SURGE ARRESTERS FOR CABLE SHEATH PREVENTING POWER LOSSES IN M.V.

NETWORKS

A. Heiß G. Balzer O. Schmitt B. Richter

Energie-AG (EAM), Darmstadt University ABB Calor Emag ABB Hochspannungs-
Kassel of Technology Schaltanlagen, technik, Baden
(Germany) (Germany) Mannheim (Switzerland)
(Germany)

Cable sheaths of power cables in the distribution additional cable-power loss for different kinds of
networks are generally earthed on both terminals. cable laying and the economical advantage of the
This method avoids any dielectric stress of the solution. It also describes the effects for the
sheath isolation by coupling voltage in the circuit grounding arrangement of a whole network.
sheath -to -earth. The same applies to the field-
control electrodes of the sealing ends. This is an
advantage for all dielectric field control system of
cable terminals, considering capacitive, resistive
or refractive controlled. The disadvantage is an
additional power loss, caused by the current
flowing in the circuit sheath- earth. The loss is
dependent on the type of cable, the load current
and the method of cable laying. For typical
medium voltage-plastic-insulated cables the
additional loss in the cable sheaths are about 2%
up to 10 % of the total power loss of a cable
connection.

However, the power loss can be avoided, if a

surge arrester is inserted between the screen and
earth at one terminal and if the other side is
directly earthed. Moreover the surge arrester
limits the voltage between sheath and earth to the
residual voltage of the arrester. And in this way
the arrester protects the cable-sheath isolation
and the isolation of the sealing end against high
voltages in case of an overvoltage. The field-
control electrode of the sealing end and the cable
sheath have always an defined voltage in like
manner, if both ends of the sheath are earthed.
This kind of protective circuit is not new. It is
already applied for cable connections with high
current. With modern metal-oxid surge arresters
(mo-arresters) this protective circuit can be
installed on each cable connection to avoid the
additional power loss in the sheaths.

The report describes the design of the mo-

arrester. The arresters are standardized for typical
length of cable-connections and typical values of
short-circuit currents. Its protective level should be
as low as possible, because the withstand
strength of the sheath during its service life is not
well-defined and is not assured by any
standardized test. On the other hand the rated
voltage of these arresters should be higher than
the induces sheath-to-earth voltage at maximum
fault current. Beyond this the paper specifies the
 SURGE ARRESTERS FOR CABLE SHEATH PREVENTING POWER LOSSES IN M.V. NETWORKS

A. Heiß G. Balzer O. Schmitt B. Richter

Energie-AG (EAM), Darmstadt University ABB Calor Emag ABB Hochspannungs-
Kassel of Technology Schaltanlagen, technik, Baden
(Germany) (Germany) Mannheim (Switzerland)
(Germany)

1 INTRODUCTION - short-circuit current with a time duration of

t = 3 s(single and three phase)
Cable sheaths of power cables in the distribution net- - load current (infinite time).
works are generally earthed on both sides. This method
avoids any dielectric stress on the sheath insulation by For these two current stresses the voltages have to be
transferred voltages in the circuit sheath to earth. The considered. Two types of laying of the cables are in use
same applies to the field-control electrodes of the seal- according to figure 2.1: triangular and single plane
ing ends. This is an advantage for all dielectric field configuration.
control systems of cable terminals, whether capacitive,
resistive or refractive controlled. The disadvantage is an
additional power loss, caused by the current flowing in
the circuit sheath to earth. The amount of losses depends
on the type of cable, the load current and the method of
cable laying. For typical medium voltage polymeric
insulated cables the additional losses in the cable
sheaths are around 2% up to 10 % of the total power
losses of a cable connection.
Figure 2.1: Laying of m.v. cables
However, the power losses can be avoided, if only one
The different types of laying produce different voltage
side of the cable sheath is earthed, and a surge arrester is
stresses, and different load currents depending on the
inserted between the sheath and earth at the other side of
geometry of the cable, and the earthing. The subclauses
the cable. Additional the surge arrester limits
describe the general equations to calculate the voltage
overvoltages between sheath and earth, and in this way
and current distribution due to the earthing condition.
the arrester protects the cable-sheath insulation. The
field-control electrode of the sealing end and the cable
2.2 Voltages
sheath have always a similarly defined voltage, if both
2.2.1 Voltages caused by three phase currents
ends of the sheath are earthed. This kind of protective
circuit is not new. It is usually already applied to cable
In general the voltage sheath US can be calculated de-
connections with high currents in high voltage systems.
pending on the line current. In the case of single plane
configuration the voltage stress of the sheath depends on
The arresters are standardized for typical lengths of
the position of the line considered: the center or the
cable-connections, and typical values of short-circuit
outer position. Due to this the maximum voltage will be
currents. Its protective level should be as low as possi-
the induced voltage of the outer cable sheath.
ble, because the voltage withstand strength of the sheath
insulation is not well defined, and is not assured by any
2.2.2 Voltages caused by single phase currents
standardized test. On the other hand the arresters should
withstand the induces sheath-to-earth voltage at
If a single phase current is assumed the voltage of the
maximum fault current. Beyond this the paper specifies
cable sheath will not be influenced by the other lines,
the additional cable-power loss for different kinds of
which do not carry the short circuit current. The voltage
cable laying and the economical advantage of the
US can be calculated depending on the return path
solution. It also describes the effects of the grounding
through earth.
arrangement of the whole network.
2.2.3 Capacitive voltage transfer
2 CALCULATION OF VOLTAGES /CURRENTS
2.1 General
If the sheath is only earthed at one side according to
figure 2.2 the voltage U0 between the line conductor and
The voltages and currents of the cable sheath is influ-
earth will be transferred to the voltage US and UL at the
enced by two different type of currents regarding am-
remote end of the cable.
plitude and time duration:

Figure 2.2: Capacitive voltage transfer
UL line-to-sheath US sheath-to-earth
Without consideration of the load flow condition, the
voltage depends on the capacitance CS and CE and the
cable length. Therefore the maximum voltage USmax at
the end of the cable can be estimated due to the capaci-
tive voltage divider if both sides are isolated. The vol-
tage USmax is only possible if the cable length is infinite,
in the opposite of this the voltage will be reduced due to
the short-circuit at one side of the cable.
2.3 Sheath currents and power losses
A current of the sheath is caused, if the sheath is earthed
at both sides. The consequence is that additional power
losses are generated. According to the above mentioned
installations, the currents will be calculated with the
worst-case assumption, that there is no return current
through earth. This will lead to the maximum power
losses. According to the time duration the power losses
are only relevant for normal operation conditions (no
short-circuit currents). And for this reason three phase
currents are only considered.
2.4 Example
2.4.1 General
The most common cable in Germany is a polymeric type
(VPE) with aluminum conductors (NA2XS2Y). If in the
case of a triangle installation the distance between the
three lines is twice the outer radius of the cable (d = 36
mm), the distance is increased to fourth times the value,
if a plane level installation is considered. According to
the above mentioned circumstances the voltages and
currents are calculated using the equations, which are
reported in /1/.
2.4.2 Sheath voltages
Inductive voltage transfer
Related to a current of I = 1000 A, the sheath voltage to
earth can be calculated in dependence on the length
according to the above mentioned types of installations
and the current:
Three phase: Triangular: U S = 55.0 [V km]
Single plane: U S = 126.1 [V km]
U S = 693.3 [V km]
single phase:
Capacitive voltage transfer
The capacitance CS and CE can be calculated to CS =
254 nF/km and CE = 760 nF/km. This leads to the vol-
tage USmax = 0.25 U0. That means, that 25 % of the
voltage line-to-earth will be transferred. In reality this
voltages will be smaller due to the earthing at one side.
In dependence of the cable length the following values
are calculated assuming a line-to-sheath voltage of
24 kV/ 3 and a frequency of 50 Hz:
US = 0.3 V/5.1 V cable length 500 m/2000 m
The voltages sheath-to-earth generally can be neglected
considering the energy consumption of the installed
surge arresters in the case of the steady state condition.
If in the opposite of this the conductor of the cable
(length 2000 m) is stressed by a ramp-function with
time-to-peak of 4 µs and the same amplitude of
24 kV/ 3 , the voltages US and UL (figure 2.2) at the
remote side are
US = - 14.44 kV UL = + 25.75 kV
These values are generated including the transient
phenomena and reflection of the surge at the open end of
the cable sheath. Therefore it should mandatory to
install a surge arrester between the isolated sheath and
earth.
2.4.3 Sheath currents and power losses
Considering the cable type NA2XS2Y, as mentioned in
subclause 2.4.1, the following sheath currents IS can be
calculated according to the configuration depending on
the symmetrical line current IL.
Triangular: IS = 0.051 IL
Single plane: IS = 0.139 IL
In the case of a single plane configuration the sheath
current of the center line will be reduced, according to
the strong coupling of the two outer lines. Due to the
current IS and the resistance of the sheath, the power
losses of the sheaths can be calculated depending on the
configuration and the maximum line current.
Triangular: PlS = 740 W/km
single plane: PlS = 5300 W/km
2.5 Selection of surge arresters
In this subclause the voltages were considered caused by
three phase short-circuit currents in resonant earthed
networks. In principle single phase short-circuit currents
will lead to higher values, but the current depends on the
network earthing and may differ in a wide range, so that
actual calculations have to be performed.
The relevant temporary overvoltage UTOV, for the se- earth U0max (figure 2.2) is considered to 80 kV, which
lection of the surge arresters, are calculated in chapter should be the protective level of the installed surge
2.4.2 and are summarized in table 2.1 depending on the arrester.
cable length of 0.5 km and 2 km, which are typical for
the installation in m.v.-networks. The maximum three 3 RESULTS OF MEASUREMENTS
phase short-circuit current can be assumed to either
I k" = 10 kA or I k" = 20 kA in distribution networks, Today usually single-conductor VPE-cables are used in
all networks up to the system voltage of 123 kV. The
whereas the load current of the cable is I l = 350 A . basis of these cables is a braided shield of copper wires.
This shield is covered by a transverse copper spiral.
l /m UTOV/V With this construction the electromagnetic behavior of
I k" = 10 kA I k" = 20 kA I l = 350 A the cable sheath is clearly defined, different from a
metal enclosure /2/.
500 631 1261 22
2000 2522 5044 88 In a cable section with length of 1027 m the sheath
currents IS in three phases were measured with the result
Table 2.1: Maximum cable sheath voltages UTOV depending on the line current IL of a 20 kV cable system
Ik" short-circuit current I l load current (NA2XS(F)2Y):

