General Technical Information

SF6 Gas-insulated Switchgear

High-voltage On-site Testing of GIS Type ELK

Content
1. Introduction

2. Purpose of on-site testing

3. Test arrangement

4. Test procedures

5. Test voltages
5.1 Short-duration power-frequency withstand tests
5.2 Impulse voltage tests
5.2.1 Oscillating lightning impulse (OLI)
5.2.2 Oscillating switching impulse (OSI)
5.3 DC voltage tests

6. Partial discharge detection

7. Assessment of the test

8. References

Examples of test reports

1. Introduction 2. Purpose of on-site testing

This paper explains the purpose and methods for high-voltage
on-site testing of gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear, as
recommended and used for ABB GIS type ELK.
Recommendations are based on:
– – IEC 62271-203 [1]
– – Experience gained on GIS plants during more than 40 years
in all voltage levels
– – Technical, economical and practical aspects of field testing
The purpose of on-site testing (field testing) is well defined in
[1] as summarised below:
After installation, and before being taken into service, the
gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear shall be tested with
the aim of checking the dielectric integrity of the completed
installation and of detecting potential irregularities. Such ir-
regularities might include damage during handling, transporta-
tion, storage and installation, improper assembly, presence of
foreign bodies, etc. and could cause disrupt or failure in the
subsequent operation. Normally the dielectric test should be
made after the GIS has been fully erected and gas-filled at the
rated density, preferably at the end of all other site tests.

Having this specific purpose, these tests do not replace the

type tests or the routine tests carried out on GIS transport
units in the factory. They are supplementary to the dielectric
routine tests.
Carrying out such site tests is not always practicable and
deviations from the standard tests may be accepted.
Since the aim of these tests is a final check before energizing,
it is very important that the chosen test procedure does not
jeopardize sound parts of the switchgear.
In choosing an appropriate test method and procedure for
each individual case, a special agreement may be necessary
in the interest of practicability and economy, e.g. the electri-
cal power requirements and the dimensions and weight of the
test equipment may need to be considered.
A detailed test programme for the dielectric tests on site, as
recommended in this paper, shall be agreed between cus-
tomer and ABB.
3. Test arrangement
Before testing the GIS shall be installed completely and gas-
filled at its rated filling density.
Some parts may be disconnected for the test, either because
of their high charging current or because of their effect on
voltage limitation, such as:
–– High-voltage cables and overhead lines
–– Power transformers
–– Surge arresters
–– Voltage transformers, if saturation of the core can occur (as
a rule, voltage transformers can also be tested if they are
either designed for the test voltage, or by performing the
testing at a frequency, where saturation do not occur)
The choice of the GIS section to be tested and connection of
the test source should take the following factors into account:
–– Facility of localizing electric discharges
–– Limitation of the capacitive load on the test voltage source
–– Limitation of the disruptive energy in case of a flashover
–– Limitation of the overvoltage amplitude due to reflections in
case of a flashover
In the case of extensions the adjacent existing part of the
switchgear must be de-energized and earthed during the
dielectric test.
After minor repair or maintenance work, for technical or
practical reasons, dielectric tests on site may be carried out
with reduced voltage values (e.g. with service voltage, applied
through the largest possible impedance in order to reduce
damage caused by a possible disruptive discharge; the test
period should be at least 30 min.).
4. Test procedures
One of the following test procedures are recommended by
IEC 62271-203, clause 10.2.101.1.3:
PROCEDURE “A” (recommended for the rated voltage of
170 kV and below)
– – Power-frequency voltage test for a duration of 1 min.
PROCEDURE “B” (recommended for the rated voltage of
245 kV and above)
– – Power-frequency voltage test for a duration of 1 min.
– – Partial discharge measurements
PROCEDURE “C” (recommended for the rated voltage of
245 kV and above, alternative to procedure “B”)
– – Power-frequency voltage test for a duration of 1 min.
– – Lightning impulse tests with three impulses of each polarity
ABB recommends using HV test procedures “A” or “B” as
shown on page 5 in the Table 1 “Recommended procedures
for HV on-site testing”.

For these reasons it is often convenient to divide the whole

installation of gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear into
sections by opening switching devices.

The sections which, in such cases, are not being tested, and
which are isolated by a circuit-breaker or a disconnector from
the section under test, shall be earthed. Unless dismantled
after routine test, no dielectric test across the open switching
devices need to be carried out on site.

