2013-1 Thu Dufournet

Transient Recovery Voltages (TRVs)
for High-Voltage Circuit Breakers

Part 1
Denis Dufournet
Chair CIGRE WG A3.28 & IEEE WG C37.011, Fellow IEEE
San Antonio (USA), 19/09/2013
GRID
Content (1/3)
Page
• Introduction & General Considerations 4 &13
• Capacitive Current Switching TRV 29
• Types of Fault TRVs 45
• TRV Modification 63
• Terminal Fault TRV 72
− First-pole-to-clear factor 73
− TRV rating & testing 88
− TRV & arcing times 120
− TRV for generator circuit breakers 138
• Short-Line Fault TRV 148
• ITRV (Initial TRV) 187
TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 2

Content (2/3)
Page
• Out-of-Phase TRV 194
• Three-Phase Line Faults TRV 199
• Shunt Reactor Switching TRV 217
• Transformer Limited Fault TRV 229
• Series Reactor Limited Fault TRV 264
• Influence of Series Capacitors on TRV 271
• Harmonization of TRVs in IEC & IEEE 282

Content (3/3)
Page
• Annexes 306
− A: First-pole-to-clear factor 307
− B: Second-pole-to-clear factor 316
− C: Complement on line faults 321
− D: Equivalent circuit for 3-phase to ground fault 326
− E: Test circuit for kpp = 1.3 329
− F: Bibliography 333

Introduction
GRID
Importance of TRV
• The TRV is a decisive parameter that limits the interrupting capability

of a circuit breaker.
• The interrupting capability of a circuit breaker was found to be strongly
dependent on TRV in the 1950’s.
• When developing interrupting chambers, manufacturers must verify
and prove the TRV withstand specified in the standards for different
test duties.
• Users must specify TRVs in accordance with their applications.
• Type tests in high-power laboratories must be performed in
accordance with international standards, in particular with rated values
of TRVs.

“Recent” TRV Studies in International Bodies
• TRV Studies by International Working Groups

1993-1996: CIGRE-CIRED WG CC03 “Medium Voltages TRVs“
1994-1998: IEC SC17A WG21 “Revision Circuit Breaker Standard”
1997-2002: IEC SC17A WG23 “Harmonization TRVs Circuit Breakers ≥ 100kV”
2002-2006: IEC SC17A WG35 “”Revision TRVs Circuit Breakers < 100kV”
2001-2009: IEEE C37-04 & 06 ”Harmonization TRVs Circuit Breakers”
2002-2005: IEEE C37-011 “Revision Application Guide HV Circuit Breakers”
2004-2008: CIGRE WG A3-19 ”Implications of Three-phase Line Faults”
2007-2009: CIGRE WG A3-22 ”Technical Requirements for UHV Equipment”
2009-2011: IEC SC17A MT36 TF ”Introduction UHV TRVs in IEC 62271-100”
2008-2011: IEEE C37-011 ”Revision Application Guide HV Circuit Breakers”
2011-2013: CIGRE WG A3-28 ”Switching Phenomena for UHV & EHV Equipment”

Main References
• A.Greenwood, Electrical Transients in Power Systems. (book) 2nd

edition, John Wiley & Sons (1991).
• R.Alexander, D.Dufournet, IEEE Tutorial on TRVs (2003-05)
http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/pes/switchgear/presentations/trvtutorial/T
utorialTRVAlexander-Dufournet.pdf
• D.Dufournet, TRVs for High-Voltage Circuit Breakers, Presentation at
IEEE Switchgear Committee meeting in Calgary (2008-10)
http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/pes/switchgear/presentations/2008cbtutor
ial/Part4_IEEETutorialonTRVHVCircuitBreakers-Dufournet.pdf
• CIGRE Technical Brochure N°134, Transient Recovery Voltages in
Medium Voltage Networks (1998-12)
• CIGRE Technical Brochure N°408, Line fault phenomena and their
implications for 3-phase short and long-line fault clearing, (2010-02)

Main References
• A.Janssen, D.Dufournet, “Travelling Waves at Line Fault Clearing and

Other Transient Phenomena”, CIGRE Session 2010, Paper A3-102.
• CIGRE Technical Brochure 456, “Background of Technical
Specifications for Substation Equipment Exceeding 800kV AC”, by
CIGRE WG A3-22 (2011-04).
• D.Dufournet, A.Janssen, “Transformer Limited fault TRV”, Tutorial at
IEEE Switchgear Committee Meeting in San Diego (2012-10)
• Denis Dufournet, Joanne (Jingxuan) Hu, High-Voltage Circuit

Breakers Seminar Part 2 Transient Recovery Voltages, University of
Manitoba, Winnipeg (2012-06)

Standards & Guides
• IEC 62271-100, High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers (2012-09)

• IEC 62271-101, Synthetic testing (2012-10)
• IEC 62271-110, Inductive load switching (2012-09)
• IEC 62271-306, Guide to IEC 62271-100, 62271-1 .. (2012-12)
• ANSI/IEEE C37.04, 04a, 04b, IEEE Standard Rating Structure for AC
High-Voltage Circuit Breakers.
• IEEE Std C37.06-2009, Draft AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on
a Symmetrical Current Basis-Preferred Ratings and Related Required
Capabilities
• IEEE Std C37.09, 09b-2010, IEEE Standard Test Procedure for AC High-
Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.
• IEEE C37.011, Application Guide for TRV for AC High-Voltage Circuit
Breakers” (2011).
• IEEE C37.013, IEEE Standard for AC High-Voltage Generator Circuit
Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis.

Historical Perspective
• In the second edition of IEC 56 published in 1954, the TRV, defined as

"restriking voltage”, was of single frequency.
The amplitude factor (or crest value) and the TRV frequency (related to
the rate-of-rise) were not specified but had to be evaluated during the
tests.
• In the third edition of IEC 56, published in 1971, IEC introduced for the
first time the term “TRV” and its representation by two or four
parameters. The short-line-fault tests were also introduced in this
edition.
• TRVs requirements were also introduced in 1971 in ANSI C37.072-
1971 (IEEE Std. 327), with TRV ratings in C37.0722-1971 and TRV
Application Guide C37.0721-1971 (IEEE Std. 328).

• In the fourth edition of IEC 56, published in 1987, a first-pole-to-clear

factor of 1.3 is the only factor specified for rated voltages ≥ 245 kV.
− the rate of rise of recovery voltage (RRRV) is doubled to 2.0 kV/µs
for terminal fault test duty T100.
− ITRV is introduced for rated voltages ≥ 100 kV.
• ITRV is introduced in ANSI C37.04 and C37.09 in 1991 (amendments
04i and 09g).
• ANSI C37-06 (1997) harmonize partly TRV parameters with those in
IEC (e.g. RRRV = 2.0 kV/µs for T100).
• As in IEC, line surge impedance is 450 Ω for all rated voltages in
ANSI/IEEE C37.04-1999 (instead of 450 Ω for Ur ≤ 242 kV and 360 Ω
for Ur ≥ 362 kV).

• Further Harmonization of TRVs between IEC and IEEE lead

to
− Amendments 1 and 2 of IEC 62271-100 (respectively in 2002 and
2006)
− Amendments of IEEE C37.04b (2008), IEEE C37.06 (2009) and
IEEE C37.09b (2010).
Harmonization of IEC and IEEE standards for high-voltage circuit
breakers is presented in detail in a specific chapter.

General considerations on
Transient Recovery Voltages
GRID
General Considerations
• The recovery voltage is the voltage which appears across the

terminals of a pole of circuit breaker after current interruption.
A B
Xs CURRENT
Recovery
voltage
U
TRANSIENT RECOVERY RECOVERY

VOLTAGE VOLTAGE

• Current Interruption Process in SF6 Circuit Breakers
Two contacts are

separated in each
interrupting chamber.
An arc is generated, it is
cooled and extinguished
when current passes
through zero.
Simulation arc interruption

• During the interruption process, the arc loses rapidly its conductivity as
the instantaneous current approaches zero.
TRV (kV)
I (A) Gas circuit breakers:
Within a few microseconds
after current zero, arc
TRV resistance (RARC) rises to
one million ohm in a few
microseconds and current
stops flowing in the circuit.
Interruption when current passes through zero
• During the first microseconds after current zero, the TRV withstand is
function of the energy balance in the arc: it is the thermal phase of
interruption.
• Later, the voltage withstand is function of the dielectric withstand

between contacts: it is the dielectric phase of interruption.
The breaking operation is successful if the circuit breaker is able to

withstand the TRV and the power frequency recovery voltage.
The TRV is the difference between the voltages on the source side
and on the load side of the circuit breaker.
• During type tests, standards require that the recovery voltage is
applied during 300 ms after current interruption.

• The nature of the TRV is dependent on the circuit being interrupted,

whether primarily resistive, capacitive or inductive, (or some
combination).
• When interrupting a fault at the circuit breaker terminal (terminal fault)
in an inductive circuit, the supply voltage at current zero is maximum.
The circuit breaker interrupts at current zero (at a time when the power
input is minimum) the voltage on the supply side terminal meets the
supply voltage in a transient process called the TRV.
1
TRV frequency is
2 LC
Fault
with L = short-circuit inductance
C = supply capacitance.