- outer line IS = 0,159⋅IL center line IS = 0,1 IL

The listed voltages influence the continuos operating
voltages of the metal-oxide surge arresters depending on
the time-voltage curve. Due to the values of table 2.1 the
following time durations have to be considered:
Ik" s.c. current t = 3 sec
Il load current t→∞
According to table 2.1 the continuos operating voltage
Uc of metal-oxide arresters can be selected under the
consideration of the curve T with respect to the tempo-
rary overvoltage UTOV versus the time duration t. Con-
sidering the two different time durations 3 s and infinite,
Originally the cables are installed in a triangular con-
figuration. But the asymmetrical values of the sheath
current measured demonstrate that after a longer service
time the single conductors are in a asymmetrical
configuration, caused by the earth pressure.
In this context the harmonic components in the sheath
current are relevant. Figure 3.1 shows the harmonic
content of the sheath current related to the power fre-
quency current. The content of the 5th and 7th harmonic
is marked in this case.
25

T is for the considered ABB surge arresters POLIM-C: %

20

T = 1.0 or 1.275 for t → ∞ or 3 s

15

Therefore the voltage UTOV, caused by the short-circuit

current, will lead to the highest values Uc. Due to these 10

data the voltages Uc are equal or higher than listed in

table 2.2. 5

l /m Uc/V 0
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
35
37

I k" = 10 kA I k" = 20 kA
Harmonics

Figure 3.1: Harmonic content of the cable sheath cur-

500 495 990
2000 1980 3860
Table 2.2: Min. continuos operating voltage Uc
In addition to the Uc-selection the energy capability of
the surge arrester has to be controlled and the cable
sheath arrester has only to discharge the related cable
section /1/.
If the maximum voltage UTOV is assumed to UTOV = 0.75
U0max of the line-to-earth voltage (subclause 2.4.2), the
energy can be estimated for a cable length of l = 1 km
to Emax = 1.37 kJ/km, if the maximum voltage line-to-
rent IS
Figure 3.2 shows the power loss in the sheaths for a 24-
kV-VPE-cable type NA2XS(F)2Y 150 mm2 with a
copper sheath of 25 mm2 in dependent on the load cur-
rent of the cable connection in a network. The power
losses were calculated using the measured sheath cur-
rents and the resistance of the sheath RS = 0,73 Ω / km
with a service temperature of the cable at 20° C. The
deviation between the theoretically calculated values
(subclause 2.5.3) and the values of figure 3.2 deals with
the actual distance of the cable installations, which
obviously differs from the calculated ones, considering
mainly the triangle installation.
 triangular single plane values in the three phases, corresponding to a single
5000
plane underground installation, although the cables were
W /km installed in a triangular formation. This must be
4000 considered when evaluating of the power loss in the
cable sheaths.
3000

