Report

No 12312130

R e s e a r c h P r o j e c t No 7239

E L E C T R I C I T Y SUPPLY COMMISSION DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT ELECTRICAL RESEARCH D I V I S I O N

"EFFECTS OF BUSH, GRASS AND CANE FIRES

BELOW TRANSMISSION LINES"

I N T E R I M REPORT N 0 . 1

BY R.J.C. Moore Weihe

H.H.K.

K. J. S a d u r s k i

January

1975

-..--

<"

>-..

-,

---7

APPROVED BY: R.P. R a n d a l l P R I N C I P A L ENGINEER (ELECTRICAL RE SEARCH)

INDEX
Page

1.
2.

INTRODUCTION

1
2
3

TEST CARRIED OUT

2.1 T e s t s t o compare t h e breakdown of a gap when h e a t e d e l e c t r i -

c a l l y and when heated by a gas flame

2.2 2.3 Breakdown w i t h t h e gap completely spanned by a flame The e f f e c t of f l o a t i n g p a r t i c l e s on t h e breakdown v o l t a g e

3 4
5

3.

THE EFFECT O F FLAMES ON L O N G A I R GAPS

4.
5.
6.

GENERAL CONCLUSION REFERENCES DISTRIBUTION (See i n s i d e of back cover)

A l i t e r a t u r e survey of f a u l t s caused by bush and cane f i r e s i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e p r e c i s e cause of f l a s h o v e r i s obscure and more i n f o r m a t i o n and r e s e a r c h i s required.

Laboratory t e s t s performed a t R o s h e r v i l l e i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e f a c t o r s l e a d i n g t o f l a s h o v e r i n flames appear t o be a combination of reduced a i r d e n s i t y , b u r n i n g p a r t i c l e s and v o l t a g e s u r g e s on t h e l i n e . I o n i s a t i o n of t h e a i r by t h e flame does n o t appear t o c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e i n c i d e n c e of breakdown.

1.

INTRODUCTION

Escom has been e x p e r i e n c i n g s e v e r e problems w i t h v e l d and f i r e s under overhead transm:ss:on l i n e s caus:ng

sugar cane

f a u l t s due t o f l a s h o v e r .

This type of f a u l t i s more s e r i o u s than o t h e r t r a n s i e n t f a u l t s as t h e

linea often re-trip and lock out after reclosing. In order to reduce
f a u l t s of t h i s n a t u r e Escom has resorted t o extensive

grass c u t t i n g

programmes under the major lines a t the end of t h e growing season,

This

i s expensive and t i e s up labour u r g e n t l y r e q u i r e d f o r o t h e r maintenance

work,

The E l e c t r i c a l Research D i v i s i o n was asked t h e r e f o r e t o investi-

g a t e t h e parameters c o n t r o l l i n g v e l d f i r e f a u l t s such a s t h e e f f e c t of conductor h e i g h t on v u l n e r a b i l i t y , maximum allowable h e i g h t of g r a s s , width of c l e a r i n g r e q u i r e d and t h e most s u i t a b l e dead times a f t e r a t r i p t o ensure successful reclosures. The problem has a l s o p r e s e n t e d i t s e l f on t h e 330 kV Kariba l i n e s i n Rhodesia where n e a r l y h a l f of t h e t o t a l number of f a u l t s d u r i n g t h e f i r s t t h r e e y e a r s of o p e r a t i o n were a t t r i b u t e d t o f i r e s . However, d u r i n g the

Rhodesian bush f i r e season (August t o October) a very l a r g e number of f i r e s occur under t h e 1 400 km of t h i s l i n e , b u t i t i s a r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l number which a c t u a l l y cause t h e l i n e t o t r i p o u t . From Rhodesian1 and 2 New Zealand r e p o r t s i t appears t h a t t h e m a j o r i t y of f a u l t s occur a t o r n e a r t h e midspan of t h e l i n e a t which p o i n t t h e conductor i s c l o s e s t t o t h e ground. D.A. ~reretonl has s t u d i e d t h e problem i n Rhodesia and men-

t i o n s i n h i s paper t h a t t h e reason why c e r t a i n f i r e s i n i t i a t e f l a s h o v e r , w h i l e o t h e r a p p a r e n t l y s i m i l a r f i r e s do n o t , i s f a r from c l e a r and he

s u g g e s t s t h a t t h e f l a s h o v e r s a r e due t o a combination of reduced breakdown s t r e n g t h of t h e a i r due t o t h e high temperature and t h e presence of smoke and carbonised d e b r i s . I n support of B r e r e t o n ' s s t a t e m e n t s

E.M.

