302 Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 7 No.

1, January 1992

MODELING OF METAL OXIDE SURGE ARRESTERS

IEEE WORKING GROUP 3.4.11

APPLICATION OF SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICES COMMITTEE

Abstract: Working Group 3.4.11 on Surge Arrester surge arrester location and insulation coordination
Modeling has reviewed a number of ways to model studies.
metal-oxide arresters. Lab test data of metal-oxide
arrester discharge voltage and currents available to the The goal of the group has been to find a mathematical
working group have indicated that metal-oxide arresters model that will adequately produce these effects without
have dynamic characteristics that are significant for requiring s o much computing time that other aspects of
studies involving lightning and other fast-front surges, system modeling would have to be sacrificed or
A model is described which will give an appropriate compromised. The effort has been primarily directed
voltage response for a current surge which has a toward station class arresters; however, the concepts
time-to-crest anywhere in the range of 0 . 5 us to 45 u s . would be the same for other classes of metal-oxide
The paper presents a method for generating the arresters. Also, the working group has concentrated on
parameters of the model from published manufacturer’s modeling gapless metal-oxide arresters and not arresters
data. with a shunt or series gap. This emphasis was due to
the increasing popularity of gapless arresters.
Key Words: Modeling, Metal-Oxide Arrester, Lightning,
Frequency-Dependent Model, Insulation The dynamic effects tend to become significant for
Coordination current waves which peak in the range of 8 us and
faster. Data available to the working group and
relevant to the tasks undertaken contain current waves
INTRODUCTION which peak as fast as 0 . 5 u s . Nanosecond data has not
been sought or considered because of the difficulties in
Working Group 3.4.11 on Surge Arrester Modeling making reliable measurements in this time frame [2-51.
Techniques was formed in 1971 by the IEEE Surge For currents with times to crest in the range of 0 . 5 us
Protective Devices Committee’s subcommittee on the to 4 us or less, any stray inductance in the measurement
Application of Surge Protective Devices, Initial circuit can result in the measurement of higher arrester
efforts of the working group were directed toward discharge voltages than would actually be produced by
obtaining a model of gap-type silicon-carbide arresters the arrester. This type of measurement error tends to
valid for switching-surge studies. Results of this work make the dynamic effects mentioned above more
were presented at the 1981 Power Engineering Society pronounced. The most recent data collected by the
Winter Meeting [l]. That paper suggested that an working group (see Appendix A) indicates that the
active-gap silicon-carbide arrester could be modeled as arrester discharge voltage for a given discharge current
a time-dependent voltage, initiated by gap sparkover, in magnitude is increased by only approximately 6% as the
series with a non-linear voltage versus current ( V - I ) time to crest of the current is reduced from 8 us to 1.3
characteristic. The paper also suggested a logical us. Earlier data indicated an increase o f approximately
study procedure for determining if insulation levels are 12%.
protected satisfactorily.
Another phenomenon which occurs when the time-to-crest
Since 1981 the working group has been gathering data on of arrester discharge currents becomes shorter than
Khe characteristics of metal-oxide surge arresters. approximately 4 us is that of voltage spikes. These are
Analysis of this data suggested that switching-surge voltage peaks on the front of the arrester discharge
studies could be performed by representing metal-oxide voltage waveform which can sometimes exceed the
arresters only with their non-linear V-I subsequent discharge voltage level for the arrester.
characteristics. However, the test data that the The magnitudes of these spikes are increased by any
working group has been able to obtain indicates that stray inductonce in the measuring loops. The spike can
metal-oxide arresters have dynamic (or frequency- be minimized by placing the voltage divider used in th;
dependent) characteristics that are significant for measurement circuit in a coaxial arrangement within the
lightning and other fast wavefront surges. The metal-oxide block [ 2 ] . There is no consistent agreement
significant dynamic characteristics are that the voltage in recent technical literature [ 2 - 5 1 concerning the
across a metal-oxide arrester increases as the time to realistic magnitude of these spikes. There is some
crest of the arrester current decreases and that the evidence, however, that when careful measurements are
arrester voltage reaches a peak before the arrester made, the spike does not exceed the subsequent discharge
current reaches its peak. This would not be the case if voltage for currents cresting in 0.5 us or more [ 2 ] .
the metal-oxide valve element performed strictly as a Therefore, the working group has not tried to obtain a
non-linear resistance. The working group believes that model which will reproduce the spike.
the dynamic effects are significant condiderations for
The effort by the working group was limited to modeling
metal-oxide arresters only. Other system parameters
91 WM 012-5 PWRD A paper recommended and approved such as arrester leads and separation distances are also
by the IEEE Surge Protective Devices Committee of important in studies with lightning and other
the IEEE Power Engineering Society for presentation fast-wavefront surges. The users of the arrester models
at the IEEE/PES 1991 Winter Meeting, New York. described in this paper also need to take these other
New York, Februarv 3-7, 1991. Manuscript ’
parameters into account.
September 4, 1990- made available for printing
January 2 2 , 1991. MODELING EFFORTS

