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Advances in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering 2 (2019): 37-45
ISSN: 2636 - 7416
Citation: Osahenvemwen, O. A., Iroh, O. C., & Ozah, E. E. (2019). Electrical Surge Phenomenon in Power Distribution
Network, Advances in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering, 2(1): 37-45. Retrieved from:
https://www.sciengtexopen.org/index.php/aete/article/view/56
Advances in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering
(AETE)
AETE is a peer review journal of the Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria
Electrical Surge Phenomenon in Power Distribution Network
1,*Osahenvemwen, O. A., 2Iroh, O. C., & 3Ozah, E. E.
1Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria; 2Department
of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Ozoro Polytechnic, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria; 3Department of
Sciences, School of Sciences, National Institute of Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria.
*osahenvemwenaustin@ymail.com
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Article history:
Received 1 July 2019
Revised 20 August 2019
Accepted 28 August 2019
Published 31 August 2019
This paper presents the electrical surge phenomenon in power
distribution network, which affects the quality of power distributed
to customers. Three major steps were considered; first, lightning
surge detectors were installed in six residences and monitored for
three years (2013 – 2015). Next, the data bank for the magnitude
of cloud to earth lightning strokes used to determine the needed
maximum surge current of Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) was
developed. The third step was experimental procedure on the
transmission lines, which is interconnected to surge arresters to
determine the variation of surge arresters failure probability rate
with tower footing resistance characteristic. During the period of
investigation at the six residential sites, 15 lightning stroke were
recorded. Fault occurred in electrical appliances in two of the 15
events when lightning occurred to have hit an antenna. A minimum
current of 0.2kA was observed and some appliances were
destroyed. The current magnitude value obtained was 10kA
increment were 1,817 positive lightning strokes, and 18,165
negative strokes during the same period of time. It was also
observed that smaller interval placement of arrester decreases
arrester failures rate. For each tower resistance, the failure
probability is higher as the interval distance increases. Surge
arresters installation on every tower gives the best protection,
especially for region with high footing resistance.
Keywords:
Lightning arrester
Lightning Stroke
Power network
Power quality
Surge
2636-7416 © 2019 Osahenvemwen et al. Production and hosting by Sciengtex Publishing This is an open access article under the CC BY-
NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
1. Introduction
Degradation, disruption and destruction are three “Ds” that affect power quality.
Electrical power supply abnormalities are referred to as surge, transient or electrical line
noises, which are deviations from the normal power voltage supply (Gustavo et al., 2003;
Sukhdeo & Prasada, 2013). The Electrical power abnormalities can be witnessed for a short
or a long (continuous) time. Surge can be referred to as transient power or over-voltage
in electrical circuit. In electrical power systems, surge or transient are a sub-cycle over-
voltage with duration of less than a half-cycle of the normal voltage waveform; the surge
can either be negative or positive polarity. Based on normal voltage waveform, surge can
also be subtractive or additive with decaying and oscillatory characteristic.
The surge voltage can destroy, degrade or damage electronics equipment in both
commercial and residential building due to disturbances on a power waveform or over-
voltage spikes (Khalid & Bharti, 2011; Teru, 2010). Internal over voltages originate in the
system itself and may be transient, dynamic or stationary. This natural transient from
Osahenvemwen et al. / Advances in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering, 2(1): 37-45
38 | I S S N : 2 6 3 6 - 7 4 1 6 V o l . 2 , N o . 1 , 2 0 1 9
surge does not have the same frequency with the normal system and will persist a few
moments only. The surge can result from operation of switches or circuit breakers
connected to a capacitive or inductive loads, “current chopping” in teams of small current
or operating with insulated neutral by sudden grounding one of the phases (Hasssan et
al., 2017; Makinde et al., 2014). Approximately 70% of electrical threats are internally
generated and the remaining 30% of issues are external over voltages resulting from
atmospheric discharges such as lightning charges or lightning strokes and are originally
not part of the system.
The interaction of electric power with electrical equipment leads to power quality
measurement (Dharmender, 2014). Power quality can be determined by consideration of
uninterrupted power supply of electricity. This is achievable by ensuring that wiring;
grounding and bonding are up to standards. Once this is verified then the right power
quality device is selected such as Surge Protective Devices (SPDs), low-pass filters and
signal line protectors to prevent damage from surges and electrical line noise. Surges or
over voltages have caused stresses, disruption and damages to numerous equipment and
gadgets at Ajaokuta Power system network, such as high and low voltage induction
motors, synchronous motors, transformers, circuit breakers, reactors, capacitor banks,
generators, contactors, and relays, etc. Khalid & Bharti (2011) presented the power quality
issues, such as power surge in view of international standard, power quality problem as
related to electrical apparatuses and methods of correction.
