busbars, bushings,
connectors, very short lenghts of cables and the current of
voltage transformers. Contacts of disconnector are moving
slowly during opening and closing operation. That causes
numerous strikes and restrikes between the contacts. When
contacts are closed, the capacitive charging current flowing
through the contacts ranges from 0.017⋅10-3 to 1.1⋅10-3 Aeff/m for
voltage levels 72.5-500 kV in AIS [2] and from 0.3 to 1 Aeff in
GIS [3], depending on the rated voltage and lenght of high-
voltage busbar which is being switched. Strikes and restrikes
occur as soon as the dielectric strength of the air (AIS) or SF6
gas under pressure (GIS) between the disconnector contacts is
exceeded by overvoltages. The overvoltage is defined by
0-7803-9380-5/05/$20.00 ©2005 IEEE.
Miroslav Ljevak Meludin Veledar
Energoinvest, Sarajevo ABB Representation for B&H
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina
miroslav.ljevak@smartnet.ba meludin.veledar@hr.abb.com
distance between the disconnector contacts, the contacts
geometry, the pressure and characteristics of the SF6 gas
(GIS) as well as relative atmospheric conditions (AIS) at the
moment of striking.
Every strike causes high-frequency currents tending to equalize
potentials at the contacts. When the current is interrupted, the
voltages at the source side and the loading side will oscillate
independently. The source side will follow the power frequency
while the loading side will remain at the trapped voltage. As
soon as the voltage between the disconnector contacts exceeds
the dielectric strength of the SF6 gas or the air, at that distance
between the contacts the restrike will occur, and so on.
Successive strikes occuring during the closing and opening
operations of the off-loaded busbar by the disconnector in AIS
are shown in Fig. 1 a and b, and in GIS are shown in Fig. 2 a and
b, respectively.
When the disconnector is closing, the first strike will occur at the
maximum value of the source voltages. Its values can be positive
or negative. As the time passes a series of successive strikes will
keep occuring at reduced amplitudes, until the contacts touch.
The highest transient overvoltage therefore occurs during the
initial pre-arc, Fig 1 a and 2 a, respectively.
When the disconnector is opening, restrikes occur because of the
very small initial clearance between the disconnector contacts.
At the transient beginning, the intervals between particular
strikes are of the order of a millisecond, while just before the last
strike occures, the interval can reach about one half of cycle at
power frequency, Fig. 1 b and 2 b, respectively.
a)
382

