Dielectric Ageing of MV

non-shielded apparatus
November 2011

Accelerated ageing of unshielded solid

insulation in hot and humid climates
Temp. by places
Temp. Average

45
40
35
30

29

28

26

27

25
20

Suzhou

15
10

MinZhao

Wu Tu

Xiao He

Yin Du

Shaoxing
Xia He
Min Zhao Ningbo

HR (%) by places
100

83

HR (%)

90
80
70

65

71
47

60
50
40
30
MinZhao

Wu Tu

Xiao He

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

Yin Du

AIS panel life in South China < 5 years

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

Insulation surface creepage mechanism

humidity
+
dust

voltage

air
ionization
(corona)

radiation
increase in
the material
surface
wetability

conduction
leakage
current

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

dry
bands

Erosion
carbonization
partial
discharges

creepage

Conditions for insulation surface creepage

condensation :

thermal cycle + humidity condensation +

dry bands

solid deposits :
particules, dust, soot, salt conductive layer

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

Surface dielectric ageing model

Loss of hydrophobicity
during EAP

0<< 15

Leakage current I (mA)

EAP

90

LAP

100

TT

10
45

1
0,1

Contact angle (deg)

1000

75<< 85

I
0

0,01
years

South China < 5 years

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

time
months

days

SM6 3000h acceleated ageing test

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

Early stages of ageing

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

Advanced stage of ageing

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

Late ageing: corona activity along dry bands

ozone emission

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

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Late ageing: Corona activity along dry bands

ozone emission

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Tracking and flashover

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Standard test protocol: IEC 62271-304

2h wet or dry cycles
30 < T < 50C
80 < HR < 95%
induces water condensation

Level 1
504h (3*7j)

Level2
1167h (7*7jours)

Level 1
Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

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62271-304:
Post-ageing test:

(60932 proc. B : aprs

lavage de lappareil)
Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

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SE Test protocols
(surface ageing)
CEI 62271-304

Dry cycle (2h)

30C
80% HR

Humid cycle (2h)

50C
95% HR

L2E (Volta)

IEC 304
(+ possible extended
T range)

LEED
20C (1h55)
40% HR
40C (1h55)
10085% HR

Dry air blow +

extraction

Water pulverization
(variable
conductivity)

X (option)

Gazeous pollutants
SO2 NO2

X (option)

Drying cycle(10mn)

Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

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Ageing issues due to wrong design change

Use of too large VTs + barriers : small air gaps corona epoxy ageing
Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

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Ageing issues due to wrong design change

Too large cable boots touching each others small air gaps
EPDM ageing (but this is not a material problem)
Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

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Key points to remember

Ageing issues are linked with severe environmental + bad installations conditions
Avoid too much humidity + temperature cycles
Adapted ventilation of the substation (+heaters)

Humidity, condensation, dust, . strongly decrease the ionization level of air 3kV/mm
less than 1kV/mm
Corona discharge (& ozone smell) surface material degradation surface conduction
tracking Bang !!

Any design modification of AIS cubicle must take care of long term ageing
Success in classical dielectric tests is not enough
Use of appropriate design rules for any design change
Be careful with barriers small air gaps are forbidden

SE developed its own 3000 hs accelerated ageing protocol (based on

IEC62271-304, but more severe) to validate any new AIS design and
reproduce harsh environment conditions
Schneider Electric - Energy GENTILS F. 27/09/11

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