2 High-voltage On-site Testing of GIS Type ELK | ABB

5. Test voltages natural frequency is determined by the inductance of the high-
The test voltages for dielectric tests on site shall be according voltage reactor (L) and the capacitance of the respective GIS
to Table 7 of IEC 62271-203 (see Table 2, page 6). section (CP) and is calculated by the following equation:

5.1 Short-duration power-frequency withstand tests

Power-frequency voltage tests are especially sensitive in
detecting contaminations (e.g. conducting particles), and are,
in most cases, also sufficient in detecting abnormal dielectric
field configurations. With very small installations (below 2000 pF) or for plant ex-
tensions a power frequency operated test transformer may be
Normally a resonant AC generator (see fig. 1) will be used used, however the possible saturation of connected voltage
for this test, with operating frequency of 10 to 300 Hz. The transformers should be considered.

C1
L

CP

C2
50/60 Hz

ITr FC
ITr Insulating transformer
ETr Exciter transformer
D Damping resistor
C 2 LV capacitor
I Resonant circuit current
ETr I Vm
FC Frequency converter
L Reactor unit
C 1 HV capacitor
C P Test object / GIS
V m AC peak voltmeter

Fig. 1: Example of resonant frequency circuit for HV on-site testing

ABB | High-voltage On-site Testing of GIS Type ELK 3

5.2 Impulse voltage tests
5.2.1 Oscillating lightning impulse (OLI)
Tests with lightning impulse voltages are effective for detec-
tion of sharp protrusions and abnormal field configurations
(e.g. damaged electrodes).
Based on the existing experience oscillating lightning impulse
voltages with front times up to about 15 µs are suitable [1].
However, it must be emphasized, that in case of a flashover
there may be reflections resulting in significant overvoltages
and subsequent dangerous secondary flashovers. Therefore,
the amplitude chosen for the lightning impulse must be suf-
ficiently low in order to avoid secondary flashovers at all times
(maximum 90% of BIL (basic insulation level)).
Normally, tests with lightning impulse voltages should be
selected only when an AC voltage test with partial discharge
measurement is not applicable.
5.2.2 Oscillating switching impulse (OSI)
Tests with switching impulse voltages are useful to detect the
presence of contaminations as well as abnormal field configu-
rations with relatively simple test equipment, but they are not
as sensitive as AC voltage tests.
Based on existing experience, switching impulses with oscil-
lating waveforms and with a time to crest in the range of
150 µs to 10 ms are suitable.
Test voltage should be 80% of SIL (switching insulation level)
(see Table 2).
Switching impulse testing should only be chosen if AC voltage
or lightning impulse tests can not be applied.
5.3 DC voltage tests
Tests with DC voltages are not recommended. The volt-
age distribution across the insulators differs from that under
power-frequency voltage stress and does not represent the
condition in service correctly.
ABB therefore only allows very restricted use of DC test volt-
ages, e.g. when insulators are unavoidably involved during
testing of joined cables.
4 High-voltage On-site Testing of GIS Type ELK | ABB
6. Partial discharge detection
Partial discharge (PD) measurements combined with AC
testing may be helpful in detecting certain kinds of faults like
voids in insulating materials, damages of shield electrodes
and presence of particles. Partial discharge measurements
are therefore a useful complement to dielectric tests on site
but are often difficult to perform because of ambient distur-
bances.
Partial discharge measurements on site performed according
to IEC 60270 (conventional method) are not recommended
for high-voltage GIS as this method is especially sensitive to
electrical disturbances and it is difficult to keep the noise level
below 5 pC as required by IEC.
Instead, electrical VHF/UHF or acoustic methods are recom-
mended for partial discharge detection on site. Both methods
are less sensitive to noise than the conventional method.
However, with both methods calibration is not possible as the
sensitivity depends on the distance between the defect and
the sensor. Instead a sensitivity check must be performed on
site (IEC 62271-203, Annex C.7.5), verifying that any defect
causing 5 pC or more will be detected.
ABB therefore normally performs PD detection on site by ap-
plying UHF narrow band measurements (see fig. 2) combined
with acoustic PD detection for the localization of PD sources.
Suitable UHF sensors are integrated into the earthing switch-
es and, where needed, additional UHF sensors are installed in
busduct elements.
Fig. 2: Schema of PD measurement with UHF Narrow Band Method
7. Assessment of the test
The switchgear shall be considered to have passed the test if
each section has withstood the specified test voltage without
any disruptive discharge.
In the event of a disruptive discharge occurring during dielec-
tric tests on site, a repetition test should be done. Recom-
mendations are given in Annex C.6 of IEC 62271-203.
In the event that this repetition test is successfully withstood,
it is assumed that the disruptive discharge was self-restoring.
However, if further disruptive discharges occur at consider-
ably lower voltage levels, the solid insulation involved has to
be inspected and replaced (if necessary) and the test shall be
repeated.
Table 1: From ABB recommended procedures for HV on-site testing acc. IEC 62271-203
PROCEDURE “A”
AC voltage test (for 170 kV and below)
Test voltage
Conditioning
(15 to 20 min.)
Voltage
Duration [min.]
Uds see Table 2
8. References
[1] IEC 62271-203, Gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear
for rated voltage above 52 kV
[2] IEC 60060-3, High-voltage test techniques – Part 3: Defi-
nition and requirements for on-site testing
[3] ABB publication 1HC0021804, General Technical Infor-
mation, Partial Discharge Concepts for GIS Type ELK
[4] ABB publication 1HC0021805, General Technical
Information, On-site PD Detection using UHF Techniques
[5] CIGRÉ Joint Task Force 15/33.03.05, Partial Discharge
Detection System for GIS: Sensitivity Verification for the
UHF Method and the Acoustic Method, Électra, No. 183,
April 1999, pp. 75 – 87
PROCEDURE “B” AC voltage test + PD measurement (for
245 kV and above)
Test voltage
Conditioning
(15 to 20 min.)
PD measurement
Voltage
Duration [min.]
ABB | High-voltage On-site Testing of GIS Type ELK 5
62271-203  IEC:2003 – 95 –

