TRANSIENTS ON SECONDARY EQUIPMENT IN MEDIUM
VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR INSTALLATIONS
B. W. Jäkel, A. B. Müller
Siemens AG Erlangen, Germany
e-mail: bernd.jaekel@erl6.siemens.de
Abstract: Conventional current and voltage transform-
ers of medium voltage distribution switchgear are going
to be technologically replaced by modern low-power
sensors. In order to ensure their undisturbed operation in
future applications fundamental investigations have to
be done about the electromagnetic stress to which sen-
sors are supposed. Measurements of transients on the
secondary lines to transformers in general and particu-
larly to the sensors as well as on the primary circuit
were performed for typical switching actions. Corre-
sponding results of the transient voltages and of the
transmitting behaviour of transformers and sensors are
presented. A kind of transfer function is introduced in
order to describe the transmitting behaviour of the sen-
sors and transformers also in the frequency domain.
Keywords: Transients, Substation, Switchgear, Medium
Voltage Switchgear, Sensor, Non-Conventional Trans-
former, Transmitted Overvoltages Test, Transfer Func-
tion
1. Introduction
The electromagnetic compatibility in distribution
switchgear installations has to be regarded under two
aspects: the interference between the components inside
a substation and the interaction of the switchgear with
the environment outside [1]. Particularly the first aspect
has to be considered when new technologies regarding
the sensitive secondary equipment will be introduced.
This is now the situation in medium voltage distribution
switchgear where the technology of conventional cur-
rent and voltage transformers will be replaced by mod-
ern low-power transducers. In the absence, as yet, of an
internationally adopted term – they are referred to sim-
ply as 'sensors' [2]. This trend is induced by the pressure
to decrease costs which forces optimisation of the whole
switchgear supply sequence. Simultaneously, the wide
range of functions, which must be individually selected
to suit the particular user, cannot be restricted - a con-
tradiction which cannot be resolved with conventional
technology. The new way to achieve this goal is the
consistent use of electronics and software. It requires
suitable sensors that are compatible with the digital
protection concept – today’s current and voltage trans-
ducers are not ideally compatible. Conventionally, a
voltage transformer converts the primary voltage from,
for example, 30 kV to 100 V and the input transformer
in a digital relay converts that 100 V further into 10 V.
A sensor converts the primary voltage directly to 10 V.
Additionally, the power requirement of a digital relay is
so small that the output of the sensor can be allowed to
shrink into the milli-watt range. The significant reduc-
tion of the signal power increases the possibility that
these signals might be influenced or disturbed by exter-
nal electromagnetic stress. Investigations of these new
relations with the consequent change and matching of
EMC measures to the new situation have to be per-
formed.
2. Switchgear interference sources
2.1 Switchgear emissions
An essential issue in the frame of an EMC considering
product development is the knowledge of the interfer-
ence sources which emissions might influence compo-
nents of the concerned installation or other nearby in-
stallations. The propagation paths of the emissions must
be examined and disturbance levels at the interfaces to
the sensitive components can be derived. These levels
have to be compared with the immunity levels and in
the case that they do not match, suitable EMC measures
must be performed. In principle, measures can apply to
the source, the propagation path or to the involved com-
ponents.
Several disturbance sources are to be considered in
connection with switchgear installations. They are pres-
ent in the steady-state operation mode of the switchgear
where magnetic and electric fields at the power fre-
quency and higher-order harmonics are generated. Par-
ticularly in connection with other components such as
transformers these fields may have significant ampli-
tudes at least in the close vicinity leading there to possi-
ble disturbances of sensitive equipment like computer
monitors. An evaluation of these fields under the point
of view of personnel risk must also be taken into ac-
count which is increasingly recommended or required
by several standards.
 2.2 Transients in switchgear
The more significant interference sources occur in con-
nection with transient phenomena such as switching
actions or lightning discharges [3]. These phenomena
cause transients with relatively high frequency contri-
butions in the currents and voltages in the primary cir-
cuits. The interference transients lead to high frequency
radiation from connected bars and cables as well as to
transient overvoltages on the secondary circuits. Since
the main connection between the primary and the sec-
ondary circuits exists via instrument transformers re-
spectively sensors, their high frequency behaviour as