Transient over-voltages are generated from circuit breaker due the opening and
closing during operation deploys in the pumped-storage power stations Sukhdeo & Prasada
(2013). Switches and lightning are major causes of over voltage in power circuit system
leading to open circuit and damage of electrical equipment. In view of this, effect has being
made to protect electrical insulation and equipment from over voltage by deployment of
surge arrester. The surge arrester cannot be simulated by deploying non-linear resistor
due to their dynamic nature. IEEE and Pinceti came out with models to simulate the
dynamic characteristic of the surge arresters (Mehdi et al., 2014). The authors carried out
a study on a novel algorithm deployed to identify surge parameters and compared with
IEEE and Pinceti models. Mungkung et al. (2007) observed a sudden voltage increase
along the transmission line has been linked to lightning, which destroy electrical devices
so it is paramount to determine the remote causes and analyse the sudden voltage change
for proper design and installation of surge arrester.
Shehab (2013) presented a model on lighting strike and the relative effects on
electrical power distribution systems and the resultant output and impact on power system
caused by lighting at the presence of lighting arrester. The protective devices deployed for
the purpose of protection of excessive fault current in electric power distribution systems,
in circuit breakers, are tripped by over current protection relay (Okundamiya et al., 2009).
This protection relay are activated by allowing two or three fault current cycles to pa ss
through which gave room to the response-time delay. The Superconducting Fault Current
Limiter (SFCL) is innovative electric equipment, which has the capability to reduce fault
current level within the first cycle of fault current. The application of the Fault Current
Limiter (FCL) would not only decrease the stress on network devices, but also can offer a
connection to improve the reliability of the power system are presented by Makinde et al.
(2014).
This research is focused on the Electrical surge phenomenon in Power Distribution
Network and the possible remedy in Ajaokuta power system network. Consideration of
three basic approaches which includes; experimental investigation would be carried out
on lightning surges that flow in the distribution lines in some residences of Ajaokuta power
system Network, to developed data bank for lightning stroke and magnitude of cloud to
earth lightning strokes to be used as a data bank in determining the needed maximum
surge value current of SPDs. The maximum surge current of an SPD could be selected
based on perceived lightning stroke levels (Shehab, 2013). In addition, a test would be
carried out on three different types of 132 kV transmission lines of Ajaokuta power system
interconnected surge arresters, to determine the variation of surge arresters failure
probability with tower footing resistance for each of the three case studies to be analysed.
Osahenvemwen et al. / Advances in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering 2(1): 37-45
I S S N : 2 6 3 6 - 7 4 1 6 V o l . 2 , N o . 1 , 2 0 1 9 | 39
2. Research Methods
2.1 Site and Geography
Ajaokuta is located in the North-central part of Nigeria (Lat. 7°33'44.24"N, Long.
6°39'17.89"E) popularly known as Steel-city because of the established integrated steel
plant by the Federal government of Nigeria. The Ajaokuta power system network consists
of Thermal Power Plant (TPP) with an installed capacity of 110MW, two 55MW steam
turbines served by three 220 tones/hr high-pressure boilers. The plant output of 11.5kV
is stepped up to 132kV by two 63MVA coupling transformers for loading to the national
grid and to the two 63MVA, which is the main step down transformer stations for domestic
and industrial usage shown in Figure 1 while the main step-down substation is shown in
Figure 2. A cross-sectional view of a polymer housed surge arrester and the architecture
of the SPD in the switchboard is shown in Figures 3 and 4 respectively. Table 1 shows the
technical characteristics of the surge arrester used.
Figure 1. Basic Structure of the Power System Network in Ajaokuta
Source: Power System Network in Ajaokuta
Figure 2. Main Step-Down Substation
Figure 3. Cross-sectional view of a polymer housed surge arrester
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40 | I S S N : 2 6 3 6 - 7 4 1 6 V o l . 2 , N o . 1 , 2 0 1 9
Figure 4. Location of SPD in the switchboard (in parallel)
Table 1. Technical characteristics of the surge arrester used
Continuous operating voltage (Uc)
108<Uc<115kV(rms)
Rated voltage
144kV (rms)
Rated discharge current
10kA
Residual voltage
<330kV (max) for 5kA
<350kV (max) for 10kA
<390kV (max) for 20kA
Discharge energy class
3
Energy capability
8kJ/kV
Source: Reading obtained from Power System Network in Ajaokuta using Fluke 1625
Advanced GEO Earth Ground Tester
2.2 Experimental Procedure
The experimental investigation was carried out on lightning surges that flow in the
distribution lines in some residences at Ajaokuta Power System Network. The schematic
is shown in Figure 5. The experimental procedure is subdivided into three stages in order
to achieve the desired objectives.
