Introduction:

To evaluate the insulation integrity of an arrester, measure the power loss

(watts-loss or dissipation factor) at a specified voltage and compare it with
previous measurements on the same or similar arrester. Measurements on a
surge arrester should always be performed at the same or recommended test
voltage since nonlinear elements may be built into an arrester. When using
this test set, all measurements should normally be made at 10 kV. Except for
the specific purpose of investigating surface leakage, the exposed insulation
surface of an arrester should be clean and dry to prevent leakage from
influencing the measurements.

Some types of arresters show substantial temperature dependence, while

others show very little dependence. Temperature correction curves for each
arrester design should be carefully established by measurement, and all
measurements should be temperature corrected to a base temperature,
Usually 20°C. The temperature measurement should be based on that at the
arrester surface. The air temperature should also be recorded. The surface of
the arrester should be at a temperature above the dew point to avoid moisture
condensation.

Test under IEC 60099 .

In substations, surge arrestors appears on two types

1. Single arrester unit
2. Multi-unit arrester stacks.

It is recommended that tests be made on individual arrester units rather than

on a complete multi-unit arrester stack. A single arrester unit can be tested by
the normal ungrounded specimen test (UST) in the shop; however, it can only
be tested by the grounded specimen test (GST) when mounted on a support
structure in the field.
 1. Single arrester unit:

Surge arresters which contains single unit tested by Insulation

resistance test, Capacitance test by tan delta equipment and leakage
current monitor test.

Insulation resistance test:

Insulation resistance test must be carried out at the surge
arresters through Insulation resistance tester such as Megger. Insulation
resistance test must be carried out between the conductor of bushing
and ground of the bushing. By applying 5KV to the Surge arrester for
1minute, record the value of insulation resistance with atmospheric
temperature.
Capacitance and Dissipation power factor test:
Surge arrester with single unit must be subject to
capacitance and dissipation power factor test by applying 10 KV through
Tan delta equipment with the GST (Ground Specimen Test) mode. The
temperature must be noted at the time of testing and the values
measured must be compensated to 20°C.
The below table show the connections on single unit.
The results must be match with factory reports for their integrity.

TEST LOW VOLTAGE CONFIGURATION TEST CONNECTIONS TO

NO SURGE ARRESTOR REMARKS
SYMBOL SURGE ARRESTOR
INSULATION
TESTED TEST MEASURE GROUND GAURD BLACK RED BLUE
MODE

SA GST RED 1 5

Leakage current monitor test:

For every phase of the surge arrester the leakage current monitor is
available. The monitors must be calibrated and tested by injecting milliamps
current by sverker. Record the calibrated values with standard values and its
error must be within the limits of respected manufacturer.
 2. Multi-unit arrester stack:

Surge arresters which contains multi-unit tested by Insulation

resistance test, Capacitance and dissipation power factor test by tan
delta equipment and leakage current monitor test.

For the Insulation resistance and leakage monitor test the above mention
procedures in single unit can be followed. For the capacitance and dissipation
power factor the following procedures must be used.

Table below shows the recommended test procedure for testing installed
multi-unit arrester stacks. When testing in the field, disconnect the related
high-voltage bus from the arrester.

Surge Arrester Test Connections

TEST LOW VOLTAGE CONFIGURATION TEST CONNECTIONS TO

NO SURGE ARRESTOR REMARKS
SYMBOL SURGE ARRESTOR
INSULATION
TESTED TEST MEASURE GROUND GAURD BLACK RED BLUE
MODE
1. SA-A UST BLUE RED 2 3 1 TERMINAL 3
GROUND
2. SA-B UST RED BLUE 2 3 1 TERMINAL 1
GOUND
3. SA-C UST RED BLUE 4 3

4. SA-D GST RED 4 3 TERMINAL 3

GUARDED

Note: Apply 10KV for each injection

Typical Multi-Unit Arrester Stack

Record the values as per the requirements and standards with the
temperature at the time of testing. These recorded values of Dissipation power
factor must be corrected to 20°C.