Arc-Flash

&
Predictive Diagnostics of Partial Discharge
in
Medium Voltage Power Systems

Presented to

Bogota, Colombia
7 March 2006
(National Fire Protection Association)

What is Arc Flash?

NFPA 70E defines flash hazard as “a dangerous

condition associated with the release of energy
caused by an electric arc.”
A true incident
 The Results . . . .
•Large Hydro in
Pacific NW
•6.9kV Swgr
•Racking in
Breaker
•AF occurred
•One worker
injured
•4+ years, $10+
million
 The
Insurance
Inspectors
making an
assessment.
They found
this company
negligent!
 ARC FLASH REDUCTION
MAINTENANCE SWITCH
(ARMS)

Installation and Application

 Background
There is a renewed focus to reduce
potential for serious injury due to
exposure to electrical arcs.

NFPA70E-2004 and IEEE 1584 are existing

standards which address the risks of arc
flash hazards for people working on or
near energized electrical equipment.
 What is ARMS
Plug-in module that allows the instantaneous
pickup levels of a tripping system to be
temporarily lowered during maintenance
periods
 What is ARMS
 ARMS plugs into the side of a Digitrip “10 series” Trip
Unit

 Can be enabled/disabled using a door mounted switch

on the front of the switchgear

 Eliminates the need to open any doors or panels

 Effects of ARMS
Lower settings will cause the breaker to trip
faster which will reduce the available incident
energy levels that personnel would be
exposed to while working on downstream
devices

Reduced energy levels may allow personnel to

work with reduced PPE

Setting choices for the ARMS are: 2.5 ×, 4.0 ×,

5.9 ×, 7.6 × or 9.8 × sensor rating with an
ARMS pickup tolerance of ± 10%
 Benefits of ARMS
Reduced incident energy often means
reduced PPE requirements which eliminates
the associated cost to the customer for high
calorie rated PPE

Overall maintenance costs can be reduced.

Lowering the available incident energy
through the use of the Arcflash Reduction
Maintenance Switch can eliminate the
requirement for 2 people to be present during
maintenance procedures
 Installation
Punch 3 holes into front of switchgear
door
Switch
Indicator Light
Battery Holder
 Installation
Install ARMS device, labels, prewired selector
switch, battery holder and indicating light
 Installation
Route the selector switch harness from the
switch location to the ARMS making sure it is
away from any moving parts within the
breaker
 Installation
Plug the male connector on the end of the
selector switch harness into the receptacle on
the right side of the ARMS
 Testing and Final Prep
Turn the selector switch to the “Continuity
Check” position. If the ARMS is wired correctly,
the indicator light will illuminate while it is held
in this position.

Release the selector knob and it should

automatically return to the “Normal” position

To activate the ARMS, turn the selector switch

to the “Maintenance Mode” position. Close the
LOTO cover, then follow your normal LOTO
procedures.
 Test Adapter
Allows the retrofitter to bench test the
ARMS device
. . . another new concept .
. .
. . . remote racking. . . .
.
 Universal
Remote Power
Racking
Medium and Low Voltage
Power Circuit Breakers
 Levering-Racking Designs

• Insert - Remove MV Breakers

• Rotating Shafts – easier
• Position Indication
• Force and Feedback
Manual “Racking”
Racking Power Circuit
Breakers
• Proper PPE
• Follow Proper
Procedures
• Adequately
Maintained
 ARC Flash-Serious Issue

• OSHA 100 Most Cited Violations

– 20% Electrical
• >2000/Yr treated in burn centers
– Electric Arc Flash
• PPE MV – Usually = 4
 Why ARC Flash Occurs
• Breakers + People = ARC Flash Injury
 Paradigm Shift?
• Breakers + People = ARC Flash Injury
• Breakers + Device = No ARC Flash Injury
 Universal Remote Power
Racking

NFPA 70E
Reduce ARC-Flash
Hazards
 At What Cost?
• $4,000-8,000/each “Simple Systems”
– Dedicated to one type breaker
– Onerous to use
– Difficult to move between cells
• $20,000-35,000/each “Complex Systems”
– Multiple breaker capable
– Constant, complex programming
– Difficult to setup
• $18,000/each “Preferred Systems”
– Universal LV and MV-Multiple breakers
– Simple programming
– Quick Set-up and maneuverable
 Universal Design

• LV or MV
• Any breaker *
– Air-Magnetic
– Vacuum
– Vacuum Replacement
– SF6
• 1-2 high MV
• 1-4 high LV
*Breakers must have a rotary racking system
 Universal Remote Power
Racking

• Easily Selectable Height

• Counterweighted
balance system
 Simple Setup and Operation
• Light Weight
• Mobile
• Easy to align
• No Complex
Programming
• Over-Torque
Protection
– Mechanical
– Electrical
 Functional
• Automatic Horizontal
Traversing
• Positive Interface
Pressure
• Operator’s pendant
 $ Value $

• Level 4 PPE costs $200-$400/person

• Personal injuries cost $75,000 – millions
• Protect employees - your investment
 Conclusions

• Universal Remote Power Racking

• Allows Open/Closed Door Racking
– Insertion/Removal
• Reduce chance of ARC Flash Exposure
• Reduce PPE from 4 to 2
QUESTIONS ?
 Continuing Innovations
in
On-Line Predictive Diagnostics
for
Electrical Power Systems

Frank J. Angelini PE Senior Member IEEE

CONCAPAN XXV – Managua, Nicaragua November, 2005
 What is Partial Discharge?

