H.voltage (Chapter#04 (B) )

Advance High Voltage Engineering
LECTURE- 7 (B)
Generation of High-Voltages
Prof Dr. Suhail A. Qureshi.

Elect. Engg. Deptt.
"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi" 1
Tripping of an Impulse Generator
In large impulse generators, the spark gaps generally consist of spherical electrodes of such size that the spacing for the maximum voltage does not exceed a sphere diameter. The gaps are so arranged that each gap can "see" the gap below so that the consistency in the breakdown of a gap can be improved as a result of the ultraviolet light arising from the spark of another gap.
"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"
Tripping of an Impulse Generator A simple method for tripping an impulse generator is to set the lowest spark gap to break down at a predetermined value. As soon as the charging voltage is sufficient to cause this gap to break down, the generator as a whole operates and a voltage impulse is produced. This method of self tripping depends upon the reliability with which the first gap breaks down and has the disadvantage that the instant of discharge is not accurately predictable. The latter objection also applies to mechanical closure of the first spark gap to initiate the discharge of the generator.
A simple method of controlled tripping utilizes a three electrode gap as the first stage spark gap. It is connected in such a way that the charging voltage is applied across the outer electrodes. The central electrode may be earthed through a high resistance or may be biased at some voltage intermediate between those of the outer electrodes.
The electrode system is so adjusted that it withstands the charging voltage by a small margin and the tripping of the generator is effected by applying a short-duration voltage pulse to the central electrode. With this arrangement, the timing of the generator tripping is accurately controlled by the tripping pulse. The voltage unbalance may also be affected by applying an alternating voltage to the central electrode, when tripping will occur near the crest of the alternating voltage wave.
The tripping circuit using a three-electrode gap suggested by White is presented in Fig.12. The centre sphere is insulated from earth and is mounted on a lever system which ensures that as the main sphere is moved the air gaps remain equal. The voltage between the outer spheres is equally divided between the two gaps by connecting a high resistance R1 between the outer spheres and joining the centre point of R1 to the centre sphere.
Fig: 12.

The tripping is initiated by applying an impulse of either polarity of a peak voltage not less than one-fifth that of the charging voltage. This impulse is applied through a small capacitor C1 which is in the form of a porcelain pintype insulator. The pin of the insulator is connected to the anode of a thyratron G1 through a resistor R2. During the charging period of the generator, the anode of G1 is maintained at a positive potential of 20 kV and conduction is prevented by applying an appropriate negative bias to the grid by means of a battery B1. If the potential on the grid is momentarily neutralized by closing the switch S1, the thyratron becomes conductive and a negative impulse of 20 kV peak is generated at its anode.