b)
Fig. 1 The voltage due to the disconnector switching in AIS [4]
a) disconnector closing
b) disconnector opening
1- source side voltage, 2-load side voltage
a)
b)
Fig. 2 The voltage due to the disconnector switching in GIS [3]
a)disconnector closing
b) disconnector opening
 load side voltage,⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ source side voltage
During the switching time of operations of air-insulated
disconnectors in the air insulated substations Grabovica and
Kakanj up to 500 restrikes were recorded. Switching operation
of air-insulated disconnectors lasted for about 40-50 power
0-7803-9380-5/05/$20.00 ©2005 IEEE.
frequency cycles (i.e. 800-1000 ms), Fig. 1. In GIS, there were
about 7-12 power frequency cycles (i.e. 140-240 ms), Fig. 2.
The maximum value of voltages and maximum value of the
wave-front increasing will take place at the maximum distance
between the disconnector contacts. For the purpose of the
investigation of the insulation strength and induction of
electromagnetic interferences (EMI), the most important are the
first few strikes during the closing operation or the last few
strikes during the opening operation. Each individual strike
causes a traveling wave with the basic frequency of the order of
0.5 MHz (330 kHz-600 kHz) in AIS, Fig 3 and from 100 kHz to
several MHz in GIS, Fig 4.
Fig. 3 Very fast transient overvoltage at the load side during the AIS
disconnector closing [4]
Fig. 4 Very fast transient overvoltage at the load side during the GIS
disconnector closing [3]
The magnetic field during opening of disconnector in AIS is
proportional to the current, while the electric field depends on
the charge. Magnetic field (current) approaches zero in a few µs,
while electric field (voltage) approaches a constant value
different than zero, due to trapped charges caused by the current
interruption by the disconnector.
In a GIS the electric field (voltage) and magfnetic field (current)
approaches to zero after a short time. Dominant frequencies are
substantially higher (usually 10 to 100 times) than these in AIS
383
as well as amplitudes are lower due to the damping of the
transients. Also, the metallic enclosure, including its grounding,
is probably one of the main reason for the reduction of fields in
GIS [5].
Compared with conventional AIS, GIS exibits some
fundamental differencies:
-the size of the electrical components in GIS are much smaller
than in AIS, so the frequencies of multiple reflection of traveling
waves on the busbars of GIS are at least 10 times higher than
those in AIS;
The characteristic impedance of the high-voltage busbars in GIS
is about 5 times smaller than that of an AIS (i.e. 60 Ω in GIS
instead of 300 Ω in AIS). Coaxial conductors of the busbars in
GIS have higher specific capacitance to ground in comparison
with the AIS. Therefore, the capacitive currents of off-loaded
busbars in GIS are larger than such capacitive currents in AIS.
Further differences between the characteristics of these two
types of substations are lower characteistic surge impedance and
inductance as well as larger gradient of electric field between the
prestrike and restrike arcs in SF6 gas under pressure in reference
to grounded enclosure.
This leads to an important difference of impedances at the
junction of the GIS and high-voltage overhead line, bushings,
open circuit breaker or disconnector contacts as well as open air
busbars. These differences are, during switching operations,
origins of high standing voltage and current waves (the
amplitude of the voltage waves depends directly on the voltage
level and it is comparable to those generated in AIS, whereas the
amplitude of the current waves are inversely proportional to the
characteristic impedance). The metal enclosure of the GIS
presents a shielding discontinuity, i.e. at the junction with high-
voltage overhead lines or cables, it becomes an important source
of radiation. The consequences of these features, during
switching operations are very high potentials induced in the
grounding system of the substation and in the secondary circuits.
They can be high enough to cause sparkover between metallic
grounded elements which are not in direct contact with each
other. These problems are more dangerous in usually small
distances in GIS between high-voltage equipment and electronic
equipment.
II. RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL MEASUREMENTS IN
FIELD TESTS
The last ten years of extensive analysis of measurements of EMI
generated by operation of disconnectors (Dc) and circuit
breakers (CB) have confirmed that disconnector operation with
off-loaded busbar is the most important and typical source of
interference in secondary circuits of the high-voltage
substations. Measurements of switching overvoltages generated
during disconnector operation in the air insulated substation
Grabovica and the air insulated substation Kakanj of voltage
levels 220 kV, were performed. The hydro power plant (HPP)
0-7803-9380-5/05/$20.00 ©2005 IEEE.
Grabovica on the River Neretva and the thermo power plant
(TPP) Kakanj are important facilities for operating of electric
power system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Investigations of
operating of air disconnector of Centre-Break design were
performed in order to determine switching overvoltage levels,
that can lead to the protection relay tripping in the AIS
Grabovica [6] and the AIS Kakanj [4]. During operations of
disconnector (synchronization or disconnecting of generator
from network in HPP Grabovica) malfunctions of signalling
devices and burning of auxiliary voltage supply units of
protection relays occured. Malfunctioning of auxiliary circuits
were manifested by tripping of differential protection relay of
the generator, phase '4'-signalization on relay box 'ZB I' and by
signalling 'fire' in 35 kV control panel. At the same time
sparking between primary terminals of the current transformer
(CT) occured. Malfunctioning of auxiliary signalling circuits
became lower (not eliminated) after installing of shielded cables.
The field tests in AIS were perfomed at the test circuit in the
HPP Grabovica and the TPP Kakanj, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6,
respectively.
The overvoltage factors, k, at the load side of disconnector
during closing operation of the disconnector in the HPP
Grabovica were recorded up to 1.16 p.u. (1 p.u.=245√2/√3 kV)
with dominant frequency of considered transients, fd, equal to
0.536 MHz [6].
H P P G R A B O V IC A L A Y O U T
O L T O R P JA B L A N IC A M
B U S B A R S 22 0kV 3 ~ 50 H z, 12 50 A
0 .2 m H M Dc
12 50 A
24 5 kV
30 0 Ω
4 40 0 pF
1 nF VT
2 nF
M CB
CVD
0.44 µ F
2n F
CT
M OSA
PT 1
AG1
R elay ro om
Fig. 5 The considered test circuit [6]
VT-voltage transformer (220/√3/0.1/√3/0.1/√3 kV), CT-current transformer
(200/1/1 A), CVD-capacitive voltage divider, CB-circuit breaker with two
interrupting chambers and parallel capacitors (SF6 220 kV, 1600 A), Dc-
disconnector (220 kV, 1250 A), MOSA-metal oxide surge arrester (Ur=199,5 kV,
10 kA), PT-power transformer (64 MVA, 242/10,5±5% kV, YD5), AG1-generator
1 (64 MVA, 10,5±5% kV)
384
 The recorded overvoltage factor, k, at the load side for the
capacitance of the source side C1 equal to 40 nF and for ratio of
BUS BARS II 220kV 3∼50 Ηz, 1250 A CB
capacitance of the source side to the capacitance of the load side
M equal to 5.7, is 1.4 p.u. (1 p.u.=123·√2/√3 kV) with the dominant
frequency, fd, is equal to 195 kHz and an additional frequency is
COUPLING BAY equal to 925 kHz.
When the capacitance of the source side (C1) is equal to 60 nF
and the ratio of capacitance of the source side and the load side
CT
BUS BAR I (C1/C2) is equal to 8.57, the overvoltage factor, k, is equal to
1.78 p.u. and dominant frequency is equal to 192 kHz and an
Dc
300Ω 300Ω
additional frequency is equal to 1.6 MHz.
CVD 1 1nF CVD 2 1nF
III. MODELING OF THE TEST CIRCUITS
OL TO TPP KAKANJ 5