When specifying a metal-oxide arrester model for a

study, the accuracy of the simulation is improved when
the arrester characteristic is chosen to be consistent
with the frequency or time-to-crest of the voltage and
0885-8977/91/$3.0001992 EEEE

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 303
current expected during system perturbations. This
concept is key to modeling because as mentioned
previously, metal-oxide arresters are frequency-
dependent devices, i.e., the voltage across the arrester
is a function of both the rate of rise and the magnitude
of the current conducted by the arrester. In order to
obtain metal-oxide arrester characteristics for a wide
range of waveshapes (lightning to temporary
overvoltages), a number of different current test
waveshapes have been used. Several test waves have been
defined by ANSI C62.11 while others have not. The use
of a simple nonlinear V-I characteristic which is
derived from test data with appropriate times to crest
would be adequate in the absence of a frequency- K
dependent model.

In searching for a frequency-dependent model, the

working group tried to account for the variation of
arrester voltage with time to crest of arrester current
by adding an inductance in series with a non-linear
characteristic. This approach had some merit because
the voltage across the inductance, and hence across the
arrester, would increase as the time to crest of the
current decreased. A variation of this model included
the addition of a shunt capacitance to the non-linear
resistance. However, the shunt capacitance had a
negligible effect on the results of the model. This
type of model had some success in matching a particular
test result. For example, an inductance could be chosen
for the model such that it gave a reasonably good match
of the voltage magnitude and waveshape for an arrester
discharge current which reached its crest in 8 us.
However, when the same inductance and other model
parameters were used for an arrester discharge current
which reached its crest in 2 us, the voltage magnitude
was in error by a significant amount. Different
parameters could be chosen for the model such that good
results could be obtained for the voltage corresponding
to an arrester current reaching its crest in 2 us.
However, if the time to crest of the current differed
very much from 2 us, the resulting voltage was in error.
Hence, it became apparent that a more sophisticated
model would be required if it were to be used to
represent the response of an arrester to currents with a
wide range of times to crest.
The next model considered by the working group is
referred to as the frequency-dependent model [6]. For
this model the non-linear V - I characteristic of an
arrester is represented with two sections of nonlinear
resistance designated A, and A1 as shown in Figure 1.
The two sections are separated by an R - L filter. For
slow-front surges, this R - L filter has very little
impedance and the two non-linear sections of the model
are essentially in parallel. For fast-front surges the
impedance of the R - L filter becomes more significant.
This results in more current in the non-linear section
designated A, than in the section designated Al. Since
characteristic A, has a higher voltage for a given
current than A1 (see Figure 2), the result is that the
-
Figure 2 V- I Relatlonshlps for Non-Linear
Redstor Part of Model
arrester model generates a higher voltage. Since
metal-oxide arresters have a higher discharge voltage
for fast-front surges, the model matches the overall
behavior of a metal-oxide arrester. More sophisticated
versions of this model can be made by adding more
sections of non-linear resistance separated by R - L
filters. However, only the two-section model was
investigated by the working group, because it gave good
correlation with lab-test data. The primary difficulty
with this type of model lies in choosing the parameters
of the model. This aspect will be discussed later in
the paper.
RECOMMENDED MODEL FOR TEMPORARY OVERVOLTAGE AND
SWITCHING-SURGE STUDIES
One objective of a transient study is to evaluate the
performance of metal-oxide arresters during temporary
and switching-surge overvoltages on the system. A
metal-oxide arrester model suitable for such studies
would be a nonlinear resistance with characteristics
which can be derived from a low frequency test wave
consisting of a half sinusoid with a 1 ms time to crest.
This test wave is designated as the "1 ms wavefront".
An example of a 1 ms wavefront characteristic for a
metal-oxide disk is shown in Figure 3 and should be used
in system simulations involving temporary overvoltages
and slow switching surges (e.g., switching a large
capacitor bank in the absence of other banks). In this
context, temporary overvoltages refer to overvoltages
with durations of one second or less which produce
arrester currents of one ampere or more. If arrester
currents and overvoltage durations are outside of this
range, the model may not be adequate. The
characteristics shown in Figure 3 are for example only.
Data should be obtained from manufacturers for use in
modeling.
kV
10