shepherd3 r e p o r t s t h a t when two l a r g e g r a s s f i r e s were lit under t h e Kariba 330 kV l i n e s no f l a s h o v e r s were observed even though t h e flames exceeded t h e conductor h e i g h t . There was however very l i t t l e smoke and

t h e o n l y e f f e c t observed was an i n c r e a s e i n t h e a u d i b l e corona, T e s t s have a l s o been c a r r i e d o u t i n A u s t r a l i a i n connection w i t h t h e T u l l y F a l l s h y d r o - e l e c t r i c power p r o j e c t 3 where 132 kV l i n e s t r a v e r s e l a r g e f i e l d s of s u g a r cane of h e i g h t s up t o 3,5 m which i s s e t on f i r e before cutting. intense. The flames r i s e t o h e i g h t s of 12-15 metres and a r e v e r y

To i n v e s t i g a t e t h e e f f e c t of t h e s e flames two t e s t conductors

were e r e c t e d over t h e f i e l d s .

The lower which was i n s u l a t e d was p l a c e d

10,7 metres above the ground and t h e upper which was e a r t h e d was s i t u a t e d

2 metres v e r t i c a l l y above

the lower, With

maximum indicating thermo-

meters supported n e a r t h e conductors, t h e i n s u l a t e d conductor was e n e r g i s e d

t o 45 kv and the

fires lit, The

temperature of the air near the lower

conductor v a r i e d from 1 1 6 ' ~ t o 2 0 4 ' ~ + and t h e conductor reached a maximum

temperature of 60c,

It was found that flashover d i d not always occur

When t h e conduc-

when t h e flames reached the lower conductor a t 10,7 m e t r e s , b u t when f l a s h over d i d occur t h e c i r c u i t b r e a k e r s u c c e s s f u l l y r e c l o s e d .

t o r s were lowered, f l a s h o v e r s occurred a s soon a s t h e flames touched t h e lower conductor and no r e c l o s u r e was p o s s i b l e . As a r e s u l t of t h e s e t e s t s

the

minimum height of the conductors of the 132 kV lines were increased

I n connection w i t h t h e most s u i t a b l e p r o t e c t i o n s e t t i n g s , t h e only

le

1 2 , 8 metres.

i n f o r m a t i o n s o f a r a v a i l a b l e i s t h a t by ~ r e r e t o n ' who claims t h a t f o r a f i r e f a u l t t h e c i r c u i t b r e a k e r should have a dead time a s long a s p o s s i b l e c o n s i s t e n t w i t h s t a b i l i t y , and t h a t consequently s i n g l e phase a u t o r e c l o s i n g i s p r e f e r a b l e t o t h r e e phase.

I t has been experienced by Escom t h a t f i r e f a u l t s occur on l i n e s of

p r a c t i c a l l y a l l voltages. Reports a r e o f t e n i n c o n c l u s i v e a s w i t h 88 kV

l i n e s and below, t h e copper conductors anneal due t o t h e high temperatures a t t h e r e l a t i v e l y lower conductor h e i g h t s and t h i s r e s u l t s i n conductor breakages. Veld f i r e s a r e t h e r e f o r e a l s o mechanically hazardous t o low

voltage l i n e s . I n o r d e r t o gain a b e t t e r understanding of t h e f a c t o r s which c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e occurrence of v e l d f i r e f a u l t s a s e r i e s of l a b o r a t o r y experiments were c a r r i e d o u t . 2. TEST CARRIED OUT The t e s t s were performed t o e s t a b l i s h t h e r e l a t i v e importance of t h e f o l l o w i n g f a c t o r s , which i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e reduced a i r d e n s i t y were thought t o be c o n t r i b u t i n g t o causing f l a s h o v e r s . a) b) c) The gaseous combustion products of t h e flame. The i o n i z a t i o n of t h e a i r due t o t h e f l a m e . F l y i n g d e b r i s and carbon conductor and ground. This i n t e r i m r e p o r t g i v e s an account of t h e s e t e s t s .

r articles

which a r e p a s s i n g between t h e

31..

S i n c e t h e maximum v o l t a g e a v a i l a b l e i n t h e l a b o r a t o r y was 15 kV, i t was n e c e s s a r y t o r e s t r i c t t h e t e s t s t o s m a l l gaps.

I t should be n o t e d

however, that even i f higher voltages were available i t would be extremel y d i f f i c u l t t o maintain a constant temperature i n a gap larger than a

few centimetres, due

tb

the e r r a t i c nature of

flae~.