TRV during inductive current breaking
CURRENT
Supply voltage
TRANSIENT RECOVERY
Current and TRV waveforms during interruption of inductive current
VOLTAGE
Note: voltage polarity not respected on Figure

TRV and recovery voltage in resistive, inductive

and capacitive circuits
2,5
1,5
CAPACITIVE
CIRCUIT
1
0,5
0
0 0,005 0,01 0,015 0,02 0,025 0,03 0,035
-0,5
-1
RESISTIVE
CIRCUIT
-1,5
INDUCTIVE CIRCUIT
(with stray capacitance)
-2

• Combination of the former basic cases are possible, for example the
TRV for mainly active load current breaking is a combination of TRVs
associated with inductive and resistive circuits.
• They are specified for high-voltage switches only as circuit-breakers
are able to interrupt with more severe TRVs (in inductive circuits).

• Fault interruptions are often considered to produce the most onerous

TRVs. Shunt reactor switching is one of the exceptions.
• TRVs can be oscillatory, triangular, or exponential and can occur as a
combination of these forms.
• The highest peak TRVs are met during capacitive current and out-of-
phase current interruption,
• TRVs associated with the highest short-circuit current are obtained
during terminal fault and short-line-fault interruption.
• In general, a network can be reduced to a simple parallel RLC circuit
for TRV calculations.
This representation is valid for a short-time period until voltage
reflections return from remote buses (see IEEE C37.011-2011)

Real network Equivalent circuit

(Vcb)
L
C
R
Z
N Lines, each with surge R
impedance
N
l
Z L: source inductance, lines excepted
c
C: source capacitance, lines excepted

(Vcb)
L
C
R
− The TRV in the parallel RLC circuit is oscillatory (under-damped) if

1
R  L/C
2
− The TRV in the parallel RLC circuit is exponential (over-damped) if
1
R  L/C
2
TRV (p.u.)
2
0.5
R / (L / C) = 10
1,8
4
1,6
2
1,4
1
1,2
0.75
1
0,8
0,6
0,5
0,4
0,3
0,2
0
t/RC
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Damping of the oscillatory TRV is provided by R, as R is in parallel

t / RC to L and C
(parallel damping) the damping increases when the resistance decreases (the
TRV peak increases when R increases).
• Reflection from end of lines

When longer time frames are
considered, typically several hundreds
of micro-seconds, reflections on lines
must be considered.
VOLTAGE (kV)
Lines or cables must then be
900 treated as components with
800
SYSTEM TRV
distributed elements on
700 TRV CAPABILITY FOR A
STANDARD BREAKER which voltage waves travel
600
after current interruption.
500
These traveling waves are

400
300
200
reflected and refracted when
100 REFLECTED WAVE reaching an open circuit or a
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
discontinuity.
TIME (µs)

• The most severe TRV occurs across the first pole to clear of a circuit
breaker when it interrupts a three-phase terminal fault with a
symmetrical current and when the system voltage is maximum (see
section on Terminal fault).
• By definition, all TRV values defined in the standards are inherent,

i.e. the values that would be obtained during interruption by an ideal
circuit breaker without arc voltage.
(arc resistance changes from zero to an infinite value at current
zero).

Capacitive Current Switching
TRV & Recovery Voltage
GRID
U (p.u.)
2,5
2
Recovery voltage
1,5
1
current
interruption
0,5
Supply voltage
0
Example of a single
-0,5
Load voltage phase interruption at
-1 50 Hz
-1,5
0,005 0,01 0,015 0,02 0,025 0,03 0,035
Time (s)
Capacitive current interruption: recovery voltage has a (1 – cos) waveshape

Supply-side voltage
Load-side voltage
Recovery voltage
Current
Contact separation Final current interruption

Current interruption
Restrike
U (p.u.)
Overvoltage 3 p.u.
3,5
2,5
2
2 p.u.
Recovery voltage
1,5 instant of current
interruption
1
0,5
2 p.u.
0
-0,5
-1
Reignition Restrike
-1,5
no overvoltage overvoltage
0,005 0,01 0,015 0,02 0,025
Time (s)

• Two cases can be distinguished, depending on when the restrike

happens:
− When it is less than 1/4 of a cycle after current interruption: it is

called a reignition,
no overvoltage is produced on the circuit during the transient
period when the load voltage tend to reach the supply voltage.
− When it is more than 1/4 of a cycle after current interruption, it is
called a restrike,
there is an overvoltage on the circuit during the transient period
following the restrike.

"1-Cos" Waveshape
• Special case of series capacitor switching by by-pass switches
− By-pass switches must be able to withstand the reinsertion voltage

without restrike during the transfer of reinsertion current.

"1-Cos" Waveshape
• Special case of series capacitor switching

by by-pass switches
− Several transient reinsertion voltage

waveshapes can be obtained in service.
− The reinsertion voltage waveshape should be determined by
systems studies.
− For standardization purposes, and in order to cover the greatest
number of practical cases, IEC 62271-109 recommends a "1-cos"
waveshape having a preferred first time-to-peak of 5,6 ms.
− A restrike happens if there is a resumption of current 2.8 ms or
later after the initial current interruption.

Voltage Jump
Circuit with capacitive and inductive A

components.
E
• The recovery voltage is the sum a 1– cos
wave-shape and a high-frequency voltage
oscillation on the supply side due to a
transient across the short-circuit
(inductive) reactance at the time of
interruption (explanation on next slide).
• There is an initial voltage jump.
• It tends to increase the minimum arcing
time and therefore to increase the shortest
duration between contact separation and
the instant of peak recovery voltage.
• Interruption is easier when the voltage
jump is higher
Voltage Jump
1 1- Supply-side voltage after

current interruption, with
0 voltage jump
2- Load-side voltage after
current interruption
3- Recovery voltage across
circuit-breaker terminals
Voltage before
current interruption
I 1 E E
UA    
C C 1 1  Ls C  2
 Ls 
C
Three-Phase Capacitive Current Breaking
Capacitor Bank with Isolated Neutral
CR
A B
ER
CS
ES EN
CT N
ET

Recovery voltage for the first pole to interrupt

2,0
VB
1,5
1,0
2.5 p.u.
0,5
VN
0,0
-0 ,0 05 -0,003 -0,00 1 0,00 1 0 ,0 03 0,00 5 0,0 07 0 ,0 09 0,01 1 0,0 13 0 ,0 15
-0,5
-1,0
VA
-1,5
Due to neutral voltage shift (VN) after interruption by the first pole, the peak
recovery voltage is 2.5 p.u. instead of 2 p.u. for single-phase interruption.

Recovery voltage (RV) on each pole
uc= 2.5 p.u.

kc= 1.25
RV on first-
pole-to-clear
The recovery voltage is higher on the first pole to clear

TRV 3-PHASE CAPACITIVE CURRENT SWITCHING (50Hz)

Capacitor bank with isolated neutral
3
The three-phase
Single-phase test with kc= 1,4
recovery voltage is 2,5
considered to be
covered during a 2
TRV (p.u.)
single phase test Three-phase test

1,5
with a supply
voltage equal to the 1
phase to ground Single-phase test with kc= 1,25
voltage multiplied 0,5

by 1.4
0
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5 5 5,5 6 6,5 7 7,5 8 8,5 9 9,5 10
T (ms)

Three-Phase Line-Charging Current Breaking
In the case of line switching
The recovery voltage is

influenced by phase-to-
ground and phase-to-phase
capacitances
Equivalence during single-

phase test is obtained with a
supply voltage equal to the
phase-to-ground voltage
multiplied by a factor = 1.2
(U is 2.4 p.u.).