The oscillograph sweep circuit is also initiated by closing the switch S1 which applies an impulse of a few hundred volts to the tripping circuit of the oscilloscope. The inherent time lag in the operation of the thyratron ensures that the sweep circuit begins to operate before the start of the high voltage impulse. A further delay can be introduced, by adding a simple resistance capacitance circuit in order to flatten the wave front of the pulse applied to the thyratron grid. The resistance R2 attenuates high-frequency voltages which may be produced by the breakdown of the sphere gaps and which might be transmitted to the oscilloscope through the common tripping circuit.
The output voltage of the impulse generator is controlled manually by operating the switch S1 when the voltage of the first stage has reached a predetermined value. This voltage is read on an electrostatic voltmeter V connected across a tapping on the resistor R1 at its earthy end. Alternatively, an automatic control of the output voltage can be obtained by replacing the hand operated switch 81 by a small thyratron. In the circuit arrangement of Fig. 13 suggested by White, the grid of the thyratron G2 is connected through a battery B2 to a tapping near the earthed end on the resistor R1.
10
Fig: 13.
Assuming the charging voltage to be positive, the grid voltage rises as the charging proceeds and at a critical voltage the thyratron G2 becomes conducting and a pulse is applied to the grid circuit of the thyratron G1. The output voltage of the generator is controlled by the position of the tapping on R1 and the voltage of the battery B2. This method is only applicable when the charging voltage is positive.
12
A method for automatic control of voltage, suitable for either polarity of the charging voltage, is shown in Fig.14. The auxiliary spark gap is charged from the input voltage of the generator through a resistor R3. The gap is adjusted so that it breaks down at a voltage slightly below the spark-over voltage of the generator gaps. When the charging voltage is positive, the spark-over of the auxiliary gap produces a positive impulse at the point P.
13
Fig: 14.
With negative polarity charging voltage, the breakdown of this gap is followed by a positive polarity impulse appearing at the point Q. A suitable fraction of this impulse can be applied to the grid of thyratron G1 and to the tripping circuit of the oscillograph sweep, as shown in Fig.14. The output voltage is then determined by the length of the auxiliary gap.
15
Another form of a three-electrode trigger gap is the trigatron of the type shown in Fig.15 where the main electrodes are spheres of a suitable size. The earthed electrode is provided with a small hole in which projects a metal rod with an annular clearance of about 1 mm. The best position of the rod is with its face flush with the outside surface of the sphere. Tripping of the generator is effected by applying a tripping pulse which produces a spark between the tip of the rod and the earthed sphere.
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Fig: 15.
17
The space charges of the auxiliary spark distort the electrostatic field in the main gap and cause it to break down at a voltage much lower than that required in the absence of the trigger pulse. The trigatron is polarity sensitive, and if the generator is required to deliver both positive and negative polarity voltages a polarity changeover switch is necessary in the trip circuit.
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A circuit operating a trigatron incorporated in the first stage of an impulse generator is shown in Fig.16. The d.c. supply charges the capacitor C1 through a high resistance R1 and upon closing the remotely controlled switch S a pulse is applied to the CRO trip circuit through the capacitor C2. At the same time the capacitor C1 a is charged up and a triggering pulse is applied to the trigger electrode.
19
Fig: 16.
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The tripping potential on the electrode can be adjusted by adjusting R3 or C3. The R3C3 circuit also provides a way for delaying the operation of the trigatron and hence that of the impulse generator spark gaps. The high resistance R2 provides a discharge circuit for the residual charges on C3. The breakdown mechanism of triggered spark gaps have been studied by several investigators and the possible theories have been suggested by Broadbent and Broadbent and Shalash.
21
The application of triggered spark gaps for controlled tripping circuits has been described by Husbands and Higham. A circuit developed by these authors is given in Fig.17. Where the tripping pulse is obtained from the time sweep circuit of the oscillograph. The oscillograph used with the impulse generator is a 50 kV continuously evacuated type. Its time-sweep circuit incorporates a three-sphere gap operating at 6 kV.
22
Fig: 17.
23
With the initiation of the time sweep, the voltage on one sphere falls rapidly from 6 kV to zero and this voltage change provides a suitable pulse for tripping of the impulse generator. The application of this pulse directly to the first gap of the main impulse generator could cause oscillations in the time-sweep circuit because of the large impulse currents. To avoid this an Intermediate singlestage pulse generator was introduced.
24
This pulse generator was charged to 6 kV by the oscillograph time-sweep supply and was tripped through the gap G2 by the illumination from the three-sphere gap of the time-sweep circuit. The gap G2 was positioned about t in. from the gap G1. It was found that the time lag inherent in the breakdown of various gaps provided insufficient delay in the tripping of the impulse generator, therefore a delay cable was introduced.
25
With the circuit shown in Fig.17 the delay in the start of the wave front on the oscillograms was nearly 0.5 sec. The circuit has been operated successfully with impulse generators having charging voltages up to 167 kV of either polarity. It has the further advantage that the main gap functions satisfactorily with a tripping voltage pulse of only 5 kV.
26
Broadbent and Cooper have used a beam of light for tripping a single-stage 1-MV impulse generator. Their method is shown in Fig. 18(a) and the tripping sequence is illustrated "in Fig. 18(b). A push-button switch triggers both the oscillograph time base and a xenon flashtube which gives a light pulse of few microseconds duration.
27
Fig: 18.
28
Fig: 18. (b)
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The main spark gap of the generator is a trigatron gap with the high-voltage sphere housing the triggering equipment which consists of a photocell, amplifier, and 10 kV pulse generator. The ftashtube is placed in such a position that light illuminates the sphere and falls on to the cathode of the photocell and so activates the system which follows the sequence shown in Fig. 18(b).
30