• PD is leading indicator of insulation degradation.

• Phenomena typically occurring at higher AC voltages
(> 2,000 V). Measurement preference 4 kV and
higher.
• The higher the voltage the more destructive the
activity.
• Voltage, temperature, humidity, insulation condition,
environmental conditions - have effect on PD, time
before failure, and diagnostic ability.
• Known as Corona and Arcing.
 Results of Partial Discharge

6.9 kV - 17,000 HP

<<< Corona

Corona (Close up) >>>

Results of Partial Discharge

Phase to Phase Discharges on Ring Bus

49 MVA Generator
 Results of Partial Discharge

<<Tracking 4,160 Volt

Surface Discharges >>>

and Void Type Defect
Results of Partial Discharge

Switchgear
Bus Damage
Results of Partial Discharge

Switchgear
Surface Tracking
On Shutter
Results of Partial Discharge

Switchgear
<<<Primary Stab - Tracking

Current Transformer
Corona Damage >>>
Results of Partial Discharge

New Switchgear Damage

Results of Partial Discharge

38 kV Bus Duct
Results of Partial Discharge

25 kV Terminations
 Predictive Maintenance Sensors

RTD
Module

RFCT

Sensors
for
Large Power
Transformers
Coupling
Capacitor
Where to Install Coupling Capacitors?
Single-High Gear

Zone of Protection
 Where to Install Coupling Capacitors?
Double-High Gear

F21 F21 F21

F23 F21 F21 F21 F21 F23

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Shipping Width Shipping Width 288.00(7315mm)

Width-Inches 36.00 36.00 36.00 36.00 36.00
Width-Inches 36.00 36.00 36.00
Width-M M 914 914 914 914 Width-M914
M 914 914 914
Depth-Inches 96.25 96.25 96.25 96.25 96.25
Depth-Inches 96.25 96.25 96.25
Depth-MM 2438 2438 2438 2438 2438
Depth-MM 2438 2438 2438
Height-Inches 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00 95.00
Height-Inches 95.00 95.00 95.00
Height-MM 2413 2413 2413 2413 2413
Height-MM 2413 2413 2413
Weight-Lbs 2200 2400 2600 2600 2400
Weight-Lbs 2600 2400 2200
Weight-K g 997 1088 1179 1179 1088
Weight-Kg 1179 1088 997
Coupling Capacitor Installation

On Main Bus
End-Section

On Main Bus in
Transition Section
 RFCT Sensor Installation

Commonly one sensor per

three phases on feeder shield
ground wires.
If feeder is primary concern,
especially on stand alone
disconnect switches use three
RFCT on separate feeder
shield grounds.

Keep ground wires short!!!

 The Concept of InsulGard

• Continuous Monitoring
• Online Monitoring
• Critical Signal Filtering and
Conditioning
• Superior Sensor Placement
 What’s Inside the Box

Noise Capacitor
InsulGard 1 Channel

Filter & Conditioning 15 Channel RFCT

of PD signals Multiplexed
Processing Analog Inputs RTD
Alarm
Partial Discharge
2
Memory Sensors
Contacts

Status

4-20 Temperature
MA Dynamics
Load
Display Communication Humidity

Keyboard Modem
Communications
RS485 Mod Bus
PC Local

Remote PC Phone Line

 Case Study - 49 MVA Generators

Canadian Paper Company

– Unit 2 had a planned outage
• Based on Manufacturers recommendation concern loose
wedges
• PD Levels were very low
– Based on PD Measurements, decided to take Unit
1 offline also
• PD Levels from C Phase coupling capacitor were elevated
• A - C Phase discharge
• Had an increasing trend
Case Study - 49 MVA Generators
Spikes more frequent and
increase trend Repair

Before Repair
After Repair
Case Study - 49 MVA Generators

– Visual Inspections
• Unit 2
– No loose wedges found
• Unit 1 Initial Inspection
– No problems Found
– Decided to do offline test
– Additional Testing On Unit 1
• Test #1
– Tested one phase energized at a time
– Remaining phases grounded
– Phase to ground voltage applied
– Low PD levels found
• Test #2
– Second AC source used on other phase to simulate phase
to phase voltage levels
– PD sites were excited and located
Case Study - 49 MVA Generators

A & C Phase Connection Ring

Need to increase spacing
Customer Testimonial
 Summary

• PD is a leading indicator of insulation

deterioration
• There are proven sensing and
instrumentation technologies for a wide
variety of equipment
– Rotating Equipment
– Switchgear
– Bus Duct
– Cable Terminations & Accessories
QUESTIONS ?