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Audit of Lightning Protection Systems in Medium and High Voltage Power

Substations

Article  in  Przeglad Elektrotechniczny · January 2010

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 X International Symposium on
Lightning Protection
9th-13th November, 2009 – Curitiba, Brazil

AUDIT OF LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS IN MEDIUM AND

HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUBSTATIONS

Ernesto Noriega Stefanov1, Favio Casas Ospina2, Manuel Briceño3,

Stefano Mangione4, Anyi Gavidia5
1
Paradise Electric Consult Ltd., Bulgaria, – E-mail: [email protected]
2
Seguridad Eléctrica Ltda., Colombia– E-mail: [email protected]
3
University of Zulia, Venezuela – E-mail: [email protected]
4
University of Palermo, Italy – E-mail: [email protected]
5
University of Zulia, Venezuela –E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract - This paper proposes a methodology to audit and 2 METHODOLOGY PROPOSED

certify lightning protection systems in any medium or high
voltage substation. The methodology deals with aspects, like The authors propose a methodology based on the
data recollection, inspection, diagnosis and verification of
following considerations:
the installed protection systems, measurements of electrical
parameters, geologic analysis and some solutions are
proposed. 1)Data recollection and analysis of the LPS.
2)Validation of the protection method applied on the
Key Words - Equipotential bonding, surges protection, substation.
grounding systems, lightning protection systems (LPS). 3) Data Recollection on the substations.
4) Physical review of all the elements intervening in
the system.
1 INTRODUCTION 5)Data recollection of the surge arresters.
· Revision of the surge arresters.
Direct lightning strokes can cause damages to the · Surge arresters diagnosis using tests.
substation transformers, measurement, control and
6)Measurement of electrical parameters.
communication equipments. In order to guarantee the
· Safety procedures.
equipments protection, a LPS is installed, which must be
diagnosed, inspected and certificated once in a while, to · Current measurement by grounding wires.
control their state. There are power substations that were · Equipotential Bonding measurement.
by many years, even decades, unsupervised. Some of · Grounding resistance measurement.
them were designed based on old standards, which do not · Earth Resistivity measurement.
agree with the present technical criteria. · Touch and step voltage measurement.
7)Analysis of the obtained measurements.
This paper has as a main purpose to propose a 8) Geologic analysis of the substation location zone.
methodology to audit and certify lightning protection 9)Solutions proposed to improve the system
systems in any medium or high voltage operative installed.
substation.

649
2.1 Data recollection and analysis of the LPS equivalent radius in case of a group of conductors,
conductors height average, basic insulation level of
The much common interception devices in substations equipments, bars height and the existing equipment in
are metallic masts or air terminations in the top of the substation, height either of the mast or the tower,
metallic structures and the use of shielding wires on height of the shielding conductors, distances between the
metallic supports. air terminations systems and the equipment and bars to
protect, separations between elements of the protection
In order to determine the nature of the grounding system, system, height differences between masts or air
the plans and original design review are very important. terminations rods and the equipment and bars to protect.

