IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 4, No.
1, January 1989
APPLYING METAL-OXIDE SURGE ARRESTERS ON DISTRIBUTIONSYSTEMS
S S Kershaw, Sr Member G L Gaibrois, Sr Member
McGraw-EdisonPower Systems
Detroit Edison ComDany
Cooper Industries, Inc Detroit, MI
Olean, NY
ABSTRACT
Metal-oxide surge arresters are rapidly replacing silicon-carbide
arresters for protecting electric power system equipment insula-
tion from overvoltages. Selecting the proper metal-oxide surge
arrester voltage rating, however, is based on different principles of
arrester response to power-frequency voltages than those used for
selecting silicon-carbide arresters.This paper discuses the primary
parameters for selecting metal-oxide surge arresters.
INTRODUCTION
The selection of metal-oxide surge arrestersrequires a reevalua-
tion of arrester application concepts. Different criteria than those
used for selecting silicon-carbide arrestersmust be employed even
though the basic functions of a surge arrester remain unchanged.
All surge arresters must
1.Withstand continuously the power-frequency voltage at which it
is intended to operate.
2. Limit overvoltages on electric power systems by discharging
transient energy in the form of current.
3.0perate in the same environment as the protected equipment.
SILICON-CARBIDE ARRESTER CHARACTERISTICS
Silicon-carbide arresters contain series gaps that protect the
valve elements from continuous power-frequencyvoltage and long-
time overvoltage excursions such as those caused by ferroresonant
conditions. The series gap in a silicon-carbide arrester is the in-
sulating means during normal voltage conditions. Besides keeping
voltage across the valve elements below gap sparkover values, the
gap performs the very necessary secondary function of interrupting
the power-frequency current that follows the transient current dis-
charged by the arrester. It does this by not restriking on subsequent
half-cycles of power-frequency voltage aRer the first follow-current
zero has occurred.
Silicon-carbide arrester voltage rating is established by a n
operating duty cycle (ODC)test that consists of discharging a surge
current through the arrester while the arrester is energized at
power-frequency voltage. Operations are repeated a t 1-minute in-
tervals either 20 [521 or 24 [31 times at prescribed angles on the
power-frequency voltage wave. The test voltage a t which the arres-
ter passes the duty cycle without significant damage is the rated
voltage. Selecting a silicon-carbide distribution arrester has tradi-
tionally been based on voltage rating; that is, the maximum voltage
that can occur on unfaulted phases during single line-to-ground
faults must not exceed the arrester's voltage rating.
aa WM 032-5 A paper recommended and approved
by the IEEE Surge Protective Devices Committee of
Power Engineering Society for presentation at the
IEEEIPES 1988 Winter Meeting, New York, New York,
January 31 -
February 5, 1988. Manuscricpt
submitted September 1, 1987; made available for
printing November 13, 1987.
0885-8977/89/0100-0301$01.00O1989 IEEE
30 1
K B Stump, Sr Member
- -
__ and Automation, Inc
Siemens Energy
Roswell, GA
METAL-OXIDE SURGE ARRESTER CHARACTERISTICS
Most metal-oxide surge arresters are constructed without series
gaps; they rely, instead, on their valve elements to withstand the
line voltage during normal system operation. The valve elements go
into conduction sharply a t a precise voltage level and cease to con-
duct when the voltage drops below this level. A series gap is not usu-
ally required to insulate a metal-oxide arrester from ground be-
cause the arrestervalve elements permit only low leakage currents
at operating voltages-nor is a series gap needed to interrupt
power-follow current that does not exist as long as bhe applied volt-
age is below the conduction voltage.
A metal-oxide surge arrester will operate successfully and main-
tain its protective characteristics provided it is not required to dissi-
pate more energy than it can tolerate. Hence, a metal-oxide arrester
can operate at voltages above its conduction level for times dictated
by the energy it must dissipate. When the overvoltage applied to a
metal-oxide surge arrester is reduced to the arrester's maximum
continuous operating voltage (MCOV)rating before its energy dissi-
pation capability is reached, the metal-&de arrester will maintain
its protective characteristics and will not fail.
The range of voltages at which a metal-mide arrester will operate
successfully includes all voltages up to the 'conduction (turn-on)
voltage. Conduction voltage depends on temperature, decreasing as
the temperature increases. Since valve-element temperature is de-
termined by the ambient environment and energy input-includ-
ing power-frequency voltage-the voltage level at which metal-
oxide arrester will operate properly becomes a time-and-energy
criterion. The voltage at which it can satisfactorily perform on
operating-duty-cycle tests is only a point in time (20 or 24 minutes)