The mean time lag between the start of the time base and breakdown of the trigatron annular gap was 1.3 sec. The authors have presented curves relating the time lag between initiation of the time base and breakdown of the main gap. A new technique of triggering a spark gap has recently been described by Broadbent. It is in a way similar to the trigatron but the triggering spark is produced by breaking the current in a low-voltage inductive circuit. This method eliminates the necessity to produce a 10 kV trigger pulse which is required for the operation of the conventional trigatron gap.
The principle of operation is shown in Fig.19. The spark gap consists of two spherical electrodes with a pair of contacts placed at the sparking surface of one sphere. The contacts are connected to a low-voltage battery through an inductance in series. When the contacts are made to open, the energy stored in the inductance appears in the form of a spark across the contacts and the breakdown of the main gap follows.
32
Fig: 19.
33
The device was tested with 15-cm diameter spheres using a 9-V battery in series with a 230 mH inductor. The operating range of voltage was about the same as that for the trigatron, for the same polarity and gap length, and it was hardly affected by the value of either the voltage or the inductance. The contacts can be operated by a remote control device using a photosensitive cell and a relay.
34

An advantage of this arrangement is that the sphere containing the triggering device can be situated at any point in the high-voltage circuit, whether insulated from the earth or not. In the usual form of the trigatron gap, the sphere containing the trigger rod must be at earth potential, otherwise insulation difficulties occur in providing the high-voltage pulse to the rod. This restricts the application of the trigatron as the spark switch in impulse generator circuits where one end of the generator capacitance is earthed. In the new triggering device these difficulties are easily overcome, as the triggering circuit operates at low voltage.
When tests are carried out with impulse voltages, it is often necessary to record the voltage wave shape on an oscilloscope operating in conjunction with a potential divider. It becomes, therefore, necessary to ensure that the time base of the oscilloscope must be triggered in synchronism with the impulse generator. This can be achieved by first tripping the oscilloscope time-base circuit which in turn causes a pulse to be applied to the trip circuit of the impulse generator.
36
A short delay is introduced between the initiation of the time base and the application of the pulse to the generator tripping gap. Thus with this arrangement, the beam of the oscilloscope will have already traversed a small part of the screen before the impulse wave reaches the deflection plates. Alternatively, the generator is first tripped and the oscilloscope time base is initiated by means of a pick-up aerial from the electrical disturbance caused by the generator tripping.
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(3). Direct Voltages (HVDC)