2 . 1 Tests t o compare the breakdown of a gap when heated e l e c t r i c a l l y and

when h e a t e d by a gas flame

With t h e a i d

of the apparatus shown i n Figure 1 and 1A t h e

breakdown v o l t a g e of a 5 nun gap u s i n g 2 , 5 cm d i a m e t e r s p h e r e s was inv e s t i g a t e d under t h e f o l l o w i n g c o n d i t i o n s : (a) (b) The a i r i n t h e gap h e a t e d w i t h an e l e c t r i c a l element. The a i r i n t h e gap h e a t e d by an open gas flame below t h e gap. Even though t h e gap was s m a l l (5 nun) d i f f i c u l t i e s were encount e r e d due t o r a p i d temperature f l u c t u a t i o n s when h e a t i n g t h e gap w i t h a flame. These d i f f i c u l t i e s were p a r t l y overcome by t h e . u s e of a

r i n g of i r o n p l a c e d around t h e flame s o t h a t i t a c t e d a s a h e a t s t a b i l i z e r . The r e s u l t s o b t a i n e d appear i n t a b l e s 1, 2 , 3 and a r e p l o t t e d i n figure (2) viz. Curve 1 Curve 2 Curve 3

Experimental r e s u l t s

Naked flame h e a t i n g .

(Table 1 )

Experimental r e s u l t s - E l e c t r i c h e a t i n g (Table 2 ) Calculated r e s u l t s

A i r d e n s i t y c o r r e c t i o n (Peek4 )

From t h e curves i t i s apparent t h a t t h e breakdown v o l t a g e of an a i r gap when h e a t e d w i t h a bunsen flame i s a c t u a l l y h i g h e r t h a n t h a t f o r an e l e c t r i c a l l y h e a t e d gap f o r temperatures below 500 C.
0

This

i s probably due t o t h e presence of CO

which i s t h e main product of 2' combustion and h a s a h i g h e r d i e l e c t r i c s t r e n g t h t h a n a i r .

2.2

Breakdown w i t h t h e gap completely spanned by a flame During t e s t s conducted i n A u s t r a l i a i n connection w i t h t h e T u l l y F a l l s hydro e l e c t r i c p r o j e c t 3 i t was mentioned t h a t f l a s h o v e r s occurr e d when t h e flames touched t h e conductors and t e s t s were t h e r e f o r e conducted a l o n g t h e l i n e s of t h e previous one but with the flame completely spanning t h e gap and u s i n g rod t o p l a n e and rod t o rod

electrodes.

The non-uniform f i e l d d i s t r i b u t i o n

i n such

gaps

was thought

be more representaiiy?

~f Zhe field occurring in practice. The

The breakdown v o l t a g e s a t 2 0 ' ~ f o r Measurements were t h e n t a k e n with t h e The temperature was measured by

a p p a r a t u s used i s shown i n f i g u r e 3 .

gaps

up t o

13 mm

was measured and t h e s e a r e shown i n t a b l e 4 and a r e

p l o t t e d as curve 1 i n f i g u r e 4 . flame f u l l y b r i d g i n g t h e

gap.

means of
These

a thermocouple which was removed b e f o r e t h e v o l t a g e was a p p l i e d .

results are p l o t t e d as curve 2.

The readings taken a t 2 0 ' ~ were then c o r r e c t e d f o r a i r d e n s i t y according t o a formulae quoted i n Peek curve 3 .

4 , increased

by 20% and p l o t t e d as
Since

The i n c r e a s e of 20% was made due t o t h e presence of C02 i n

t h e flame which has a d i - e l e c t r i c s t r e n g t h 20% g r e a t e r than a i r . curves 2 and 3 l i e f a i r l y c l o s e t o each o t h e r i t appears from t h i s

experiment t h a t i o n i s a t i o n of t h e flame does n o t lower t h e s p a r k i n g p o t e n t i a l of t h e gap. The e f f e c t of f l o a t i n g p a r t i c l e s on t h e breakdown v o l t a g e C a l c u l a t i o n s i n d i c a t e t h a t f l a s h o v e r s on t r a n s m i s s i o n l i n e s d u r i n g bush f i r e s cannot be e x p l a i n e d by t h e r e d u c t i o n of a i r d e n s i t y a l o n e due t o t h e l a r g e f l a s h o v e r d i s t a n c e s involved. i n a gap were t h e r e f o r e i n v e s t i g a t e d . The e f f e c t s of p a r t i c l e s