with a known energy input (20 or 24 discharges of 5- or 10-kAsurge
current impulses with an 8/20 waveshape).
Thermal Considerations
The primary consideration in applying metal-&de arresters is
the thermal environment. As shown in Figure 1, the V-I curve for a
metal-oxide arrester changes with temperature at the low end of
the current range. As the ambient temperature of the environment
increases or the energy input to the metal-oxide arrester increases,
the temperature of the metal-cnride surge arrester valve element in-
creases. This increases the magnitude of the current drawn which,
in turn, causes additional heating. If the temperature exceeds the
thermal capability of the metal-oxide valve element, thermal runa-
way occurs and the arrester goes into a failure mode.
DISCHARGE VOLTAGE
/ .........
..-...... ... ................................................ /
LEAKAGECURRENT
~
< 0.01 amp 100-500 amps 1-100 kA
CURRENT
Fig. 1.Comparison of the non-linear characteristics of metal-oxide
surge arrester and silicon-carbide surge arrester valve
elements.
302
Failure Mechanism
Figure 2 shows the voltage-current relationship of a 27-kVmetal-
oxide distribution-class surge arrester at three voltage levels: nor-
mal operating voltage, duty-cycle-rated voltage, and a voltage
above rated voltage. Note that Current I, is out of phase with Volt-
age El (operating voltage). At Voltage E,, the metal-oxide arrester
valve element is primarily capacitive and the watts loss-or power
dissipation- is negligible.At Arrester Rated Voltage, E2,the resis-
tive component of corresponding Current I2 is apparent and the
metal-oxide arrester valve element will heat as a result of the power
being generated. If the metal-oxide arrester operates for a long time
at Duty-Cycle-RatedVoltageE, or if the temperature rise is acceler-
ated by a n increase in environmental temperature or a discharge of
transient energy, I2 will increase toward I,, starting the runaway
condition. Under ambient conditions, Current I, occurs when the
arresterrated voltage is exceeded. At ElevatedVoltage E,, the resis-
tive component of current is dominant and the watts loss is signifi-
cant.
0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 1 4 1 6 1 8
TIME (milliseconds)
Fig. 2.Voltage-currentrelationshipsof a 27-kvmetal-oxide surgearrester.
Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV)
Because of the thermal considerations cited, a metal-oxide surge
arrester must be selected based on a maximum voltage that it can
withstand continuously rather than a duty-cycle voltage rating.
ANSYlEEE Standard C62.11-1987 defines this maximum continu
ous operating voltage as "the maximum designated rms value of
power-frequencyvoltage that may be applied continuously between
the terminals of the arrester." [21 The standard implies that this
MCOVcan exist in a continuous ambient temperature not to exceed
40°C with temporary ambient temperature excursions not to
exceed 60°C.
Rmporary Overvoltage (TOW
When applying a metal-oxide surge arrester,temporary overvolt-
ages that can occur on electric power systems and the duration
that these overvoltages can exist must also be taken into consider-
ation. Metal-oxide surge arresters have a voltage-time characteris-
tic that is easily represented on a linear-voltage log-time plot. These
curves are available from metal-oxide surge arrester
manufacturers.
APPLYINGA METAL-OXIDE ARRESTER
ON A DISTFUBUTION SYSTEM
'Ib properly apply a metal-oxide surge arrester on a distribution
system, the arrester's MCOVmust be equal to-or greater than-
the maximum normal operating voltage of the power system and
the arrester's TOV capability must not be exceeded during abnor-
mal conditions such as faults or open circuits involving less than
three phases. For four-wire, solidly grounded distribution systems,
the duty-cycle voltage rating for both a silicon-carbide arresterand
a metal-oxide arrester is usually the same. However, this implies
that neutral wires are adequately bonded to grounds and are sized
to handle zero-sequence currents during faults to prevent excessive
voltages on unfaulted phases.
Potential Metal-Oxide Arrester Application Problems
A Detroit Edison Company study (Appendix A) shows that pu
voltages as high as 168can occur on unfaulted phases ifthe neutral
conductor is inadequately grounded throughout the distribution
system and the wire size is too small. Although this would be un-
usual, it can occur when converting an older ungrounded system
and emphasizes the importance of good grounding practices during
construction and maintenance.
When earth resistivity or system conversion results in ineffec-
tively grounded systems, special attention must be given to the
TOV capability of a metal-oxide surge arrester. A higher duty-cycle
rating and MCOV may be required or, better yet, part of the system
may need to be rebuilt to bring it up to today's technology. If the
arrester duty-cycle rating and MCOV are i ncreased, the insulation