Direct current voltages are chiefly used for pure scientific research work. In industry the main application of direct voltage is in tests on cables with a relatively large capacitance which take a very large current if tested with alternating current voltages. It may be pointed out that although the direct voltage tests are more economical and convenient, the experimentally obtained stress distribution may differ from the normal working conditions where the cable is transmitting power at low-frequency alternating voltages. With the growing interest in highvoltage direct current transmission, an increasing number of high-voltage laboratories is being equipped with sources producing direct current at high voltages.
(3).
Direct Voltages (HVDC)
a)
Voltage Doubler and Cascade Circuits
Direct current supplies for high-voltage testing purposes are generally obtained by rectification of alternating current. For voltages of up to about 100 kV with a relatively low current output the size of the high-voltage transformer may be considerably reduced by rectifying high-frequency currents of about 30 to 100 kc/s produced by an electronic oscillator. This arrangement, however, introduces extra complications and most d.c. testing sets are supplied at lower frequency.
39
(3). a)
In addition to the half-wave and full-wave rectifier circuits, the two most common methods of obtaining d.c. at high voltages are: (a) voltage-doubler circuit, and (b) cascade-circuit.
These circuits are discussed below. A simple circuit for half-wave rectification is shown in Fig. 20(a). When the rectifier conducts, the load capacitance CL is charged to the maximum value, V max' of the output voltage of the h.t. transformer.
(3).
a)
Fig: 20 (a).
(3). a)
In the next half cycle of the alternating voltage, the voltage across CL remains the same while the voltage of the h.t. terminal of the transformer rises to a V max' The rectifier must be, therefore, designed to withstand a voltage of 2Vmax The rectifier is protected against excessive currents by the high resistance R inserted in the h.t. circuit.
42
(3). a)
Full-wave rectification can be obtained by using two rectifiers arranged in a manner shown in Fig. 20(b). During the half-cycle when the valve II conducts, the auxiliary capacitor C1 is charged to a voltage V max with polarities as marked in the Figure. During the next halfcycle, current flows through the valve I and the capacitor C1 is charged to Vmax with polarities as marked. The rectifier has to withstand a voltage of 2Vmax.
43
(3). a)
Fig: 20 (b).
(3).
a)
Figure 20 (c) shows a Cockcroft-Walton type voltage doubler. When the point A is negative the capacitor C1 charges to a voltage V. As A rises to zero the point B rises with it. Thus B rises to 2V.
45
(3). a)
Fig: 20. ( c )
46
(3). a)
Conduction in the outer circuit takes place as soon as the point B is above the output voltage, i.e. when B is more positive than D and charge from C1 flows into C2 making the no load voltage across C2 equal to 2V. Such circuit can be connected again in series to produce a further voltage doubling and a practical arrangement presented by Allibone is illustrated in Fig. 21. The rectifiers R1 to R4 are all in series and the potential distribution across them is uniform since capacitors C1 to C4 are all equal. The second h.t. transformer T2 is supplied through an isolating transformer T.
(3). a)
Fig: 21.
(3). a)
The principle of cascade generator using the Cockcroft Walton circuit is illustrated in Fig:22. The portion FTE is a single-phase half-wave rectifier circuit and when the rectifier I conducts the condenser C1 charges up to a voltage of + V max. The potential of the point F with respect to earth therefore oscillates between zero and +2Vmax and the condenser C2 is charged to +2V max through the rectifier 2. The point D then attains a steady potential of + 2V maV and the voltage applied to C3 rectifier 3 therefore varies between +2Vmax and zero. Thus C3is charged up to +2V max.
(3). a)
The potential of G therefore oscillates between + 2V max and +4V rnax and the condenser C4 is charged through the rectifier 4 to a voltage of +4V max. The potential of C with respect to earth, therefore, attains a value of +4V max' The whole circuit is a cascade arrangement and the points D, C, B and A are successively raised to potentials of 2V max 4V max 6V max and 8V max. The use of several stages arranged in this manner enables very high voltages to be obtained. Each capacitor and rectifier has to withstand only twice the transformer voltage irrespective of the output voltage.
a)
(3). Direct Voltages (HVDC) Voltage Doubler and Cascade Circuits
Fig: 22. Cascade Circuit.