1
6J
1
, , ,, .,..,
10
, ,,, .....
100
, , , ,,,,.,
(WO
, , , ,,d
1
-

Amperes

A . Mlnlmum J(U80 us B - Maxlmum 36/90 us

-
c Minlmum 1 M D . Madmum 1 ms

Figure 1 - Frequency-Dependent Model -

Figure 3 Examples of Metal Oxlde Dlsk Chamcterlatlca
lncludlng Manufacturing Tolerances

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304

Similarly, the switching-surge characteristic of metal L1 = 15d/n microhenries

oxide arresters is obtained by applying a current wave RI = 65d/n ohms
with an actual time to crest between 45 to 60 us.
Figure 3 also shows the voltage-current relationship for
a 36x90 us current wave and is appropriate for analyzing Where d is the estimated height of
arrester operations which involve the switching of the arrester in meters (use overall
transmission lines. Note that the discharge voltage of dimensions from catalog data)
the arrester is higher for switching-surge situations as n is the number of parallel
compared to the characteristic for temporary columns of metal oxide in the arrester
overvoltages.
The inductance Lo in the model represents the inductance
An additional consideration when evaluating the associated with magnetic fields in the immediate
performance of metal-oxide arresters is to recognize vicinity of the arrester. The resistor Ro is used to
that there are manufacturing tolerances associated with stabilize the numerical integration when the model is
the actual construction of the arrester. In critical implemented on a digital computer program. The
arrester applications, the effects of manufacturing capacitance C represents the terminal-to-terminal
tolerances should be addressed. The arrester capacitance of the arrester.
characteristic with the maximum voltage for a given
current should be used in the computation of protective Lo = 0.2d/n microhenries
ratios because such a model yields the most conservative Ro = 100d/n ohms
assessment of the protective ratio. On the other hand, C = 100n/d picofarads
the lower voltage-current curve should be considered for
situations where the discharge energy duty of the The non-linear V-I characteristics A0 and A1 can be
arrester needs to be maximized. estimated from the per unitized curves given in Figure
2.
The final consideration for arrester modeling in
switching studies is to define the arrester model over a The efforts of the working group in trying to match
range of currents expected in the simulation. For model results to the laboratory test data have indicated
example, transmission line discharge currents are that these formulas do not always give the best
typically less than 2000 A while currents associated parameters for the frequency-dependent model. However,
with restrikes on large capacitor banks may be as high they do provide a good starting point for picking the
as 10 kA. If the current range defined in the model is parameters. An investigation was made by the working
insufficient, the arrester discharge voltage predicted group into which parameters of the model had the most
by the model will be too high and arrester duty too low. impact on the results. To accomplish this, a model
based on the preceding formulas was set up on the
In summary, for temporary overvoltages and switching- Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP M39 version).
surge studies, an arrester can be modeled by choosing an
appropriate nonlinear V-I characteristic. There is no The model represented one 76 mm diameter metal-oxide
need for a frequency-dependent model. valve block. Each of the parameters of the model (Lo,
Ro, L1, RI, and C) were varied from one tenth of the
base case value to ten times the base case value. These
RECOMMENDED MODEL FOR LIGHTNING STUDIES results indicated that parameter L1 has the most impact
while the other parameters varied had little impact.
The time to crest for surges used in lightning studies Figure 4 illustrates the impact of varying L1. This
can range from 0.5 us to several us. For a given work led to the following procedure for choosing the
current magnitude in an arrester, the voltage developed parameters of the frequency-dependent model.
across the arrester can increase by approximately 6% as
the time to crest of the current is decreased from 8 us Use the previously given formulas to derive
to 1.3 us. One approach for an arrester model for initial values for Lo, Ro, L1, RI, C , and the
lightning studies would be to use a simple non-linear non-linear characteristics A0 and Ai.
V-I characteristic based on 0.5 us discharge voltage.
This would give conservative results (higher voltages) Adjust the per unit value on the curves for
for surges with slower times to crest. However, this characteristics A0 and A 1 to get a good match for
level of conservatism may be unnecessary. The the published discharge voltages associated with
frequency-dependent model described previously will give switching surge discharge currents (time-to-crest
good results for current surges with times to crest from of approximately 45 us).
0.5 us to 40 us.
Adjust the value of L1 to get a good match of
Much data has been collected by the working group
concerning the discharge voltages for arrester valve
blocks for various current levels and times to crest. Voltage (V)
This data covered several manufacturers' valve blocks,
Some data was also obtained for the discharge voltages
of full scale arresters (588kV and 96kV duty-cycle
ratings) for various current levels and times to crest.
The frequency-dependent model was successfully used each 4wo
time to match this data. The main problem with using -
B 2 6 1 B...
C.8.U
the model was how to choose the parameters of the model, D-rlxB...