2.2 Validation of the applied protection method 2.4 Elements physical review

In order to be able of evaluate the LPS, it is necessary to In order to perform a suitable physical revision of the
compile a series of data that depend on the initial design, elements that belongs to the LPS and the grounding
such as the substation importance, ground lightning system the next recommendations must be followed:
density of the place and the degree of exposure to direct
lightning strokes. · Verify the existence of down conductors in the
structures that have shielding wires; if they do not
The methods more widely used are: exist, the thickness of the metallic structure must
be measured in order to compare its dimensions
· Empirical classic methods. Within this category with the standard.
are the method of the angle and the one of the · Verify that the interconnections between the
empirical curves. The first one uses vertical angles metallic elements that belong to the tower are the
to determine the number, position and height of right ones, creating low way impedance so that the
the shielding wires or masts. The angles are fault currents would be drained to ground in an
determined by the degree of lightning exposure, effective way.
the importance of the substation being protected · Verify that the down conductors are connected
and the physical area occupied by the substation. directly and vertically, in such a way that they
The curves determine the number, position, and have the smaller length and the most direct way to
the height of the shielding wires and masts. earth. If there are bends, the radius of any bend
· Electrogeometric model. The more used version is shall not be less than 20.3 cm (8 in) in their
the rolling sphere method. To apply this method trajectory and the angle of any bend shall not be
an imaginary sphere of radio S is rolled over the less than 90 degrees.
protective elements like terminals and ends, · Review the physical grounding grid integrity in
shielding conductors and support structures. In visual form and at points where a circulation of
order to be able to apply this method it is current is detected. In addition, the quality of the
necessary to calculate the radius S, the reason why connections, the corrosion, the type of material
it is required the transitory impedance Zs and the and its dimensions will have to be registered, also
current of probable impact. The standard [1] the state of the vertical grounding rods, their
describes how to calculate the impulse impedance material and dimensions.
under crown for each bar with different height and · The connections will have to be fixed, without
conductor type. If the sphere touches some false contacts. The connectors must not be
equipment that is desired to protect, the system corroded and must be the suitable ones. The types
must be redesigned. of connectors that establish the standards [2, 3] to
use are: exothermic weld, connectors of pressure
There are Companies that use the rolling sphere method and other connectors’ certificates.
in similar or superior voltages than 138 kV and use the · To verify that all the metallic elements are
angle method for voltages lower than 138 kV [1]. connected suitably to the grounding grid. In case
of different earthings in the place, there must be
2.3 Data collection verified the interconnection to the substation
grounding grid, guaranteeing the equipotential
In order to verify the effectiveness of the LPS the bonding of all system, in order to avoid the
following data are required: substation nominal voltage, existence of potential differences.
basic insulation level of the bars, diameter and type of the
conductor used in the bars, conductors radio or the

650
 · Verify that the ground grid must be covered by a of false contact and the installed quality of the
gravel layer of high resistivity. This gravel layer connections and the connectors installed.
delays the evaporation of the humidity, and also · Review the lightning counter of the surge arrester.
maintains the humidity for a long time in drought · Check that the surge arresters that are located at
periods. the incoming power lines are connected in
· Verify that there exists physical connection derivation instead of giving support.
between the grounding grid of the substation and · Perform the inspection with the surge arrester out
the fence located around it. of service. In case of some metal oxide surge
arresters, the inspection must be performed with
In [2] it is demonstrated that the most suitable site to them energized.
install the fence is when this is located in the outside · Verify that the technical specifications of the surge
area that occupies the substation. The interconnection arrester installed are the appropriate ones for the
guarantees that a person standing 0.91 ms and touching type and location in the electrical / electronic
the fence will be under a touch voltage smaller than the system being protected.
tolerable touch voltage.
The tests to perform to the SiC are [4, 5, 6]:
2.5 Data collection of the surge arresters
· Insulation resistance. measurement
Surge arresters are used to obtain protection against · Application of high voltage direct current to
surges originated by lightning and switching. The measure the leakage current.
protection level of the surge arrester must be coordinated · Measuring the Tgδ of each element to evaluate the
with the insulation level of the protected element. integrity of the surge arrester. This test reveals
conditions that could affect the protective function
of the surge arrester such as: the presence of
Surge arresters are universally used, even though some
moisture, salt deposits, corrosion, cracks or
companies use gaps in the switches and final points of
fissures in the porcelain, open shunt resistance,
the installation where there can appear the duplication
pre-ionizing elements and gaps defective or faulty.
voltage effect.
The tests to perform to the ZnO are [6,7,8]:
The surge arresters of metallic oxides (ZnO) are the most
actually used due to their advantages compared with · Insulation resistance measurement.
those of silicon carbide (Sic), such as: the surge arrester · Resistive Current measurement.
of metallic oxide has a greater protection margin, their · Voltage reference of direct current measurement.
construction is simpler, the possibility of coordinating · Leakage current measurement in direct current
them with the equipment to protect is superior, they (voltage reference in direct current test).
allow the diagnosis method online and can be washed on · Voltage reference measurement at industrial
duty. As a disadvantage could be indicated that they frequency.
require a greater control when they are in operation, the · During the operation of the surge arrester,
reason why it is necessary to count on instruments to monitoring methodologies are most effective,
diagnose a possible fault in time. However, many silicon especially the measurement of leakage current at
carbide surge arresters are still installed in our countries. rated voltage.
· In general diagnostic methods available for metal
2.5.1 Diagnosis and Inspection of surge arresters oxide surge arresters are:
- Total leakage current measurement.
The inspection and diagnosis of the surge arresters will - Leakage Resistive current direct measurement.
follow the next recommendations: - Leakage current harmonics analysis.

