See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/261096702

Electrical disturbances in LV networks due to energization of MV networks

Conference Paper · January 2005

DOI: 10.1049/cp:20051009

CITATIONS READS
0 43

5 authors, including:

P. Nunes G.D. Marques

EDP Oil & Energy University of Lisbon
3 PUBLICATIONS   11 CITATIONS    100 PUBLICATIONS   3,004 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Wind Energy Conversion through Multi-modular AFPMSG View project

dfig-dc View project

All content following this page was uploaded by G.D. Marques on 30 September 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

CIRED 18th International Conference on Electricity Distribution Turin, 6-9 June 2005

Electrical Disturbances in LV Networks due to Energization of MV Networks

P. Nunes1, A. Morched1*, G. D. Marques1, E. Frazão2, A. Sarmento2

1
LABELEC S.A. – EDP Group, 2EDP Distribuição S.A. – EDP Group
PORTUGAL
pedro.nunes@labelec.edp.pt

INTRODUCTION overvoltages as well as the corresponding closing angles

This paper presents a study to investigate the electrical
disturbances in LV networks due to energization of MV
networks.
Domestic clients have reported electrical equipment failures
on energizing MV networks. Data about the networks where
the clients were affected was collected.
producing the worst case [2].
For each closing and opening of the circuit breaker, voltage
and current at the MV bus of the substation and also at the LV
terminals of the distribution transformers were monitored.
SWITCHING STUDY

A statistical analysis was conducted, for each case, to find
the cumulative distribution probability of the overvoltage
amplitude, for different switching conditions.
Field measurements on a MV network that supply several
distribution transformers were made to record switching
transients and verify the models developed in a digital
transients software.
Two cases were reported where the clients were affected due
to energization of the MV networks. One MV network is
composed of 30kV overhead lines and the other is composed
of 15kV underground cables.
A statistical analysis was conducted, for each case, to find the
cumulative distribution probability of the overvoltage
magnitude, for different switching conditions.

The experimental results verify the digital models and they
represent the behavior of the MV network under electrical
disturbance conditions.
OBJECTIVES
A distribution network is a complex system that is susceptible
to different kinds of disturbances [1]. These disturbances are
related to several factors such as lightning, faults and
switching operations that can affect the operation of electrical
equipment of domestic or industrial clients. Domestic clients
have reported electrical equipment failures on energizing MV
networks (e.g. appliances, videos, TV, stereos).
The closing of the energizing circuit breaker was simulated
for a sample of 100 closing operations with different pole
closing times. The closing times followed a uniform
probability distribution. The peak voltage for each closing
operation was recorded as well as the closing times. The 2%
overvoltage probability was found to reach high enough
values to destroy electrical equipment at the customer’s end
for some system configurations.
First Case: Overhead MV Network
The overhead network represented is shown in figure 1. The
figure shows the sequence of maneuvers that happen when the
electrical equipment were affected.
Overhead Line 30 kV

The reported study is based on modelling of the MV networks

and the resulting overvoltage in the LV using the EMTP. For Energization at 14h51m

that purpose, data about the networks where clients were MV/LV

connected was collected, these included cables, lines, 3 MVAr 3 MVAr

Capacitors Banks
distribution transformers, switching devices, voltage
transformers, current transformers and capacitor bank
characteristics as well as the short circuit level of the feeding MV/LV

system.
MV/LV

Switching transients can produce high overvoltages PTD 0044

depending on certain conditions, such as line lengths, number

Energization at 16h45m Energization at 16h45m
of lines on the MV bus, line configurations, capacitor banks De-energization at 17h10m
Energization at 18h41m
and the non-simultaneous closure of circuit breaker poles. MV/LV

PTD 0014
Due to the uncertainty of closing time of the circuit breaker MV/LV

MV/LV
poles, the electromagnetic transients program has an option to
perform a statistical analysis of the breaker closing angles and PTD 0008

produce the statistical distribution of the resulting Figure 1 – Scheme of the modeled overhead line

* Dr. Atef Morched is currently with CYME International T&D, Montreal, Canada

CIRED2005

Session No 2
CIRED 18th International Conference on Electricity Distribution Turin, 6-9 June 2005

Underground Line 15kV

Using the EMTP to simulate each switching the 2%
overvoltage probability at the LV terminals of distribution Energization at 22h40m
transformers PTD 0008, PTD0014 and PTD 0044 were
calculated. The results are shown in table 1.
4,005 MVAr
Capacitor Bank
Table 1 – Maximum 2% Overvoltage Probability MV/LV MV/LV

Maximum 2% PTD 0250

Distribution
Overvoltage Probability MV/LV
Transformer
[V] [pu]
PTD 0008 554 1.7
PTD 0014 554 1.7
PTD 0044 845 2.59
MV/LV

The overhead system was simulated, for the same breaker

closing angles that produced the maximum 2% overvoltage
probability. Figures 2 and 3 represent the voltages at the LV MV/LV

terminals of distribution transformers PTD 0008, 0014 and

PTD 0036
0044 for these conditions.
MV/LV

Energization at 14h51m PTD 0384

Reposição às 14h:51m
845 [V]=2.59pu
845 [V]=2.59 pu
Figure 4 – Scheme of the modeled underground line

Using the EMTP to simulate the energization process, the 2%

overvoltage probability at the LV terminals of distribution
transformers PTD 0036, PTD 0250 and PTD 0384 were
calculated. The results are shown in table 2.