Reference 6 gives some suggested formulas for choosing

the parameters of the model based on an estimated height
of an arrester and the number of parallel columns of
metal-oxide disks. The inductance L1 and the resistance
RI of the model comprise the filter between the two
nonlinear resistances. The formulas for these two
Figure 4 - Variation of Parameter L1 for Surges
with 8 us Front (results for 75mm Disks)
parameters are:

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 305

published arrester discharge voltages for 8 x 20
us discharge currents.
The resulting parameters will give good results for
surges with times to crest in the range of 0.5 us to 4 5
us. Appendix B gives an example of the use of this
procedure.
to crest of the current decreases. The voltage will
increase by approximately 6 % as the time to crest is
decreased from 8 us to 1.3 us.
2 For discharge currents cresting in 8 us or less, the
discharge voltage reaches crest prior to the crest
of the discharge currents.

Table 1 gives an example of model results obtained by
the use of this procedure. Laboratory tests were made
of the discharge voltage of one metal-oxide valve block
for discharge currents ranging from 1kA to lOkA and
times to crest ranging from 30 us to 2 us. The model
results were within 5 % of the test data as shown by the
discharge voltage magnitudes in Table 1. Figures 5 - 8
illustrate how well the discharge waveshapes given by
the model match the waveshapes obtained in the tests.
In summary the frequency-dependentmodel has been shown
to give good results for arrester discharge voltage when
the discharge current has a time to crest in the range
of 0 . 5 to 4 5 us. Therefore, this model is recommended
for lightning studies.
3 Simple arrester models can be constructed consisting
of a non-linear V-I characteristic and an inductance
in series with it which can represent the two
effects in Conclusions 1 and 2 for a narrow range of
time to crest. Such a model would not be accurate
for times to crest outside that range.
A model was chosen which can give satisfactory
results for discharge currents with a range of times
to crest for 0.5 us to 4 5 us. A procedure for
choosing the parameters of the model is given in
this paper. Comparisons of modeling results and
test results were given to demonstrate the accuracy
of the model.

CONCLUSIONS Voltage (kV)

Current (kA)
1. The voltage developed across a metal-oxide arrester
for a given discharge current increases as the time 10.00

Voltage (kV)
Current (kA) 5.00

1
0.00 '
8.00 16.00
Microseconds
\ I
\ ::Ez /
-5.00 \ I
\e /
\ /
-
A Voltage
-
B Current -10.00
-5.00
(A) Model Results (A) Model Results

(e) Test Results (See Table 1 for Magnitudes) (6) Test Results (See Table 1 for Magnitudes)

Figure 5 - Com arision of Model Results with Test

Resuyts for 30 us lime-to-Crest, 2 kA
Figure 6 - Comparlson of Model Results with Test
Results for 8 us Time-to-Crest, 10 kA
Surge. Polarity of Current Reversed for Surge. Polarity of Current Reversed for
Clarity. Clarity.

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306

Voltage (kV)
Voltage (kV) Current (U)
Current (U)

1 A
1 A

I
I I
2.00 4.00
\ Microseconds
\

-5.00 4 \
\
-
A Voltage
-
B Current
/
/

J 21
\ /
/
/

-10.00
' /
/
/

-10.00

(A) Model Results

(A) Model Results

(6)Test Results (See Table 1 for Magnitudes)

Figure 7 - Comparision of Model Results with Test

Results for 4 us Time-to-Crest, 10 kA
( 6 ) Test Results (See Table 1 for Magnitudes)

Surge. Polarlty of Current Reversed for

Clarity. Figure 8 - Comparision of ModelResults with Test
Results for 2 - u ~Time-to-Crest, 10 kA
Surge. Polarity of Current Reversed for
Clarity.