coordination of the system must be rechecked to assure that the
required protective margins are still met.
Applying a Metal-Oxide Arrester on a n Ungrounded System
The method used to apply a metal-oxide surge arrester on a n un-
grounded system is different from the method used to apply a sili-
con-carbide arrester on a n ungrounded system, particularly when
accidental grounds can exist for long periods of time. In these cases,
the metal-oxide arrester MCOVrating must be equal to-or greater
than-the maximum system phase-to-phase voltage. However if
fault-detection relaying is such that fault duration is precisely
limited a n MCOV rating approaching maximum line-to-ground
voltage may be used. This would result in a duty-cycle rating lower
than that recommended for a silicon-carbide arrester, but close
attention must be given to the metal-oxide arrester's TOV capabil-
ity so that it is not exceeded during fault conditions.
Ferroresonant Overvoltages
Ferroresonance may not persist when a metal-oxide arrester
operates; however, it should be considered.Ferroresonant overvolt-
ages that can develop during single-phase switching or fuse blow-
ing can, under some conditions, be more damaging to a metal-oxide
arrester. For instance, a 2.5-pu overvoltage on a 13.2-kV system
would not cause most 10-kV-ratedsilicon-carbide arresters (normal
application) to spark over, but would cause a metal-oxide surge
arrester to go into thermal runaway.
Ungrounded Wye-Delta Systems
Ungrounded wye-delta systems are particularly susceptible to
ferroresonant overvoltages. On the other hand, ungrounded wye-
delta systems have the advantage that, when both single- and
three-phase loads need tb be serviced, different-impedance trans-
formers can be used in the three-phase bank and zero-sequence
currents are eliminated in the primary, particularly during fault
conditions.
Ungrounded wye-delta systems present an unusual condition for
metal-oxide surge arresters on the open phase of the wye with a n
unbalanced load on the delta secondary as well as during faults. As
shown in Appendix B, voltages of 2.7 pu-high enough to force the
normally applied arrester rating into thermal runaway-can exist
on the open primary. This condition can occur if a three-phase secon-
dary load is removed during work on the system, leaving a single-
phase load connected for lighting, refrigeration, etc. Rather than in-
stalling higher-rated metal-oxide arresters on these wye-delta sys-
tems and thereby jeopardizing equipment protection, the following
practices are recommended:
1.Balance the load so that the load on one phase of the delta is no
more than four times that on each of the other two phases. If
nearly balanced three-phase loads are served from a transformer,
it is not subject to this overvoltage.
2. Ground the wye. This would eliminate the problem, but may raise
concerns for serving unbalanced three-phase loads and single-
phase loads. It also provides a path for zero-sequence currents
that may be a problem.
3.Close the disconnect on the phase that has the large single-phase
load last.
 303
4.Apply a grounding resistor or reactor in the neutral of the un- BIOGRAPHIES
grounded-wye windings.
5.Close a neutral grounding switch during the energization of the Stanley S Kershaw, Jr (SM '67) was
phases and open it after all three phases have been closed. The born in Mt Vernon, New York, on
neutral switch must be able to clear the unbalanced load current April 11,1930,and received his BSEE
that may be flowing. degree from Purdue University in
1953. Upon graduation from Purdue,
6.Place arresters on the source side of circuit interrupters to pre-
he joined the Line Materials Com-
vent arrester damage due to over-voltages. This may, however, pany, now McGraw-Edison Power
reduce the overvoltage protection level because of longer lead
lengths. Systems, a subsidiary of Cooper
Industries, Inc. Throughout his
McGraw-Edison career, he has been
Effect of Actual Regulated Voltage on Metal-Oxide Arrester responsible for the design, develop-
Maximum Continuous ODeratinp Vol-e (MCOV) ment, and application of surge arres-
ter products. He has been awarded
Special attention must be given to the actual regulated voltage on eight surge arrester design patents.
distribution systems. Standards on voltage apply only to the cus- An active member of the 1[EEE Surge Protective Devices (SPD)
tomer's meter. Out on the feeder, much larger swings are permitted Committee since 1962, Mr K e r s h a i i s past chairman of that
as long as the voltage at the customer's meter is within standard. committee and is now chairman of the SPD Working Group on
An Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) study found, on a ran-
dom sample, voltages 17 percent above nominal. [4] Arrester MCOV Surge Arrester Application Guide. He is also a member of ANSI
Committee C62 and is chairman of the C62 Working Group on
and actual maximum phase-to-ground voltage must be taken into