Energization of green and Energization of vermelho

Reposição do troço red Table 2 – Maximum 2% overvoltage probability
Reposição dosat
troços verde line atàs18h41m
18h:41m
red line 16h45m
e vermelho às 16h:45m 490 [V]=1.5 pu
504 [V]=1.54
504 [V]=1.54 pu pu 490 [V]=1.5 pu Maximum 2%
Distribution
Overvoltage Probability
Transformer
[V] [pu]
Figure 2 – Voltages at PTD 0044
PTD 0036 637 1.95
PTD 0250 637 1.95
PTD 0384 637 1.95
Energization of green and Reposição dos troços verde Reposição doof
Energization troço
redvermelho
line at
e vermelho às 16h:45m
red line at 16h45m às 18h:41m
554 [V]=1.7 pu 18h41m
547 [V]=1.67 pu
554 [V]=1.7 pu 547 [V]=1.67 pu The underground cable system is simulated, for the same
switching angles that produced the maximum 2% overvoltage
probability. Figure 3 shows the voltages at the LV terminals
of the transformers PTD 0036, PTD 0250 and PTD 0384.

Energization at 22h40m
Reposição às 22h:40m
637 [V]=1.95 pu
637 [V] =1.95 pu
De-energization of the red line
Simulação de seccionamento
at 17h10m
do troço vermelho

Figure 3 – Voltages at PTD 0008 and PTD 0014

For this overhead system, a high frequency and high

amplitude transient can be observed.

Second Case: Underground MV Network

Figure 5 – Voltages at PTD 0036, PTD 0250 and PTD 0384, after
The underground system is represented in figure 4. The figure energization
shows the switching maneuver that resulted in failure of the
electrical equipment.
For the underground system, the frequency of the transient is
lower than the frequency observed for the overhead system.
The voltage amplitude is also lower.

CIRED2005

Session No 2
CIRED 18th International Conference on Electricity Distribution Turin, 6-9 June 2005

VALIDATION

Since it was not possible to test the lines modelled in EMTP,

a recently built 15kV underground line was made available to
conduct switching tests. That system had few MV/LV
transformers connected, where the load is public illumination.

Voltage [V]
The tested system is shown in figure 6.
MV/LV

LXHIOV 240mm2 - 320m

MV/LV Voltage and Current

Time [s]
LXHIOV 240mm2 - 360m

MV/LV
Figure 8 – Voltages measured at LV terminals of distribution
Voltage
transformer – Opening the circuit breaker
MV/LV

LXHIOV 240mm2 - 210m

MV/LV
LXHIOV 240mm2 - 215m To validate the EMTP models used in the simulation of the
MV/LV previous cases, the 15kV underground system was modeled in
LXHIOV 240mm2 - 530m a similar way and simulations were conducted to compare
MV/LV
LXHIOV 240mm2 - 440m with the measured results.
MV/LV

LXHIOV 240mm2 - 225m

Figures 9, 10 and 11 show the comparison between the
Interrupter 2
LXHIOV 240mm2 - 220m simulation and measured voltage waveforms of figure 7.
Interrupter 1

Current Phase 0
400

LXHIOV 240mm2 - 4885m 300

Circuit Breaker 200

15 kV Bus 100
Voltage
0
0 0,01 0,02 0,03 0,04 0,05
Figure 6 – Scheme of the tested underground cable system -100

-200
Simulation EMTP
Several, opening and closing operations of the circuit breaker -300
Experimental

and of the interrupters 1 and 2 were conducted. Voltages were -400

monitored at the LV terminals of two distribution

transformers and at the 15kV busbar. Figure 9 – Comparison of experimental and simulation voltages
waveform of phase 0 - Closing of circuit breaker
Figures 7 and 8 show the voltage waveforms measured at the
LV terminals of the distribution transformers due to the Phase 4
400
operation of the circuit breaker.
300

200

100

0
0 0,01 0,02 0,03 0,04 0,05
-100

-200
Voltage [V]

Simulation EMTP
-300
Experimental
-400

Figure 10 - Comparison of experimental and simulation voltages

waveform of phase 4 - Closing of circuit breaker

Time [s]

Figure 7 – Voltage measured at LV terminals of distribution

transformer – Closing the circuit breaker

CIRED2005

Session No 2
 CIRED 18th International Conference on Electricity Distribution Turin, 6-9 June 2005

Phase 8
400

300

200

100

0
0 0,01 0,02 0,03 0,04 0,05
-100

-200
Simulation EMTP
-300
Experimental
-400 > 1.1 pu

Figure 11 - Comparison of experimental and simulation voltages

waveform of phase 8 - Closing of circuit breaker

For switching overvoltage simulation purpose the

experimental results validate the simulation voltage
waveforms.

After the MV system model validation, a statistical analysis of

the transient overvoltages was performed, obtaining a
maximum 2% overvoltage probability of 1.24pu on this
network.

CONCLUSIONS

The results verify the EMTP digital models used for

calculating MV energization transients. Therefore, they
accurately represent the behavior of the MV network under
electrical disturbance conditions.

The switching transients are lower for underground sytems

due to the large capacitances of the cable circuits.

It has been observed from the experimental data that the poles
of the circuit breaker do not close simultaneously, as was
expected.

To protect the clients, some mitigation solutions have to be

investigated.

REFERENCES

[1] R. Calvas, “Cahier Technique No.141 – Electrical

Disturbances in LV”, Schneider Electric.

[2] IEEE PES Switching Transients Task Force 15.08.09.03,

"Task Force Report: Modeling Guidelines for Switching
Transients".

CIRED2005

Session No 2

View publication stats