Ta ble 107 – On site test voltages

Table 2: On-site test voltage (IEC 62271-203 Table 7)

On-site
On-site On-site
Rated voltage short-duration
sw itching impulse lightning impulse
for equipment pow er-frequency
wi thstand voltage wi thstand voltage
wi thstand voltage
Ur U ds U ss U ps
kV (r.m.s. value) kV (r.m.s. value) kV (peak value) kV (peak value)

(1) (2) (see note 1) (3) (4 )

72,5 120 - 260
100 165 - 360
123 200 - 440
145 235 - 520
170 270 - 600
245 380 - 840
300 380 680 840
362 425 760 940
420 515 840 1 140
550 560 940 1 240
800 760 1140 1 680
ForNOTE 1 Values
notes please of 62271-203
refer to IEC column (2)Tableare
only applicable for SF 6 insulation or when SF 6 is a major part of the gas
7
mixture. For other insulation refer to Tables 1 and 2 of IEC 60694, applying a factor 0,8 on colu mn (2).
NOTE 2 The on-site test voltages have been calculated as follo ws:
U ds (on-site test value) = U p × 0,45 × 0,8 (column 2)
U ss (on-site test value) = U s × 0,8 (column 3)
U ps (on-site test value) = U p × 0,8 (column 4)
All values have been rounded up to the nex t higher modus 5 kV.
NOTE 3 If other insulation levels than the preferred values of Tables 102 and 103 (e.g. the lower insulation
levels of Tables 1 and 2 in IEC 60694) are specified, then the on-site test voltage should be calculated according
to Note 2.

In certain circumstances, for technical or practical reasons, dielectric tests on site may be
carried out with reduced voltage values. Details are given in Clause C.3.

10.2.101.1.5 Voltage wa ve forms

For the choice of an appropriate voltage waveform, IEC 60060-1 should be taken into
consideration; however, similar waveforms are also permissible. An ideal voltage waveform
covering all requirements does not exist. Permissible deviations are indicated below.
Information concerning the generation of test voltages is given in Clause C.1.

1) Po we r-frequenc y vo ltage test s

Power-frequency voltage tests are especially sensitive in detecting contaminations (e.g.
free moving conducting particles), and are, in most cases, also sufficient in detecting
abnormal field configurations.
The existing experience refers to test frequencies from 10 Hz to 300 Hz.

6 High-voltage On-site Testing of GIS Type ELK | ABB

 Prüfprotokoll Prüfprotokoll
ABB Hochspannungstechnik AG Test Report
ABB Hochspannungstechnik AG Test report
SF6-Schaltanlage/ SF6 Switchgear: Kunde/Client: Blatt/Page: SF6-Schaltanlage/ SF6 Switchgear: Kunde/Client: Blatt/ Page:

Dielektrische Prüfung: Wechselspannungsprüfung mit Netzfrequenz

Dielektrische Prüfung: Wechselspannungsprüfung mit Netz-Frequenz Dielectric Test: AC test with power frequency
Dielectric Test: AC - Test with Power Frequency Anschluss H.V. Trafo U Dauer Bermerkungen / Observations
Connection L.V. Current Duration
Phase A kV