For t h e s e t e s t s t h i n rod t o

plane and rod t o rod e l e c t r o d e s were used approximating t h e c o n d i t i o n s existing i n practice. The t e s t a p p a r a t u s i s shown i n f i g u r e 5 where a p a r t i c l e i s shown suspended between t h e e l e c t r o d e s u s i n g a nylon t h r e a d . The d i s t a n c e

between t h e p a r t i c l e and t h e e l e c t r o d e s was v a r i e d and t h e breakdown voltages noted. For t h e s e experiments a s i n d i c a t e d i n f i g u r e 5 t h e

t o t a l gap i s d e f i n e d as t h e sum of t h e i n d i v i d u a l g a p b e t w e e n p a r t i c l e s and e l e c t r o d e s , and f o r any p a r t i c u l a r i n v e s t i g a t i o n t h e " t o t a l gap" was k e p t const a n t . The r e s u l t s appear i n t a b l e s 5 A t o 5F and a r e p l o t t e d i n f i g u r e s

6 t o 8.

The s p a r k i n g p o t e n t i a l was seen t o be s u b s t a n t i a l l y reduced

when a s m a l l p a r t i c l e , r e l a t i v e t o t h e t o t a l gap, was i n t h e c l o s e v i c i n i t y of one e l e c t r o d e .

A f u r t h e r decrease i n s p a r k i n g p o t e n t i a l

was n o t achieved however, when two p a r t i c l e s were i n t r o d u c e d i n t o t h e gap, one very c l o s e t o each e l e c t r o d e . the sparking voltage. (See r e s u l t s i n t a b l e 5 B)

I n some i n s t a n c e s t h e presence of a p a r t i c l e i n a gap even i n c r e a s e d This occurred when t h e p a r t i c l e s i z e was com-

parable with the t o t a l

gap. (See results i n t a b l e 5 D.

The findings of a reduced spark

Akazaka and

over voltage due to the presence

by

of a p a r t i c l e i n t h e gap a r e g e n e r a l l y i n agreement w i t h r e p o r t s

Hara

who

explain t h e reduction i n s p a r k i n g p o t e n t i a l due

t o t h e presence of a p a r t i c l e by an increase of f i e l d s t r e n g t h and

the r e s u l t a n t lowering of the corona threshold voltage. A t r i g g e r i n g

effect

of a spark developing between t h e particle and t h e one e l e c t r o d e

also appears t o be a l i k e l y explanation.

The

phenomenon

of increased

s p a r k i n g v o l t a g e s due t o t h e presence of r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e p a r t i c l e s i n a gap was n o t i n v e s t i g a t e d f u r t h e r . When a t e s t was done u s i n g a results

carbon p a r t i c l e t h e r e d u c t i o n i n breakdown v o l t a g e was much l e s s . (maximum 8 , 5 % ) . This i s shown i n f i g u r e 8 which shows t h e

o b t a i n e d w i t h a carbon p a r t i c l e a g a i n s t t h o s e u s i n g a copper p a r t i c l e of t h e same dimensions. The g r e a t e r e f f e c t i v e n e s s of copper p a r t i c l e s As t h e p a r t i c l e s which may be p r e s e n t i n a i n lowering t h e breakdown v o l t a g e i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e c o n d u c t i v i t y of the p a r t i c l e plays a part.

bush f i r e c o n s i s t of b u r n t g r a s s and d e b r i s which could s t i l l be glowing, i t was t r i e d t o i n t r o d u c e burning g r a s s p a r t i c l e s i n t o t h e gap. This was very d i f f i c u l t t o c o n t r o l and q u a n t i t a t i v e r e s u l t s were I n a few i n s t a n c e s breakdown d i d o c c u r , b u t i t was The breakimpossible.

n e c e s s a r y t o almost span t h e whole gap w i t h burning g r a s s .

down v o l t a g e l g a p r e l a t i o n s h i p i s n o t l i n e a r f o r l a r g e a i r gaps, i . e . lower v o l t a g e g r a d i e n t s a r e r e q u i r e d f o r l a r g e r gaps when t h e s t r e a m e r mechanism of d i s c h a r g e i s a p p l i c a b l e due t o t h e non-uniform f i e l d 9 (Ref. Alston ). It was endeavoured t h e r e f o r e t o c a l c u l a t e how n e a r t r a n s m i s s i o n l i n e s i n a bush f i r e a r e t o f l a s h o v e r u s i n g formulae a p p l i c a b l e f o r l a r g e gaps and c o r r e c t i n g t h e s e f o r a i r d e n s i t y .
3.
THE EFFECT O F FLAMES ON LONG A I R GAPS

The breakdown v o l t a g e i n a i r f o r gaps between 1 and 9 metres can be 6 expressed by t h e f o l l o w i n g e q u a t i o n given by Ryan and Powell

0,0798 + 0,4779d

0,0334d

+ 0,0007d Megavolts peak

Assuming t h a t we may c o r r e c t f o r a i r d e n s i t y w i t h l a r g e gaps i n t h e same way a s w i t h small gaps and t a k i n g an average flame temperature of 500c, t h e f l a s h o v e r v o l t a g e s between phases and from phase t o ground a t midspan

a s shown i n t a b l e 6 would be o b t a i n e d .