Three-Phase Cable-Charging Current Breaking
• Types of cables & equivalent circuits
Similar case as
Same case as overhead lines
capacitor bank
with grounded C1/C0=3 Ur ≤ 52kV
neutral
C1/C0=2 Ur > 52kV
Screened cable Belted cable

Single-phase tests to simulate three-phase conditions
Ur
• Test voltage for single-phase tests: U test  k c
3
• Voltage factors in case of effectively grounded neutral systems
− Line-charging current kc = 1.2
− Cable-charging current kc = 1.0 (screened cable)
= 1.4/ 1.2 (belted cable ≤52kV / >52kV)
− Capacitor-bank current kc = 1.0/1.4 grounded/isolated neutral
• Voltage factors in case of non-effectively grounded neutral systems
− Line-charging current kc = 1.4
− Cable-charging current kc = 1.4
− Capacitor-bank current kc = 1.4
• Voltage factors in the case of fault on another line(s)
− Effectively grounded neutral systems kc = 1.4
− Non-effectively grounded neutral systems kc = 1.7

Types of Fault TRVs
GRID
Types of Fault TRVs / Reminder
Real network Equivalent circuit

(Vcb)
L
C
R
Z
N Lines, each with surge R
impedance
N
l
Z L: source inductance, lines excepted
c
C: source capacitance, lines excepted

Types of Fault TRVs / Overdamped TRV
Exponential (overdamped) TRV

• The exponential part of a TRV occurs when the equivalent resistance
of the circuit with N connected lines in parallel
Z
R = Zeq =  1 is lower or equal to 0.5 Leq / Ceq
N
where Z1 = positive sequence surge impedance of a line
Z0 = zero sequence surge impedance of a line
3 Z0
N = number of lines,  
Z1  2 Z 0
Leq = equivalent inductance, Ceq = equivalent capacitance.
• It typically occurs when one or several lines are on the unfaulted side
of the circuit breaker and when the fault is cleared at the circuit
breaker terminals.
• The rate of rise of recovery voltage is RRRV = Zeq x (di/dt)
Three-phase to ground fault

(Vcb)
• Equivalent inductance
3 L 0 L1
L eq 
L1  2 L 0 LLeq
ZReq Ceq
C
when L0  3 L1
9 L1
Leq   1.3 L1
7
• Equivalent capacitance see Annex D: 3-phase
network representation
2 (C1  C0 ) C0  2 C1
Ceq  C0  
3 3

Three-phase to ground fault

• Equivalent surge impedance (first pole to clear)
3 Z 0Z1
Z eq  
N Z1  2Z 0
Z0  ZS  2 ZM
Z1  Z S  Z M 3 Z0

Z 0  Z1 Z1  2 Z 0
ZM 
3 see Annex D: 3-phase network
representation
ZS: self value
See section on SLF for the calculation of line
ZM: mutual value surge impedance

• TRV for parallel RLC circuit
 t 
ucb  u1 (1  e (cosh  t  sinh  t ))

with
ucb is the voltage across the open circuit-breaker
u1 = 2 I ω Leq
 = 2  f = 377 rad/s at 60 Hz and 314 rad/s at 50 Hz
I is the short-circuit current (rms)
1
 =
2 Z eq Ceq
 =  2  1 /( Leq Ceq )

• TRV when Ceq can be neglected
ucb  u1 (1  e t /  )
where
Leq

Z eq
• RRRV
ducb dI
 2 I ω Z eq  Z eq 
dt dt

• Special case of three-phase ungrounded faults

3 L1
− Equivalent inductance L eq   1 . 5 L1
2
− Equivalent capacitance
2 C1 C1
Ceq  
3 1.5
with C1= C0

• This exponential part of TRV is transmitted as traveling waves on

each of the transmission lines. Reflected wave(s) returning from open
lines or discontinuities contribute also to the TRV.

• As an example, the following figure shows the one line diagram of a

550 kV substation. The TRV seen by circuit breaker (A) when clearing
the three-phase fault is shown in the next slide. Circuit breaker (B) is
open.

System TRV with reflected wave

VOLTAGE (kV)
900
800
SYSTEM TRV
700 TRV CAPABILITY FOR A
STANDARD BREAKER
600
500
400
300
200
100 REFLECTED WAVE
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
TIME (µs)
A reflection occurs from the end of the shortest

line after 2 x 81 / 0.3 = 540 µs
Types of Fault TRVs / Reflected Waves
• The exponential part of TRV is transmitted as traveling waves on each

of the transmission lines.
• When a wave reaches a discontinuity on the line (another bus or a
transformer termination) a reflected wave is produced, which travels
back towards the faulted bus.
• It takes 6.67 µs for a wave to go out and back to a discontinuity 1km
away as the wave travels at 300 000 km/s (speed of light).
• At a discontinuity transmitted and reflected waves can be described by
the following equations:
2 Zb
et  ei
Za  Zb
Zb  Za
er  ei
Za Zb Za  Zb

Za Zb
• A wave that reaches a short-

circuit point (Zb= 0) is reflected
with an opposite sign 2 Zb
et  ei
Za  Zb
• A wave that reaches an open
point (Zb is infinite) is reflected
with the same sign. Zb  Za
The voltage at this point is then er  ei
Za  Zb
doubled.

• Example of TRV resulting from several traveling waves
From CIGRE WG A3-

22/28 tutorial in Rio
de Janeiro (2012-02)
Times in µs and not in
ms

Types of Fault TRVs / Underdamped TRV
Oscillatory (underdamped) TRV

• An oscillatory TRV occurs generally when a fault is limited by a
transformer or a series reactor and no transmission line (or cable) surge
impedance is present to provide damping.

• To be oscillatory, the equivalent resistance of the source side has to

be such that
Z Leq
Req    0.5
N Ceq
Leq = equivalent source inductance
Ceq = equivalent source capacitance.
• To meet this requirement, only a low number of lines (N) must be
connected on the source side.
Therefore oscillatory TRVs are specified for
− terminal fault test duties T10 and T30 for circuit breakers in
transmission systems (Ur  100 kV),
− all terminal fault test duties in the case of circuit breakers in
distribution or sub-transmission systems (Ur < 100 kV).

• Transmission systems (Ur  100 kV)

In the large majority of cases, TRV characteristics (peak value and
rate-of-rise) for faults with 10% or 30% of rated short-circuit current
are covered by the rated values defined in the standards for test
duties T10 and T30.

Types of Fault TRVs / Triangular wave-shape
• Triangular-shaped TRVs are associated with short-line faults (see

separate chapter on SLF).
• After current interruption, the line-side voltage exhibits a characteristic
triangular waveshape.
• The rate-of-rise of the saw-tooth shaped TRV is function of the line
surge impedance and current. The rate-of rise is usually higher than
that experienced with exponential or oscillatory TRVs (with the same
current), however the TRV peak is generally low.
line
Circuit breaker
TRV Modification
GRID
Current Asymmetry and Circuit
Breaker Influence on TRV

TRV Modification / Current Asymmetry
• When interrupting asymmetrical currents, TRV is less severe (lower

RRRV and TRV peak) than when interrupting the related
symmetrical current because the instantaneous value of the supply
voltage at the time of interruption is less than the peak value.
SUPPLY VOLTAGE
CURRENT
TIME

• Correction factors of the TRV peak and rate of rise of recovery voltage
(RRRV) when interrupting asymmetrical currents are given in
− IEEE C37.081 “IEEE Guide for Synthetic Fault Testing of AC High-

Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a Symmetrical Current Basis”.
− IEEE C37.081a “Supplement to IEEE Guide for Synthetic Fault

Testing 8.3.2: Recovery Voltage for Terminal Faults; Asymmetrical
Short-Circuit Current”.
− IEC 62271-100 “High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers” (2012-09).
− IEC 62271-101 “Synthetic testing” (2012-10): Annex I

• The RRRV is proportional to the slope of current before interruption

(di/dt). Factor F1 gives the correction due to current asymmetry:
D
F1  1  D  2
X /R
with D degree of asymmetry (p.u.)
-D interruption after a major loop of current
+D interruption after a minor loop of current
X/R short-circuit reactance divided by resistance
• When time to peak TRV is relatively short (< 500 µs), the correction
factor for the TRV peak is also F1.

• Correction factor for the TRV peak in case of long time to peak TRV
(> 500 µs) :

TRV Modification / Circuit Breaker Influence
• During current interruption, the circuit TRV can be modified by a

circuit breaker:
− by arc resistance,
− by the circuit breaker capacitance or opening resistor (if any).
• The TRV measured across the terminals of two different types of
circuit breakers under identical conditions can be different.
• To simplify both rating and application, the power system TRV is
calculated ignoring the influence of the circuit breaker.
The circuit breaker is considered to be ideal i.e. without modifying
effects on the electrical characteristics of a system,
− when conducting its impedance is zero,
− at current zero its impedance changes from zero to infinity.

• When a circuit breaker is fitted with grading capacitors or with line-to-

ground capacitors, these capacitors can reduce significantly the rate-
of-rise of TRV during short-line faults.
• Opening resistors (R) are used to assist interruption by air blast circuit
breakers, they are used on some SF6 circuit breakers (Japanese
550kV 1 break & 1100 kV 2 breaks).
The RRRV (rate of rise of
recovery voltage) is reduced
as follows
du Z  R di Z  R
  I 2
dt Z  R dt Z  R
The resistor (R) is in parallel
with the surge impedance of Air blast Generator Circuit Breaker
the system (Z). with opening resistor

Interruption with Opening Resistance
Arc extinction is facilitated by reducing the voltage stress (RRRV) after

current interruption, a parallel resistance is used for this purpose

Terminal Fault TRV
GRID
Terminal fault TRV
First pole to clear factor

Terminal Fault TRV
CURRENT
TRANSIENT RECOVERY
RECOVERY
VOLTAGE Current - TRV - Recovery Voltage VOLTAGE

Terminal Fault TRV
• First Pole to Clear Factor (kpp)

− During 3-phase faults interruption, the recovery voltage is higher on
the first pole to clear.
− The first-pole-to clear factor is the ratio of the power frequency
voltage across the first interrupting pole, before current interruption
in the other poles, to the power frequency voltage occurring across
the pole after interruption in all three poles.
− It is the ratio between the recovery voltage (RV) across the first
pole to clear and the phase to ground voltage of the system.
Recovery Voltage
kpp 
Ur
3

Terminal Fault TRV
• First Pole to Clear Factor (kpp)

Ur
Ur kpp 
3
3
A B
ER
ES
ET

Terminal Fault TRV
• When tests are performed on one pole (single-phase tests), the supply
voltage must be multiplied by kpp in order to have the recovery voltage
that would be met on the first pole during a three-phase interruption.
• The first–pole–to-clear factor (kpp) is a function of the grounding
arrangements of the system and of the type of fault.
For systems with non-effectively grounded neutral, kpp is 1.5.