well as that of connected lines determine the spectrum
and magnitude of the coupled transient overvoltages.
Detailed transient electromagnetic interference in sub-
stations is described in a number of studies, such as [4]
and the references cited therein. But the main emphasis
in this area is on the effects in high voltage (HV) sub-
stations, as there knowledge is essential for the substa-
tion design and operation. There is little data available
for the case of switchgear in the medium voltage (MV)
range from 1 to 52 kV. This might be due to the fact that
the transient interference sources in these stations are of
relatively low levels compared to those of HV substa-
tions and that the immunity of secondary equipment is
sufficient enough not to be influenced by those emis-
sions. These assumptions might be true in the case of
conventional technology, but must be proved in the case
of using modern sensors in switchgear installations.
2.3 Switching of circuit breaker
The main interference source, i.e. the source producing
emissions with the highest levels, in HV switchgear is
the switching of disconnectors in Gas insulated switch-
gear (GIS). In medium voltage installations switching of
the circuit-breaker is assumed to produce the most rele-
vant emissions. Closing the breaker produces transients
on the primary circuit which for example can be de-
scribed by the time behaviour of the transient voltage on
a primary conductor. An example of corresponding
measurements is shown in Figure 1 for the situation
when the breaker energises a cable.
3.0E+04
2.5E+04
PRIMARY VOLTAGE (volts)
2.0E+04
1.5E+04
1.0E+04
5.0E+03
0.0E+00
-5.0E+03
-5.00E-04 0.00E+00 5.00E-04 1.00E-03
TIME (seconds)
Fig. 1: Transient voltage on the primary circuit
when switching on a long cable
A length of approximately 80 m represents a worst case
condition in so far as travelling waves come fully into
effect but damping is still almost negligible. The voltage
shows the typical behaviour of such actions with the
phenomena of several pre-strikes and damped oscilla-
tory waves with relatively high frequency contributions
after each arcing. Figure 2 shows an interval of 20 µs of
the first rise of the voltage with three subsequent oscil-
lations.
2.50E+04
PRIMARY VOLTAGE (volts)
2.00E+04
1.50E+04
1.00E+04
5.00E+03
0.00E+00
-5.00E+03
-5.00E-06 0.00E+00 5.00E-06 1.00E-05 1.50E-05
TIME (seconds)
Fig. 2: Transient voltage on the primary circuit for
the first µs after the voltage rise
A frequency of about 200 kHz can be derived from the
oscillating behaviour. This dues to the resonant circuit
formed by the equivalent circuit elements of the cable
self-inductance and the earth capacitance. Since these
parameters depend on the actual installation parameters,
i.e. type and length of cable, this dominating frequency
varies in different installations.
3. Investigation of instrument transformers
Instrument transformers in switchgear transfer current
or voltage from the primary to the secondary side in
order to obtain data from the primary circuit for protec-
tion, control, metering etc. Thus primary and secondary
circuits are coupled. At power frequency the coupling is
defined by the rated transformation ratio of the instru-
ment transformer. There is also a coupling at higher
frequencies resulting in propagation of transients from
the primary circuit to secondary equipment. This cou-
pling is due to parasitic capacitances between the pri-
mary and secondary side inside the transformers and
sensors and results in interference current and voltages
in the secondary circuits. This kind of coupling is es-
sentially one of a common-mode type. This means that
both wires of the secondary cable are influenced in
nearly the same way and the same voltages are induced
in them with respect to the ground potential. Due to the
non-symmetrical properties of the transformer and the
connected equipment in the high frequency range a
1.50E-03 2.00E-03 differential-mode voltage is produced which is superim-
posed upon the actual useful signal.
Magnitude and frequency behaviour of the coupling is
essentially due to the properties of the transformers and
sensors. This behaviour is specific for each type.
Knowing the transfer behaviour between both sides
should therefore allow estimations of the overvoltages
to be expected at the secondary terminals when defined
transients on the primary terminals occur.
3.1 Description in the time domain
A measurement method for the transmitting behaviour
in the time domain is suggested for current transformers
in [5] and for voltage transformers in [6]. The proposed
procedures use special types of low voltage impulses to
be applied to the primary terminals. The measured
overvoltages transmitted to the secondary winding for
transmitted only for a short moment during the rise
period of the applied test impulse.
Figure 5 shows the result for a configuration where –
common installation practice – the burden of the trans-
former is connected by a cable of 2m length and one
terminal is grounded. Peak-to-peak values of 40 V at the
secondary terminals were measured.
1200
1000
800