VT

Computer simulations of the AIS test circuits at HPP Grabovica

were performed on the model of test circuits containing elements
Relay room
drawn in Fig. 8 [7]. Overvoltages at the busbars were calculated
during disconnector closing operations, for the same substation
layout on which the measurements were carried out.
Fig. 6 The test circuit at TPP Kakanj [4]
CB-circuit breaker without parallel capacitors (SF6 220 kV, 2500 A), CT- busbars 220 kV
current transformer (600-1200/1/1/1), VT-capacitive-inductive voltage
I
transformer (Cp=4400 pF, 220/√3/0.1/√3), Dc-disconnector (220 kV, 1250 A), I connection CB connection
CVD 1 -capacitive voltage divider (Cp=1 nF, Cs=2.2 µF, ratio 2200, R=300 I Dc arc tube C C wire
Ω),CVD 2-capacitive voltage divider (Cp=1 nF, Cs=0.44 µF, ratio 455, R=300 model of
II
Ω), network 220 kV I
II
I VT PT
stray Ccb
Recorded waveshape of the overvoltage surge at the load side in I
I
the AIS Kakanj is shown in Fig. 3. The overvoltage factors at CT+MOSA
busbars, k, were recorded up to 1.35 p.u. with dominant CVD
frequency of consider transient fd equal to 340 kHz.
The field tests in the test circuit of 110 kV GIS section were
Fig. 8. Model of the test circuit [7]
performed when the capacitors are connected to the source side Arc-4 Ω; stray-200 pF; connection tube Z=370 Ω; CVD-R=300 Ω, C=1 nF; VT-
(C1) as well as at the load side (C2) simulating a real operation 500 pF; CB-2 capacitors, each C≅2 nF, (capacitance of open contacts, each
condition of the disconnector for the actual substation, Fig. 7 [3]. C≅20 pF), Ccb=100 pF; CT-500 pF; MOSA-100 pF; connection wire Z=440 Ω;
Value of capacitor C1 varied from 40 to 60 nF, while the value PT-3.5 nF
of capacitor C2 is equal to 7 nF. The latter value is taken to
simulate equivalent length of the high-voltage busbar of 100 m. The waveshape of simulated overvoltage surge at load side in
the HPP Grabovica is given in Fig. 9. The difference between
magnitude of measured and simulated overvoltages is 5 %. The
dominant frequency of simulated overvoltage is 0.62 MHz.