For three-phase to ground faults in systems with effectively grounded
neutral, kpp is 1.3 (see Annex A).
Note: for UHV systems (rated voltages 1100 & 1200kV) the ratio X0/X1
is close to 2 and the standardized value of kpp is 1.2.
• For three-phase ungrounded faults, kpp is 1.5.

Terminal Fault TRV
Three-phase faults in non-effectively grounded systems

or three-phase ungrounded faults
In these cases, kpp is 1.5

Terminal Fault TRV
Example of First-Pole-To-Clear Factor (kpp)
di
3-phase L eB  2 L  eC  0
dt
ungrounded fault L di e  eC
L  B
in effectively- i dt 2
grounded neutral L di e  eC
eP  eB  L  eB  B
i dt 2
e  eC
eP  B   0.5
When pole A 2
interrupts. e A  eP   1  (0.5)  1.5
voltage eA is
maximum = 1 p.u. First-pole-to-clear
eB = eC = - 0.5 p.u. factor is 1.5

Terminal Fault TRV
Example of First-Pole-To-Clear Factor (kpp)
3-phase to ground fault in non-effectively grounded system

When the first pole interrupts:
A B
Voltage at neutral point N: ER
EN + ES = Xsc I 1 p.u. Xsc kpp= 1.5
ES
EN + ET = - Xsc I N
Xsc
EN = – (ES + ET)/2
ER is maximum = Emax cos(0°) = 1 p.u.
ET Xsc
ES = Emax cos (120°) = -0.5 p.u.
ET = Emax cos (240°) = -0.5 p.u.
then EN = 0.5 p.u.
Voltage EA = EN + ER = 1.5 p.u.
First-pole-to-clear factor is 1.5

Terminal Fault TRV
First-Pole-To-Clear Factor (kpp)
Single-phase fault in an effectively grounded system
• In this case, kpp is 1.0 as the circuit breaker interrupts under the phase-
to-ground voltage.
I3 V3
E
I2 V2
I1 V1

Terminal Fault TRV
First-Pole-To-Clear Factor (kpp)
Three-phase to ground fault in effectively

grounded neutral systems
• The value of kpp is dependent upon the sequence impedances from the
location of the fault to the various system neutral points (ratio X0/X1).
3X 0
k pp 
X1  2X 0
where X0 is the zero sequence reactance of the system,
X1 the positive sequence reactance of the system.
For systems up to 800 kV, the ratio X0/X1 is taken to be  3.0.
Hence, for systems with effectively grounded systems kpp is 1.3.

Terminal Fault TRV
Pole-To-Clear Factor
Equations for the other clearing poles

• In systems with non-effectively grounded neutral, after interruption of
the first phase (R), the current is interrupted by the last two poles in
series under the phase-to-phase voltage (ES – ET) equal to 3 times
the phase voltage
ER
ES
ES - ET I
ET
I

Terminal Fault TRV
It follows that, in systems with non-effectively grounded neutrals,

for the second and third pole to clear:
After interruption of the
3 3 poles, the recovery
k pp   0.87 voltage is 1 p.u.
2
Current in each phase TRV in each phase

Terminal Fault TRV
In systems with effectively grounded neutrals, the second pole clears

a three-phase to ground fault
with a factor 3 X 02  X 0 X 1  X 12
k pp  See Annex B
X 0  2X1
If X0 / X1 = 3.0 the second pole to clear factor is 1.25.
Currents TRVs

Terminal Fault TRV
In systems with effectively grounded neutral, for the third pole-to-

clear:
k pp  1
I3 V3
E
I2 V2
I1 V1

Terminal Fault TRV
Pole-to-clear factors (kp) for each clearing pole

3-phase to ground case
Neutral X0/X1 Pole to clear factor
first pole 2nd pole 3rd pole
isolated infinite 1.5 0.87 0.87
effectively
3.0 1.3 1.27 1.0
grounded
see note 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Note: values of the pole-to-clear factor are given for X0/X1 = 1.0 to
indicate the trend in the special case of networks with a ratio X0/X1 of
less than 3.0.
kpp= 1.5 is taken for all systems that are not effectively grounded, it
includes (but is not limited to) systems with isolated neutral (it is also
taken for three-phase ungrounded faults).
Terminal fault TRV
Rating & Testing

Terminal Fault TRV Rating
Current
CURRENT
SupplySupply
voltage
voltage
Transient recovery
TRANSIENT RECOVERY
voltage
VOLTAGE

• The TRV ratings for circuit breakers are applicable for interruption
of three-phase faults with
− a rated symmetrical short circuit current
− at the rated voltage of the circuit breaker.
• In IEC
− While three-phase ungrounded faults produce the highest TRV
peaks, the probability of their occurrence is very low.
Therefore, in IEC 62271-100 the TRV ratings are based on
three-phase to ground faults.
− TRV parameters are given in subclause 4.102 of IEC 62271-
100.
− For values of fault current other than rated and for line faults,
related TRV capabilities are given in subclause 6.104.5 of IEC
62271-100.

• In ANSI/IEEE
− TRV withstand capabilities are given in ANSI/IEEE C37.04 and
IEEE C37.06.
− In the case of terminal faults, for circuit-breakers of rated
voltages equal or higher than 100 kV, separate Tables give
TRVs for three-phase to ground and three-phase ungrounded
faults.

• ANSI/IEEE C37.06 – Table 10

• ANSI/IEEE C37.06 – Table 11

• For circuit breakers applied on systems 72.5 kV and below, the TRV
ratings assume that the system neutrals can be non-effectively
grounded.
• For circuit breakers applied on systems 245 kV and above, the TRV
ratings assume that the system neutrals are effectively grounded.
• Standard TRV are defined by two-parameter and four-parameter

envelopes.
• These envelopes are used to compare
− System TRVs
− Standard TRVs
− Test TRVs

• A two-parameter envelope is used for oscillatory (underdamped)

TRVs specified in standards for:
− circuit breakers rated less than 100 kV, at all values of breaking
current,
− circuit breakers rated 100 kV and above if the short-circuit
current is equal or less than 30% of the rated breaking current.
Ur
uc   2  k pp  k af
3
u '  uc / 3
t d  0.15 t3 (Class S1, cable  systems)

t d  0.05 t3 (Class S 2, line  systems)
The test TRV must not cross the

delay segment defined by (td , 0)
and (t’, u’)

• A four-parameter envelope is specified for circuit breakers rated 100 kV

and above if the short-circuit current is more than 30% of the rated
breaking current (cases with over-damped TRVs).
Ur Ur
u1   2  k pp  0.75 uc   2  k pp  k af u '  u1 / 2 t 2  4 t1
3 3
The peak value of TRV is defined as follows:
Ur
U c  k af  k pp  2 
3
where
kpp is the first pole to clear factor
kaf is the amplitude factor (ratio between the peak value of TRV and
the peak value of the recovery voltage at power frequency).
In IEC 62271-100 and IEEE C37.04, kaf is 1.4 at 100% rated breaking
current.

