1/17/22, 1:14 PM HV DryShield Passes Class II Internal Arc Fault Test - RHM International

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HV DryShield® Current Transformer Internal Arc Fault Test

When an internal arcing fault occurs in equipment the consequences can be catastrophic. The destructive air pressure waves that are cr
millisecond thermal expansion of air with the consequential expulsion of toxic fumes and hot oil and fire risk can put personnel and th
equipment in the vicinity of the arc fault energy at risk (see example below).

A 132 kV Oil-Filled CT Explosive Failure(1)

(This event ejected porcelain shrapnel approximately 80 m to the end of the

switchyard and injured 3 workers nearby with burning splashes of oil)

(1) Ceylon
Electricity Board, “Preliminary Report on Accident at Rantambe – 132 kV
Switchyard – 21st February 2011”

Although initially developed to improve the arc-resistant capability of metal-clad switchgear the requirement to withstand an internal a
introduced as a Special Test (not mandatory) for instrument transformers in the IEC and CSA standards in 2007 and in the IEEE standard
internal arc protection classes were specified:

• Class I - a special transformer design with features such that, during an internal line to ground arc test with the arc taking place at th
location, the debris of the transformer will be confined to a circular area centred on the transformer, in which the circle’s diameter is eq
height of the transformer.

• Class II - a special transformer design with features such that, during an internal line to ground arc test with the arc taking place at th
location, the transformer will not fracture the insulator or the transformer housing, but only open the pressure-relief device.

On June 14, 2018 an internal arc fault test was conducted on a 230 kV HV DryShield® type LRGBJ current transformer at the XI’AN HIGH
APPARATUS RESEARCH INSTITUTE (XIHARI) in Xi’an, China. The test plan called for the current transformer to be tested at its maximum
circuit rating of 63 kArms to see if it could be qualified for Internal Arc Fault Protection Class II. The test was performed in accordance w
IEEE C57.13.5 with CAN/CSA C61869-1:14 modifications. The following fault current test level was specified in the test plan:

• short circuit current - 63 kArms

• 0.3 sec arc duration

• asymmetrical peak current - 170 kApeak (2.7 times r.m.s. current)

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1/17/22, 1:14 PM HV DryShield Passes Class II Internal Arc Fault Test - RHM International

It should be noted that this is a very severe test requirement. Internal arc fault tests are typically done at a lower short circuit current a
full short circuit fault is statistically very low. Also in the case of IEC even a lower asymmetrical peak current (1.7 times the r.m.s. curren

A 2.5 mm diameter magnet copper wire was used for the fuse element which was installed in the PTFE insulation of the primary core d
To ensure a maximum impact test the fuse element was installed in the U-shape bend area that is seated and fixed in the current trans
Care was also taken to locate the fuse element in an area least favourable for the controlled pressure relief (Figure 1).

Figure 1 – Fuse Element Arrangement

Photos from the June 14, 2018 Internal Arc Fault Test

Test Set-up Before Test

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1/17/22, 1:14 PM HV DryShield Passes Class II Internal Arc Fault Test - RHM International

Test Set-up After Test

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1/17/22, 1:14 PM HV DryShield Passes Class II Internal Arc Fault Test - RHM International

Burst Rupture Plate after test

(Top Half Opened and Stayed in Placed; Bottom Half Opened But was Ejected)

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Secondary Terminal Block Assembly After Test

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1/17/22, 1:14 PM HV DryShield Passes Class II Internal Arc Fault Test - RHM International

Ejected Secondary Terminal Box Cover Plate

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1/17/22, 1:14 PM HV DryShield Passes Class II Internal Arc Fault Test - RHM International

Ejected Bottom Half of Rupture Plate

Analysis of the June 14, 2018 Test Results

The test results showed that the HV DryShield® current transformer meets the definition given for a Class II design (see above) with the
two light cover plates being ejected from the unit and therefore technically qualifying the test as Class I.

Simple design modifications are introduced that will easily secure those plates for such settings and qualify the HV DryShield® CT for I
Protection Class II – at 63 kArms level.

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