Presentation 12.

Generating High Voltage for GIS Substation Insulation Test on-site

using a Power VT and CPC 100 with Resonance Circuit CP RC
Marina Pajak / Renaud Verjus, Siemens, France
Dr. Till Welfonder / Thomas Renaudin, OMICRON, France
Lutz Hulka, OMICRON, Austria

Abstract

Previous method of testing

SIEMENS Transmission & Distribution (T&D) from

Grenoble in France, has many years of experience
in constructing gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)
systems.
However, remaining successful in the face of ever
shorter project times, in a market with strong
competition using high-level solutions, requires
constant improvements to project processes and
use of the latest technology.
SIEMENS T&D has been using OMICRON testing
devices for years to ensure efficient testing of its
primary and secondary equipment.
Experts from SIEMENS T&D and OMICRON
recently got together to try out a new method for
optimizing the high-voltage insulation testing of
GIS. Following successful tests in the Grenoble
factory, the multifunctional CPC 100 primary
testing system and the new CP RC resonance
circuit are now proven for use throughout the
world.

To date, a high-voltage generator and a special

coupling mechanism (filled with SF6 gas and
connected to the respective busbar) have typically
been used for on-site testing. This equipment in
this set-up weighs around 2.5 tons and needs to
be transported from one construction site to the
next in a 15 cubic meter container, often via a
cargo flight, frequently having to take into account
the often strict customs regulations. This has
always required precise logistics and often created
considerable costs.
Once on-site, the assembly of the system takes up
a lot of valuable space, and is both difficult and
time-consuming - requiring a crane and the careful
precautions which are essential when working with
gas.

GIS High-voltage testing

Gas-insulated switchgear systems are made up of
many encapsulated elements. The internal highvoltage conductor is insulated from the metallic
wall of the capsule, which is at ground potential,
using pressurized SF6 gas. The dielectric strength
of the system is optimally dimensioned based on
the respective voltage level, as the size of the
system has a direct influence on its costs. Sharp
edges, metal shavings, or impurities which find
their way into the system during installation can
lead to electrical breakdown of the insulation at
high voltages.
GIS bays which are prefabricated as a unit, are
already provisionally filled with gas and subjected
to a dielectric strength test in the factory. They are
then sealed and transported to the construction
site.
However, impurities can also get into the system
during on-site assembly. As such, an on-site
insulation test needs to be performed.
For this "stress test", a voltage higher than 1.5
times the nominal voltage is applied.

Fig. 1 Previous test set-up connected to a 72.5 kV GIS

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Presentation 12.2

Fig. 4 Parameter setting card for resonance circuit

Fig. 2 Mounting and dismounting of the heavy and

bulky previous test set-up by the use of a crane

The new OMICRON CPC 100 & CP

RC system
The CP RC resonance system is coupled to the
GIS via a specially designed voltage transformer
for secondary injection, together they form a
parallel resonant circuit. Controlled by the CPC
100, this circuit can be excited at its resonant
frequency. Operating from the low-voltage supply
of the CPC 100, this allows a high voltage of up to
200 kV to be generated on the GIS side. The
system is portable and, depending on capacity,
can be ideally matched to the GIS using one or
more CP RC units.

Fig. 5 Automatic resonance frequency determination

Fig. 3 New CPC 100 & CP RC resonance test system

The CPC 100 provides a specific test card (Fig.4)

configuration of the resonant circuit parameters
and the test setup. An automatic search function is
available permitting to determinate easily the
resonance frequency of the complete system
(Fig.5). Once this resonance frequency is found
the pre-prepared test sequences for different
durations at different voltage levels can be tested
automatically and an assessment is done which
can be used for the report of the executed test.

Fig. 6 Test result logging & assessment for predefined

test durations at different voltage levels

Specially adapted voltage

transformers (VT)
Unlike a regular VT, this one is not only used for
measurement purposes, it also serves as a test
transformer. The VT must be specifically designed
for this, as the power required for the high-voltage
test is supplied on the low voltage side. SIEMENS

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Presentation 12.3

T&D now integrates these special power VTs in to

its new GIS systems in the factory. This allows the
systems to be tested by simply connecting the
CPC 100 and the CP RC. Since the transformers
remain a permanent part of the system, it is also
easy to repeat the tests for maintenance purposes.

Initial testing at the SIEMENS

T&D facility
Experts from SIEMENS and OMICRON got
together in March 2011 to perform successful tests
in SIEMENS T&D's high-voltage laboratory. Once
completed, these proved the suitability of the
equipment for on-site application.

First project deployment

The first deployment took place at the start of April
2011 for a project in Peru. A new 72.5 kV type
8DN8-4 GIS from SIEMENS was tested with 120
kV. It was possible to successfully test the system,
which is made up of 3 panels (1.2 nF per panel)
and a single busbar, in under 2 days including
the preparations and the customer acceptance
tests. Using standard systems, these tests used to
take more than twice as long..
The material was dispatched on time and there
were no issues with customs. The test set-up was
soon ready for use, the resonance point was
found, and all tests were accepted by the end
customer. Just a few hours after completion, the
feedback was very positive: The tests were all
performed quickly and with no problems. The onsite engineer from Grenoble appreciated the
simplicity of the approach and its ease of use.