Terminal Fault TRV Rating - Ur < 100 kV
TRV envelopes for terminal fault (Ur < 100 kV)

VOLTAGE
0.1 I
0.3 I
0.6 I 1.0 I
TIME
I is the rated short-circuit current

• Cable systems and line systems

In order to cover all types of networks (distribution, industrial and sub-
transmission) and for standardization purposes, two types of systems
are introduced:
− Cable systems
Cable systems have a TRV during breaking of terminal fault at
100% of short-circuit breaking current that does not exceed the
envelope derived from Table 24 in Edition 1.2 of IEC 62271-100.
TRV values are those defined in the former editions of IEC
standard for high-voltage circuit breakers.
− Line systems
Line systems have a TRV during breaking of terminal fault at 100%
of short-circuit breaking current defined by the envelope derived
from Table 25 in Edition 1.2 of IEC 62271-100. Standard values of
TRVs for line systems are those defined in ANSI/IEEE C37.06 for
outdoor circuit-breakers.
• Comparison of TRVs for cable systems and line-systems
Envelope of Envelope of
Line system TRV Cable system TRV
Uc
t3
The rate of rise of recovery voltage (RRRV) for line

systems is approximately twice the value for cable systems

• Classes of Circuit breakers

Circuit breaker Ur < 100 kV
ClassCS
Class S1 SLF ?
Cable-system No
Class
Class S2
LS Direct connection
Line-system to OH line Yes
Direct connection
Cable-system
to OH line Yes
Class S2
Class LS
Short-line fault breaking performance is required only for class S2

Amplitude factor for terminal fault (Ur < 100 kV)

Class S2 circuit breakers
1,9
1,8
1,7
Amplitude factor (p.u.)
1,6
1,5
1,4
1,3
1,2
T10 T30 T60 T100
10% I 30% I 60% I 100% I

RRRV for terminal fault T100 (Ur < 100 kV)

1,6
RRRV 1.47 72.5kV
(kV/µs) 1,4
1.33
1.21 52kV
1,2
1.05 38kV
1
0.91 24kV
15kV
0,8
0,6
Ur
0,4
12,5 22,5 32,5 42,5 52,5 62,5 72,5
(kV)

• Calculation of standard RRRV: circuit breaker 72.5 kV class S2

− Time to peak TRV was taken from ANSI C37.06: T2  106 µs
− Time t3 is 88% of T2 (1-COS waveshape): t3 = 93 µs
− TRV peak uc is calculated from Ur, kpp and kaf
72.5 2
uc  1.5  1.54   137 kV
3
137
− RRRV is the ratio of uc and t3 : VATR   1.47 kV / µs
93
it is the present value in IEC and IEEE standards.

RRRV for terminal fault T100 (Ur < 100 kV)

1,6
RRRV 1.47 72.5kV
(kV/µs) 1,4
1.33
1.21 52kV
1,2
1.05 38kV
1kV/µs 1
0.91 24kV
15kV
0,8
RRRV  0.4  U r0.305

0,6
20kV Ur
0,4
12,5 22,5 32,5 42,5 52,5 62,5 72,5
(kV)

• RRRV at reduced short-circuit current (Class S2)

− Time t3 for T100 is multiplied by the following factors
0.67 for T60
0.40 for T30 and T10
− Compared with the standard value for T100, the RRRV at
reduced short-circuit current is divided by the multiplier for time
t3 and multiplied by the increase of amplitude factor.
− Example: T60 72.5 kV
1.47 1.65
RRRV    2.35 kV / µs
0.67 1.54

Terminal Fault TRV Rating - Ur ≥ 100 kV
TRV envelopes for terminal fault (Ur  100 kV)
I is the rated short-circuit current

Note: time to peak for T60 is shown here according to IEEE, it is half the IEC value
Amplitude factor for terminal fault (Ur  100 kV)

according to IEC and IEEE C37.06
1,8
kaf (p.u.) IEC & IEEE k pp=1.3
1,7
1,6
1,5
IEEE k pp=1.5
1,4
1,3
1,2
1,1
1
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 % Isc
Case 10 % Isc: kpp x kaf = 2.46 (IEEE kpp=1.5) and 2.29 (IEC & IEEE kpp=1.3)

Rate-of-rise-of-recovery-voltage for terminal fault

(Ur  100 kV)
8
6
RRRV (kV/µs)
1
T10 T30 T60 T100

Terminal Fault TRV
Application
• A circuit breaker TRV capability is considered to be sufficient if the two

or four parameter envelope drawn with rated parameters is equal or
higher than the two or four parameter envelope of the system TRV.
Voltage
System TRV envelope
Circuit breaker rated TRV envelope
time

Terminal Fault TRV
Application
• The parameters that define the circuit breaker TRV capabilities vary
with the circuit breaker voltage rating and short-circuit current
interrupting level.
• The circuit breaker TRV capabilities at 10%, 30%, 60% and 100% of
rated short-circuit interrupting current (Isc), corresponding to terminal
fault test duties T10, T30, T60 and T100, are given in IEEE Std
C37.06.
• The circuit breaker TRV withstand capability envelope at any other
short-circuit interrupting current below rated can be derived using the
multipliers given in Table 1 of IEEE C37.011-011.
• TRV studies are sometimes carried out to determine if a system TRV
is covered by the circuit breaker TRV capability demonstrated by type
tests, either when new circuit breakers are to be installed or following
a system change.

Terminal Fault TRV
Application
• It is not uncommon that the maximum short-circuit current falls in

between 30% and 60% of the circuit breaker rated short-circuit current.
• To allow comparison of system TRV and circuit breaker TRV withstand
capability and to avoid additional testing, a method of interpolation of
TRV capabilities demonstrated by type tests was introduced in the
former editions of IEEE C37.011.
• Following the introduction of the two-parameter and four-parameter
description of TRVs, this method of interpolation in the current range
between T30 and T60 (terminal faults with respectively 30% and 60%
of Isc) was not clearly stated in the 2005 edition of IEEE C37.011.
• Thus, the method of interpolation has been further developed in IEEE
C37.011-2011 to define the circuit breaker TRV withstand capability for
short-circuit currents in this range between T30 and T60.

Terminal Fault TRV
Application
• In standards, it is considered that 30 % of Isc is the maximum short-

circuit current for which a two parameter TRV is applicable for circuit
breakers rated 100 kV and above.
• The related TRV capability for short-circuit currents between 30 % of Isc

and 60 % of Isc is then necessarily a four parameter TRV.
• The Working Group in charge of IEEE Guide C37.011 has defined that
the TRV capability between T30 and T60 can be considered to have a
rate-of-rise (u1/t1) and a first reference voltage (u1) that have
intermediate values between those of T30 and T60.

Terminal Fault TRV
Application
• TRV parameters (u1, t1, uc, t2) for any terminal fault current between
30 % and 60 % of Isc can be obtained as follows:
− u1 and t1 are linearly interpolated between u1 and t1 of T60 and uc

and t3 of T30
− uc and t2 are linearly interpolated between uc and t2 of T60 and uc

and t3 of T30
• The method of interpolation is illustrated by the Figure shown on the

next slide.

Terminal Fault TRV
Application
245kV Breaker TRV Envelope
500
450 T100
T75
400
T60
350 T55
T50
300
T45
kV
250 T40
T35
200
T30
150 T10
u1,t1
100
50
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Time (µs)
Example of TRV interpolation for a 245kV circuit breaker

Terminal Fault TRV
Application
* When the system TRV has an initial slope that is higher than the value
specified for terminal fault type tests, Guide IEEE C37.011 authorizes
to combine the TRV withstands demonstrated during terminal fault and
short-line-fault (same range of currents).
Voltage withstand by a 550kV circuit breaker at 75% rated breaking capability

Terminal Fault TRV
Testing
• Tests are required at 100% (T100), 60% (T60), 30% (T30) and 10%
(T10) of rated short-circuit current with the corresponding rated TRVs
and recovery voltages.
• In IEC 62271-100, 3 tests are required with a symmetrical current for
each test duty, except T100 that is performed as follows
− 3 tests with symmetrical current and
− 3 tests with asymmetrical current (when interrupting asymmetrical
currents, the rate-of-rise and peak value of TRV are reduced but the
energy in the arc is higher).
• In IEEE Std C37.09
− for each test duty T10, T30, T60: 2 tests are required with
symmetrical current and 1 test with asymmetrical current.
− test duty T100 is performed as in IEC

Terminal Fault TRV
Testing
• During testing, the envelope of the test TRV (in red) must be equal or
higher than the specified TRV envelope (in blue).
U
(kV) A C
Envelope of prospective test TRV
uc
Prospective test TRV
B
u1
Reference line of specified TRV
u'
Delay line of specified TRV
0 td t' t1 t2 t (µs)
This procedure is justified as it allows to compare TRVs in the two

regions where a restrike is likely: during the initial part of the TRV where
the RRRV is maximum and in the vicinity of the peak voltage (uc).