Continuous Revision of Surge Arrester Standards and Guides. In
account when selecting metal-oxide surge arresters for a specific addition, he is chairman of the IEEE Power Engineering Society
application.
Awards Committee and is the chief US. delegate to IEC Technical
When regulators are used to control system voltage, special care Committee No. 37 on Surge Arresters. He is a registered pro-
is required to make sure the MCOV rating of metal-oxide surge fessional engineer in the state of Wisconsin.
arresters is not exceeded. For instance, unstable voltage swings
may result when threesingle-phase voltage regulathrs are installed
on a n unstable neutral point. When three single-phase regulators Gilbert L Gaibrois (A'54, M '60, SM
are connected wye, the controls measure the line-to-neutral voltage '79) was born in Nice, France, on
so that, if the neutral is permitted to float, there is no stable refer- February 28, 1929, and received his
ence point from which to excite the regulator controls. Each reg- BSEE degree in Geneva, Switzer-
ulator control will measure this shift and try to correct it. The oper- land, in 1949. From 1949 to 1951, Mr
ation of the regulator bank under these conditions will be erratic. Gaibrois worked with the Societe
Anonyme des Ateliers de Secheron in
Geneva as a test engineer.
CONCLUSIONS He joined The Detroit Edison Com-
pany in Detroit, Michigan, in 1952 as
The primary advantages of a metal-oxide surge arrester over a a test and field engineer and, in 1957,
silicon-carbide surge arrester are the extreme nonlinearity (flat- assumed the responsibility of ther-
ness) of the metal-oxide voltage versus current characteristic and mal loading all apparatus equipment
the elimination of the requirement for a series gap and its and 'line conductors. He became prin-
associated gap sparkover voltage. Without a gap,the metal-oxide cipal engineer at Detroit Edison in 1963 and, at present, is insula-
valve element must support system voltage continuously, neces- tion coordination and grounding engineer.
sitating the consideration of thermal stability. Maximum con- Mr Gaibrois is a member and past chairman of the IEEE Surge
tinuous operating voltage (MCOV) and temporary overvoltage Protective Devices (SPD) Committee and past secretary of the
(TOV) capabilities are the important parameters for selecting a IEEE Power Engineering Society Technical Council. He is a regis-
metal-oxide surge arrester for a particular application. For exam- tered professional engineer in the state of Michigan.
ple, in special situations in which temporary overvoltages due to
ferroresonance can occur, the total arrester energy dissipation
per event may be a consideration. Keith B Stump was born in
Richmond, Indiana, on February 12,
REFERENCES 1941, and received his BSEE degree
from Ohio University in 1963 and his
1.Standard 99-1-1970. Lightning Arresters. Part 1: Nonlinear
0 0 -
MSEE degree from Purdue Univer-
Resistor-Qpe Arresters for Alternating-Current Systems, sity in 1965. He was employed by
International Electrotechnical Committee, NY,NY,1970. Allis-Chalmers Corporation i n
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 1965
2.ANSI Standard C62.ll-1987, Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for through 1977.
Alternating-Current Power Circuits, American National Stan- Mr Stump joined Siemens-Allis,
dards Institute, NY,Nk: 1987. Inc., in January 1978 during the for-
3.ANSI Standard C62.1-1984, Surge Arresters for Alternating- mation of the jointly owned electrical
Current Power Circuits, American National Standards Institute, equipment company. In 1986, the
comnanv was Durchased bv Siemens
NY,NY,1984. AG and became Siemens Energy & AGtomaGon,Inc. At present, Mr
4.Distribution Fault-Current Analysis, El 3085, Project 1209-1, Stump is in the Power Systems Technology Department. His ac-
Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, May 1983. tivities have primarily been in the area of system simulation and
analysis. He is involved in simulation analysis of utility power sys-
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS tems including switching surges, subsynchronous, resonance,
surge arrester modeling and application, and various power system
The authors wish to thank the following gentlemen for their con- transient phenomena.
tributions to this paper: A member of Eta Kappa Nu and %U Beta Pi, Mr Stump is also a
member of the IEEE Power Apparatus and Systems Society.He is a
George D Allen, American Electric Power Company; member of the IEEE Surge Protective Devices (SPD) Committee
James J Burke, Power Technologies, Inc; and is chairman of Subcommittee 3.4, Application of Surge Protec-
Michael V Lat, Ontario Hydro; tive Devices. A member of the Overvoltage Protective Devices Sub-
W Edward Reid, McGraw-EdisonPower Systems; committee's Working Group 3.3.11, Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters, he
Thomas J Fbzek, Detroit Edison Company. also serves on all application working groups.
304
APPENDM A