VOLTAGE (volts)
the low voltage impulses have then to be extrapolated to
600
the situation of realistic primary impulses and must
finally lie below 2 kV - a typical test level of standard 400
immunity impulse tests of secondary equipment.
200
The test set-up is shown in Figure 3. In order to repre- 0
sent the occurrence and propagation of transients in the
primary circuits realistically the test impulse as well as -200
-1.00E-05 0.00E+00 1.00E-05 2.00E-05 3.00E-05
the transmitted impulse to the secondary side were ap-
plied and measured under the common-mode point of TIME (seconds)

view. This transmitted overvoltage test is a procedure

which can be performed quickly and allows a general
comparison of the transmitting and coupling behaviour
of different transformers as well as sensors.
Fig. 4: Low voltage impulse for overvoltages test
Using this type of current transformer for example in a
medium voltage system with a nominal voltage Um=12
kV, a peak value Up for the applied voltage on the pri-
mary terminals of

2
Transfor- Up = 3 U m = 29.4kV (1)
mer/Sensor 3
has to be considered. Extrapolating the measured value
to the actual high voltage results in an overvoltage of
Impulse - 1.18 kV at the secondary terminals, which is well below
Generator Burden
the limit of 2 kV stated by the draft standard.

30
Oscilloscope
20
VOLTAGE (volts)

10

0
Fig. 3: Schematic representation of the transmitted
overvoltage test set-up -10

-20
Measurements were performed for a couple of current
-30
and voltage transformers. Figure 4 shows the shape of
-5.00E-07 0.00E+00 5.00E-07 1.00E-06 1.50E-06
the test impulse at the primary terminals with a peak
TIME (seconds)
value of 1000 V, a rise time of about 0.3 µs and a time
to half-value of 20 µs. The transmitted voltage to the
secondary terminals of a block type current transformer Fig. 5: Transmitted overvoltage measured at a sec-
is presented in Figure 5. ondary terminal of a block type current transformer