Terminal Fault TRV
Initial TRV
• In a network, the initial part of the TRV may have a high-frequency

oscillation of small amplitude.
• This ITRV (Initial Transient Recovery Voltage) is due to reflections
from the first major discontinuity along the busbar.
• It may influence the thermal phase of interruption.
• In most cases the ITRV withstand capability is proven during short-line-
fault tests.
More information is given in the chapter dedicated to ITRV

Terminal fault
TRV & Arcing Times

Terminal Fault TRV & Arcing Time
Arcing time
1,5
Contacts separation
1
Current Interruption at 2nd

passage through zero
0,5
Arcing time = 13 ms
0 0,005 0,01 0,015 0,02 0,025 0,03 0,035 0,04 0,045 0,05
Time
-0,5
1st passage
through zero
-1
-1,5

Terminal Fault TRV & Arcing Times
In the case of periodic 1,5
phenomena, durations
can be expressed in 1
milliseconds or in
electrical degrees. 0,5 10 ms
For a system frequency
of 50 Hz, the duration of 0
0 0,002 0,004 0,006 0,008 0,01 0,012 0,014 0,016 0,018 0,02
one half loop is 10 ms, it
corresponds to 180° el., it -0,5
follows that 18° el. = 1ms

For a system frequency -1
of 60 Hz the duration of
one half loop is 8.33 ms -1,5
so 18° el. = 0.83 ms One period at 50 Hz

Current
Arcing time
1st pole
Arcing time
last poles
One period (360°) at 60Hz is 16.7 ms last poles

Contacts 1st pole
One period (360°) at 50Hz is 20 ms separation clears clear
Minimum & Maximum Arcing Times
• Case 1: Reference case with contact separation at 29.67ms
Example
three-phase
fault
interruption
Fr = 50 Hz
Pole 3
interrupts first
Arcing time
pole 3 = 8.4ms
(minimum arcing
time)
System with non-effectively grounded neutral

• Case 2: Contact separation advanced by 3.33ms (60°) = 26.34ms
Arcing time
pole 1 = 8.4ms
Pole 1 interrupts
first with the same
arcing time as in
Case 1 by pole 3
i.e. same breaking
conditions in
terms of arcing
times

• Case 3: Contact separation advanced by 2.33ms (42°) = 27.34ms

Arcing time pole 1
= 15.7ms
= 8.4ms + 7.3ms
= 8.4ms + 132°
maximum arcing
time
Pole 3 interrupts
first with the
longest arcing
time for a first
pole to clear
Arcing time
pole 3 = 10.7ms
= 8.4ms + 42°
The range of arcing times for the first pole to clear is 42°
Three-phase faults in non-effectively

grounded systems or three-phase Example with fr = 50 Hz
ungrounded faults
20000
tarc min = 12 ms
10000
Iarc
0
Contact separation
Current (A)
-10000
18°
-20000
Iarc
-30000
Contact separation
-40000
tarc max = 19,33 ms

-50000
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Time (ms)

Minimum & Maximum Arcing Times (50Hz)
time [ms] Three-phase faults in non-

effectively grounded systems or
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
20000
Tmin = 12 ms
15000 three-phase ungrounded faults
10000
Minimum arcing time (blue
5000
Iarc phase) Tmin = 12 ms
current [A]
-5000 Contact Contact separation delayed

separation
-10000 by 18° el.
-15000 18° el. (or 1 ms)
-20000
0 5 10 15
time [ms]
20 25 30 35 40
Arcing time 1st phase (red
20000
phase) = 14.33 ms
15000
(Tmin + 60° - 18°
10000
= Tmin + 42°)
5000
Iarc Maximum arcing time (blue
current [A]
-5000
phase) = 19.33 ms
Contact
-10000 separation (14.33 ms + 90°
-15000
= Tmin + 132°)
T max = 19.33 ms
-20000

Minimum & Maximum Arcing Times (60Hz)
Three-phase faults in non-

time [ms]
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
effectively grounded systems or

20000
Tmin = 12 ms
15000
three-phase ungrounded faults
10000
5000 Minimum arcing time (blue

Iarc
current [A]
0 phase) Tmin = 12 ms
-5000 Contact
-10000
separation Contact separation delayed
by 18° el.
-15000
18° el.
-20000
(or 0.83 ms)
0 5 10 15
time [ms]
20 25 30 35 40
Arcing time 1st phase (red
20000
phase) = 13.94 ms
15000
(Tmin + 60° - 18°
10000
= Tmin + 42°)
5000
Iarc
current [A]
0 Maximum arcing time

-5000 (blue phase) = 18.1 ms
Contact
-10000 separation (13.94 ms + 90°
-15000
T max = 18.1 ms
= Tmin + 132°)
-20000

Terminal Fault Arcing times
Three-Phase Short-Circuit Current Interruption
Three-phase fault in network with isolated neutral (Ur < 245kV)
Current
A B
ER
ES
ET
Contact
separation
Time
Interruption of current in a first pole, followed ¼ cycle later by
interruption of the two other poles in series
Breaking Tests HV Circuit-Breakers – Denis Dufournet

Terminal Fault Arcing Times
Three-Phase Short-Circuit Current Interruption
Three-phase fault in network with effectively grounded
neutral (Ur ≥ 245kV)
Voltages Currents
A B
ER
ES
ET
Contact
separation
The three poles interrupt at separate current zeros with

different arcing times
Breaking Tests HV Circuit-Breakers – Denis Dufournet

Arcing Times and TRVs / Fr = 60 Hz
Three-phase faults in
0.87 non-effectively grounded
systems or three-phase
90° ungrounded faults
Maximum arcing time

0.87 = Tmin + 132°
1.5 = Tmin + 6.1 ms
Currents TRVs (pole factor)

1.27 effectively grounded
systems
120°
Maximum arcing time
= Tmin + 162°
= Tmin + 7.5 ms
1.3 1.0
Arcing Times and TRVs / Fr = 50 Hz
0.87 non-effectively grounded
systems or three-phase
90° ungrounded faults
Maximum arcing time

0.87 = Tmin + 132°
1.5 = Tmin + 7.3 ms
Currents TRVs (pole factor)

1.27 effectively grounded
systems
120°
Maximum arcing time
= Tmin + 162°
= Tmin + 9 ms
1.3 1.0
Pole to clear factor
Arcing time
° el.
Reference = Minimum arcing time first pole Minimum arcing time + 180° -18°
Terminal Fault TRV & Arcing Times at 60Hz
Pole to clear factor Arcing times in ms FR = 60 Hz
Arcing time
° el.
0 1.95 3.55 4.15 5.5 6.1 7.5 ms
5.55
Reference = Minimum arcing time first pole to clear
Single-phase "umbrella" test with

Pole to clear factor kpp=1.3
Increased
stress
° el.
Reference = Minimum arcing time first pole Minimum arcing time + 180° -18°
1,5
Contacts separation
Current
0,5
Single-phase tests
Minimum arcing time
= 13 ms
with minimum &

0
0 0,005 0,01 0,015 0,02 0,025 0,03 0,035 0,04 0,045 0,05
Time
maximum arcing time

-0,5
-1
-1,5
1,5
Contacts separation
Current
Mximum arcing time = 22 ms
0,5
= 13 ms + 10 ms - 1 ms
= 13ms + 180° el. - 18° el.
0 0,005 0,01 0,015 0,02 0,025 0,03 0,035 0,04 0,045 0,05
Example with F=50Hz -0,5

Time
restrike with arcing

time 12 ms
-1
-1,5

Terminal Fault TRV
Generator Circuit Breakers

Generator Circuit Breakers TRV
• Special TRV requirements are applicable for generator circuit breakers

installed between a generator and a transformer.
• Two types of faults need to be considered

A1 System-source fault B1 Generator-source fault

• For the two types of fault, the TRV has an oscillatory waveshape and
the first-pole-to-clear factor is 1.5 in order to cover three-phase
ungrounded faults.
• TRV parameters, i.e. peak voltage uc, rate-of-rise (RRRV) and time
delay, are listed in ANSI/IEEE C37.013.
TRV for system-source faults
• RRRV for system-source faults is 3 to 5 times higher than the value
specified for distribution or sub-transmission circuit breakers ANSI/IEEE
C37.04.
This is due to the fact that the TRV frequency is dominated by the
natural frequency of the step-up transformer.
• IEEE has defined TRV parameters in several ranges of transformer
rated power.

• TRV parameters for System-Source Faults

Table 5a– TRV parameters for system - source faults
Inherent TRV
Transformer
Rating T2 -Time to - Peak E2 -Peak Voltage TRV Rate
(MVA) (µs) (kV) (kV / µs)
Line Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
1 10 - 50 0.68 V 1.84 V 3.2
2 51 - 100 0.62 V 1.84 V 3.5
3 101 - 200 0.54 V 1.84 V 4.0
4 201 - 400 0.48 V 1.84 V 4.5
5 401 - 600 0.43 V 1.84 V 5.0
6 601 - 1000 0.39 V 1.84 V 5.5
7 1001 or more 0.36 V 1.84 V 6.0

• TRV for system-source faults (Cont’d)

In IEEE C37.013-1993, the WG introduced time t3 (coming from IEC) to
define precisely the determination of the TRV rate.
E2 is equal to 1.84 V where V is

the rms value of the rated
maximum voltage and the value
1.84 is equal to
2 x 1.5 (= first-pole-to-clear-
3
factor) x 1.5 (= amplitude factor)
t3 E2
T2  
0.85 0.85  TRV rate

TRV for system-source faults (Cont’d)

• The RRRV can be significantly reduced if a capacitor is installed
between the circuit breaker and the transformer. It is also reduced in
the special cases where the connection between the circuit breaker
and the transformer(s) is made by cable(s) [29].
TRV RATE FOR SYSTEM FED FAULTS TRANSFORMER 50MVA<<=100MVA
3,6
3,4
3,2
TRV RATE (kV/µs)
81MVA
100MVA
2,8
2,6
65,5MVA
2,4
2,2
2
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
CABLE CAPACITANCE (pF)

TRV for system-source faults (Cont’d)