DETERMINATION OF MAXIMUM OVERVOLTAGES POSSIBLE

ON UNFAULTED PHASES OF MULTIGROUNDED NEUTRAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS DURING SINGLE PHASE-TO-GROUNDFAULTS

Detroit Edison Company developed a computer program for cal-
culating the maximum expected overvoltages on the unfaulted
phases of multigrounded neutral distribution systems during
sipgle phase-&ground faults. The program was based on a 1972
report on voltage ratings for the application of lightning arresters
on distribution systems published by the IEEE Working Group on
Surge protective Devices Committee.* The program output lists
the maximum overvoltages expected at various nodes along a distri-
bution circuit for earth return, neutral return, and multigrounded
neutral return. These calculations take into account the system
impedance, ground-fault resistance, and the earth resistivity. The
assumed earth resistivity was 100 ohm-meters.
Studies were performed using no. 6 copper, no. 2 copper and 110
ACSR neutral conductors. The overvoltages for neutral return and
multigrounded neutral return were highest for the no. 6 copper con-
ductor and lowest for the no. 2 copper Conductor. Because ofhigher
conductor impedance, the calculated overvoltages with a WO ACSR
neuty 7 conductor were higher than those with a no. 2 copper neu-
tral :a. ,refor neutral return and multigrounded neutral return by
apprc mately 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively. Because the
overvdage calculations for earth return are independent of the
neutral wire, the maximum overvoltages were the same for allthree
wire sizes.
Assuming a faillt approximately 1.5 miles from the substation,
the maximum calculated system overvoltage varied from 1.12pu for
multigrounded neutral return with a no. 2 copper neutral conduc-
tor to 147 pu for neutral return with a no. 6 copper neutral
conductor.
If, for example, a 10-kV-operating-duty-cycle-rated metal-oxide
arrester with a n MCOV of 8.4 kV is installed on a 13.2-kVdistribu-
tion circuit regulating at 5 percent above normal, a 1.47pu overvol-
tage would stress the arrester at 140 pu above MCOV
13.2/.\/3 x 105 x 1.47 = 1.40 pu above MCOV. (1)
8.4
For most four-wire multigrounded distribution systems, the wer-
voltage factor is 1.2pu or less and the voltage on the arrester during
a single line-to-ground fault does not exceed 1.14pu above MCOV
13.2/.\/3x 105 x 1 2 = 1.14 pu above MCOV. (2)
8.4
This 1.14 pu above MCOV can be sustained by all manufacturers’
metal-oxide surge arresters for minutes, giving the circuit ample
time to open.
Studies were also performed on lines consisting entirely of 636-
kcmil bare aluminum phase conductors. In each study, a different
type of neutral conductor inadequately grounded throughout the
circuit was modeled. When a no. 6 copper ground wire was modeled,
the maximum expected overvoltage was 1.68pu for a single-phase
fault occurring 10 circuit miles from the substation. This corre-
sponds to a L6 pu voltage above MCOV of the arrester in the exam-
ple above. If the system neutral was adequately grounded, the sys-
tem overvoltage would be lowered to 1.33pu.
In computing the maximum expected overvoltages for l/O-ACSR
neutral conductor, the overvoltage factor was 1.55 pu for fault 10
miles from the substation with insufficient grounding. If the sys-
tem neutral was adequately grounded, the system overvoltage was
lowered to 1.29 pu. The overvoltage factor is reduced slightly more
with a no. 2 copper neutral conductor than it is with a l/O-ACSR
neutral condudor.

A 1.40-pu voltage (11.76-kV)on a 10-kV arrester would cause ther-

mal runaway in a relatively short time.

*“voltage Rating Investigation for Application of Lightning

Arresters on Distribution Systems,” IEEE ?Ikansactions o n Powei
Apparatus Systems, PAS-91: pp 1067-1074,1972.
 305

APPENDIXB
WYE-DELTA BANK

NOTE:Use 1:l ratio for calculations.

-A
I

VA = VAN
NORMAL Y-A v~ = k'm PHASE B OPEN;

+
B UNBALANCED LOAD Vc = VCN NO LOAD
EFFECTIVE IB vA
v, 2 = v, ,v, = 0 = v,

PRESTER
vm, = VAp-VA
=7 . 2 m- F m
= +
7.2 (0.5 j0.866) - 6.235 (0 +jl)
= +
3.6 i6.235 - i6.235
\ I

Or
= 3.6O.l- t', 1 .,

VARR = vCN + vC U
= 7.2M&+ vE!
!l
= -
7.2 (0.5 j0.866) + 6.235 (0 + j l )
= 3.6 - j6.235 + j6.235
= 3.6U