The time behaviour of the primary test impulse does not

exactly correspond to the test impulses stated in the
above mentioned documents where an impulse with a
longer time to half-value of at least 50 µs is required.
But as the measured overvoltages at the secondary ter-
minals show, see Figure 5, significant overvoltages are
3.2 Description in the frequency domain
Not every voltage transient on a realistic primary circuit
will have the above stated wave shape. Thus the results
for the test impulse cannot be transferred to the real
situation in any case. A more general description of the
transformer transmitting behaviour in the higher fre-
quency range would therefore be more convenient.
This can be done by using a transfer function which
describes the transmitting behaviour between the volt-
ages at the primary and secondary terminals in depend-
ency of the frequency. Such a transfer function allows
considering the transmitting or coupling of arbitrary
impulses of other shape data than the test impulse ones
by means of Fourier transform.
Figure 6 shows a transfer function in the frequency
domain with data in the frequency range from 400 kHz
to 10 MHz. The results are for the above investigated
block type current transformer. The plotted curve repre-
sents the attenuation ac between the voltage Up at the
primary terminals and the voltage Us at the secondary
terminals each referred to ground potential. The at-
tenuation depends on frequency is defined by the rela-
tion:
Up
ac = 20 log [dB ]
Us
The measurement set-up corresponds to that of the draft
standard [5] with the extension that a sinus wave gen-
erator is used instead of the impulse generator. A small
value for ac means that there is good coupling or trans-
mitting of primary transients to the secondary terminals.
The curve shows a nearly continuous decreasing be-
haviour of ac with increasing frequency. This means that
higher frequency voltages or transients with significant
contributions in the higher frequency range will better
transmit to the secondary terminals as lower frequency
ones or transients with contributions in the lower fre-
quency range.
80
70
60
Attenuation (dB)
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.1
Frequency (MHz)
Fig. 6: Measured transfer function between the sides
of a conventional current transformer (block type)
Applying the transfer function in the frequency domain
to the test impulse of Figure 4 shows the validity of this
type of description. Precondition for the following pro-
cedure, however, is beside the knowledge of the voltage
amplitude transfer function that of the phase transfer
function.
A Fourier transform of the test impulse gives its spectral
density. Combining the spectral density amplitudes with
the amplitude transfer function ac and the phase transfer
function and a subsequent inverse Fourier transform
will result in the transmitted impulse on the secondary
terminals.
The curve calculated in such a way is shown in Figure 7
and is quite comparable with that of Figure 4 which was
measured directly in the time domain. Both of the
transmitted impulses show a similar time behaviour as
well as a similar peak-to-peak voltage.
30
20
VOLTAGE (volts)
10
0
-10
-20
(2)
-30
-5.00E-07 0.00E+00 5.00E-07 1.00E-06 1.50E-06
TIME (seconds)
Fig. 7: Transmitted impulse calculated by means of
the transformer transfer function (block type cur-
rent transformer)
The equivalence of both the descriptions of the trans-
former/sensor transmitting behaviour can in principle be
used to investigate the transmitted voltages and there-
fore also the stress of the secondary electronic equip-
ment when other impulses than those in the draft stan-
dards or actual realistic impulses will be considered.
4. Coupling from primary to secondary circuits
The coupling between the primary and secondary cir-
cuits via the instrument transformers results in trans-
mitted overvoltages at the input of the secondary
equipment, when transients occur on the primary side.
The measured overvoltage in the case of a realistic tran-
sient (figure 2) is presented in figure 8 for the case of a
conventional toroidial-type current transformer. Both
figures show the same period of time.
1 10 The transmitted overvoltage shows a similar frequency
behaviour as the transient and has an amplitude of 180V
(peak-to-peak). This relation between primary transient
and transmitted overvoltage is true only for the actual
current transformer and oscillating frequency of 200
kHz. Transients with contributions of higher frequencies
are expected to produce higher transmitted overvoltages
as can basically be seen from the transfer function in
figure 5 which shows decreasing attenuation with in-
creasing frequency but which describes the transfer
function of a block-type transformer. Preliminary meas-
urements show that a toroidial core transformer is ex-
pected to show an analogous behaviour. In the fre-
quency range of interest transmitted overvoltages of
several hundreds of volts must be taken into account.
The overvoltages represent the disturbance levels
against which equipment connected to the secondary
terminals have to be immune. In principle these levels
combined with a certain safety margin can be used as a
basis for determining immunity test levels.
1.50E+02
SECONDARY VOLTAGE (volts)
1.00E+02
5.00E+01
0.00E+00
-5.00E+01
-1.00E+02
-5.00E-06 0.00E+00
TIME (seconds)
Fig. 8: Measured transmitted overvoltage in the case
of a conventional torodial core current transformer
5. New secondary technologies: Sensors replace
conventional instrument transformers
The change to new voltage and current measurement
systems leads to sensors providing only relatively small
output voltages for the electronic processing in protec-
tion, control and metering equipment [2].
5.1 Voltage sensors
The voltage sensor consists of two resistors R1 and R2,
dimensioned specifically for the required division ratio,
which form a resistive voltage divider. Figure 9 illus-
trates a divider in thick film technology mounted in a
cast resin support insulator.
Primary connection
R1
R2
Case
Secondary
Mounting plate
connection
Fig. 9: Resistive voltage divider
The lower voltage is measured between U2 and GND.
The specially brought out connection GND ensures
decoupling between the reference ground of the meas-
uring or protection device and the switchgear earth.
The higher voltage resistance R1 shall be as large as
possible, so that losses in the divider remain small,
whilst the lower voltage resistor R2 shall be as small as
possible, so that the load impedance of the connected
measurement and protection devices does not over-
proportionately influence the divider ratio. In practice,
R1 lies in the region of 100 MΩ and R2 about 10 kΩ.
5.2 Current sensors
Current sensors compared with conventional measure-
ment transformers master the primary current dynamics
in only one core. The range covers a ratio of 100 dB -
seen from a few amperes operating current to 100 kA
peak value of a fault current. The technical advantage
becomes immediately apparent, when one considers the
two essential, demanding measurement requirements: at
the lowest end of the scale one needs to measure small
operating currents with high accuracy - for example, for
revenue metering - and at the upper end of the scale to
5.00E-06 1.00E-05 1.50E-05 reproduce short circuit currents reliably, to satisfy the
demands of protection systems. With conventional cur-
rent transformers one requires separate cores for opera-
tional and short circuit currents (measurement and pro-
tection cores) - with power outputs of multiple VA - to
overcome the problems of saturation. As a result of the
many possible combinations of cores, determined by
rated current, overcurrent factor, power output and ac-
curacy, an almost limitless number of variations is pos-
sible - to the delight of current transformer manufactur-
ers and the despair of switchgear builders. Current sen-
sors, which have to produce no power because their
signals are processed electronically, create the "univer-
sal current transformer". Figure 10 shows a picture and
a schematic construction of a current sensor.
metal case or screen
u2
shunt twisted pair, 2-screen cable
i1
U1 Measuring
and protection
equipment
U2
Current sensor for
gas-insulated switchgear
Ri
with external cone plug-in
system
GND
Type LPCT
Fig. 10: Low-power current transducer as sensor
Current sensors operate on the proven instrument trans-
former principle of specific matching to an internal
ohmic resistance (shunt). The secondary current pro-
duces a voltage u2 across the internal shunt (≈ 1 Ω)
which is directly proportional to the primary current i1.
The load impedance must be higher than 10 kΩ. This
current sensor operates linearly and saturation-free up to
short circuit currents. It is so accurate, that it can be This value remains relatively constant also for higher
used for revenue metering. frequencies.
Similar results concerning the behaviour in the time and
5.3 Transient behaviour
frequency domain were achieved for other sensors. As a
Nevertheless, in spite of the distinguishing design of the basic result they show smaller transmitted voltages
sensors, transmitted overvoltages have also to be taken compared to the conventional transformers. Neverthe-
into account. Figure 11 shows the measured overvolt- less the transmitted transients in those cases are not so
ages for the primary transient presented in figure 2 insignificant that immunity issues of the connected
when the conventional current transformer in the secondary electronic equipment could be neglected.
switchboard is replaced by a current sensor.
6. Conclusion
1.00E+02
SECONDARY VOLTAGE (volts)

