Evaluation of Factors Affecting Transient Overvoltages Caused by Vacuum Circuit Breaker Switching in the Distribution Network and Solutions to Reduce Their Severity

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

Abstract

In power systems, power switches of all kinds are known to be a source of transient overvoltage. Meanwhile, compared to other switch types, vacuum circuit breakers (VCBs) cause more severe overvoltage. Customers' electrical equipment may be damaged by overvoltages that arises from the power switch switching in the medium-voltage distribution network and then reaches the low-voltage distribution network through distribution transformers. This article examines how different factors affect the degree of overvoltage brought on by switching in medium-voltage distribution networks and how those overvoltages enter the low-voltage distribution network. This article explores the factors that influence the severity of overvoltages caused by switching, including the dielectric recovery power of the switch, the amount of current chopping, reignition, and prestrike, and the transformer's location in the medium-voltage distribution network. This study also examines the efficacy of installing a surge protection device (SPD) at the distribution substation to suppress transient switching overvoltages that penetrate to the low-voltage distribution level. The EMTP-RV program was used to conduct these investigations. The research findings indicate that installing SPD at the secondary side of the distribution transformer can suppress transient overvoltages brought on by the 20 kV switch's switching, which enters the low-voltage distribution network.

Keywords

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References

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Journal of Modeling in Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 80
March 2025
Pages 269-287

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 February 2024
  • Revise Date: 26 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 11 June 2024

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