HVE4701/101/0/2019

Tutorial Letter 101/0/2019

High Voltage Engineering IV (Theory)

HVE4701

Year module

Department of Electrical and Mining

Engineering

This tutorial letter contains important information

about your module.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS
Page

1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3
2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ...................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 3
2.2 Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 3
3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS................................................................................... 3
3.1 Lecturer(s) .................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Department ................................................................................................................................... 3
3.3 University ...................................................................................................................................... 3
4 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 4
4.1 Prescribed books .......................................................................................................................... 4
4.2 Recommended books ................................................................................................................... 4
4.3 Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves)................................................................................................. 4
4.4 Library services and resources information ................................................................................... 4
5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................ 4
6 STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 4
7 PRACTICAL WORK ..................................................................................................................... 4
8 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 5
8.1 Assessment criteria....................................................................................................................... 5
8.2 Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 5
8.3 Assignment numbers .................................................................................................................... 5
8.3.1 General assignment numbers ....................................................................................................... 5
8.3.2 Unique assignment numbers ........................................................................................................ 5
8.4 Assignment due dates .................................................................................................................. 6
8.5 Submission of assignments .......................................................................................................... 6
8.6 The assignments .......................................................................................................................... 7
8.7 Other assessment methods ........................................................................................................ 15
8.8 The examination ......................................................................................................................... 15
9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ........................................................................................ 15
10 SOURCES CONSULTED ........................................................................................................... 15
11 IN CLOSING ............................................................................................................................... 15
12 ADDENDUM ............................................................................................................................... 15

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1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student
Welcome to the subject High Voltage IV (Theory) (HVE4701) at UNISA. This tutorial letter
serves as a guideline to this subject. It provides you with general administrative information as
well as specific information about the subject. Read it carefully and keep it safe for future
reference. We trust that you will enjoy this course.

2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES

2.1 Purpose
The purpose of this subject is for the student to study the first principles of High Voltage
Theory in order to apply this principles in the field of High Voltage

2.2 Outcomes
For the student to give account of the High Voltage principles in the subject as well the
solving of associated mathematical problems in the field of High Voltage.

3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

3.1 Lecturer(s)

Your Lecturer for High Voltage Engineering IV is Mr E Naude Pr Eng. He can be contacted at
the following number for any theoretical questions:

Tel nr : 0828067717

e-mail: enaude@gmail.co.za

Contact Times: Mondays to Fridays

18h00 – 20h00

3.2 Department
Department of Electrical and Mining Engineering: electrical&mining@unisa.ac.za

3.3 University

If you need to contact the University about matters not related to the content of this module,
please consult the publication My studies @ Unisa that you received with your study material.
This brochure contains information on how to contact the University (e.g. to whom you can write
for different queries, important telephone and fax numbers, addresses and details of the times
certain facilities are open).Always have your student number at hand when you contact the
University.

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4 RESOURCES
4.1 Prescribed books
WADHWA, C.L. HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING. WILEY EASTERN LIMITED.

4.2 Recommended books

There are no recommended books for this module.

4.3 Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves)

There are no electronic reserves for this module.
4.4 Library services and resources information
For brief information, go to www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies
For detailed information, go to the Unisa website at http://www.unisa.ac.za/ and click on
Library.
For research support and services of personal librarians, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=7102.

The library has compiled a number of library guides:

• finding recommended reading in the print collection and e-reserves –

http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/undergrad
• requesting material – http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request
• postgraduate information services – http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
• finding, obtaining and using library resources and tools to assist in doing research –
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_Skills
• how to contact the Library/finding us on social media/frequently asked questions –
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask

5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Important information appears in your my Studies @ Unisa brochure.

6 STUDY PLAN
Use your my Studies @ Unisa brochure for general time management and planning skills.

7 PRACTICAL WORK
The practical part of this module will be covered in the module HVEPRA4.

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8 ASSESSMENT
8.1 Assessment criteria
Your final mark will be calculated by using a ratio of 20% year mark and 80% examination mark.

8.2 Assessment plan

You will find your assignments for this subject in this Tutorial Letter. Assignment 1, 2
and 3 are compulsory and all assignments will be used in the calculation of your year
mark. Please send the completed assignments to UNISA before the closing dates stated
in this section.

Assignment 1 must be completed on a mark reading sheet.