TABLE 1 - Model Results Compared to Test Data For One Valve Block

Error REFERENCES
Peak Between
surge Test Peak Test Voltage* Model Model 61
Front Current (kA) Minimum Maximum Average Voltaae veran ne
m-
~~
1. IEEE Working Group of Surge Protective Devices
................. ............................ .......
30 us 1 6218 6366 6301 6186 -1 8%
Committee, "Modeling o f Current-Limiting Surge
Arresters", IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and
2 6458 6629 6561 6504 - 9% Systems, V o l . PAS-100, pp. 4 0 3 3 - 4 0 4 0 , August 1981.
8 us 5 7010 7191 7098 6968 -1.8%
10 7466 7647 7562 7558 0% W. Schmidt, J . Meppelink, B . Richter, K. Feser, L.
5
Kehl, D . Qui, "Behavior of MO-Surge-Arrester Blocks
4 us 7101 7281 7194 7332 1 9%
10 7609 7805 7704 7892 2 4% to Fast Transients," IEEE Transactions on Power
Delivery, Vol. 4 , No. 1 , pp. 292-300,January, 1989.
2 us 5 7175 7359 7265 7621 4 9%
10 7805 7987 7892 8105 2.7%
W. Breilmann, "Protective Characteristics of
* Note: A total of 9 different v a l v e blocks were tested
Complete Zinc-Oxide Arresters and of Single Elements
These all came from one surge arrester.

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 307

for Fast Surges," Paper 8 2 . 0 4 , Fifth International Acknowledements

Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Braunschweig,
Federal Republic of Germany, August, 1987.
The membership of W.G. 3.4.11 consists of the following
A Bargigia, M.deNigris, A. Pigini, "The Response of individuals:
Metal Oxide Resistors for Surge Arresters to Steep
Front Current Impulses," Paper 82.01, Fifth R. A. Jones - Chairman
International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering,
Braunschweig, Federal Republic of Germany, August,
1987. P. R. Clifton D. F. Goodwin
Hieu Huynh J . L. Koepfinger
C. Dang, T. Parnell, P. Price, "The Response of Glenn Grotz D. W. Lenk
Metal Oxide Surge Arresters to Steep Front Current Mike Lat Yves Latour
Impulses," IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, V o l . Frank Lembo * R. T. Leskovich
PWRD-1, No. 1 , pp. 157-163,January, 1986. D. J . Melvold Yasin Musa
Olaf Nigol Javad Adinzh
D. W . Durbak, "Zinc-oxide Arrester Model For Fast J . P. Skiutas Keith Stump -k
Surges", EMTP Newsletter, Vol. 5 No. 1 , January, Andrew Sweetana E. R. Taylor
1985. Jon Woodworth

* Past Chairman of working group

Appendix A

Test Data Gathered

Much test data was collected by the working group to from three test labs which performed tests on
determine the discharge voltage waveform for a metal-oxide blocks from another manufacturer. There is
metal-oxide arrester when subjected to discharge not sufficient space to publish all of this data.
currents of varying magnitudes and times to crest. Some Therefore, only a summary table will be given here to
of the older data was supplied by arrester manufacturers give an idea of the data that the working group used.
for their own arresters. Some of the newer data came

COMPARISON OF COLLECTED ARRESTER DATA

I. NEW DATA
36 us 1.3 us
- _____ _ _
LAB 1kA 2kA
A .833 .868
29 us
LAB 1kA 2kA
B .84 .87
30 us
LAB lOkA
C ,974
11. OLD DATA
45 us 10 us 2 us 1.1 us
MFG. ________ ..........................
A 1.5kA 3kA 1.5kA 3kA 5kA lOkA 20kA 1.5kA 3kA 5kA lOkA 20kA 1.5kA 3kA 5kA lOkA 20kA
95m .E67 .918 ,877 .933 ,973 1.00 1.055 ,904 ,947 1.00 1.043 1.179 .892 ,933 1.00 1.055 1.25
45 us
____-__- 8 us 4 us 1.3 us
MFG. -___----___------------_-----_-_______-_________---_ _____-____________________
B 1.5kA 3kA 1.5kA 3kA 5kA lOkA 20kA 1.5kA 3kA 5kA lOkA 20kA lOkA 20kA
50m ,766 .E16 ,809 .E68 ,912 1.00 1.12 .E24 ,890 .941 1.04 1.16 1.10 1.26

