(Causes of over voltages and ther effect on power system— Lightning, switching sarges and temporary over voltagesprotection against over voltage- Insulation coordination-DIL, 1.1. CAUSES OF OVER VOLTAGES (ver voltages are caused on power systems due to external and internal influencing factor. The voltage stress caused by over voltage can damage the lines and equipments ‘connected tothe system. Over voltages arising on a system can be generally classified into two main categories as below: 1, External Over voliages: This type of over voltages originates from atmospheric isturbances, mainly due to lightning. This takes the form of a surge and has no direct relationship with the operating voltage of the line, It may be due to any of the following 8) Direct lightning stoke 1b) Electromagnetically induced over voltages due to lighting discharge taking place near the line, called ‘side stroke ©) Voltages induced due to atmospheric changes along the length of the line 4d) Flectro-statically induced voltages due to presence of charged clouds nearby ©) Flecro-statically induced over voltages due othe ftctional effects of small particles like ‘dust or dry snow in the atmosphere or due to change in the attudeof the line 2. Internal Over voltages: These over voltages are caused by changes in the operating conditions ofthe power system. These can be divided into two groups as below: 1 Switching over voltages or Transient over voltages of high frequency: This is caused when. ‘switching operation is carried out under normal conditions or when fault oceus in the net ‘work. When an unloaded long lin is charged, due to Ferranti Effect the receiving end voltage is increased considerably resulting in over voltage inthe system. Similarly when the primary side ofthe transformers or reactors is switched on, over voltage of transient nature occurs.‘. Temporary over voltages: These are caused when some major load suddenly gets disconnected from the long line under normal or steady state contin. 1. EFFECTS OF OVER VOLTAGES ON POWER SYSTEMS (Over voltage tends to stress the insulation ofthe electrical power system / equipments and likely to cause damage to them when it frequently recurs. Over voltage caused by surges can result in spark cover and flash over between phase and ground atthe weakest point inthe network, break down of gaseous coldiquid insulation, failure of transformers and rotating machines. 1.3 LIGHTNING PHENOMENON The electrical discharge ofthe charged cloud othe ground is called lighting phenomenon. 11s the peak discharge in which charge accumulated in the clouds discharges into a seghbouring loud orto the ground ‘The ange spak accompanied by light produced by an abropt, discontinuous discharge of electicty through the ar, fom the clouds generally under turbulent conditions is called lightning Representative valves of lightning stoke areas below: Voltage: 2x10 volts; 200 MV (peak) Curent: 4x 4 amperes Dixation: 10 Second kW Bet kwh: 22 ‘The influencing factors for fomation or accumulation of charge in the clowls are many and they are uncer. However, dering thunder stom conditions postive and negative charges in the clouds get separated by hea sir curents with ice crystals in the upper part and rin inthe lower pars of the cloud ‘The distance of separation between cloud to ground is very large, may be even 10000 mbt it depends on the height ofthe clouds. The maxinaum voltage gradient reached at the ground level due {o.acharged cloud could be as high a 30 V pe em ‘A probable charge distribution model is shown as Fig. 1.1 with the eoresponding fled gradient near the ground.Felt ora —+ Cloud Motion fund Ground = Fig L1 Probable field gradien near the ground corresponding tthe probable charge distribution ina cloud ‘A theory by Simpson explains that there are three essential regions in the cloud, for charge ‘oration. Below region A (ste Figbelow) air currents travel above 800 ems and no rain drops fall ‘through. In region A, air velocity is high enough to break the falling rain drops causing @ positive charge spray in the cloud and negative charge in the at. The spray is blown upwards, but asthe Velocity of air decreases, the positively charged water drops combine with the larger drops and fall ‘again. Thus region A, eventually becomes predominantly positive charged, ile region B sbove it, ‘becomes negatively charged by air currents, In the upper regions of the cloud, the temperature is as low as freezing point and only ice erysals exist. The impact of air on these crystals makes them ‘negatively charged, thus the distribution of the charge with inthe cloud becomes as shown in Fig 1.2. Fig 12 Cloud model according to Simpson's theory