519
TECHNICAL BROCHURE
Very Fast Transient Overvoltages (VFTO)
in Gas-Insulated UHV Substations
Members
U. Riechert – Convenor, (CH), C. Neumann (DE), H. Hama (JP), S. Okabe (JP),
U. Schichler (DE), H. Ito (JP), E. Zaima (JP)
Introduction
Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) is a technology
milestone providing reliable power in numerous
applications throughout the power grid. Recent
developments in ultra high voltage gas-insulated
switchgear substations especially for the Chinese and
Indian market renewed the importance of the very fast
transient overvoltage (VFTO) analyses, which became
a design factor for such UHV levels. The TB presents
the results of the CIGRÉ Working Group “Very
Fast Transient Overvoltages in Gas-Insulated UHV
Substations”. The content of the TB was discussed
in different Working Groups of different Study
Committees (A3, B3, C4 and D1). The document was
reviewed by a group of expert representatives from
Study Committee SC A3, SC B3 and SC C4.
VFTO in GIS are of greater concern at the highest
rated voltages, for which the ratio of the lightning
impulse withstand voltage to the system voltage is
lower. As the rated voltage increases, the difference
between the rated lightning impulse withstand voltage
and the VFTO decreases. Beside a detailed description
of the state-of-the-art of science and technology the
TB presents an insulation co-ordination approach
dealing with VFTO. Based on the information available
to date technical information are given about VFTO
simulation, determination of required withstand
voltages for different equipment, mitigation measures
and special test requirements.
Very Fast Transient
Overvoltage (VFTO)
Very fast transient overvoltages arise within a GIS
any time there is an instantaneous change in voltage.
Most often this change occurs as a result of the
opening or closing of a disconnector switch (DS). The
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transients are characterized by their short duration and
very high frequencies. The rise times are in the range
of some ns, with dominant frequency components up
to 100 MHz. The generation and propagation of VFTO
from their original location throughout a GIS can
produce internal and external transient overvoltages.
The maximum value of the VFTO depends on
the voltage difference across the contacts just before
striking and the location considered. Trapped charge
remaining on the load side of a DS must be taken
into consideration. A trapped charge on the load side
resulting in a voltage of -1 pu (per unit), resulting in
2 pu across the DS is normally taken into account as
the most unfavourable case for high speed DS or phase
opposition conditions. For this case the maximum
VFTO peak in GIS configuration has a typical value
between 1.5 pu and 2.8 pu. VFTO in GIS are of greater
concern at the highest rated voltages, for which the
ratio of the lightning impulse withstand voltage
(LIWV) to the system voltage is lower (see Figure 1).
Figure 1 shows also the calculation results for different
GIS and Hybrid IS (MTS) at different voltage levels.
The maximum calculated VFTO in GIS system may
reach the insulation level of LIWV. In case of Hybrid
IS a maximum calculated VFTO of 2.2 pu is reported,
because of the lower length of busbar sections.
Concluding it could be necessary to design and maybe
to test considering the VFTO level or to suppress
severe VFTO.
General Insulation
Co-Ordination Approach
Summarizing the different experiences a
procedure is proposed, following the general
insulation co-ordination approach. The VFTO
insulation co-ordination approach is 
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Figure 1 - dependency of rated withstand voltages and calculated VFTO on rated voltage as per IEC
62271-203 (different symbols for different substation)
described in detail in chapter 3 of the TB. The
procedure consists of the following three steps:
Step 1 • Calculation of VFTO (peak value and rise
time)
 System analysis (travelling wave computer
simulation program)
 Calculation of the maximum peak value and rise
time for the GIS and the connected equipment
 Use of real trapped charge behaviour of the
disconnector, if known
 Otherwise the worst case assumption of a trapped
charge voltage (TCV) of -1 pu should be used for
the simulation.
 The accuracy of the simulation model must be
verified.
Step 2 • Calculation of the required VFTO withstand
voltage for the different equipment by using:
 Co-ordination factor Kc (statistical distribution,
inaccuracy of simulation, frequency of occurrence,
volume effect)
 Safety factor Ks (atmospheric correction if
applicable, aging behaviour in service, quality of
installation)
 Test conversion factor Ktc (for a given equipment or
insulation configuration, the factor to be applied to
the required withstand voltage, which describes the
different withstand behaviour under VFTO stress
compared to the stress with standard LI voltages)
Comparison of calculated required VFTO withstand
voltage values with LIWV level
Step 3 • Definition of measures according to the
insulation co-ordination
 No damping measure required
 Damping measure required (DS with low TCV,
Damping resistor – definition of required resistance
value, other mitigation methods)
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Step 1 - VFTO Calculation
The accuracy of a VFTO simulation depends on the
quality of the model of each individual GIS component.
In order to achieve reasonable results even for time
periods of some micro-seconds or for very complex
GIS structures, highly accurate models for each internal
component and also for external components, connected
to the GIS, are necessary. An accurate modelling makes it
possible to reproduce VFTO waveforms with a relatively
high precision with differences lower than 5 %. Figure 2
shows a comparison of simulated and measured VFTO.
Step 2 – Required VFTO
withstand level - Comparison
with LIWV
Basis for the insulation co-ordination is the calculation
of the required VFTO withstand voltage. The necessary
safety factor to be defined is influenced by the breakdown
behaviour of the insulating material, the frequency of
occurrence and the probability of trapped charge voltages
as a basis for the simulation. Further aspects should not
be disregarded, like the absolute number of occurrence
and the fact, that overvoltages due to disconnector
switching cannot be limited by arresters.
The maximum value of the VFTO depends on the
voltage drop at the DS just before striking and on the
location considered. For the calculation of VFTO stresses,
the trapped charges remaining on the load side of the DS
must be taken into consideration. The trapped charge
voltage behaviour strongly depends on the contact
speed, as shown in Figure 3. A lower trapped charge
voltage gives a higher safety margin compared to the
calculation based on a trapped charge voltage of 1 pu.
For the insulation co-ordination this additional margin
has to be considered. The effect of VFTO stress on 
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Figure 2 - VFTO calculation and measurement when switching busbars with a GIS DS as per IEC
62271-102, without pre-charging