The mark for High Voltage IV (Theory) (HVE4701) is calculated as follows:

• The year mark contributes to 20%.
• The examination mark contributes to 80%

The year mark is based on all the assignment marks obtained and their contribution towards the
final year mark are as shown in the table below:

ASSIGNMENT CONTRIBUTION
NUMBER TOWARDS YEAR
MARK
1 (Compulsory) 10%

2 (Compulsory) 45%

3 (Compulsory) 45%

TOTAL = 100 %

8.3 Assignment numbers

8.3.1 General assignment numbers
Assignments are numbered consecutively per module, starting from 01.

8.3.2 Unique assignment numbers

Assignment 1: 811982
Assignment 2: 749036
Assignment 3: 858614

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8.4 Assignment due dates

THE CUT-OFF SUBMISSION DATES FOR THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE :

Assignment 1: 22 May 2019
Assignment 2: 18 July 2019
Assignment 3: 5 September 2019

8.5 Submission of assignments

ALL ASSIGNMENTS (submitted) HAVE TO BE ATTEMPTED!!!!!!!

THE SUBMISSION OF AN EMPTY ASSIGNMENT COVER IS UNACCEPTABLE.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING POINTS :

• NO LATE ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

• KEEP A CLEAR COPY OF THE ASSIGNMENT FOR YOUR OWN REFERENCE.

THIS IS IMPORTANT, AS ASSIGNMENTS DO GET LOST.

• SUBMISSIONS OF ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH “MY

STUDIES @ UNISA”.

Please note that model answers for the assignments will be dispatched to all
students within 1 week of the closing date of the assignment. This implies that
you cannot submit your assignment later than the stipulated submission date.

For detailed information and requirements as far as assignments are concerned, see the
brochure my Studies @ Unisa that you received with your study material.

To submit an assignment via myUnisa:

• Go to myUnisa.
• Log in with your student number and password.
• Select the module.
• Click on assignments in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
• Click on the assignment number you wish to submit.
• Follow the instructions.

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8.6 The assignments

THE CUT-OFF SUBMISSION DATES FOR THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE :

Assignment 1: (Compulsory) 22 May 2019
Assignment 2: (Compulsory) 18 July 2019
Assignment 3: (Compulsory) 5 September 2019
ASSIGNMENT 1
1. At normal temperature and pressure, the following are excellent insulators:
1) Copper
2) Gasses
3) All liquids

2. The current conduction of Air is of the order of:

1) 1010A per cm2
2) 10 A per cm2
3) 10-10 A per cm2

3. Photoionization occurs when the amount of radiation energy absorbed by an atom or

molecule exceeds its __________ energy?
1) ionization
2) potential
3) kinetic

4. The best high voltage value to make use of distributing electricity in residential areas, is:
1) 3,3kV
2) 6.6kV
3) 11kV

5. Which one of the below insulation gases are no longer use as interrupter medium in high
voltage switchgear?
1) CO2
2) Vacuum
3) SF6

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6. The value of Townsend’s second ionization coefficient has a low value for a low value of
_________:
1) p/E
2) E/p
3) E2/p
4) none of above

7. The process of ionization is brought about:

1) Positive ions only
2) Photons only
3) Metastable only
4) All above

8. When avalanche in the gap reaches a certain critical size, the electrical spark discharge is
due mainly to ionizations of ___________ by electron impact, positive bombardment and
photoionization:
1) liquids
2) gasses
3) solids
4) None of the above

9. If Er is the radial field due to space charge and E0 the external applied field, the
transformation of avalanche into a streamer takes place when:
1) the radial field is double the external applied field.
2) the external applied field is double the radial field
3) the radial field is about equal to the external applied field
4) None of the above

10. No breakdown occurs with small voltages below Paschen’s ____________ irrespective of
the value of pd.
1) minimum
2) maximum
3) 50% value
4) 25% value

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11. Air (pd) min is about ___________ of the (pd) min value of Helium
1) one third
2) one quarter
3) one seventh
4) one tenth

12. Paschen’s law is summarized that the breakdown voltage of a uniform field gap is a unique
function of the product of gas pressure and the ___________ for a particular gas and
electrode material.
1) type of gas
2) gap length
3) field strength
4) All of the above