By comparing columns 1 and 2 with 6 and 7 of the t a b l e i t would appear

llaahdvere ~ h b u l dd o t
could occur on midspan.

occur a t normal v o l t a g e s .

Uowever,

!I

t h e maxlmum the

expected s w i t c h i n g surge i s considered t o occur a t t h e i n s t a n t t h a t

flames b r i d g e t h e conductors i t appears t h a t f l a s h o v e r s between phases

a l l l i n e s , b u t only a 400 kV l i n e could f l a s h t o ground a t

and

This i s i n d i c a t e d by comparing column 3 with columns 8

9.

4,

GENERAL CONCLUSION
T e s t s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e r e d u c t i o n i n s p a r k i n g p o t e n t i a l i n a flame appears t o be due t o t h e reduced a i r d e n s i t y only. It i s apparent however t h a t with t h e r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e d i s t a n c e s between phases and between phase and ground t h e r e must be o t h e r f a c t o r s c o n t r i b u t i n g t o the flashovers. These can be due t o t h e p a r t i c l e s and f l y i n g d e b r i s

above t h e flame reducing t h e breakdown s t r e n g t h a s shown by t e s t 2,3 o r atiother f l a s h o v e r mechanism which may be p r e s e n t i n l a r g e gaps c o n t a i n i n g r e g i o n s of i o n i s e d a i r . A q u e s t i o n n a i r e has been i s s u e d t o a l l undertakings which w i l l e n a b l e us t o g a t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n on a c t u a l f i r e f a u l t s . may p o i n t t o f a c t o r s l e a d i n g t o f l a s h o v e r s . It i s intended t o c a r r y o u t t h e f o l l o w i n g f u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n s . 1) Sparkover v o l t a g e s f o r long a i r gaps up t o 1 metre w i t h d i f f e r e n t s e c t i o n s of t h e gap f i l l e d w i t h flame when a s u i t a b l e high v o l t a g e source i s a v a i l a b l e . 2) Sparkover v o l t a g e s f o r long a i r gaps c o n t a i n i n g p a r t i c l e s of v a r y i n g s i z e and s i m i l a r r e s i s t i v i t y t o t h a t of burning g r a s s . Analysis of t h e s e r e p o r t s

3)

Frequency of f l a s h o v e r f o r v a r y i n g conductor h e i g h t s above a t y p i c a l fire.

4)

Temperatures a t conductor l e v e l above a c t u a l f i r e s i n r e l a t i o n t o v i s i b l e flame h e i g h t s .

5.

REFERENCES

1.

D.A.

Brereton

" F i r e f a u l t s on t h e Rhodesian 330 pages 32-46 E.R.A.

kV t r a n s m i s s i o n system''

report N o 5093 p a r t 1 1964.

2.

D.A. Brereton
It

me incidence of bush fire

faults on the Rhodesian 330 kV

t r a n s m i s s i o n system"

C. S.A. ( S c i e n t i f i c Council f o r A f r i c a south of t h e Sahara)

sDecialist s meet in[ on [he link rlisrance t~~~~~~~~~~

e l e c t r i c i t y Lagos 1-6 November 1962, r e f e r e n c e R. 34.

3.

D r . R.H.

Golde

" F a u l t s on high v o l t a g e overhead l i n e s caused by bush f i r e s " The B r i t i s h e l e c t r i c a l and a l l i e d i n d u s t r i e s r e s e a r c h a s s o c i a t i o n r e f e r e n c e 4/23. 4.

F.W. Peek
II

D i e l e c t r i c phenomena i n high v o l t a g e engineering".

McGraw-Hill book company 1929. (Book) 5. Akazaki and Hara

It

S t u d i e s of long spark mechanism w i t h f l o a t i n g p a r t i c l e s "

1 0 t h I n t e r n a t i o n a l conference on phenomena i n i o n i s e d gases h e l d a t Oxford England 1 3 t h

6.
H.M.

1 8 t h September 1971 page 160.

Ryan and Powell

"50 Hz breakdown c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of long a i r gaps" 2nd I n t e r n a t i o n a l conference on gas d i s c h a r g e s h e l d i n London 11-15 September 1972 pages 30-32. 7.