m. 45 us
__----_- 8 us
---_------_----_--------_- 4 us
___--_______--____________ 1.3 us
B 1.5kA 3kA 1.5kA 3kA 5kA lOkA 20kA 1.5kA 3kA 5kA
75m .82 .85 .85 .90 .95 1.0 1.11 .87 .92 .98
47 us 1 2 us
MK. ________---__ .....................
C 1.5kA 3kA lOkA 5kA lOkA 20kA 5kA lOkA 20kA
75m .E36 .874 ,989 .925 1.00 1.08 1.04 1.12 1.26

Note: Voltages are expressed in per unit of lOkA ,EX20 us voltage

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 308 Transactionson Power Delivery, Vol. 7 No.1, January 1992

Appendix B

Example of Parameter Selectlon for a Metal Oxide

Arrester Model

This section details the determination of the metal- For the above arrester, the associated V - I voltage
oxide model parameters for a one column arrester with an for a lOkA current for the nonlinear resistor, A,
overall length of 1.45 meters. The discharge voltage, , is determined by reading the "Relative IR" for a
V10, for this arrester is 248kV and the switching-surge LOkA current from Figure 2 . Examination of the
discharge voltage, V,,, is 225kV for a 3kA, 300 x lOOOus plot shows that the "Relative IR" for a 10 kA
current waveshape. current is 1.9pu. Therefore the discharge kV for
A associated with lOkA is:
.
B1.0 Arrester Information Required
Discharge kV -- [ 1.9 ] * [
294.5kV
155 ]

d - overall
length of arrester column in meters (use Other V - I points for the nonlinear characteristics
are determined in a similar manner. See Table BO
n - number
disks
dimensions from catalog data)
of parallel columns metal-oxide of for the V - I points for the nonlinear resistor A,
and Table B1 for the V-I points for the nonlinear
Vi0 - discharge voltage for a lOkA, 8 x 20uS resistor Ai. Figure B1 gives a schematic of the
current, in kV initial model.
V,, - switching-surge discharge voltage for an
associated switching-surge current, in kV
LO =o.oomo mn ~1 -0.0217smn
B2.0 Determining the Initial Parameters

B2.1 Lumped Parameter Elements

Using the equations presented previously i n this

paper, the initial values for Lo, Ro, L 1 , RI 6 C C r6.OE-5 UF

are determined as follows:

L1 = (15d)/n uH = (15*1.45)/1 = 21.75uH

RI = (65d)/n ohm = (65*1.45)/ = 94.25 ohm

Figure E1 - Initial Arrester Model
Lo = (0.2d)/n UH = (0.2*1.45)/1 = 0.29uH

Ro = (100d)/n ohm = (100*1.45)/1 = 145 ohm I Table BO I

I V-I characteristics for A, 1
C = (100n)/d pF = (100*1)/1.45 = 68.97pF I I
I k A I V(PU) I V(kV) I
B2.2 Nonlinear Resistors
1 0.01 I 1.40 1 217.0 1
1 0.1 I 1.54 I 238.7 I
I 1 I 1.68 I 260.4 I
The nonlinear resistors, A, & Ai, can be modeled 1 2 I 1.74 I 269.7 I
in the EMTP as a piecewise linear V-I curve with 1 4 I 1.80 I 279.0 I
characteristics defined point by point. The 1 6 I 1.82 I 282.1 I
number of points selected to represent the I 1.87 I 289.9 I
nonlinear resistance depends on the smoothness 1 8
I 10 1 1.90 1 294.5 I
desired. In this example, approximately a dozen I 12 1 1.93 I 299.1 I
points ranging from 10A to 2OkA were selected, I 14 I 1.97 I 305.3 I
The nonlinear resistors could also be modeled in 1 310.0 1
I 16 [ 2.00
EMTP with equations of the form I=BV? I 18 I 2.05 1 317.7 I
I 20 I 2.10 I 325.5 I
Figure 2 in the paper is used to determine the
initial characteristics of the nonlinear resistors
A, and Ai. Each of the V-I points for the
nonlinear resistors is found by selecting a I Table B1 I
current point and then reading the relative IR in 1 V-I characteristics for A1 1
pu from the plot. This value is then multiplied I I
by (V1o/l.6) to determine the model discharge I k A I V(PU) I V(kV) 1
voltage in kV for the associated current. This I 0.1 I 1.23 I 190.50 I
scaling from pu to actual voltage is done by the 1 1 I 1.36 I 210.80 I
application of the following formula to the 1 2 I 1.43 I 221.65 I
"Relative IR" pu voltage found for that current as 1 4 I 1.48 I 229.40 I
given in Figure 2: 1 6 1 1.50 1 232.50
1 8 I 1.53 I 237.15
For A,, the I 10 I 1.55 I 240.25
Discharge kV [Relative IR
= in pu for I 12 I 1.56 I 241.85
Ao(i) l*[V10/ 1.61 . I 14 I 1.58 I 244.95
Likewise for Ai, the

