FUNDAMENTALS OF HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING

DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

Part I- Chapter 3: Insulation test techniques

3.2 Measurement of high voltages

Instructor: Dr. Jian Li

Lecture 7-1
 FUNDAMENTALS OF HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING

DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2 Measurement of high voltages
z Major approaches of HV measurement in laboratory
Measurement of peak values of AC, DC, and both types of impulse
high voltages by using sphere gaps.
Measurement of effective values of AC and DC high voltages by
using electrostatic voltmeters.
Measurement of AC, DC, and impulse voltages by using voltage
dividing systems.
Measurement of AC high voltages by using peak voltmeters.
Optical measurement systems of high voltages.
z Basic classification of HV measurement systems
Reference measuring systems
Approved measuring systems

Lecture 7-2
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.1 Peak voltage measurement by sphere gaps
z Two adjacent metal spheres of equal diameters, whose
separation distance is limited, form a sphere gap for the
measurement of the peak value of either AC, DC or both types
of impulse voltages.
z Basic mechanisms of HV measurement by sphere gaps
Breakdown voltage of air gap in uniform field is determined by gap
distance.
A quasi-uniform field between the two spheres

Lecture 7-3

DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY
3.2.1 Peak voltage measurement by sphere gaps
z Vertical sphere gap
Lecture 7-4
FUNDAMENTALS OF HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING
1. Insulating support
2. Sphere shank
3. Operating gear, showing
maximum dimensions
4. High-voltage connection with
series resistor
5. Stress distributor, showing
maximum dimensions.
P. Sparking point of HV sphere
A. Height of P above ground plane.
B. Radius of space free from external
structures
X. Item 4 not to pass through this
plane within a distance B from P.
Note: The figure is drawn to scale
for a 100-cm sphere gap at radius
spacing.
 FUNDAMENTALS OF HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING

DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.1 Peak voltage measurement by sphere gaps
z Clearance around the spheres

Lecture 7-5
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.1 Peak voltage measurement by sphere gaps
z Remarks on the use of the sphere gap
To avoid excessive pitting of the spheres, protective series
resistances may be placed between test object and sphere gap.
For AC and DC voltages, the value of the protective

resistor may range from 0.1 to 1 M.

For impulse voltages, it should not exceed 500 ohms and

its inductance should be smaller than 30 H.

Influenced by irradiation and humidity.

Lecture 7-6
 FUNDAMENTALS OF HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING

DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.2 Electrostatic voltmeters
z Electrostatic voltmeters are related to measurement of electrical
field force generated by voltages between a pair of parallel plane
disc electrodes.
z Electrostatic voltmeters are RMS-indicating instruments for AC
and DC voltages.
z The measuring principle displays no upper frequency limit. The
load inductance and the electrode system capacitance, however,
form a series resonant circuit, thus limiting the frequency range.
z High-precision-type electrostatic voltmeters have been built for
very high voltages up to 1000 kV.

Lecture 7-7
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.3 Peak voltmeters
z Disruptive discharge phenomena within electrical insulation
systems or high-quality insulation materials are in general
caused by the instantaneous maximum field gradients stressing
the materials.
z The necessary calibration procedure and the limited accuracy of
the sphere gap are hindering its daily application and call for
more convenient methods.
z Peak voltmeters are based on a simple but accurate method for
the measurement of peak values of AC voltages, proposed by
Chubb and Fortescue.

Lecture 7-8
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.3 Peak voltmeters
z A.C. peak voltage measurement by Chubb and Fortescue

(a) Fundamental circuit.

(b) Recommended actual circuit

1 t2 C t2 2Vmax C Ic
Ic =
T t 1
i c ( t )dt =
T t 1
dV =
T
Vmax =
2 fC
Lecture 7-9
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.3 Peak voltmeters
z Peak voltmeter for AC measurements according to Davis,
Bowdler and Standring

Vd
Vd = Vm exp(t / RC ) Vm =
Vd [Vm + Vm exp(T / RC )] / 2 T
1
2 RC

Lecture 7-10
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.4 Voltage dividing systems
1. Basic concept of voltage dividers
Voltage dividing ratio is as:
k =V1 /V2 = (Z1+Z2 ) / Z2
Basic requirement for voltage dividers
No voltage distortion

Steady voltage dividing ratio

Not to influence measured voltages

Lecture 7-11
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.4 Voltage dividing systems
2. High ohmic resistor voltage dividers
z Voltage dividing ratio k =(R1+R2 )/R2
z To keep i << i2 Mainly for
z Current flowing through voltage divider DC voltage
measurement
Upper limits of 1 to 2 mA

Lower limit about 100 A

z Very low temperature coefficients.

Wire-wound metal resistors made from
CuMn, CuNi, and NiCr alloys
Down to about 10-5/K

z Distributed stray capacitance to ground causes a

strongly non-linear voltage distribution along a
resistor column and overstresses individual
elements during breakdown of a test object.

Lecture 7-12
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.4 Voltage dividing systems
z HV resistor element
Wire-wound resistors are not only very expensive to produce, but
also quite sensitive to sudden voltage drops.

Sketch of cross-section of an
HV resistor element
X100-M, 100-kV standard resistor

Lecture 7-13
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.4 Voltage dividing systems
3. Capacitor voltage dividers Mainly for
z Voltage dividing ratio k =(C1+C2 )/ C1 AC voltage
z C1: 100~200 pF measurement

z Stray capacitors to surrounding objects and

ground influence the voltage dividing ratio.
z Requirements for HV capacitors
Independent of magnitude of voltage level
and no ageing effects
Very small temperature coefficient
Small effective inductivity

Lecture 7-14
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3.2.4 Voltage dividing systems
4. Generalized impulse voltage measuring circuit

1. Voltage supply. 2. Lead to test object. 3. Test object. 4. Lead to voltage divider.
5. Voltage divider. 6. Signal or measuring cable. 7. Recording instrument. 8. Ground return

Lecture 7-15
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DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.4 Voltage dividing systems
z Resistor voltage dividers (for impulse voltages)
HV resistor: 2000 20000 ohms

Resistor voltage dividing circuit

for impulse voltage measurement
R2 + R3 = Z
R4 = Z
k = n[( R1 + R2 )( R3 + R4 ) + R1 R2 ] / R2 R4

Equivalent circuit for resistor

voltage dividers

Lecture 7-16
 FUNDAMENTALS OF HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING

DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.4 Voltage dividing systems
z Capacitor voltage dividers (for impulse voltages)

Capacitor voltage dividing circuit with a Capacitor voltage dividing circuit with
matched resistor at head terminal of cable matched resistors at both terminals of cable

t = 0+ , k1 = (C1 + C 2 ) / C1 t = 0+ , k1 = 2(C1 + C 2 ) / C1
t > 2 , k 2 = (C1 + C 2 + C0 ) / C1 t > 2 , k 2 = (C1 + C 2 + C3 + C0 ) / C1
= 2(C1 + C 2 ) / C1

Lecture 7-17
 FUNDAMENTALS OF HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING

DEPT OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND INSULATION ENG CHONGQING UNIVERSITY

3.2.4 Voltage dividing systems
z Capacitor voltage dividers (for impulse voltages)

When R is a real resistor, the capacitor voltage becomes a

series-damped capacitor voltage divider.

t = 0+ , k1 = ( R1 + R2 ) / R2
t , k 2 = (C1 + C 2 ) / C1
C1 R1 > C 2 R2

Lecture 7-18