100
[kV ]
50

-50

-100

-150

Fig. 7. Test circuit in GIS [3] -200

2 .8 5 8 2 .8 6 0 2 .8 6 2 2 .8 6 4 2 .8 6 6 2 .8 6 8 2 .8 7 0 [ms ] 2 .8 7 2
C1-source side capacitance, C2-load side capacitance, CVD-capacitive voltage ( f ile g r a b o - k o n t ro la . p l4 ; x -v a r t ) v : XX0 0 0 7

divider
Fig. 9. Waveshape of simulated overvoltage surge [7]

0-7803-9380-5/05/$20.00 ©2005 IEEE. 385

Computer simulation of the GIS test circuit in detail were mean it is no more necessary to isolate the circuit breaker. The
performed in ref. [3]. The peak values difference for measured disconnecting breaker had to be designed to be safety locked in
and simulated overvoltage were up to 8%. The dominant the open position, and to meet all voltage withstanding
frequency match very well over all period of 16 µs during which capabilities and safety requirements of disconnectors.
the transient has been shown, Fig. 10. Another way of reducing sources of interference emission is to
install CB without paralel capacitors and VT on generator side
of CB.
This suggestions are based on analyses performed on several
circuit models, Fig. 5. [7]:
a) model of CB with two breaking chambers and parallel
capacitors and VT on network side of CB;
b) model of CB with two breaking chambers and without
parallel capacitors and VT on network side of CB
c) model of CB with two breaking chambers and without
parallel capacitors and VT on generator side of CB.
Magnitudes of simulated overvoltages are presented in Table I.
Voltages are measured in point of connection of VT, CT and PT,
Fig. 8.
TABLE I
MAGNITUDES OF SIMULATED OVERVOLTAGES
Fig. 10. Waveshapes of measured and simulated overvoltage surge [3]
Connection point
Comparison between results of measured and calculated VT CT PT
Circuit model
overvoltages certified a good agreement of obtain values. a) model of CB with
two breaking chambers
IV. DESIGN CRITERIA OF EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS and parallel capacitors 169 kV 47 kV 51 kV
and VT on network side f=620 kHz f=1,1 MHz f=620 kHz
of CB
There are several actions can be adopted to reduce of the b) model of CB with
electromagnetic interferences [5]: two breaking chambers
• Operating directly on the source of interference, trying and without parallel 177 kV 560 V 165 V
to suppress, or at least to reduce, the disturbances; capacitors and VT on f=900 kHz f=1,4 MHz f=1,4 MHz
network side of CB
• Mitigating the coupling mechanism between sources c) model of CB with
and 'victims' and evaluating the disturbances affecting two breaking chambers
the electronic systems, characterising their working and without parallel 320 V 320 V 160 V
environment; capacitors and VT on f=1,1 MHz f=1,1 MHz f=1,1 MHz
generator side of CB
• Designing equipment and systems to include the
immunity requirements related to the actual
Overvoltages on generator side of the 220 kV CB during
electromagnetic environment.
switching operation of disconnectors could be up to 320 V in the
The purpose of this paper is to suggest measures for reducing
case of installing voltage transformers (VT) on generator side of
sources of interference emission. In order to reduce EMI in
CB without parallel capacitors (near instrument current
secondary auxiliary circuits, the best way is to reduce sources of
transformer CT). This case causes installing of circuit breaker at
interference emission during switching of air-insulated
generator’s voltage (10.5 kV) for synchronization of the
disconnector. One of the ways of reducing of source of
generator to the network (better conditions for synchronization).
interferences in the HPP Grabovica is to install the disconnecting
This solution of installing circuit breakers on generator’s voltage
circuit breaker [8, 9]. Substation disconnectors isolate circuit
resulted from problems have occurred during synchronization of
breakers from rest of the switchgear during maintenance and
the generator with the existing 220 kV CB.
repair. The maintenance requirements for modern SF6 high
voltage circuit breakers are lower than maintenance requirement
IV. CONCLUSION
for disconnectors. That means one of reasons for disconnectors
to be removed. With installing of the disconnecting circuit
Switching overvoltages caused by disconnector operations have
breaker there are no more needs for switching operation of
been analysed on existing 220 kV AIS in the HPP Grabovica and
disconnectors. With disconnecting circuit breakers it is still
the RP Kakanj as well as on the test circuit of 110 kV GIS.
possible to isolate the line, but low maintenance requirements