· Review the surge arrester integrity, if surface 2.6 Electrical parameters measurements
contamination exists, the state of air tightness, the
oxidation degree in the different elements, the 2.6.1 Safety procedures to perform the measurements
porcelain or another type of surrounding that
covers them. Make sure that the installation fulfils In order to perform any type of measurement within the
the manufacturer indications. substation, the following aspects of security will be
· Verify the gauge and the state of the wires that considered:
connect the surge arrester, verifying the existence

651
 · Demarcate the testing area and warn the presents maintenance, do not establish the permissible maximum
that they must not touch the wires while the tests value of current that can circulate through grounding
are being performed. wires.
· Only certified personal can perform the
measurements. 2.6.3 Equipotential bonding measurements
· Wear insulating gloves, protective glasses, dull
with isolation, carpets with high level of isolation, It is very important to verify the connections between all
clothes destined to perform electrical duties. the existing elements in the substation, which guarantees
· Use a current clamp meter to verify the existence the suitable conduction of current towards the grounding
of current in the grounding wires, lightning rods grid in case of failures at the substation.
wires, equipotential bonding connections and
others, before performing any measurement. In One of the methods more recommended to perform this
case of high current values, the origin of this verification is the “Stakeless” method, also called Clamp
current will be detected before continuing. On, which measures the resistance and continuity of the
· During electrical storms it is prohibited to perform loop, not the grounding resistance.
any measurement.
· In case of any sudden electrical storm on the area There is another method [10] that consists on the
where the measurement is being performed, this injection of direct current with a regulated source and the
one must be stopped, the connections between the measurement of the voltage and the injected current.
measurement equipment and the system under
testing must be disconnected, and the connectors 2.6.4 Grounding resistance measurement
must be isolated temporarily and also placed in the
superior part of the grounding grid under test. Through the years, the grounding can be degraded,
reason why it is recommended periodically to verify all
In [9] are mentioned several safety rules that must be the connections of grounding wires to the grounding grid
considered while the grounding measurements are being and the grounding grid of the substation, as a part of its
performed. normal plan of predictive maintenance.

2.6.2 Grounding wires current measurements In [12, 13] the methods and procedures to measure the
grounding resistance in electrical substations are
In substations due to diverse causes there may be indicated.
circulating currents by grounding wires. In case of
metallic oxides surge arresters, there is always a tiny The measurement of resistance applying the method of
leakage current within the range of micros or Potential Fall is not recommended in substations of great
miliamperes, this leakage is increased with the extension, because conductors of great length are
superficial contamination of the surge arrester. In required. The method of the slope is used for systems of
grounding that covers a great area; also it is applied,
addition, systems connected in wye, the desbalance
when the grounding system configuration is not known,
currents will circulate toward the grounding grid. The
or if it is interconnected with other groundings. The
electromagnetic induction also can generate during method of intersection of curves also is recommended for
normal operation conditions, the circulation of currents grounding systems that cover great extensions.
in grounding wires. It is important to indicate that no
matter how many measures have been taken to avoid The [1, 2, 12, 13, 14, 15] standards establish that the
these parasitic currents, it is very difficult to eliminate grounding grid resistance for smaller and industrial
them in a 100%. substations must be ≤ 5 Ω and 1 Ω for greater
substations. In addition, it is considered that to avoid
These currents can be dangerous when measurements to possible errors in the measurement process the reactive
the substation grounding systems are being performed. component must be taken into account when the
Based on its magnitudes they can bring about the resistance value is less than 0.5 Ω and the area of
appearance of high contact voltages. In addition, the enmeshes is relatively great. This reactive component
circulation of these currents can generate interferences or will have a small effect in grounding grids with
damages in high sensitivity equipments. impedance values greater than 0.5 Ω. A low resistance
value, contributes to control the elevation of the
It is important to indicate that the IEC and IEEE maximum ground potential (Ground Potential Rise).
international standards for substations design and