13. The breakdown voltage of a specimen is 65kV at STP. The breakdown voltage at 73cm Hg
pressure and 350C is
1) 60.4kV
2) 62.4kV
3) 66.0kV
4) 69.0kV

14. Pennington effect explains the ____________ in dielectric strength of many mixture of
gases.
1) increase
2) decrease
3) doubling
4) none of above

15. The statistical time lag depends upon:

1) The amount of pre - ionizations present in between the gap
2) Size of the gap.
3) The amount of over voltage
4) All above

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16. During thermal breakdown, the heat generated under DC conditions will be:
1) ωcE2δtanσE2
2) ωσE2
3) σE2
4) ωcδtanσE2

17. The most important properties of liquid dielectric are the dielectric strength and constant
and he electrical conductivity.
1) Above statement is all true
2) Above statement is not totally true
3) Above statement is totally false

18. Gas pocket on the surface of electrodes might load to formation of __________ in the
liquids.
1) point charges
2) electron collisions
3) vapourizing
4) None of above

19. The treeing phenomenon can be observed in all dielectric wherever _________ fields
prevail.
1) uniform
2) non-uniform
3) linear
4) diagonal

20. Some of the main requirements of the insulating materials used for power apparatus are:
1) High dielectric strength
2) Tenacity
3) Elasticity
4) All of above

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Assignment 2
Question 1:

1.1 An eight stage Cockraft-Walton circuit has all capacitors of 0.08µF. The secondary voltage
of the supply transformer is 33kV at a frequency of 100Hz. If the load current is 1 mA,
determine:
(a)The percentage Voltage regulation (4)
(b)The percentage ripple (4)
(c) The optimum number of stages for maximum output voltage (2)
(d)The maximum output voltage (2)
(4+2x4=12)

1.2 A steady current of 300A flows through the plane electrode separated by a distance of 5mm
when a voltage of 44kV is applied. Determine Townsend’s first ionization coefficient and the
saturation current if a current of 100A flows when the distance of separation is reduced to
1mm and the field is kept constant at the present value. (6)

1.3 A gapped surge arrester on a AC power line comprises a series arrangement of eight
identical spark gaps, each of 1.9mm spacing and a stack of non-linear resistors. This device
is housed within a porcelain cylinder with sealed end-plates which is filled with nitrogen at a
pressure of 3 bar. By assuming Townsend’s breakdown criterion for a non-attaching gas,
uniform field conditions, equal voltage division between the gaps and negligible voltage
drop across the resistors during the breakdown process, calculate the magnitude of a
switching surge that will cause this arrestor to operate. Assume γ = 0.01 (6)

1.4. Derive expressions for (pd)min and Vbmin. Assume A=11, B = 365 and γ=0.02 for air.
Determine (pd)min and Vbmin. (4)

1.5 Draw a neat sketch of a capacitor bushing and discuss briefly what is meant by "creeping".
(7)

1.6. Discuss five processes that might lead to formation of bubbles in liquid. (10)

1.7. Explain the five types of partial discharge, including neat sketches of each type. No mark
will be given for only naming the types. (15)

Total (60)

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Question 2:

Describe the application of various insulating materials used in the following power apparatus:

2.1 Power transformers (6)

2.2 Circuit breaker (6)
2.3 Rotating machines (6)
2.4 Power cables (6)
2.5 Power capacitors (6)
2.6 Capacitor bushings. (6)

Question 3:

3.1 A single core 50Hz 100kV cable is required to be tested at rated voltage. The cable has a
capacitance of 0.25μF. Use is made of a 50kVA 240/33kV single phase supply transformer
of 3.5% reactance and 1% resistance connected to an AC generator. Neglecting the
generator impedance and assuming the generator can provide the required power up to
240V. Calculate:
(a) The value of series inductance required. (6)
(b) The input power and voltage required in assuming an inductance Q factor (X/R ratio) of
25. (Ignore the cable dielectric losses). (6)
(c) Calculate the cable charging kVAr (per phase) and compare this to the input power. What
is the advantage of the series resonance test method? (4)

3.2 Explain and compare the performance of half-wave rectifier and voltage doubler circuits for
generation of high dc voltages.
(8)
(Total 22)

TOTAL: 100

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ASSIGNMENT 3: 2019

Question 1:

1.1 An absolute electrostatic voltmeter has a movable circular plate of 190mm in diameter. If the
distance between the plates during measurement is 9mm, determine the potential difference
when the force of attraction of 0.02N. (5)

1.2 A peak reading voltmeter is required to measure voltage up to 88kV. The peak current
voltmeter uses a RC circuit, a microammeter and a capacitance potential divider. The
potential divider has a ratio of 600:1 and the micrometer can read up to 9μA. Determine the
value of the R and C if the time constant of the RC circuit is 6sec. (5)

1.3 A 33kV 50Hz Schering bridge has a standard capacitance of 100 µF. In a test on a Bakelite
sheet balance was obtained with a capacitance of 300nF in parallel with a non-inductive
resistance of 300 Ω, the non-inductive resistance in the remaining arm of the bridge being
150Ω. Determine the following of the specimen:
1.3.1 The series resistance (2)
1.3.2 The capacitance (2)
1.3.3 The p.f. (2)
1.3.4 The equivalent parallel resistance and capacitance. (6)
1.3.5 The specific heat generated in the specimen due to dielectric loss in the dielectric
constant is 4 and the electric filed is 33kV/cm at 50Hz. (3)

1.4 A 100kV 50Hz high voltage Schering bridge is used to test a sample of insulation, The
various arms have the following parameters on balance:

CS = 1nF
R1 = 700Ω
R2 = 300Ω
C2 = 200nF

Determine the following of this sample:

1.4.1 The value of the capacitance (2)

1.4.2 Its parallel equivalent loss resistance (2)
1.4.3 The p.f. (2)
1.4.4 The power loss under these test conditions (4)

. (Total 33)

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Question 2:
2.1 An overhead line has an inductance of 1mH and a capacitance of 100nF and is
connected in series with an underground cable having inductance of 0.2mH/km and
0.3µF/km. Calculate the values of transmitted and reflected waves of voltage and current
at the junction due to a voltage surge of 88kV travelling to the junction:
2.1.1 Along the line towards the cable; (4)
2.1.2 Along the cable towards the line. (4)

2.2 A three-phase transmission line has conductors 15mm in diameter and spaced 1m apart
in equilibrium formation. The resistance and leakance are negligible. The following is also
given:
(i) The inductance per unit length of the line is 1µH/m
(ii) The capacitance per unit length of the line is 11pF/m
(iii) The voltage wave that travels along the line is 33kV
(iv) The line is terminated through a star connected load of 900Ω per phase.

Calculate:
2.2.1 The natural impedance of the line (3)
2.2.2 The line current; (3)
2.2.3 The rate of energy absorption, the rate of reflection and the state and form of
reflection. (8)
2.2.4 The value of the termination resistance for no reflection (2)
2.2.5 The amount of reflection and transmitted power if the line is connected to a cable
extension with inductance 4nH per phase cm and capacitance of 1pF per phase
per cm respectively. (4)

2.3 A sheet of Bakelite 5mm thick is tested at 50Hz between electrodes 125mm in diameter.
The Schering Bridge employed has a standard compressed air capacitor of 110pF, a non-
inductance resistance of 300Ω in parallel with a variable capacitance C, and a non-inductive
variable resistor R. Balance is obtained with C = 540nF and R = 250 Ω.

2.3.1 Calculate the p.f. of the sheet. (9)

2.3.2 Calculate the permittivity of the sheet. (5)
(Total 42)
Question 3:
3.1 Discuss, in detail, the accepted facts concerning the thunder cloud and associated
phenomenon. (13)
3.2 Discuss the following regarding lightning (or surge) arrestors:
3.2.1. Name the types of lightning arrestors. (3)
3.2.2. Location(s) where arrestors are used. (3)
3.2.3. The three classes of lightning arrestors available and the typical voltage and ampere
range these arrestors are used. (6)
(Total 25)
TOTAL: 100
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8.7 Other assessment methods

None.
8.8 The examination
Use your my Studies @ Unisa brochure for general examination guidelines and examination
preparation guidelines.

9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The my Studies @ Unisa brochure contains an A-Z guide of the most relevant study
information.

10 SOURCES CONSULTED
None.

11 IN CLOSING
Please ensure that you have all the tutorial letters and prescribed book available before starting
with your studies.

12 ADDENDUM
None.

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