Experimental procedure one. Lightning surge arresters were deployed in six houses
and observed for three years (2013 to 2015) period duration which 15 lightning strikes
were recorded. Fault occurred in electrical appliances in two of the 15 events when
lightning occurred to have hit an antenna. In this occasion, currents of 0.2 kA or greater
values were recorded at designated points, and some appliances were destroyed. Homes
with lightning protective devices of a peak current rating of 1kA break down at a current
peak value of approximately 1 kA or higher, according to the observations. The average
lightning stroke recorded by surge detectors installed in 6 residents is shown in Table 2.
Figure 5. Schematic diagram of surge arrester connection
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I S S N : 2 6 3 6 - 7 4 1 6 V o l . 2 , N o . 1 , 2 0 1 9 | 41
Table 2. The average observed lightning stroke for residence under study (2013 – 2015)
Parameters
Year
Residents
1
2
3
4
5
6
Surge current (kA)
2013
0.64
0.7
Nil
0.9
1.27
0.84
Time (µs)
2013
12
15
Nil
22
27
20
Surge current (kA)
2014
0.5
0.46
0.72
0.44
0.2
0.42
Time (µs)
2014
10
10
15.4
8
5
6
Surge current (kA)
2015
0.41
0.66
1.09
0.85
Nil
Nil
Time (µs)
2015
7
15
22
18
Nil
Nil
Experimental procedure two. Data bank was develop for the magnitude of cloud
to earth lightning strokes to be used as a factor in determining the required maximum
surge current of SPDs. For this reason, the maximum surge current of an SPD is often
selected based on perceived lightning stroke levels. The data collected by Ajaokuta power
system network measured the time and the current magnitude of each positive and
negative lightning stroke. The summary of the data in which the resultant lightning storms
generated separate clouds to earth strokes are represented in the Table 3 indicating the
count of current magnitudes arranged in 10kA increments and their cumulative
percentage.
Table 3. Lightning strokes observed from 2013 to 2015
Low
kA
High
kA
Count (No of
Occurrence)
Stroke
%
Cumulative %
Positive
Negative
Positive
Negative
Positive
Negative
0
10
914
1819
50.30
10.01
50.3
10.01
10
20
715
7201
39.35
39.64
89.65
49.65
20
30
110
5667
6.05
31.20
95.7
80.85
30
40
31
2011
1.70
11.07
97.4
91.92
40
50
22
799
1.20
4.40
98.6
96.32
50
60
7
324
0.39
1.784
98.99
98.10
60
70
4
164
0.22
0.90
99.21
99.00
70
80
5
65
0.28
0.36
99.49
99.36
80
90
4
49
0.22
0.27
99.71
99.63
90
100
2
31
0.11
0.17
99.82
99.80
100
110
1
17
0.06
0.09
99.88
99.89
110
120
1
9
0.06
0.05
99.94
99.94
120
130
-
5
-
0.04
99.94
99.98
130
140
1
2
0.06
0.01
100
99.99
140
150
-
2
-
0.01
100
100.00
1,817
18,165
Source: Ajaokuta power system network
Table 3 displays the distribution of current magnitude in 10 kA increment for 1,817
positive lightning strokes and 18,165 negative lightning strokes. As observed, 97% of the
positive lightning strikes were less than 30kA while 99% were less than 60kA. On the other
hand, 91% of the negative lightning strokes is less than 30kA while 98% is less than 60kA.
Experimental procedure three. Test were carried out on three 132kV operation
transmission lines of Ajaokuta power interconnected system to determine the variation of
surge arresters failure probability with tower footing resistance for each of the three
analysed case studies. And to determine the arrester failure probability with the arrester
interval for the transmission line. These lines were carefully selected due to their high rate
of failure during thunderstorms; sufficient length and sufficient time in service; and the
significant different characteristics, such as ground flash density and the tower footing
resistance which exist through their lengths, since they run through the same region.
Table 4 shows the percentage failure reduction for all the analysed lines in each of the
three examined case studies, using the relationship between the installation interval and
arresters failure probabilities for the line expressed as follows:
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42 | I S S N : 2 6 3 6 - 7 4 1 6 V o l . 2 , N o . 1 , 2 0 1 9
(1)
Where, FRR is the failure rate reduction, FRO represents the failure rate without surge
arresters and FRI represents the failure rate with installed surge arresters.