Achieving the internal EMC of the switchgear requires

5.00E+01 particular interest to the coupling mechanism between
the primary and secondary circuits which mainly takes
place via the instrument transformers. This mechanism
0.00E+00 and its resultant transmitted overvoltages can be de-
scribed in the time domain by using specific test pulses
-5.00E+01
and from a more general point of view also in the fre-
quency domain. Both descriptions are equivalent but the
more general one in the frequency domain also allows
-1.00E+02 the investigation of transmitted overvoltages for arbi-
-5.00E-06 0.00E+00 5.00E-06 1.00E-05 1.50E-05 trary primary transients. An analogous description can
TIME (seconds) be performed in the case of sensors. Finally suitable
immunity test levels for the secondary equipment can be
Fig. 11: Transmitted overvoltage in the case of a derived from investigations of the overvoltages in de-
current sensor
pendence of the different primary transients.
Also in this case the time behaviour of the transmitted
voltage corresponds to that of the primary transient 7. References
regarding the oscillating frequency. Compared to the
results of the conventional transformer shown in figure [1] Jäkel B W, 1998, "Electromagnetic Compatibility of
8, the overvoltages are now at least by a factor of 2 Distribution Switchgear Installations", 5th Intern.
smaller. This mainly dues to the smaller capacitances Conference on ’Trends in Distribution Switchgear:
between the primary and secondary windings of the 400V - 145kV for Utilities and Private Networks’,
transducer and the screening. IEE Conference Publication No. 459, London, UK,
52-57
120
[2] Luxa A H, Mueller A B and Noble T J, 1998, "Sen-
110
sors and Non-Conventional v.t. and c.t. for Medium
100
Voltage Switchgear, ", 5th Intern. Conference on
90
’Trends in Distribution Switchgear: 400V - 145kV
Attenuation (dB)

80 for Utilities and Private Networks’, IEE Conference

70
60
50
40
30
20
100
Frequency (kHz)
Fig. 12: Measured transfer function between the
sides of a GSWSE sensor
An example for the description of the transmitting be-
haviour in the frequency domain is shown in Figure 12
for the case of a voltage sensor (type LPVT). The meas-
ured results for the grounded connector - see Fig. 9 - are
represented in the dashed line, the results for the U2
conductor in the solid line. A value of about 75 dB at
low frequencies is due to the deliberate divider ratio.
Publication No. 459, London, UK, 173-180
[3] Strnad A, 1993, Elektromagnetische Verträglichkeit
in Anlagen der Energieversorgung, Elektrie, 47,
325-328
[4] Wiggins C M, Thomas D E, Nickel F S, Wright S E
1000 10000
and Salas T M, 1994, Transient Electromagnetic In-
terference in Substations, IEEE Transactions on
Power Delivery, Vol. 9, No. 4, 1869-1884
[5] TC 38/WG 24 (Secretary), 1996, Draft amendment
to IEC 44-1: Adjunction of a measurement of the ra-
dio interference voltage (r.i.v.), Reference number
IEC 38/172/CD
[6] TC 38/WG 24 (Secretary), 1996, Draft amendment
to IEC 44-2: Adjunction of a measurement of the ra-
dio interference voltage (r.i.v.), Reference number
IEC 38/173/CD