C.W. Powell and Ryan

11

Breakdown c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of a i r a t high temperatures"

2nd I n t e r n a t i o n a l conference on gas d i s c h a r g e s h e l d i n London 11-15 September 1972 pages 285-7.

8.

L.L. Alston
"High voltage technology" Oxford u n i v e r s i t y p r e s s 1968 (Book)

9.

J.J. Thompson

"Conduction of e l e c t r i c i t y through gases" Oxford university press (Book)

Table 1 E f f e c t of temperature on t h e sparking p o t e n t i a l measured i n an e l e c t r i c a l l y heated a i r

a.

Sphere diarne t e r 2,5

Ern

Sparking p o t e n t i a l (kV

R.M. S)

Temperature

10,4
994
8,2

30
50

90

7,6
6,3 5,6
4,9

118
224 271

363

Table 2

E f f e c t of temDerature on t h e S ~ a r k " in ~ otential measured i n * ~ a flame h e a t e d a i r gap.

Sphere diameter 2 , 5 cm

Note

S i n c e a thermocouple c o u l d n o t be p l a c e d between t h e s p h e r e s d u r i n g t h e t e s t i t was p l a c e d below t h e gap a s shown i n f i g u r e 1.

The t e m p e r a t u r e r e a d i n g s

g i v e n by t h i s thermocouple were t h e n a d j u s t e d from measurements made by a second thermocouple between t h e spheres p r i o r t o the t e s t .

Table 3 Effect of temperature on the sparking p o t e n t i a l calculated from a i r density correction f a c t o r s and formula f i r a i r density given i n B.S.S. 358. Sphere diameter 2 c m

Sparking p o t e n t i a l (kV

R. M. S. )

Temperature

OC

50
100 150
200

996
8,4 7,4 698 5,8 5 ,O 4,4 491 398
-

300 400 5 00 600 700

--

--

--

--

-- -

- -

Table 4

Breakdown t h r o u g h a v i s i b l e f l a m e

Gap s i z e

Sparking potential a t 20c kV 1,45 2,04 3,28 5,15 5,68 6,34 6,95 7,29 7,61 8,06 8,23 8,70 8,90 9,39 9,70 10,20

mm
0,25 0,51 1,03 2,03 2,54 3,06 3,57 4,06 4,75 5,52 6,15

Sparking potential with flame a p p l i e d i n gap kV

Temperature of ame f1
0

Relative air density at f1 ame temperature

Sparkover

p o t e n t i a l f o r C 0 2 f i l l e d gap

a t flame t e m p e r a t u r e c a l c u l a t e d f r o m m e a s u r e d r e s u l t s i n column (2) a n d corrected for r e l a t i v e demsity

k V

*
1,74 960 0,20 1-6

1,92

1080

0,18

1-8

2,53

820

0,23

2-5

2,34

1000

0,19

2-2

7,oo
8,18 9,45
11,OO

2,44 2,73

1080 1000

0,18
0,19

2-3 2-5

12,70

2,68

1080

0,18

2-6

Table 5 A

The e f f e c t on the sparking p o t e n t i a l of p a r t i c l e ( s ) i n t h e gap

T o t a l gap

Type

P o s i t i o n of

Sparking

Reduct i o n

01
mm

particle in
gap

potential
kV

of sparking
p o t e n t i a l due t o particle

electrodes

33,6
11

Point ta
point
tI

needle A

Touching

22,O
13,3

010
39 ,O

11

0 , 5 mm from n e e d l e A

V i r t u a l l y touching needle B Touching n e e d l e B Touching p l a n e

11,7

46,8

3 2 , 9

Ip

Point t o lane

For t h e s e t e s t s an 8 mm l o n g copper p a r t i c l e was used.

Table 5 B The e f f e c t on the sparking p o t e n t i a l of p a r t i c l e s i n the gap

T o t a l gap

Type

P o s i t i o n of

Sparking

Reduction

of
electrodes

particle in
gap

potential kV

of sparking
p o t e n t i a l due

mm

to particle Z

32,9

Point t o
point

Minute pap between

p a r t i c l e and p l a n e

11,6

44,2

11

I1

I!

20 m from n e e d l e 1 6 , l mm 7,6 mm 2,l m

II

18,4

11,5

I1

11

11

"

16,3 13,l 12,2

11,O

21,5 36,7 41,3 46,9

II

I1

11

"

It

II

11

I1

11

II

11

11

Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and needle Two p a r t i c l e s i n gap both i n c o n t a c t with respective electrodes Both p a r t i c l e s s i t u a t e d a minute d i s t a n c e from r e s p e c t i v e e l e c trodes One p a r t i c l e i n cont a c t with plane. Minute gap between o t h e r p a r t i c l e and needle One p a r t i c l e i n c o n t a c t w i t h needle. Minute gap between o t h e r p a r t i c l e and plane

32,7

II

II

22

010

II

II

I1

11,5

47,6

I1

11

II

10,8

50,9

11

I1

11

11,7

46,8

F n r thacp

toci-a

sn

m m

lnno rnnnpr n a r t i r l ~ wan

irs~d.