652
Nowadays it is world-wide known that the grounding · The depth of the electrodes must not exceed 30
systems impedance behaviour before transitory is totally cm.
different from the cuasi-stable conditions, in such sense, · It is advisable to perform the measurements in
with the purpose of knowing its variation and to perform different directions for the same sounding, for
the necessary corrections in case of obtaining high example from North to South and from East to
values; it is recommendable to measure the grounding West, due to the anisotropic ground characteristic.
impedance front of atmospheric discharges, in [12] the · When choosing the exploration depth it is not
equipment, and the procedures to measure it are recommended separations greater than 8 m for
indicated. exploration depths of 6 m.
· The presence in the sounding zone of metallic
2.6.4.1 Practical criteria to perform grounding bodies (for example, naked canalizations) or of
resistance measurements very resistant seams of the land or conductors,
which end up arising to the surface, can disturb
the resistivity measures, since to cross such
· When placing the measurement electrodes, it must obstacles, modifications of the currents trajectories
be guaranteed that they are in straight line. injected in the ground are originated and
· The current and potential wires must be separated consequently the electric field, on the
to avoid signal coupling. However, if there are any measurement point.
noises problems that can affect the measurements, · The way of demonstrating that there is always a
a solution could be to thread the wires of the possible disturbing causes and, also, to verify that
auxiliary electrodes. there are no sensible variations in the subsoil
· In recent construction grounding systems, the homogeneity is analyzed to perform measurements
resistance should be affected due to the in diverse zones of the location of the grounding
compaction of the ground. installation and with different separations between
· The current and potential laying wire when the the measurement electrodes.
measurement is being performed will form an · If the existing grounding resistivity is going to be
angle of 90 degrees with the distribution and measured, is obligatory to perform the
transmission lines, to avoid any coupling. measurement in a zone near this one, with similar
· The measurement will take place at the driest characteristics and the same geologic
period of the substation land. conformation, with a separation equal or greater
· When placing the measurement electrodes, make than three times the separation of the electrodes (3
sure that they are in straight line. x a).
· If a very high impedance or outside rank is · When performing the measurements in the
obtained, it is recommended to spill a small different directions (North-South) (East-West), the
amount of water around the test rods. obtained values of resistance for each separation
· In order to locate the horizontal part of the curve between electrodes (a) can be divided equally, but
it is recommended to perform five or more values obtained with different separations cannot
measurings at least. be divided equally. (a)
· The resistivity readings must include annotations
2.6.5 Earth Resistivity Measurement of the environmental conditions during the
measures (temperature and humidity conditions of
Earth resistivity measurement in this methodology fulfils the ground), and if it is possible, compared them
two purposes. One of them is that earth resistivity is a which the ones that were taken in different periods
determining value to evaluate the ground aggressiveness. through the year.
The other one is that knowing their value and in case of · It is recommendable to perform the earth
obtaining a high resistance value after measuring the resistivity measurement of the land in dry periods,
resistance of the grounding system substation, the auditor trying to reproduce the most unfavourable
or designer will be able to decide which improvements conditions and if it were not possible, a certain
will have to perform, in order to change the grounding safety factor will be applied that increases the
resistance to the values of resistance established by the obtained results.
standards. · After obtaining the results of earth resistivity in
the performed measurements, the interpretation of
Some practical criteria to perform the resistivity
them will be performed, to define the suitable land
measurements are the following:
structure (homogenous, two layers and multilayer)