GIS equipment and also on other equipment is described
in the corresponding chapter of the TB.
Step 3 – Measures according to
the insulation co-ordination
If the required withstand very fast transient overvoltage
is equal or lower compared to the insulation withstand
strength of the equipment, no damping measures are
necessary. If the required withstand VFTO is higher
compared to the insulation withstand strength of the
equipment, it is necessary to define measures reducing
the risk of failures. Different mitigation methods are
known. One possible solution is the integration of a
damping resistor. The damping of VFTO by integration
of a damping resistor is a well proven technology. The
technique can be implemented by means of an additional
switching element to perform the commutation or by
adjusting the disconnector switch design to force the
spark by the electromagnetic forces to carry out the
commutation process. If a damping resistor is used
for the DS at opening and closing, overvoltage can be
limited to values such as 1.3 pu. Figure 4 shows a relation
between resistance and VFTO peak for a typical GIS
layout. Generally, the mitigation effect of the damping
resistor depends on the value of the resistance.
Consequently the resistance of the damping resistor
could be chosen and defined according to the maximum
calculated VFTO and the required mitigation effect. The
damping resistor has to withstand the dielectric stress
during striking. The highest voltage across the resistor
occurs shortly after the first pre-strike during closing
operation. Therefore, it is necessary to prove the voltage
withstanding characteristic and the energy absorption
capability of the resistor in case of re-strikes and
pre-strikes between the moving contact and the arcing
electrode of the resistor. A flashover across the resistor
may lead to high VFTO comparable to a DS without
damping resistor and has to be avoided. 

Figure 3 - Influence of contact speed on trapped charge voltage during DS switching (right)

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Figure 4 - VFTO in relation to the resistance of the damping resistor

Conclusions a result the withstand voltages could be different for the

different equipment (oil insulation, SF6 insulation, air
VFTO simulation is a well-known instrument for the insulation) and for a different DS design.
calculation of overvoltages needed for the insulation One possible solution for damping of VFTO in GIS
co-ordination process. Because the accuracy of the is the integration of a damping resistor. In case of a DS
simulation strongly depends on the quality of the model with damping resistor special requirements regarding
of each individual component, it is important to verify the rate of rise of the voltage across the resistor, the
the simulation results by measurements. If the calculated energy absorption and the branching behaviour must
VFTO level is higher compared to the withstand level, be taken into account. Especially the maximum load side
special measures to mitigate the VFTO are required. capacitance, the ratio between load-side and source-side
Summarizing the different experiences a procedure with capacitance and the maximum trapped charge voltage
three steps is proposed, following the general insulation according to the actual substation layout have to be
co-ordination approach. considered. 
The accuracy of a simulation depends on the quality
of the model of each individual GIS component. In order
to achieve reasonable results even for time periods of
some micro-seconds or for very complex GIS structures, BROCHURE N° 519
highly accurate models for each internal component and
also for external components, connected to the GIS, are Copie papier / Hardcopy
necessary. (en anglais seulement)
Because the generated transients depend strongly (in English only)
on the specific configuration and on the superposition
of travelling waves it is not possible to give generally En vente au Bureau Central
admitted values, valid for each substation layout. An
On sale at the Central Office
accurate simulation for each substation, especially in the
UHV range, is necessary for the insulation co-ordination Prix Membres / Members Price:
as basis for the decision making about possible 45 
countermeasures. Concluding it could be necessary to Prix non-Membres / Non-Member Price:
design and maybe to test considering the VFTO level
90 
or to suppress severe VFTO. Different approaches are
known and used to determine the necessary measures
Contact
according to the insulation co-ordination. As an
indication the required withstand voltage depends on Fax +33 (1) 53 89 12 99
both the dielectric behaviour of the equipment and e-mail : publication@cigre.org
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the trapped charge behaviour of the DS. A low trapped or download at http://www.e.cigre.org
charge voltage provides an additional safety margin. As (Membres uniquement /Members only)

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