Fig. 7 Preliminary tests at Siemens TD in Grenoble

Fig. 9 First project application: GIS on-site testing in

Peru using an integrated Power VT.

Fig. 8 CPC 100 & CP RC applied to an external, non

integrated Power VT in the HV laboratory

Fig. 10 Test engineer checking ergonomics of the

interface for future use on further projects

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Presentation 12.4

Conclusion
Comparison of the methods
To test a comparable GIS Substation, Siemens
T&D used to require twice as much time and more
than twice the staff before. The new system allows
not only that one person alone can now do this
test, but the whole process is significantly faster.
The new method is also considered superior in
terms of safety, environmental friendliness, and the
risks involved. Modification work related with SF6
Gas filling and evacuation is no longer needed just
to perform the tests. Also a crane necessary before
is no longer required. Yet perhaps the most
important benefit is that the system remains
sealed, as the transformers are already preinstalled in the factory. This eliminates the risk of
dust getting into the system.
The slightly higher costs of the transformer are
easily compensated by the many advantages it
offers. The old method also required a great deal
of space to be allocated for the test equipment
during construction of the building, which also had
an effect on costs. None of this is necessary with
the new approach; the testing device can simply
be positioned directly in front of the busbar.

Looking ahead
SIEMENS is already planning further applications
with the CPC 100 and CP RC in other countries.
To make the modular system even more versatile,
collaborative work has also begun on further
improvements.
Consideration has even been given to a business
idea in a completely different field; using the CPC
100 with CP RC in the service business to maintain
worldwide parks with aging systems installed.

Literature
[1]

[2]

Schumacher, Martin; Hulka, Lutz: Hochspannungsprfung von GIS-Anlagen auf

Baustellen,
OMICRON
German
User
Meeting 2011, Darmstadt
IEC 62271-203 Standard

About the Authors

Marina Pajak, Ingnieur, was born
1980 in Bhl, Germany. She
received in 2004 her diploma for
Electronical Engineering from
ENSERG in Grenoble, France and
for Electrical Engineering from
Technische Universitt (TU) in

Karlsruhe, Germany. In 2007 she joined Siemens

T&D as Contract Manager on international turnkey
projects. Marina Pajak is today responsible for
GIS-Project Management of the GIS-On site
Activities of Siemens T&D Grenoble.
E-Mail: marina.pajak@siemens.com
Renaud Verjus, Dielectrical GIS
Testing Expert, was born 1973 in
Grenoble, France. He joined
Merlin Gerin in 1989 as Student.
From 1998 to 2005 he was
working on many international
projects as Commissioning Engineer for Schneider Hv and VaTech. Back to
France in 2005 he worked as Quality Inspector in
Grenoble. Today he is Expert for GIS Testing in
the Installation & Commissioning Department at
Siemens T&D Grenoble. Siemens Grenoble was
previously VATECH T&D, Schneider HV and
Merlin Gerin.
SIEMENS T&D: Energy Sector, E T HS MF G7 , 1,
Rue de la Nva, BP178, 38004 Grenoble, France
E-Mail: renaud.vejus@siemens.com
Till Welfonder, was born 1967 in
Stuttgart, Germany. He received
his Electrical Engineering degree
from University of Stuttgart in
1994. In 1998 his PhD from the
INPG in Grenoble. In 1998 he
joined Schneider Electric HV as
Protection Engineer. He was in charge of the HV
Protection & Control Activity later for the MV
Division of Siemens T&D Grenoble. Siemens
Grenoble was previously VATECH and before
Schneider HV. In 2009 he joined OMICRON as
Area Sales Manager for France and Italy.
E-Mail: till.welfonder@omicron.at
Lutz Hulka, was born 1974 in
Salzgitter, Germany. He received
his Electrical Engineering degree
from the University of Aachen in
1999. After five years as research
assistant at the University of
Aachen he worked 2 years for
BAUR Prf-und Messtechnik as Product
responsible. In 2007 he joined OMICRON as
Product Manager for CPC 100 and herewith
follows up also the implementation and further
application for the new CP RC Resonance Circuit.
E-Mail: lutz.hulka@omicron.at

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Presentation 12.5

Thomas Renaudin, Ingnieur,

was born 1981 in Bordeaux,
France. He obtained his master's
degree in Electrical Engineering
from INSA. He joined VATECH
T&D Grenoble (later Siemens
T&D) in 2006 and worked as Field
Supervisor and Commissioning
Engineer on many international projects. Thomas
Renaudin joined OMICRON in 2009 as technical
Application Engineer with a particular focus on
Primary Equipment testing.
E-Mail: thomas.renaudin@omicron.at

OMICRON electronics GmbH 2011 Instrument Transformer Measurement Forum