0-7803-9380-5/05/$20.00 ©2005 IEEE. 386

During the switching time of every operations of air
disconnectors at HPP Grabovica and RP Kakanj up to 500
restrikes were registered. Switching operations of disconnector
in AIS lasted for about 40-50 power frequency cycles (i.e. 800-
1000 ms). In GIS, there were about 7-12 power frequency cycles
(i.e. 140-240 ms) during every switching operation of GIS
disconnector in the test circuit.
The results of measurements shown that high frequency voltage
on AIS busbars in the Grabovica occured with amplitudes up to
1.160 p.u. and dominant frequencies up to 0.536 MHz as well as
on AIS busbars in the Kakanj up to 1.356 p.u. and dominant
frequencies up to 0.340 MHz, respectively.
High voltage overvoltages on GIS busbars in the test circuit for
different ratio of capacitance of the source side to the load side
(C1/C2) were recorded up to 1.78 p.u. with dominant frequencies
up to 195 kHz and additional frequencies equal up to 1.6 MHz.
The differencies between magnitudes of measured and
calculated overvoltages at AIS were up to 5 % and 15.6 % on
frequency. The peak values differences between measured and
simulated overvoltage in the GIS were up to 8%.
Comparison of the transient computer simulation with the field
measurements showed that calculations could be used for
assessment of the transient overvoltage caused by disconnector
switching.
In order to reduce EMI in secondary circuits, it is suggested to
install disconnecting circuit breakers or to install circuit breakers
without parallel capacitors to contacts and with installing VT on
generator side of CB.
0-7803-9380-5/05/$20.00 ©2005 IEEE.
V. REFERENCES
[1] EMTP-ATP, European EMTP-ATP Users Group e.V.
[2] D.F.Peelo, J.H.Sawada, B.R.Sunga, R.P.P.Smeets,
J.G.Krone, L.Van Der Sluis, 'Current interruption with high
voltage air-break disconnectors', CIGRE 2004, paper A3-301
[3] Z.Haznadar, S.Carsimamovic, R.Mahmutcehajic, 'More
Accurate Modeling of Gas Insulated Substation Components
in Digital Simulations of Very Fast Elrectromagnetic
Transients', IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. PWRD-
7, No. 4, 1991
[4] 'Overvoltages in primary and secondary circuits in RP Kakanj
due to disconnector switching', Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
Report No. L1410011/04, Sarajevo, 2004
[5] Guide on EMC in Power Plants and Substations, CIGRE
WG 36.04, Dec. 1997
[6] 'Overvoltages in primary and secondary circuits in HPP
Grabovica due to disconnector switching', Faculty of Electrical
Engineering, Report No. L1410010/04, Sarajevo, 2004
[7] S.Carsimamovic, Z.Bajramovic, M.Ljevak, M.Veledar and
N.Halilhodzic, 'Current Switching with High Voltage Air
Disconnector', IPST'05, paper No. IPST05-229, June 19-23,
2005, Montreal, Canada
[8] D.Braun, L.Widenhorn and J.Ischi, 'Impact of the Electrical
Layout on the Availability of a Power Plant', 11-th CEPSI
Conference, 21-25 October 1996, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
[9] C-E. Sölver, H-E. Olovsson, W.Lord, P.Neorberg and
J.Lundquist, ‘Innovative substations with availability using
switching modules and disconnecting circuit breakers’, CIGRE
2000, paper 23-102
387