C1

CP
Ipr
C2

Vm

RTr ZWTr Dr PTr Is

Reguliertransformator - RTr - regulating transformer

Zwischentransformator - ZWTr - stepup-transformer
Kompensationsdrossel - Dr - reactor
Prüftransformator - PTr - test transformer
Hochspannungskapazität - C1 - H.V. capacitor
Niederspannungskapazität - C2 - L.V. capacitor
Prüfling (SF6-Anlage) - Cp - test object (SF6-switchgear)
Strom (Speisung) - Ipr - current (source)
Strom (HS) - Is - current (HV)
Scheitelspannungsvoltmeter - Vm - AC peak voltmeter

Datum Für die Richtigkeit Datum Für die Richtigkeit

Date : ........................................................................ Tested by : .........................................................................................................
Date : ........................................................................ Tested by : .........................................................................................................

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Place : ........................................................................
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For the Customer : .........................................................................................................
Für dieses Dokument und den darin dargestellten Gegenstand behalten wir uns alle Rechte vor. We reserve all rights in this document and in the information con-tained therein. Reproduction,
We reserve all rights in this document and in the information contained therein. Reproduction,
Vervielfältigung, Bekanntgabe an Dritte oder Verwendung ausserhalb des vereinbarten Zweckes use or disclosure to third parties without express authority is strictly forbidden.
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sind nicht gestattet. © Asea Brown Boveri AG © Asea Brown Boveri Ltd
© ABB HighVoltage Technologies Ltd

ABB | High-voltage On-site Testing of GIS Type ELK 7

 Prüfprotokoll Prüfprotokoll
ABB Hochspannungstechnik AG ABB Hochspannungstechnik AG

Fax:
Test Report Test Report
SF6-Schaltanlage/SF6-Switchgear: Kunde/Customer: Blatt/Page: SF6-Schaltanlage/SF6-Switchgear: Kunde/Customer: Blatt/Page:

Dielektrische Prüfung: Wechselspannungsprüfung mit variabler Frequenz Dielektrische Prüfung: Wechselspannungsprüfung mit variabler Frequenz

www.abb.com
Dielectric Test: AC - Test with variable Frequency Dielectric Test: AC - Test with variable Frequency
Anschluss f L I U U Dauer / Duration
Connection 2πfxLxI Teiler/Divider
Phase Hz H A kV kV Bermerkungen / Remarks

ABB Switzerland Ltd

Brown Boveri Strasse 5

High Voltage Products
D

+41 58 588 17 22
Phone: +41 58 588 31 86
CH-8050 Zurich / Switzerland
L C1

Cp

C2
50/60 Hz

ITr FC ETr I Vm

Isoliertransformator ITr ü = ............... insulating transformer

Frequenzumrichter FC frequency converter
Einkoppeltransformator ETr ü =.............. exciter transformer
Drosselspulen L ................ H reactor unit
Dämpfungswiderstand D .................. damping resistor
Hochspannungskapazität C1 .................. H.V. capacitor
Niederspannungskapazität C2 L.V. capacitor
Prüfling Cp test object
Strom I current
Scheitelspannungsvoltmeter Vm AC peak voltmeter

Datum Für die Richtigkeit Datum Für die Richtigkeit

Date : ........................................................................ Tested by : .........................................................................................................
Date : ........................................................................ Tested by : .........................................................................................................

Ort Für den Kunden Ort Für den Kunden

Place : ........................................................................
Für dieses Dokument und den darin dargestellten Gegenstand behalten wir uns alle Rechte vor.
Vervielfältigung, Bekanntgabe an Dritte oder Verwendung ausserhalb des vereinbarten Zweckes
sind nicht gestattet. © ABB Hochspannungstechnik AG
For the Customer : .........................................................................................................
We reserve all rights in this document and in the information contained therein. Reproduction,
use or disclosure to third parties without express authority is strictly forbidden.
© ABB HighVoltage Technologies Ltd
Place : ........................................................................ For the Customer : .........................................................................................................
Für dieses Dokument und den darin dargestellten Gegenstand behalten wir uns alle Rechte vor. We reserve all rights in this document and in the information contained therein. Reproduction,
Vervielfältigung, Bekanntgabe an Dritte oder Verwendung ausserhalb des vereinbarten Zweckes use or disclosure to third parties without express authority is strictly forbidden.
sind nicht gestattet. © ABB Hochspannungstechnik AG © ABB High Voltage Technologies Ltd

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