CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV

Testing of 400 kV GIS

Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

Robert le Roux, Dermot Dorgan, Brian Perry

ESB International - Ireland

Paper 028
1
 Introduction
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV

The 400 kV transmission is designed for critical periods of low

Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

loading.
Due to critical under dampening, the lightning impulse (BIL) and
switching impulse (SIL) levels were selected for the equivalent to that
of a 550 kV transmission system.
The 400 kV system is relied on for frequency support and spinning
reserve.
The GIS substations, during light loads, may be more critically at risk
of dielectric failure due to high TRV incurred during switching events.
Dielectric failures of GIS leads to forced outages of a greater amount
of HV plant due to the protection schemes employed and
compactness of the switchgear itself.

2
 Introduction contd
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV

Experiences with new GIS installations resulted in development of

Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

more stringent criteria for type, factory routine and in particular site
tests after installation in the specifications.
Specific tests and procedures, in addition to IEC standard tests
IEC62271-203, carried out in multiple installations to date.
These specific test requirements have been performed on a
range of GIS installations, different manufacturers, different
voltage levels.
Some notable issues that the tests are designed to provide
reassurance against include
Internally leaking insulators,
Intermittent PD sources,
Particle generation from switching operations and latent
manufacturing defects that may pass normal routine factory
testing.
3
 Specifications (background)
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV

Ireland has a weak 400 kV transmission system:

Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

The specified TRV and BIL levels for the 400 kV system are those
normally used on a 550 kV transmission system.
The consequence of dielectric failure presents a greater risk for GIS
switchgear at this voltage level
Thus more stringent requirements for the design, specification,
testing and site quality assurance.
Specifications has to be detailed you only get what you specify.
Primary Plant Log trends all equipment failures, common quality
issues and defects.
Include key manufacturing quality checkpoints or tests to ensure that
previously known defects on previous equipment are detected in any
new order.
No of mechanical operations for switching devices, corrosion
protection tests and other specific checks are specified according to
the relevant defect history. 4
 VT Selection
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

Initial testing of the prototype GIS voltage transformer - two

flashovers occurred.
Both due to dust or particles on the inner surface of the
insulator.
Root cause analysis - free issued barrier insulator the main cause of
any test failures during production of all VT types.
Insulator design used can influence the risk and rate of routine test
failures.

5
 VT contd
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV

VT used on the GIS based on the design for a 420 kV rated voltage
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

unit.
Housing used identical to 420 kV insulation level type.
Active part only redesigned i.e. the primary winding insulation design
and the shape of the high voltage electrode (grading ring) to achieve
the 550 kV insulation levels required.
Width of the insulation foil increased to enlarge the insulation
distance between the conductor, core and inner surface of the
compartment.
Increasing the width of the insulation foil layers - effective
insulation distance has increased, similar to effect of adding
sheds to AIS insulators.
Shape of the HV electrode/grading ring adjusted for the increased
stress and coated with layers of dielectric paint to achieve an even
and smooth surface to ensure a uniform electric field.
6
 VT contd
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

HV withstand test was carried out at 710 kV, the IEC insulation level
for 550 kV rated voltage.
Negligible PD was observed at the 1.2 times rated voltage (phase
to ground)
Maximum allowable PD level of 2 pC was applied to the new
equipment. The IEC limit currently 10 pC thus increased quality
margin over the IEC requirement was obtained.

7
 GIS Type Testing
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

Manufacturing facility inspected during initial design review.

A 400 kV bay was demonstrated and tested at the higher BIL level.
Internal flashovers resulted at several barrier insulators.
Due to incorrectly placed/sized corona shields installed for the
increased dielectric withstand requirement.
Several points also subjected to dielectric field overstress due to
particles formed during incorrect cleaning or mechanical operations.
Dielectric insulation design revised - changes to the profile of
insulators and increased SF6 pressure.

8
 Factory Acceptance Testing
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV

Three complete GIS bays were factory tested.

Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

The bays chosen - feeder, transformer and busbar coupler bays.

Routine tests as per IEC 62271-1, IEC 62271-100, IEC 62271-203 and
the customer specification.
Following routine tests performed as agreed with the manufacturer
prior to the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT);
Mechanical tests of the circuit breaker and all disconnector and
earth drives
Contact resistance measurement of the circuit breaker and
disconnectors
Gas tightness tests
High voltage withstand tests with partial discharge
measurement
Customer-specific functional test of the control and operation
systems 9
 FAT contd
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

As per customer specification the HV withstand tests were

performed at insulation levels corresponding to 550 kV rated voltage,
i.e. 710 kV.
Six failures during FAT.
One due to incorrect assembly a 400 kV endcap installed
instead of 550 kV type.
The other five flashovers and PD events were due to particles
and/or voids in the insulators.

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 CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016
Site Test setup

11
 CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016
Moneypoint completed installation

12
 Site Testing
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV

Flashovers and PD issues with GIS in other installations, specification

Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

required an extra 200 mechanical operations on all units - standard

mechanical conditioning procedure - before dielectric test.
To ensure all possible particles are formed and removed before
the final on-site HV test. If successful, procedure provides some
confirmation of no switch or contact misalignments.
After the 200 operations, manufacturer opens and clean a
number of sample compartments to check for excessive particle
generation.
All on site tests done as per IEC requirements
but longer conditioned time according to the below table and
lower threshold acceptance criteria for PD detections

13
 Table indicating values for 420 kV and customer requested values at 550 kV
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

14
 Site testing
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

Site testing - fourteen occurrences of flashover or PD.

Almost all occurrences were due to metallic particles inside the
gas compartments or due to voids within the insulators.
After replacement and cleaning of the affected sections / chambers,
tests repeated and then passed the required IEC clause of the HV
tests.

15
 Conclusion
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV

Due to reduction in size of equipment following

Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

Implication: designs have lower thresholds of dielectric

insulation margin.
No errors in manufacturing process and procedures - the
slightest anomaly or intolerance can cause dielectric failure.
Increasing trend of dielectric breakdown in new compact GIS types at
FAT and on site HV withstand tests after installation.
Sizable number of failures occurred at close to nominal system
voltage, no confidence in product by asset owner
IEC - include a minimum design margin on the test levels for all GIS
Higher number of mechanical tests prior to factory and site testing -
minimise the increased threat posed by particles.
More switching operations after installation to disturb or shake out
particles and increase the effectiveness of the on-site dielectric tests.
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 Conclusion contd
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV

On-site HV withstand tests - longer duration at 1.1 or 1.2 Un

following the PD test voltage, better simulate increases above
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

nominal system voltage.

Switching during increased soak period to simulate network
switching events advised to disturb any possible particles and
trapped charges.
Factory and site test pass parameters should be rigid and clear
To ensure no errors in specification interpretation.
Dielectric failure acceptability criteria for on site tests should be
considered by the purchaser.
Failures due to incorrect assembly, while undesired are not
necessarily indicative of material defects.
Unexplained dielectric breakdowns in critical areas such as
circuit breakers and other compartments with switching devices
should however trigger a re-examination of the dielectric design
margins. 17
CIGRE-IEC 2016 Colloquium on EHV and UHV
Montral, QC, Canada, May 9-11, 2016

Thank you for your attention and

Any Questions? but please no difficult

ones

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