Discharge kV = [Relative IR in pu for

'
I
I
18
20
I
I
I
1.59
1.60
1.61
1
I
I
246.45
248.00
249.a
Ai ( i)* [Via/ 1 . 6 1

0885-8977/91/$3.0001992 IEEE

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B3.0 Adjustment of A, and A1 to Match Switching-Surge The nonlinear resistances, A, & Ai, are used to
Voltages adjust the model for correct switching-surge
voltages. This is done by adjusting the "Relative
The metal-oxide arrester model with the initial IR" pu voltages found in section B2.2 until there
parameters is tested for a match with the is a good match between the manufacturer's
switching-surge current and voltage. Figure 8 2 is switching-surge voltage and current and the model
the circuit used to inject switching-surge current test results.
into the initial model. The current injected
should be of the same magnitude and waveshape as In the example presented, injecting a 3kA, 300 x
the current used by the manufacturer to determine 1000 us current waveshape into the intital model
the switching-surge discharge voltage. Inject resulted in a 225.6kV voltage peak that was in
switching-surge test current magnitude and good agreement with the manufacturer's value of
waveshape and examine resulting peak voltage. 225 kV for the same current. No adjustment of the
nonlinear resistances, A, & Ai, was necessary in
this step. Use the values shown in Tables BO and
Currrnt I B1 for the characteristics of the nonlinear
resistances, A, & A1 in the revised model.

Modal B4.0 Adjustment of L1 to Match Vi0 Voltages

mous 1OoOus
nma I
The model with the correct nonlinear resistances,
& Ai, i s now tested to obtain a good match A,
Figure 82 - Switching Surge Test Circuit
between the manufacturers' data and the model
discharge voltages for an 8 x 20us current.
Figure B3 is a schematic of the circuit used to
Current I
inject an 8 x 20us current into the revised model.
Examine the resulting peak voltage and adjust L1
l5kA oMFin the model until it produces a good match with
the manufacturers' Vi0 voltage.
8 us 20 UB
nme For the arrester i n this example, the value of L 1
was determined by trial and error as shown in
Figure 83 - Vl0 Surge Test Table B2. Use L 1 = 0.00725mH i n the final model.
See schematic in Figure B4.

LO .o.o~oas rnn L1 -0.00725 rnn

I Run I L1 I Vi0 I difference I L1 for I
I No. I Magnitude I I from 248kV I next trial I
I I m H I k V I % I mH I
I I I I I L
I 1 I 0.02175 I 262.61 I 5.6 I 0.02175/2 I
I 2 I 0.010875 I 252.34 1 1.7 I 0.010875/2 I
I 3 I 0.0054375 I 246.37 I 0.7 I - I
I 4 1 0.00725 I 248.37 I 0.15 I - I
1 I I I I L
Figure 84 - Final Arrester Model

DISCUSSION
David W . Jackson, R. W. Beck and Associates,
Waltham. MA. This paper and t h e a s s o c i a t e d
paper 91 WM 011-7 PWRD. Computationally
E f f i c i e n t MOV Model f o r S e r i e s Compensation
Studies, provide an excellent basis for
p r e p a r i n g an I E E E A p p l i c a t i o n Guide or a
Recommended p r a c t i c e . I encourage t h e Working
Group to submit a Standards Project
A u t h o r i z a t i o n Request, and t o prepare such a
standard f o r general use b y surge p r o t e c t i o n
a p p l i c a t i o n engineers.

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