NOTE: UNBALANCED LOAD ACROSS PHASE B ONLY

v,, =vm-v,-v, WOULD NOT ALTER THE ABOVE RESULTS.
= 7.2 U?&-12.47 a- 12.47 L9.Q
= +
7.2 (0.5 j0.866) - 2 (12.47) (0 + j1.0)
= 3.6 + j6.235 - j24.94
= 3.6 - j18.705 = 19.05-
Or
v, = v,, -v,
= 7.!&&- 12.47m
-
= 7.2 (0.5 - i0.866) 12.47 (0 + 11.0)
= 3.6 - j6.235 -j12.47
= 3.6 - j18.705 = 19.05 U 9 . l \'
306
Discussion
R. M.Simpson (Carolina Power and Light, Raleigh, NC): The authors are
to be applauded for their efforts to provide information to users on the
proper application of gapless metal oxide surge arresters. The paper does a
commendable job of identifying the major causes of temporary overvoltage
conditions and providing application guidelines which allow the user to take
these conditions into account. In the case of an ungrounded wye-delta
system, the reader should note that the recommended practices are not
always practical or even applicable if single-phase switching or fuse
blowing occurs at a location remote from the transformer bank (and
therefore the arresters). For example, operations personnel may not be
aware of the existence of an ungrounded wye-delta bank beyond the switch/
fuse point in order to follow recommended practices 3 and 5. Also, placing
arresters on the source side of circuit interrupters at the transformer bank
(No. 6) still leaves them on the load side of a remote single-phase switch/
fuse point.
Manuscript received January 4, 1988.
John G. Dalton (Duke Power Company, Charlotte, NC): The authors are
to be commended on a worthy paper that stresses some very significant
differences between metal-oxide and silicon-carbide surge arresters. Unlike
silicon-carbide arresters, metal-oxide disks (or valve blocks) are continu-
ously exposed to system voltage. Consequently, users should be knowl-
edgeable of the muximum power-frequency voltage that may be applied to
the arrester during normal and abnormal operating conditions. Problems
may occur if Distribution Engineers are not aware of the actual voltage
regulation on their feeders.
Hopefully Appendix A will caution users that if grounding is inadequate
on a four-wire multigrounded system then the TOV during a ground fault
can be considerably higher than the commonly used value of 1.20 pu.
Concerning Appendix B, I would like to make several comments about
this unusual situation that are worth mentioning:
1) Any size single-phase load connected across winding B only will
NOT cause an overvoltage problem.
2) Any size single-phase load across phase A onb (or phase C) WILL
result in a high overvoltage across the arrester on phase B.
3) With unbalanced load on all three phases, no overvoltage problem
occurs as long as the amount of load on phase B is at least 40%of the
largest loads on phases A and C. For example, if windings A and C
were loaded at 1% and 25 % of rating respectively, then winding B
would need to be loaded to at least 10% (0.4 x 25%) of rating.
Manuscript received January 22, 1988.
J. L. Koepfinger (Duquesne Light, Pittsburgh, PA): This paper provides
an update on the application of metal oxide arresters (MOA) to distribution
circuits. It is unfortunate that it raises more questions than it answers. For
example, it is indicated that several situations can occur which will cause
temporary overvoltage that can cause failure of the MOA. There is no
indication as to the relative probability of these conditions existing. Most
arrester application is based upon probability, thus it must be considered in
applying MOA’s.
In discussing TOV that occur on multi-ground distribution circuits in
appendix A one of the calculations made reference to an inadequate
grounded neutral. Does inadequate mean that the neutral was not grounded.
If so, this would cause other operating problems in addition to failure of
arresters.
What is the effect of load and transformer saturation on the reduction of
the TOV’s during phase to ground faults on a multi grounded common
neutral system? This should reduce the TOV.
There is need for a guide to assist the utility application engineer in
applying the right MOA. One part of the guide should provide a table or
easy calculationto determine the proper multi ground neutral wire size to be
used with phase conductors so damaging TOV’s will not result.
More field data and studies are needed to provide information on the
adequacy of using MOA’s in place of Silicon Carbide arresters on
distribution circuits.
Manuscript received January 27, 1988.
D. R. Smith (Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA): The
paper identifies important areas to be considered when applying metal oxide
surge arresters in distribution systems. This discussion is intended to
supplement and comment on some of the application areas presented in the
paper.
In a 4-wire multi-grounded neutral (MGN) overhead system, the surge
arrester is connected between the phase conductor and neutral conductor.
The n o d practice when calculating the zero-sequence impedance of the