• When a capacitance is added between the circuit breaker and the
step-up transformer, the TRV peak is increased (explanation: see
general considerations).
E2 MULTIPLIER FOR SYSTEM FED FAULTS TRANSFORMER 50MVA<<=100MVA
TRV peak 1,3
increase (p.u.)
1,25
65.5 MVA
E2 MULTIPLIER (p.u.)
1,2
81 MVA
1,15
100 MVA
1,1
1,05
Capacitance
1 (pF)
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
CABLE CAPACITANCE (pF)

• TRV for generator-source faults

RRRV for generator-source faults is roughly 2 times the values
specified for distribution or sub-transmission circuit breakers.
“Table 6a – TRV parameters for generator - source faults
Inherent TRV
Generator
Rating T2 -Time - to – Peak E2 -Peak Voltage TRV Rate
(MVA) (µs) (kV) (kV / µs)
Line Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
1 10 - 50 1.44 V 1.84 V 1.5
2 51 - 100 1.35 V 1.84 V 1.6
3 101 - 400 1.20 V 1.84 V 1.8
4 401 - 800 1.08 V 1.84 V 2.0
5 801 or more 0.98 V 1.84 V 2.2

• TRV in case of asymmetrical currents

− Due to the large time constants of generators and transformers
(high X/R), generator circuit breakers are required to interrupt
currents with a high percentage of dc component (high asymmetry).
− The rate-of rise and peak value of TRV during interruption of
currents with large asymmetry are significantly reduced.
− In this case, the stress is mainly due to the current amplitude and
the energy in the arc (mechanical and thermal stresses), and to a
lesser extent to the TRV.
− The more severe TRV stress is obtained during interruption of
symmetrical currents.

Terminal Fault TRV / Summary
• First-pole-to-clear factor
− Effectively earthed systems kpp = 1.3 (1.2 for UHV)
− Non-effectively earthed systems kpp = 1.5
• Rating
− TRV with 2 or 4 parameters
− Classes S1 and S2 for rated voltages < 100 kV
• Testing circuit breakers ≥ 100 kV
− RRRV: 7 – 5 – 3 – 2 kV/µs for resp. T10, T30, T60, T100s
− Interrupting window: 162° (kpp = 1.3) or 132° (kpp = 1.5)
• Generator circuit breakers higher RRRV for T100s

Short-Line-Fault (SLF)

Introduction
• The severity of SLF with its associated very fast rate-of-rise-of-

recovery-voltage (RRRV) was identified at the end of the 1950’s.
• First SLF tests were performed in 1956-1958 in the USA (G.E.), also
at Mettlen substation (CH), Fontenay (EDF High Power Laboratories)
and CESI. The aim was to compare theoretical studies and
experiments.
• The first published paper on SLF is considered to be by W.F. Skeats,
C.H. Titus, W.R. Wilson (G.E.) in Transactions AIEE, submitted in
April 1957 and published in February 1958.
• In Europe, a paper by Michel Pouard (EDF) was published in the
Bulletin de la Société Française des Electriciens in Nov. 1958.

Introduction
Paper in Power Apparatus and Test laboratory line used by General

Systems, Part III, Transactions of Electric in 1957 to test air-blast
the American Institute of circuit-breakers. It was 1.6km long,
Electrical Engineers. Publication short-circuit power of the source was
in February 1958 50kA under 31kV.

Introduction
• During the general meetings of CIGRE, SLF was first mentioned

during the session of 1958.
Two reports were presented during the CIGRE session of 1960 (by
France and Switzerland).
• IEC introduced for the first time short-line-fault (SLF) requirements
in 1971.
• SLF TRVs were introduced also in ANSI/IEEE C37.072 in 1971.

Introduction
• The requirement of a SLF interrupting capability had and still has a

great influence on the design of high-voltage circuit breakers.
It was already the case with air blast type that had to be fitted with
opening resistors for SLF interruption.
• SLF is also a critical test duty for SF6 type circuit breakers.
Sufficient pressure build-up and mass flow rate are necessary for SF6
circuit breakers to interrupt at current zero.

• Short-line faults occur from a few hundred meters up to several

kilometers down the line.
− L90: short-line fault with 90% of rated short-circuit current
− L75: short-line fault with 75% of rated short-circuit current
• After current interruption, the line-side voltage exhibits a characteristic
triangular waveshape.
line
Circuit breaker
TRV, neglecting the contribution from
the supply-side
• The circuit-breaker interrupts the current, at a passage through zero,

the supply voltage and the di/dt are both maximum (in amplitude). The
voltage on the circuit-breaker terminals (U0) is a fraction of the supply
voltage Us0.
LS At the time of interruption
LL
Us0 = (LS + LL ) di/dt
line U0 = LL di/dt
Us0 U0
where di/dt is the current
derivative at current zero
Supply side
Voltage (point B) Example Ur = 245kV
Ur 2
U s0   200 kV
3
U0  90 
L90 : U 0  U s 0 1    20 kV
Line side  100 
Voltage (point C)
• As the TRV is at high frequency, the line must be treated as a

transmission line with distributed elements.
• The line side voltage oscillates as travelling waves are transmitted with
positive and negative reflections at the open breaker and at the fault,
respectively.
After current interruption

The supply voltage varies
much more slowly than the
line-side voltage Supply side
voltage (point B)
The TRV is mainly due to the
voltage variation on the line
side.
Line-side
voltage (point C)
• Supply-side and line-side voltages
Current
Supply-side voltage
Um
t
U=0 Uo
UL Line-side voltage
Um: supply voltage at the time of interruption

Uo: voltage on circuit breaker terminals at the time of interruption
Example L75: Ur = 245kV : Um= 200 kV, Uo= 50 kV, UL= 80 kV

SLF / Evolution of Line Voltage
Voltage profile at current zero (t=0),

Voltage decreases linearly towards 0 at the fault point
It is considered to be sum of two voltage waves moving in opposite directions.
TL = Travel time for wave to travel from one end of line to the other and back.

Traveling waves that

reach the fault point are
reflected with an opposite
polarity.
Traveling waves that

reach the open point, at
the circuit breaker
terminal, are reflected
with the same polarity.
Voltage at any location

on the line is the sum of
each component.


Voltage on the line after current interruption

VOLTAGE (p.u.)
2
tL/4 0.5 tL 3 tL/4 tL 1.5 tL

0
TIME
Voltage at x = 0.75 L
Voltage half-way
to the fault x = 0.5 L Voltage at circuit-breaker
-2 Terminal x = 0

Voltage on Circuit Breaker line-side terminal

Line side Voltage
(p.u.)
1,5
0,5
0
0 0,25 0,5 0,75 1 1,25 1,5 1,75 2
-0,5
-1
-1,5
Time / TL
Damping is neglected, in practice at time TL voltage is -0.6 to -0.8 p.u.

SLF TRV
Voltage (kV)
TRV Supply voltage
Line voltage
Time (µs)

SLF / RRRV
• The rate-of-rise of recovery voltage (RRRV) on the line side is function

of the slope of current before interruption and of the surge impedance
of the line:
du di
RRRV  Z ZI 2sI
dt dt
L
Z Z is the surge impedance of the line (450 ohm)
C
L and C are respectively the self inductance and the capacitance of the
line per unit length
I fault current (kA)
at 50 Hz Z  2  0.2 10 6
ω pulsation
s multiplier = 0.20 (f = 50Hz) or 0.24 (f = 60 Hz), du/dt in kV/µs

SLF / Line Surge Impedance
• Assumptions: conductors of infinite length, the electrical field and magnetic field
do not penetrate the ground.
• Self surge impedance
D = 2 h with h = height of line r = radius of conductor
Ln = natural logarithm µ0 = magnetic constant = 4π×10−7 H/m
= electric constant = 8.854×10−12 F/m
L D  2h
with
Z  60 Ln    60 Ln   (1)
C  
r  r 
• Mutual surge impedance (ZM) between 2 conductors is given by (1) where D is
the distance between one conductor and the image of the other conductor, and r
represents the distance between the two conductors (see next slide).
• A matrix equation is done in case of multi-conductors circuits with self and
mutual couplings. Modal analysis done by digital calculations gives the relevant
modes of travelling waves (see Annex C in [39] and [47]).
• Distances to consider for mutual surge impedance calculation
d12 Bundle 2
Bundle 1 Bundle 3
D12
Ground
D 
Z M 12  60 Ln  12 
 d12 
Image of bundle of conductors 2

• Factors that influence the surge impedance

− Geometry of a conductor
− Arrangement of the conductors in relation to the towers and the ground
(single or double circuits..)
− Frequency of the TRV: Z decreases by 4% when the frequency increases
from 1 to 100 kHz.
− In case of bundled conductors, they can clash if the current is high enough.
The surge impedance is higher after conductor clashing and reach the
value for a single conductor: 450 Ω.
− Line height: the surge impedance of lines increases with the conductor
height above ground.
− Earth resistivity: the surge impedance increases by 5.7% at 1kHz and
3.2% at 100 kHz when earth resistivity changes from 10 to 1000 Ω-m.
− Tower footing resistance: if it rises from 0 to 10 Ω the surge impedance
increases by about 2%.
Short-line-fault
• Percentage of SLF (or M)
V VLG
I S  LG IL 
XS XS  XL