Table 5 G The
Total gap

effect

on the sparking potential

Position of
p a r t i c l e in

of

particles

i n th _e . . gap

Type
of electrodes

Sparking
potential

gap
kV

Reduction of s p a r k i n g p o t e n t i a l due 1 to partlcle

41,O
II

d particles in conro B t a c t with respective point

Poinr
II

2916
14,6

electrodes
II

p a r t i c l e B i n contact w i t h p l a n e . Minute gap etween p a r t l c e A and n e e d l e

50,7

'1

I1

11

11

P a r t i c l e B i n contact

15,6

47,3

w i t h plane.
A
I1 11 I1

Particle
17,4 41,2

0 , 5 nun from needle

P a r t i c l e B i n contact with plane. P a r t i c l e A 0 , 8 mm from n e e d l e Q a r t i c l e B i n contact with plane. P a r t i c l e A 1 , 8 mm from n e e d l e P a r t i c l e B i n contact with plane. P a r t i c l e A 3 , l mrn from n e e d l e One p a r t i c l e i n gap i n contact with needle e l e c t r o d e %nute gap betp a r t i c l e and e l e c t rode P a r t i c l e i n contact with needle electrode Minute gap beeweerr p a r t i c l e and n e e d l e electrode P a r t i c l e i n contact with needle electrode Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and n e e d l e electrode

I1

11

11

18,4

37,8

11

I1

It

19,4 894

34,s

16,7

I1

It

11

I1

11

697

20,5

12,2
11

11

I1

5,9

3,o

11

II

5,9 .

14,7
11

11

I1

6,6 6,4

11

11

For t h e s e t e s t s an 8 mm long copper p a r t i c l e was used.

Table 5 D

The e f f e c t on t h e sparking p o t e n t i a l of p a r t i c l e s i n the

gap

T o t a l gap

Type of electrodes

P o s i t i o n of particle in gap

Sparking potential

Reduction of s p a r k i n g p o t e n t i a l due

t o particle

mm
14,7
Point t o point
11 I1

kV
0,5 rn gap bebween -p a r t i c l e and n e e d l e

1
391

699

electrode
11

0,8 r m

-do-

7 $6

14,4

18,l

I1

11

Particle in contact with needle

electrode Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and needle e l e c t r o d e P a r t i c l e i n cont a c t with needle electrode

12,O

11

I1

II

7,2

40,O

16,9

II

II

737

I1

I1

II

Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and needle electrode

0 , 5 mrn gap between p a r t i c l e and n e e d l e electrode 0 , 8 mm
"
1I

7,o

9,1

I1

11

11

7,4

3,8

II

11

II

8,8

14,l

17,l 17,l

11

11

P a r t i c l e i n contact
0 , 5 rmn gap between

7,9
796"

3,8

II

II

p a r t i c l e and needle electrode

11 I1 II

0 , 8 nnn

"

11

8,8 12,O

11,4

18,O

11

II

P a r t i c l e i n contact with needle electrode

For t h e s e t e s t s and 8 m long copper p a r t i c l e was used.

"

Table 5 E

The e f f e c t on the sparking p o t e n t i a l of p a r t i c l e s i n the gap

Total gap

Type of
electrodes

P o s i t i o n of particle in gap

Sparking potential

Reduct ion of sparking p o t e n t i a l due t o particle

mm
10,O Point t o point
I1 I 1

kV
-

P a r t i c l e i n contact with.needle e l e c t r o d e Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and needle 0 , 8 m gap between particle and needle
P a r t i c l e i n contact w i t h needle e l e c t r o d e Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and needle electrode P a r t i c l e i n contact w i t h needle e l e c t r o d e Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and n e e d l e electrode P a r t i c l e and c o n t a c t with n e e d l e e l e c t r o d e Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and n e e d l e P a r t i c l e i n contact with needle Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and n e e d l e

597

It

597

23,4

1I

I1

It

7 NO
7 96

15,O

It

11

13,4

I1

II

I1

6,5

20,o

II

11

12,O

30,6

II

II

11

8,3

30,O

It

II

20,4

47,7

11

I1

It

10,6

40,O

11

I1

27,2

50,4

II

II

11

13,4

F o r t h e s e t e s t s a 1 0 mm long copper p a r t i c l e was used.