a)
(3). Direct Voltages (HVDC) Voltage Doubler and Cascade Circuits
Fig: 23.
(3). a)
The horizontal rectifier arms are permanently connected to the capacitor junction points on the feed capacitor column and the other ends are supported by insulated columns, so that various series-parallel arrangements of connections can be made by means of links. These insulated columns are also used to direct the flow of oil through the horizontal rectifier arms to form a closed cooling loop of rectifiers, pump and radiator.
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(3). a)
The output voltage of the generator is measured by a movingcoil instrument connected in series with an oilcooled resistance unit. The output voltage is taken to the load through a protective resistor of sufficient length to withstand the full generator voltage which appears across it when the test object flashes over. The h.v. output current of the generator is measured by means of a moving-coil milliammeter connected in the earthy end of the generator output.
54
(3).
a)
The 1.2-MV generator gives an output of 900 kV when supplying a continuous load current of 30 mA. Several types of power rectifiers have been commonly employed in high-voltage rectifier circuits. These include hot cathode vacuum valves, hot cathode gas-filled valves, mercury pool rectifiers and solid state rectifiers.
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(3). a)
The particular choice depends on many properties which are of importance, such as the ability of the rectifier to withstand overload current and inverse voltage surges; the life and reliability of the rectifier, the cost of the rectifier and the auxiliary equipment, cook has summarized the important secondary properties of the rectifiers and the present trend is to use the silicon type semiconductor rectifier in the high voltage field.
56
(3). a)
An analysis of half-wave and full wave rectifier circuit has been made by Mitchell and expressions have been derived for obtaining the circuit data in terms of the known constants of the rectifier. The treatment was later extended to cover voltage-doubler circuits and subsequently Mitchell presented a detailed analysis of the basic circuit of cascade generators from which the performance of such circuits may be obtained.
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(3).
b)
Electrostatic Machines
The electrostatic belt-driven generator developed by Van de Graff is in common use in several nuclear physics research laboratories. Fig:24. shows the principle of operation of such a generator. Charge is sprayed on to an insulating moving belt by means of corona discharge points which are at about 10-100 kV from earth potential. The belt (about 20 in wide) is driven at about 3000-6000 ft/min by means of a motor and the charge is conveyed to the upper end where it is removed from the belt by discharging points connected to the inside of an insulated metal electrode through which the belt passes. The entire equipment is enclosed in an earthed metal tank.
(3). b)
Direct Voltages (HVDC) Electrostatic Machines
Fig: 24.
(3). b)
The potential of the h.v. terminal at any instant is V = Q/C above earth, where Q is the charge stored and C is the capacitance of the electrode to earth. The potential of the terminal rises at a rate given by dv/dt = d/dt(Q/C) = l/C, where I is the net charging current to the terminal. In practice dv/dt may reach a value of 1 MV/s and it appears that the final potential of the h.v. electrode would be infinite in the absence of any mechanism of charge loss. Equilibrium is established at a potential such that the charging current equals the discharge current which includes leakage current, corona losses and load currents due to voltage divider, X-ray or ion tubes.
(3). b)
The shape of the h.v. electrode should be such that local discharges are eliminated from its surface and the field distribution between the electrode and earth is made as uniform as possible by means of suitably placed grading rings. The lower spray unit, shown in Fig.24, consists of a number of needles connected to a d.c. source so that the discharge between the points and the belt is maintained. The collector needle system is placed near the point where the belt enters the h.v. terminal.
(3). b)
A self-inducing arrangement is commonly used for spraying on the down-going belt charges of polarity opposite to that of the h.v. terminal. The rate of charging of the terminal, for a given speed of the belt, is therefore doubled. To obtain a selfcharging system, the upper pulley is connected to the collector needle and is therefore maintained at a potential higher than that of the h.v. terminal.
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(3). b)
The device includes another system of points (shown as upper spray points in Fig. 24 which is connected to the inside of the h.v. terminal and is directed towards the pulley at the position shown. As the pulley is at a higher positive potential the negative charges of the corona at the upper spray points are collected by the belt. This neutralizes any remaining positive charges on the belt and leaves any excess negative charges which travel down with it and are neutralized at the lower spray points.
63

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Advance High Voltage Engineering

Prof Dr. Suhail A. Qureshi.

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

Fig: 18. (b)

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

"Prof Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi"

Tripping of an Impulse Generator

Tripping of an Impulse Generator