In reality the data given in table 4.1 would be higher, as

2000
the rise of the capacity utilization during the service time
of the cables is neglected. The cost-benefit relation
1000
between the arresters and the additional power losses of
0
the cables is the reason for choosing arresters, particular
50 75 100 150 200 A
300 for cable sections of more than 500 m. E.g. for cable
length of 1000 m the present value of the power losses is
two times higher than the arrester set, calculated for 30
Figure 3.2: Power loss of the cable sheaths (25 mm² % of the rated cable current.
Cu) in depending on the line current
triangular single plane
4 ECONOMIC ASPECTS IL/A C P C P
50 15 170 30 342
In the deregulated market the expense of erection and
maintenance of capital assets becomes more and more 75 33 382 67 771
interesting. This applies to the cost of loss of a m.v. 100 59 678 119 1.370
cable too, with a long service time of around 30 years. 150 133 1.526 269 3.080
The additional power loss in the cable sheaths is an 200 237 2.713 478 5.477
unnecessary part of the total costs for power loss. In the 300 532 6.104 1.074 12.322
deregulated market the power-system management aims
to increase the utilization of all components in the Table 4.1: Present values (P/DM/km) and annual costs
network. Therefore it is worth to look into the power (C/DM/km a) of the power losses in the cable sheaths
loss of a cable section.

In this paragraph the present values of costs of the
power losses in the cable sheaths, according to figure
3.2, are calculated and compared with costs of the con-
nection of the surge arresters with sheaths to prevent the
additional loss. The present values of costs of losses
(DM/ km) are calculated over a service time of 20 years
with the following parameters:
- power loss time in the network TPL = 3000 h/a
- rate for electrical energy KE = 0,09 DM/kWh
- interest rate p = 6 %
- factor for present value of costs r = 11,47
Nowadays German utilities evaluate the power loss of
network components with the help of these parameters.
The costs for provision of electrical power (DM/ kW)
are not considered. The present values of costs of the
power losses in the cable sheaths in dependency of the
load current of the cables are given in table 4.1 for
underground laying, both in a triangular installation and
in a single plane.
5 APPLICATION OF CABLE SHEATH
ARRESTERS
According to figure 5.1 the transient voltages UL and US
were calculated. The cable is connected to the overhead
line and a lightning stroke hits all three line conductors
in the vicinity of the cable conjunction ( l = 0.2 km).
The amplitude of the voltage surge is U0 = 3000 kV and
this value is possible, if a m.v. overhead line with
wooden towers is assumed. In this case the voltage
shape is only limited by the flashover to earth, so that
the highest voltage strength may occur. Therefore the
results of the calculations should be on the conservative
side.

In German m.v.-distribution networks the utilization of

cable sections between the stations is usually around
30% of the rated power. This value corresponds to a
load current IL= 100 A for the cable type in figure 3.2. Figure 5.1: Equivalent circuit for calculation of the
The present values and the annual costs of the power transient voltages
losses in the cable sheaths for this load is between 670
and 1370 DM/km. In many cases measurements of the Due to figure 5.1 surge arresters at the cable conjunction
sheath voltage in a m.v.-network show asymmetrical (A1) and at the isolated cable sheath (A2) are installed.
The Uc rating of the surge arresters is according to the values for the earth fault current in the 24 kV networks
length of the length l = 2 km and short-circuit current with isolated neutral is Ic = 35 A and for resonant
earthed systems is IE = 60 A. With these currents usually
of I k" = 10 kA:
the limiting values for UE und UT are kept in the
networks.
A1: Uc = 24 kV (ABB POLIM-D)
A2: Uc = 2 kV (ABB POLIM-C) value isolated resonant earthed via
earthed impedance
Figure 5.2 shows the voltages UL and US at the end of
Us, Uc "
I k3 "
I k3 "
I k1
the cable section. Furthermore the influence of the cable
sheath arrester is listed. Whereas the voltage UL is only "
I k2E "
; I k2 < I k3
" "
I k1 =0; (eq. 2.4)
influenced by the additional arrester A2 from UL = 109
kV to ULA2 = 70 kV, the voltage US = 88 kV is reduced "
I k1 =0
"
I k2E = I k2
"

significantly to USA2 = 6.3 kV. The energy consumption U E; U T IE "