Short-line-fault
• The transmission line parameters are given in terms of the effective

surge impedance ( Zeff) of the faulted line and a peak factor (d)
uL
d
uO
uO
uL
u L  Z eff  di / dt  2  / v Z eff
d  2
uo    X L  I L 2 XL v
XL is the line reactance per unit length
v is the velocity of light (0.3 km/µs),  is the line length
 is 2   system power frequency (314 or 377 rad/s for 50 or 60 Hz)

SLF / Voltage at Current Zero
U0  X L  IL
US  X S  IS
U0 IL  M  IS
US XS
M
XS  XL
or M  X L  X S  M  X S
U0  X L  M  IS
U0  X S  M  X S   IS
U 0  1  M   X S  I S  1  M   U S
U 0  1  M   U S

SLF / Line-side Contribution to TRV
• The rated values for the line surge impedance Z and the peak factor
d are defined in standards as follows:
Z  450  d  U L / U 0  1.6
• The line side voltage contribution to TRV is defined as a triangular
wave as follows (where IS is the rated short-circuit current) :
2 du di
U L  1.6 (1  M ) Ur Z  Z  M IS 2
3 dt dt
the first peak UL decreases when M increases
the rate-of-rise of recovery voltage increases with M
• There is a critical value of the short-line-fault current for which the
circuit breaker has more difficulty to interrupt.
• The critical value of M is close to 90% for SF6 circuit breakers
(generally in the range 90%-95%). it is between 75% and 80% for
air blast circuit breakers.
Short-line-fault
• The following Table gives the comparison of current and voltage

stresses during test duties L90 and L75, respectively at 90% and 75%
of rated short-circuit current, for a circuit-breaker 245kV 40kA 50Hz.
• The current and RRRV are higher during L90, but the (first) peak
voltage is higher during L75.
• In practice, L90 is usually the most severe test duty.
L90 L75
Current (kA) 36 30
RRRV (kV/µs) 7.2 6
UL (kV) 32 80
RRRV: rate of rise of recovery voltage UL= first peak voltage

Voltage on the line side only is considered

SLF / Comparison of Test Duties
140
120
L60
Ur = 245kV
4.8 kV/µs
100 Isc = 40kA
80
fr = 50Hz
U (kV)
L75
6 kV/µs
60
40
L90
7.2 kV/µs
20
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
T (µs)
When current decreases (longer line), the slope decreases but the peak
value increases. It is generally considered that for SF6 circuit breakers
interruption is more influenced by the voltage slope (RRRV).

Short-line-fault
• The TRV seen by the circuit breaker is the sum of a contribution

from the line side (eL) and a contribution from the supply side (eS):
e  e L  eS
with (in a first approximation)
eS  2 M (TL  t d )
where
2M = RRRV (T100) x M = 2 kV/µs x M
TL is the time to peak of the line side TRV
td is the time delay of TRV on the source side

Short-line-fault
• Example of calculation of SLF TRV : L90 245 kV 50 kA 50 Hz

Fault current = 0.9 x 50 = 45 kA (assuming time delay tdL= 0 µs)

Short-line-fault
• This rate-of-rise of TRV during SLF is much higher than the values
that are met during terminal fault interruption:
RRRV I F
Test duty
(kV/µs) (kA) (Hz)
SLF
10.8 45 60
L90 50 kA
SLF
9 45 50
L90 50 kA
SLF
8.64 36 60
L90 40 kA
Terminal fault
3 30 50/60
T60
Terminal fault
2 50 50/60
T100
For SLF, this table gives the RRRV of the line side voltage

SLF / Line Characteristics
• Standard values of lines characteristics for SLF
IEC values are shown, ANSI/IEEE values cover rated voltages up to 800kV
Short-Line-Fault
Influence of an Additional Capacitor

SLF / Influence of an Additional Capacitor
• The SLF performance can be increased by adding a capacitor, either

between terminals or phase to ground (see figure).
• A capacitor has two effects:
− it decreases the oscillation frequency and the RRRV of the line
side contribution to TRV;
− it increases the time delay of the line side contribution to TRV.
XS XL
C.B.
VLG

60
[ kV ]
50
40
30
1 2 3
20
10
0
0 4 8 12 16 [ u s] 20
(file t r v 2 .pl4 ; x - v ar t ) v :P 0 0 v :P 1 v :P 4 v :P 1 0
TRV without TRV with capacitor

capacitor (capacitance increase from 1 to 3)

− Equation of the line-side contribution to TRV up to the first peak:

e(t )  Z (di / dt ) t  Z C  Z C e  t / Z C 
− If the capacitor is connected phase to ground on the line side, the
reduction of the line side RRRV can be estimated by a simple
calculation, as detailed in the next slide, with
Cadd additional line-to-ground capacitance;
L line inductance;
Z line surge impedance;
CL total line capacitance = L/Z2;
Ce equivalent line capacitance: capacitance which, together
with the inductance L, gives the line frequency of oscillation

1
− By definition of Ce fL 
2 LCe
2u *L
− The period of oscillation is equal to with u *L  2 X L  I L 2
 du 
 du   
and    Z    I L 2  dt  L
 dt  L
Z 
− It follows that fL 
4X L
and 4L 4 CL
Ce  2  2  0.4 CL
 Z 2

If an additional capacitance is added at the line entrance, the RRRV on
the line side is reduced in the same manner as the line frequency of
oscillation.

− The RRRV on the line side is then
du 2 LCe
 Z   IL
dt 2 L(Ce  Cadd )
du Ce
 Z   IL
dt Ce  Cadd
du CL
 Z   IL 2
dt C L  2.5 Cadd

Short-Line-Fault
Influence of an Opening Resistor

SLF / Breaking with Opening Resistor
• Some circuit breakers, mainly air-blast, have an opening resistor to

assist a short-circuit interruption.
• It was introduced to improve the SLF breaking capability of air-blast
circuit breakers, but it has been used also to facilitate the interruption
of fast TRVs by some SF6 circuit breakers.

SLF / Breaking with Opening Resistor
• In case of SLF, the RRRV (or du/dt) is modified as follows:
du Z  R di Z  R
  I 2
dt Z  R dt Z  R
where R = value of opening resistor

Z = line surge impedance
I = short-circuit current

Short-Line--Fault TRV / Summary
• Very fast RRRV (rate-of-rise of recovery voltage)

− Product of fault current derivative by surge impedance
− Standard value of surge impedance = 450 Ω
• Triangular waveshape due to travelling waves
• Test duties L90 and L75 (+ L60 is some cases)
− Single-phase tests that cover all SLF conditions
• SLF performance improved by
− additional capacitor (or opening resistor)

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Transient Recovery Voltages (TRVs)

for High-Voltage Circuit Breakers

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 2

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 3

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 4

• The TRV is a decisive parameter that limits the interrupting capability

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 6

• TRV Studies by International Working Groups

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 7

• A.Greenwood, Electrical Transients in Power Systems. (book) 2nd

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 8

• A.Janssen, D.Dufournet, “Travelling Waves at Line Fault Clearing and

• Denis Dufournet, Joanne (Jingxuan) Hu, High-Voltage Circuit

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 9

• IEC 62271-100, High-Voltage Circuit-Breakers (2012-09)

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 10

• In the second edition of IEC 56 published in 1954, the TRV, defined as

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 11

• In the fourth edition of IEC 56, published in 1987, a first-pole-to-clear

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 12

• Further Harmonization of TRVs between IEC and IEEE lead

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 13

• The recovery voltage is the voltage which appears across the

TRANSIENT RECOVERY RECOVERY

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 15

• Current Interruption Process in SF6 Circuit Breakers

Two contacts are

Simulation arc interruption

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 16

• Later, the voltage withstand is function of the dielectric withstand

The breaking operation is successful if the circuit breaker is able to

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 18

• The nature of the TRV is dependent on the circuit being interrupted,

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 19

TRV during inductive current breaking

Note: voltage polarity not respected on Figure

TRV and recovery voltage in resistive, inductive

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 21

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 22

• Fault interruptions are often considered to produce the most onerous

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 23

Real network Equivalent circuit

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 24

− The TRV in the parallel RLC circuit is oscillatory (under-damped) if

Damping of the oscillatory TRV is provided by R, as R is in parallel

• Reflection from end of lines

These traveling waves are

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 27

• By definition, all TRV values defined in the standards are inherent,

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 28

Capacitive current interruption: recovery voltage has a (1 – cos) waveshape

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 30

Contact separation Final current interruption

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 32

• Two cases can be distinguished, depending on when the restrike

− When it is less than 1/4 of a cycle after current interruption: it is

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 33

• Special case of series capacitor switching by by-pass switches

− By-pass switches must be able to withstand the reinsertion voltage

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 34

• Special case of series capacitor switching

− Several transient reinsertion voltage

TRV HV Circuit Breakers P 35

Circuit with capacitive and inductive A