The average FRR for regional interval is deduced as follows:
(2)
Where FRR is the failure rate reduction, AV FRR is the average failure rate reduction and
Total FRR for one, two or three regions. Table 5 shows the average FRR for regional
interval.
Table 4. Arresters Failure Probabilities Parameters on Ajaokuta to Geregu
Duration
Region
F.R.O
F.R.I
F.R.R %
July to August 2013
I
0.100
0.051
0.49
II
0.600
0.082
0.86
III
0.900
0.385
0.57
August to September
2014
I
0.613
0.425
0.31
II
1.540
0.769
0.50
III
3.207
1.005
0.69
August to September
2015
I
0.461
2.77
0.40
II
0.836
0.439
0.48
III
2.190
0.744
0.66
Table 5. Average FRR for Regional Interval
Line
Voltage
(kV)
No. of
Tower
Arrester
Interval
(km)
Tower
Footing
Resist.
AV FRR for the
three regions
% AV FRR
for Regional
Intervals
Ajaokuta to
Geregu
132
1 – 5
6
4.2
1.2
24.19%
Ajaokuta to
Geregu
132
6 – 12
4
25.8
1.84
37.10%
Ajaokuta
to Geregu
132
13 – 22
8
2.0
1.92
38.71%
3. Result and Discussion
Figures 6 to 8 illustrate the surge events that occurred between 2013 and 2015.
Figure 6. Illustration of five surge events that occurred in 2013 with peak stroke of 1.27kA
which caused damage to appliances
Osahenvemwen et al. / Advances in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering 2(1): 37-45
I S S N : 2 6 3 6 - 7 4 1 6 V o l . 2 , N o . 1 , 2 0 1 9 | 43
Figure 7. Illustration of surge events that occurred in 2014, but the surge strokes
magnitude were not severe enough to cause any damage.
Figure 8. Illustration of surge events recorded between in 2015 with peak stroke of
1.09kA, which caused damage to home appliances
The analysis of observation data found that in some cases a ground potential rise
causes a lightning surge to flow from ground of another residence or the ground of a
distribution system into the distribution and, in turn, to flow into another residence. Notice
that it took three years of monitoring of 6 residences to produce recordings of 15 surge
events of which two were severe enough to cause damage to appliances. In aggregate,
the data shows that less than 1% of the positive and 2% of negative strokes had a current
magnitude greater than 60kA. The vast majority of strokes were less than 30kA. The
arresters failure rates on transmission lines and their effects are compared in Figures 9 to
11.
Osahenvemwen et al. / Advances in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering, 2(1): 37-45
44 | I S S N : 2 6 3 6 - 7 4 1 6 V o l . 2 , N o . 1 , 2 0 1 9
Figure 9. Failure Rates Reduction of the analysed Line for the three Regions for three
Years
Figure 10. Variation of surge arresters failure probability with Tower Footing Resistance for
each of the three analysed region case studies
Figure 11. Variation of Average FRR for the three regions with arrester interval
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
Corresponding values for F.R.0,F.R.I and
F.R.R5
Three different power region F.R.O F.R.I F.R.R %
Osahenvemwen et al. / Advances in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering 2(1): 37-45
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As observed (Figure 9), the surge arresters improved the lightning performance of the
line and reduces the line outages under three different period of investigation. The graphic
representation of the result in Figures 10 and 11 show the expected improvement of the
lightning performance of the line. The lightning performance of the line and computation
of the outage rate were determined for different arresters location and for three regions
with different tower footing resistances and ground flash densities. Surge arresters
installation on every tower gives the best protection, especially for region with high footing
resistance. When tower resistance is low enough, arresters protect the line sufficiently.
Increasing tower footing resistance leads to increasing of arrester failure probability while
arresters failure rate also depend on line length and ground flash density shown in Figures
10 and 11. It was also observed that smaller interval decreases arrester failures (Figure
11), for each tower resistance the failure probability is higher as the interval increases.
Thus for each region with high tower footing resistance, arresters installation, probably
with higher withstanding capacity, on every tower is recommended.
4. Conclusion
This study presents electrical surge phenomenon in power distribution network, aim
at electrical power surge and possible mean of eliminate it from the power system. The
causes of overvoltage in both internal and external power network at Ajaokuta were
considered. Maintaining high quality power within the electrical power facility. This begins
by ensuring wirings, grounding and bonding are up to standard. Then element such as
quality surge protectors like low-pass fitters, data and signal line protectors to prevent
damage from surges and electrical noise and lightning arresters for external over-voltage
can be installed, then over-voltages can be prevented from system network and surge
damage is reduced or eliminated.
Conflict of Interests
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of
this paper.
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