Ic I k1
of the arrester A2 is about E = 0.8 kJ. The protection
level of the sheath arresters is substantially lower than " " " "
I kmin I k2 I k2 I k2 (Z0 < Z1)
the impulse voltage strength of the cable sheath with a
thickness of about 2 mm. This is valid for all types of
"
I k2E < I k3
" "
I k1 (Z0 > Z1)
modern m.v.-cables (VPE).
120
UL
Table 5.1: Values for the selection of the cable sheath
100 surge arresters (Us, Uc), earth electrode potential (UE),
80 "
U LA2
and the protection ( I kmin )
60

40 Ic earth fault current (capacitive)

20 IE earthing current /3/
kV

" " "

0
U SA2
I k1 , I k2 , I k3 short-circuit current
-20

-40

-60
Only in impedance earthed systems the screening factor
-80
US
of the cables rK = 1 has an important influence for the
-100
earth-electrode potential UE and for touch voltage UT in
the station. In this case there is no connection of the
0.0

0.3

0.5

0.8

1.0

1.3

1.5

1.8

2.0

2.3

2.5

2.8

3.0

3.3

3.5

3.8

4.0

4.3

4.5

4.8

µs
"
fault current I k1 to the grounding systems of neigh-
Figure 5.2: Transient voltages at the end of the cable
boring stations in the network. If the voltage UE and UT
section
will extend the permissible values, the solution should
UL, ULA2 voltage line-to-sheath without/with ar-
be, that only two sheaths of the system are earthed via a
rester A2
surge arrester, whereas the third one is solidly connected
US, USA2 voltage sheath-to-earth without/with
to ground.
arrester A2
The cable sheaths of a single phase connect in parallel
The special requirements of the network should be
all the grounding resistances of the stations and in this
considered in the selection of surge arresters (table 5.1).
way a reduction of the effective grounding resistance is
The maximum fault current in the network is the main
given. The thermal short-circuit current carrying
design value for the arresters Uc. The maximum fault
capacity of cable sheath in a single line for VPE-cables
currents of the network with different methods of neutral
is (the values for paper insulated cables are lower):
point connections are listed in table 5.1, first line. The
continuos operating voltage of these arresters should be
16 mm2 copper
higher than the induced voltage between sheath and
Ith = 3.2 kA (t=1s) and Ith = 2.1 kA (t= 3s)
earth at the maximum fault current. The sheath arresters
25 mm2 copper
influence the earth-electrode potential UE in the station
at the same side of the cable. The earth fault current IE is Ith = 5.0 kA (t=1s) and Ith = 3.1 kA (t= 3s)
the design value for the voltage UE, and for the
corresponding touch voltage UT. The data for IE are Generally these values of the thermal short-circuit cur-
listed in the second line. rent carrying capacity are sufficient for a impedance
"
earthed network with I k1 = 2000 A. It must be con-
If one side of the sheath is isolated, the screening factor sidered that in addition the grounding resistance of the
of the cable will be rK = 1 instead of rK = 0.1 – 0.2. This low voltage systems reduces the effective ground resis-
modification is not important because normally the tance of a station.
reducing influence of the cable sheaths does not have to
be considered for the design of the voltages UE and UT 6 CONCLUSION
in isolated or resonant earthed systems. The permissible
To summarized it can be said that cable-sheath arresters
can be installed at one terminal of a cable section
between two ring main units or switchgears in all kinds
of m.v.-networks. The cost benefit relation between
arresters and the additional power losses of the cables is
a reason for choosing arresters, particular for cable
sections of more than 500 m and load currents of more
than 30 % of the rated current. Only in the case of
impedance earthing systems special requirements must
be considered to keep the limiting values for the earth-
electrode potential UE and the touch voltage UT. In all
cases the possibility is, that at two cable sheaths ar-
resters are installed, whereas the third sheath is solidly
grounded.
Reference:
/1/ ABB-Report: Selection of Surge Arresters for Cable
Sheaths. Baden/Mannheim
/2/ Braun, A.: Schirmspannungen und Schirmverluste
bei Mittelspannungs-VPE-Kabeln, E-Wirtschaft, Jg.
88(1989), H. 26, S. 1898-1906
/3/ EN 50179: Erection of electrical power installations
in systems with nominal voltages above 1 kV AC