MGN line and the unfaulted phase-to-neutralvoltage durhg ground faults is
to assume that there are zero-impedance connections between the neutral
conductor and ground. Under these conditions, the phase-to-neutral and
phase-to-ground voltages at any point along the line are equal and easily
calculated. But when there is a finite impedance between the neutral
conductor and ground at each pole ground location, calculation of the
unfaulted phase-to-neutral voltage is quite complex, except when the
impedancebetween the neutral conductor and ground at each pole ground is
infinite. As intuitively expected, the unfaulted phase-to-neutral voltages are
higher with infinite pole ground impedances.
When the grounding impedances are infinite, the unfaulted phase-to-
neutral voltages are easily found for a phase-to-neutral fault, as all current
returns in the neutral conductor. We have made many calculations for this
condition, considering different conductor sizes and using only the
impedances of the overhead l i e , with results similar to those in Appendix
A. For example, with a 636 kcmil ACSR phase conductor and a 210 ACSR
neutral, the unfaulted phase-to-neutral voltage is 1.53 pu will all return in
the neutral conductor, and 1.30 pu with zero impedance connections
between the neutral conductor and earth. These are essentially the same
values calculated by the contributor from Detroit Edison. The largest value
which we have calculated is 1.54 pu for a 795 kcmil ACSR phase conductor
and a 210 ACSR neutral.
High phase-to-neutral voltages can also occur during ground faults with
spacer cable construction for the primary circuits, with the unfaulted phase-
to-neutral voltages in the vicinity of 1.5 pu, even when the connections
between the neutral conductor and ground have zero impedance. Thus, the
impact of lines with spacer cable should be recognized in metal oxide
arrester applications.
In the section dealing with ungrounded systems, it is suggested that if the
metal oxide arrester MCOV rating equals system maximum phase-to-phase
voltage, the application is acceptable when permanent ground faults are
allowed to persist. The maximum voltage-to-ground on the unfaulted phases
in an ungrounded system can exceed the system maximum phase-to-phase
operating voltage, due to the system and equipment phase-to-ground
capacitances. The exact value depends upon the system parameters, but
some references suggest that if the ratio of Xco to XI is less than -40, the
unfaulted phase-to-ground voltages could be as high as 1.1 times the system
maximum phase-to-phase voltage. If the Goto XIratio is greater than -
40, but less than zero, then the unfaulted phase-to-ground voltages can be
much higher than 1.1 times system maximum phase-to-phase voltage,
depending upon the exact ratio. This should be recognized in applying metal
oxide arresters in ungrounded systems.
The header for the section dealing with the voltage during single-pole
switching of the ungrounded wye-delta transformer bank is somewhat
misleading. This transformer bank connection can be applied in any type of
primary system, whether it is a multi-grounded neutral primary system, a
uni-grounded 3-wire primary system, or an ungrounded primary system.
The header should indicate that it is the response of the ungrounded wye-
delta transformer bank which is being discussed. Furthermore, it should be
emphasizedthat the 2.7 pu over voltage with one primary phase open occurs
under worst case loading conditions, but with the secondary load reasonably
balanced, the voltage will not exceed 1.Oper unit. Our calculations support
the four times unbalance load factor given in recommendation 1. Inciden-
tally, this phenomenon can also occur with the T-T connected pole top
transformer supplying 4-wire delta service.
To prevent the overvoltages during single-pole switching of the un-
grounded wye-delta bank, recommendation 2 suggests connecting the
neutral point of the wye-connected primary windings to the multi-grounded
neutral conductor of the primary system. Although this will prevent the
overvoltagesduring single-pole switching, both with and without secondary
load, most practitioners would recommend against permanent grounding. If
an open phase occurs in the primary feeder on the source side of the
transformer bank, the bank will try to supply the load on the open phase.
Under these conditions, the loading on the transformers is determined by
the load on the open primary phase and the connected secondary load, and
not just by the load connected to the secondary for which the bank was
sized. The loading may then be in the range where the transformer fuses do
not provide overload protection, and transformer thermal failure results.
In the section titled, “Potential Metal-Oxide Arrester Application
Problems,” it is stated that if the duty-cyle rating and MCOV rating are
decreased, the insulation coordination of the system must be rechecked to