653
 that responds to the results obtained in the field It is recommendable to perform specific simulations
measurements. using EMTP/ATP and/or other applications to determine
the step and contact voltage when the substation is hit by
The method more commonly used by the electricians to lightning, in order to determine possible zones of high
perform the resistivity measurement is the Wenner risk under these circumstances.
method [2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17].
In [12] the methods and procedures world-wide accepted
2.6.6 Touch and step voltage measurements to measure the potentials in the grounding systems in
electrical substations are indicated.
All substations must have a grounding system designed
in such a form, that for any normally accessible point to 2.6.7 Analyses of the obtained measurements
people, these are put under the maximum touch and step
voltage in case of fault [2]. Based on the obtained registries, it will be known the real
state the substation and all the elements interconnected
The maximum touch voltage applied to the human being, with it.
After performing the touch and step voltage
who is accepted in any point of an installation, is given
measurements, it will be known if the voltage that can
based on the grounding fault clearing time, the ground
appear in the substation in case of fault is below the
resistivity and the fault current. For effects of the present
allowed limits (see table 1) and then solutions to the
methodology the maximum touch voltage must not
problems will be provided.
exceed the values given in table 1, taken from the Figure
44A of the IEC 60364-4-44.
2.7 Geological analysis of the zone where the
substation is located
When the audit of the LPS is being performed, there
must be a check out of the voltage that can appear in case The methodology proposes to perform the geologic study
of fault, due to damage conductors that belongs to the of the zone where the substation is located.
grounding grid, bringing with itself high voltage, putting
in danger the life of the people who can circulate or It is important to consider the distribution of the potential
remain close or within the substation. in the land when the grounding system is being crossed
by a fault current, essentially has fundamentally as a
The touch and step voltage measurements will be determining factor the land resistivity and the geologic
performed in all the points where some danger can be characteristics in which that one is buried. It is therefore
anticipated for the personnel who is within the substation that the conception of a grounding network requires,
or next to the same and where a greater probability of initially, the analysis of the nature of the land.
fault exists, as for example next to the power
transformers, entry points of the lines, sites near the grid With the geologic analysis it is possible to know the
peripheral, access doors, grids of ventilation, grid soluble salts content and its concentration which is
vertices, tracks for the power transformers displacement determining in the conductivity of the ground. It is
and generally any other type of element, that at certain possible to know the water content of the soil, which
moment can be energized happening some fault. In [10, influences in an appreciable form on the soil resistivity.
14, 16, 17] are indicated the equipment and procedures It allows knowing the sorting level of the ground, which
to measure the touch and step voltage. also influences the porosity and the retaining humidity
and the quality of the contact with the grounding system.
Table 1: Maximum values of touch voltage
The estratigraphy of the land allows knowing the
Maximum Touch voltage stratification lands level.
Fault clearing time
allowed (values in rms ac)
Higher than 2 seconds 50 V This analysis in combination with the results obtained in
500 miliseconds(0.5s) 80 V the earth resistivity measurement, the equipotential
400 miliseconds (0.4s) 100 V bonding measurement of the grounding system and the
300 miliseconds (0.3s) 125 V
resistance measurement, will allow defining whether the
200 miliseconds (0.2s) 200 V
150 miliseconds s (0.15s) 240 V
elements that conform the grounding grid could be
100 miliseconds (0.1s) 320 V corroded or damaged. In addition to being required to
40 miliseconds (0.04s) 500 V perform an improvement of the existing grounding
system, the designer will define the more effective

654
 improvements measures considering the existing terrain · This paper can be used as a guide to audit and to
features. certify the protection systems against lightning of
any substation of medium and high voltage.
Some of the most important soil properties to consider · The methodology proposed deals with the most
are: PH, ground class, chemical composition, ground important aspects to audit and certify medium and
model, validation of the resistivity of the land, ground high voltage substations.
humidity level and others [10]. · The methodology proposed in this paper has been
applied and practically validated in the audits
2.8 Solutions proposed to improve the installed performed in some power substations of 110 kV
protection system located in Bulgaria

Based on the results obtained, if it is necessary the 5 REFERENCES

existing LPS will be redesigned, guaranteeing that the
[1] IEEE Std 998-1996, IEEE Guide for Direct Lightning
entire substation is being protected. Stroke Shielding of Substations.
[2] IEEE Std 80-2000, IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation
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and if they are coordinated with the insulation of the electrical equipment-Earthing arrangement, protective
conductors and protective bonding conductors.
equipment that they are protecting. If it is necessary new
[4] ANSI/IEEE C62.2-1987, IEEE Guide for the application of
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established by the standards. Based on the conditions of Systems.
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la Tgδ (factor de potencia) en pararrayos”. ECIE Ciego de
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2.9 Grounding systems and surge protective devices in Interconnected Grounding Systems.
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3 CONCLUSION [17] R. G. Márquez, “La puesta a tierra de instalaciones
eléctricas y el R.A.T”, España, 1991.
· This paper proposes a methodology to follow in
order to perform the audit of a Lightning
Protection Systems in medium and high voltage
substations that are in operation.

655

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