Table 5 F

The e f f e c t on t h e s p a r k i n g p o t e n t i a l of p a r t i c l e s i n t h e gap

Total gap

Type of
electrode

Position of particle in
gap

Sparking potential

Reduction of sparking
p o t e n t i a l due

to particle
kV

2
I

50,O
I!

Point to
point
11

Particle in contact
with n e e d l e

32,O
16 4

11

Minute gap between

p a r t i c l e and n e e d l e

49,8

60,O

11

11

P a r t i c l e i n contact with n e e d l e

37,2

47,3

I1

11

II

Minute gap between p a r t i c l e and n e e d l e N o p a r t i c l e i n gap

19,6

30,5

11

11

18,7

For t h e s e t e s t s a 10 nun long copper p a r t i c l e was used.

Table 6 Line voltage

Predicted flashover voltages

1

Phase t o Switching surge r a t i o earth voltage .maximum s u r g e v o l t a g e nominal v o l t a g e

Midspan phase t o ground clearance

Phase t o phase clearance

kV

kV

Flashover voltage to earth a t midspan assuming 5 0 0 ~ fla ~ mes enveloping e n t i r e gap kV

Flashover voltage between phases a s s u m i n g 500C f l a m e s bridging both conductors

Ratio

Flashover voltage in flame nominal voltage Phase to ground

Phase t o p h a s e

kV

k V

kV

66

38

3,5

6.25

138 Assuming double circuit vertical con f i guration 2,9

436

188

2 , s

11,4

88

50

3,5

6,47

Ditto

443

2 72

3,1

8 ~ 7

3,35
132 76 3.2 6,90 Ditto 455

301

2,3

5,9

275

158

2,5

7,90

478

45 8

Assuming
horizontal con fi guration 400 2 31 8,76 10,7 Ditto 491

1s 7

3.0

2,s

503

1,2

2a1
a

II
JOHANNESBURG
.&.

Apparattis u s e d corqparin~ b ..................... GTM.'IAK ....................................................................

for

the

........................................................................ sparking potential-s for ai.r..gaps .......... :rAscinnN

I
I
1

i4ALlE

............. R

..................... . U . ....1io.o.r.e

..4s...,

CtlECKED ..........

. . . . ..............................................

heated by flame .............................................

..............................
. . I

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . * . . . .

or e l e c t r......... i c heat ,,., .......

CAYE

.................. 1,LJ,.L..J,9..7.5 ................................

SCA1.E

N.T.S. ................. . . . ..................................................

..........................................................................SKAAL

Fig ure -

A s b e s t o s box Th.- Thermocouple 2 , 5 cm s p h e r e s W - Window Bunsen b u r n e r

Figure 1 A

Electric heating unit

Kanttial A 1

w i r e wound h e , a t i n g e l e m e n t s .

C = S - ore

Ceramic t u b e . The above u n i t was rsounted v e r t i c a l l y b e l o x t h e spl~crcgays when t h e e l e c t r i c h e a t i n g t e s t s were made.

Eagle Press SM 2947

:'ORMIVORM 228A.
'

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMMISSION / ELEKTRlSlTElTSVOORSlEWINGSKOMMlSSlE

Figure 3 .............................................................................................................. GEMAAK
.....................
....................
MADE

JOHANNESBURG

@
011 SqC

....................................................................

R , J , C , Moore

t a~~.ariCns, ..I ax..,inv.~81i~a!ix.~ ......

. ) . .

CHECKED............................................................ ...,,,
DATE

..bre&do.x~ ....~.r?,...~...~~..$.i~b.l~..~~f lame ........................

..................................................................................

................. . ............................................................

DATUM
SCALE .............................................................. SKAAL NO

...................... ......

...

..........................

Eagle Press SM 2947

FoRMlVORM

228A.

ELECTRICITT SUPPLY COMMISSION / ELEKTRISITEITSV00RSIEWINGSKOMMISSIE

Figure 5 ................................................................................................................ GEhlAAK
MADE .'.,,.,!.

R J C Moore .......... ............................................

.......................................................................................................... NAGLGAAN

Test apparatus for investigating

sparking p o t e n t i a l of air gaps

CHECKED ............. . ...............................................

DATE DATUM

t h e e f f e c t of p a r t i c l e s on t h e ...............................................................................................................
JOHANNESBURG

................................ ..........................................

................... . . . .................................................................................. SKAAL

NO

SCALE

N.T.S. . . . ................ ...............................................

..................................................................

Rod e l e c t r o d e

) NB
I

T o t a l gap

distance a + b + c

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