assure that required protective margins are met. Did the.authors mean to say
that if the duty cycle rating and MCOV rating are increased, then the
coordination should be rechecked?
Manuscript received February 12, 1988.
JOHN E. HARDER, Westinghouse E l e c t r i c Corporation,
Bloomington, Indiana: The authors have presented a
very u s e f u l paper describing several p o t e n t i a l
problem areas i n the application o f metal oxide
arresters t o d i s t r i b u t i o n systems. This discussion
focuses on one o f those concerns: the selection o f
the appropriate r a t i n g o f metal oxide arrester for
applications where the l i n e t o ground voltage on the
unfaulted phases may be higher than expected during a
single l i n e t o ground f a u l t on the system.
As ably pointed out by the authors, the l i n e t o
ground voltage i s affected by f a c t o r s such as l i n e
construction, wire size, effectiveness o f driven
grounds, etc. Consider a remote area where
unbalances i n phase loading may r e s u l t i n a small
amount o f current through the driven grounds,
d e t e r i o r a t i n g t h e i r effectiveness. Many arresters i n
that v i c i n i t y may be subjected t o excessive
overvoltages during s i n g l e l i n e t o ground faults. In
addition, the t o t a l c l e a r i n g time f o r f a u l t s i n these
remote areas (with allowance f o r f a i l u r e o f the
recloser closest t o the f a u l t t o operate properly?),
may be r e l a t i v e l y long. One o f the problems, i t
seems, i s t h a t the industry has very l i t t l e
assessment concerning the numbers o f i n s t a l l a t i o n s
l i k e t h i s which may f o r whatever reason be
vulnerable, and the magnitude o f overvoltages and
times involved.
Once the magnitude o f the overvoltage and i t s
duration are established, there remains the question
o f selection o f the most appropriate arrester
rating. The time a t overvoltage c a p a b i l i t y o f metal
oxide arresters varies among the manufacturers.
Thus, f o r a given time a t overvoltage requirement a
10 kV arrester or manufacturer A may be satisfactory,
while a 12 kV a r r e s t e r o f manufacturer B may be
required. I t seems cumbersome f o r users t o have t o
specify one a r r e s t e r r a t i n g f o r most o f the
d i s t r i b u t i o n system, and another r a t i n g f o r c e r t a i n
remote areas ... and the r a t i n g depending upon the
manufacturer o f the arrester. Users, i t seems, need
t o be able t o specify an a r r e s t e r r a t i n g which can be
used system wide.
I t would seem h e l p f u l t o have the industry
standardizing bodies develop application guidelines
for arresters nn d i s t r i b u t i o n systems which would
e s s e n t i a l l y eliminate the f a i l u r e o f arresters on
unfaulted phases due t o excessive voltages, from
which more sophisticated users could take exception
i f they preferred a lower rated arrester.
I t seems t o t h i s discusser t h a t the industry needs t o
(1) quantify the extent o f the problem and (2)
e s t a b l i s h application guidelines which accommodate
the expected overvoltages. What i s the author’s
opinion concerning how t o best deal with t h i s facet
o f the problem?
Manuscript received February 17, 1988.
David W.Jackson (R. W. Beck and Associates, Waltham, MA): In their
recommendations for dealing with possibly destructive overvoltages which
might occur on ungrounded wye-delta systems with unbalanced loads the
authors have suggested limiting any unbalanced load on one phase to no
more than four times the load on either of the other phases. They have also
suggested closing the disconnect on the large single phase load last. Several
questions arise.
What is the basis for the load unbalance ratio of four times? Has this
limitation been explored analytically or experimentally to prove that it is
307
effective? Which is the disconnect with the largest single phase load that
should be closed last? On the user side, the delta side, the single phase load
is between two phases. Do the authors mean to close the primary
disconnect last which has a line current substantially in phase with the single
phase load?
Manuscript received February 26, 1988.
S. S. Kershaw, G . L. Gaibrois, and K. B. Stump thank all of the
discussers for their comments. Their contributions will make this paper a
much more useful tutorial on the application of metal-oxide surge arresters
(MOSAs) on distribution systems.
It is appropriate to address Mr. Koepfinger’s discussion first. The IEEE
Surge Protective Devices Committee (SPDC) was concemed that many
distribution system engineers think that metal-oxide surge arresters can
always be substituted for silicon-carbide (Sic) arresters based solely on
duty-cycle rating. SPDC members believe that it is important to call
attention to conditions in which arrester application is independent of duty-
cycle rating (e.g., conditions affecting the thermal stability of MOSAs). In
most cases, it is high-impedance, grounded distribution systems for which
the selection criteria may be different. These conditions were addressed in
the paper. For low-impedance (four-wire, multigrounded) systems, the
application of MOSA’s and Sic arresters is usually the same. Fast
interruption of faults and suppression of temporary overvoltages (TOVs)
due to the saturation characteristics of the connected load are contributing
factors. As indicated in Appendix A of the paper, an exception can occur
when grounding is ineffective. The questions raised in the paper are
intended to help distribution system engineers to recognize potential
problems, and, therefore, to be better able to make the proper decisions
about MOSA applications.
Mr. Smith’s comments about the use of MOSAs on spacer-cable circuits
are noteworthy. A study conducted by an SPDC working group in 1972
concluded that higher arrester voltage ratings are required on spacer-cable
systems than normally used on open-wire circuits. (1) Although the working
group recommendations have, for the most part, been ignored, the authors
recommend that they be reviewed for MOSA applications.
We agree with Mr. Smith’s comments regarding phase-to-ground
voltages exceeding phase-to-phase voltages on unfaulted phases during line-
to-ground faults. The possibility that these higher voltages may exist must
be recognized before sound applicationschoices can be made; however, due
to their short duration, they should not exceed the thermal capability of the
arresters.
Ungrounded wye-delta systems should, indeed, be ungrounded wye-delta
banks. The 2.7-pu overvoltage cited is the worst case that could occur
during a phase-to-phase fault on the secondary with one primary open. We
agree that a permanent ground on the primary wye neutral is not a
recommended practice for the reasons given; this leads to the corrective
measures recommended in Items 4 and 5 (temporary grounding or
impedance grounding).
Regarding the last paragraph of Mr. Smith’s discussion, the correction
has been made; decreased has been changed to increased.
Mr. Jackson’s discussion also pertains to the section on ungrounded wye-
delta banks. The basis for the load unbalance ratio of four times is a
calculated number that assumes the primary phase-to-ground voltage is
limited to 1 pu with one primary phase open. The four-times-unbalanced-
load factor was supported specifically by Mr. Smith and, in general, by Mr.
Dalton in their discussions. The primary phase feeding the largest
secondary load-connected across the transformer winding associated with
the feeding primary winding-should be closed last.
All of the discussions reemphasize the concerns about applying arresters
on all types of overhead and underground distribution systems. The authors
agree with Mr. Harder that the extent of the problem in these areas is
unknown, but system conditions that could cause arrester failure must be
addressed. A metal-oxide surge arrester application guide, now being
developed by the IEEE Surge Protective Devices Committee, will discuss
some of the distribution system conditions that may jeopardize arrester
operation. However, because potential problem conditions are functions of
specific configurations and parameters, it may be impossible to establish
guidelines that will cover all conditions.
The authors appreciate the supporting comments from Messrs. Dalton
and Simpson as well as those from the other discussers.
Reference
1. Working Group of the IEEE Surge Protective Devices Committee,
“Voltage Rating Investigation for the Application of Lightning
Arresters on Distribution Systems,” IEEE Transactions on Power
Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-91, pp. 1067-1074, 1972.
Manuscript received April 13, 1988.