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Safe, secure and economic supply of electricity
– with ABB surge arresters
A new generation of overvoltage protec- meets the demands of quality assurance as stipu-
tion – backed by 65 years of experience lated in ISO 9001. The products and the manufac-
The ABB factory in Ludvika, Sweden is a pioneer turing process also comply with ISO14000 and we
in overvoltage protection of power equipment. continuously strive to reduce any negative envi-
Our surge arresters are the Silent Sentinels pro- ronmental impact.
tecting electrical equipment in power systems
and industries all over the world since 1938. ABB Safety
was also one of the pioneers in the introduction In order to protect other power equipment from
of gapless ZnO (metal-oxide) arresters in the late dangerous overvoltages, the arresters themselves are
seventies. The porcelain-housed arresters, type employed in the most exposed locations. Hence,
EXLIM, and silicone polymer-housed arresters, under extreme adverse conditions, they may be
type PEXLIM are the latest generation of ABB overstressed. However, our arresters are designed
ZnO arresters. Both types use the same blocks to fail safely and thus protect the other equipment
known for their excellent energy capability and even during such an event. Both the porcelain-
low protection levels. PEXLIM arresters are enclo- housed and polymer-housed designs are tested
sed in composite housings of silicone polymer according to the stringent criteria of IEC standard
developed after years of research. While EXLIM 60099-4 for safe short-circuit capability.
arresters have a given place in the substation, the
PEXLIM arrester range permits greater flexibility Insurance
in substation installations and opens new areas In a typical substation, the cost of providing
of application, e.g. as transmission line arresters adequate overvoltage protection using arresters
using the PEXLINK concept. is a very small fraction of the cost of the substa-
tion. This cost can easily be accepted if it is seen
Availability as an insurance premium for overall economy.
Secure availability of power supply is high on Naturally, only the best insurance cover should
the list of user demands. Users have difficulty to be considered.
accept interruptions in supply that cost them loss
of production or damage to sensitive equipment Economy
connected to the network. With the continued Proper selection and placement of arresters per-
privatisation of the electrical industry, consu- mits the reduction in the insulation withstand
mers can now collect steep fines or change strength of the major equipment in a station. This
suppliers with ease. Quality, both in design and can have a significant impact on reducing the
manufacture, is the essential ingredient in buil- overall cost of the station. With their exceptional
ding reliable equipment. Correct application of protection performance, ABB arresters are there-
our arresters ensures reliable supply with mini- fore the logical choice to protect the heavy invest-
mum interruptions to the consumers. Expensive ment in other capital equipment. They make a
“down-time” for overhaul and repairs of major very attractive investment that improves both
equipment is also reduced or eliminated. ABB short-term and long-term profitability.
ABB
EXLIM Porcelain housed arresters
— Our experience is your assurance
ABB
ABB
6
PEXLIM silicone housed arresters — Flexibility at its best
ABB
ABB
HS PEXLIM — High strength silicone housed arrester
Tube design for higher mechanical PEXLIM arresters and thus superior to conven-
strength tional porcelain designs.
In special cases with very high demands for
mechanical strength, the moulded design may Design highlights - HS tube
not provide the optimal solution, particularly The basic concept is the replacement of the
at system voltages above 420 kV. Instead, what porcelain housing used with EXLIM arresters by
is required is a mix between the features of a fibreglass tube housing onto which the silico-
the standard EXLIM and the moulded PEXLIM ne sheds are vulcanised. The metal flanges are
designs. The high strength PEXLIM tube design integrated onto the tube prior to the vulcanising
provides the solution by offering comparable process. The ZnO blocks, internal arrangement,
mechanical strength to EXLIM arresters, but pressure-relief and sealing devices are similar to
with much less mass. The seismic and pollu- those used for EXLIM arresters.
tion performance is in line with the moulded
HS PEXLIM P HS PEXLIM T
System voltages 245 - 550 kV 245 - 800 kV
Rated voltages 180 - 444 kV 180 - 264 kV
Nominal discharge current (IEC) 20 kA 20 kA
Line discharge class Class 4 Class 5
ABB
10 ABB
PEXLINK – Secure supply all the way
ABB 11
12 ABB
Monitoring the health of surge arresters
ABB 13
Special solutions for high energy applications
14 ABB
Expanding frontiers with continuous research and development
ABB 15
Photo: Hasse Eriksson, Mats Findell
Publication 1HSM 9543 11-01en, 2006-03 Edition 4, High Voltage Surge Arresters