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Metal oxide varistor model with hysteresis loop

for ATP/EMTP
Jaroslaw Wiater

elements create difficulties with approximation of these

Abstract - Metal oxide varistor (MOV) is a basic component of parameters. Those parameters should be measured in static
overvoltage protection systems in low-voltage power nets. MOV and dynamic conditions. Another problem appears with MOA
ensured overvoltage protection by resistance drop during the element – only 16 points on V-I characteristic. It is very
flows of surge current. So far, during computer simulation MOV
difficult to approximate non-linear V-I characteristic with only
was presented as arrangements of linear and non-linear
elements. In these models simulation accuracy is determined by 16 points on it. SPD during a current increase behave different
elements determine precision. This paper presents method which then decrease of it. In V-I characteristic appears hysteresis
unambiguously described V-I characteristic of MOV. This loop. MOA elements don’t take it into consideration. But as
method and new discrete MOVs model was used to computer was written good model with precise approximation of PSD
simulation in program EMTP. Additionally the comparison was characteristic is most essential to quality of simulation results,
made between new model of varistor and model MOV which is
so new model should be used.
used in ATP/EMTP. New discrete algorithm can be used to
computer implementation of ant non-linear elements. New model
is particularly useful when the voltage increase/decrease violently II. SURGE ARRESTER WITH HYSTERESIS LOOP
in system which is analyzed. Metal-Oxide surge arresters (MOAs) are part of electric
power system. They protect final user from over-voltages
Index Terms - MODELS, non-linear element, discrete model,
during lightning strikes, switching ect. Major task for metal-
surge arrester, MOA, MOV.
oxide surge arresters is decrease voltage differential between
I. INTRODUCTION terminals. MOAs can be represented simply with their
nonlinear V-I characteristics (fig. 2.1b). During normal
S URGE Protective Devices (SPD’s) are designed to reduce
the random energy surges of voltage transients and
electrical noise on the power supply line. Volatile transients
conditions MOAs is represented by the no connection in
electric power system (high resistance). After exceeding
normal conditions voltage level current increase extremely
and noise are present in utility power lines, data networks, fast. When surge disappear current decrease imminently but
telephone lines, closed circuit and cable tv feeds, and any by the different way as it was later. This phenomena makes
other power or control lines connected to electronic hysteresis loop in V-I MOAs characteristic (fig. 2.1b).
equipment.
Surge Protective Devices can be used individually or as a)
part of a coordinated application strategy, called Network
Protection, to protect sensitive electronic equipment, in
industrial, commercial and residential locations, from the
stress and degradation inflicted by voltage transients.
Electrical and electronic equipment are susceptible to
disruption by direct lightning strokes, by ESD (electrostatic
discharges), by LEMP (lightning electromagnetic pulse), by
NEMP (nuclear electromagnetic pulse), and by SEMP
(switching electromagnetic pulse). The lightning safety
engineer should consider resistive coupling, inductive
coupling and capacitive coupling situations in overvoltage
analysis. Good model with precise approximation of SPD
characteristic is most essential to quality of simulation results.
So far computer simulation in ATP-EMTP uses MOA
element or combination of linear and non-linear elements to
model SPD. Different models with linear and non-linear

Manuscript received January 25, 2004. The author is with the Technical
University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Wiejska 45D, Poland (e-mail:
[email protected]).
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b)
Measurements were made by digital oscilloscope and
save to spreadsheet file format. Digital measurement
technique allows decreasing measurement error to half
AC/DC quantization step. 12bit AC/DC converter in digital
oscilloscope allows gathering enough points to draw V-I
characteristic. Normally ATP/EMTP allows only 16 points in
V-I characteristic. When we have got much more of it, why
we shouldn’t used it to decrease simulation error. There is no
necessary to make any assumptions to approximate MOAs
parameters in new model presented below. In new model only
8 point were used to clearly present idea of it. It can be
increased to 32768 points (limited by MODELS) [2].
There is no necessary to use any inductances or
capacitances in new model and most important, parameter
c) approximation disappears. Necessary phase shift ensure non-
linear V-I characteristic and hysteresis loop.
Main improvement in new algorithm is two calculations
ways. First, when MOA voltage derivative is greater than zero
and the second one, when derivative is less then zero. Off
course all calculations are made for discrete time values.
When algorithm splits up voltage range in V-I array is
calculated. Defined array at the beginning have got limited
number of points. Linear approximation is used to calculate
rest of it. In last step of algorithm resistance of MOA is
calculated. In this point oscillations can appear because step
MOA resistance change. Small trick is used in algorithm
which is not clearly visible. There is no direct resistance
determine from V-I array. And there is no use of previous
value of resistance. If one of it will be used, oscillations will
d) appear. Resistance calculation based at vector deviation
change. Angle of resistance change is calculated. This angle
also makes linear approximation rest of V-I points.
Major disadvantage of new model are measurements.
Digital oscilloscope is necessary. Major advantage of new
model is possibility to use it with any non-linear element. Of
course surge arrester characteristic measurements have got
specific resolution - error. It is equal half of AC/DC converter
quantization step. These kinds of errors are commonly
accepted.

III. VERIFICATION OF NEW MODEL

Figures number 3.2 and 3.3 show MOV and new model
in ATP Draw – circuit diagram for V-I characteristics
calculation in EMTP. For test calculations the same V-I
Fig. 2.1 Characteristic of MOA (a) in time domain, (b) nonlinear V-I characteristics were implemented in both cases. Figures
characteristics, (c) and (d) screen shot direct from digital number 3.4 and 3.5 show V-I characteristic of modeled surge
oscilloscope. arrester. Figures 3.6 and 3.7 show surge arrester current and
voltage in time domain. Red lines show curves for new model.
Characteristics presented on figure 2.1 were measured on Blue lines show curves for MOV element. Calculation results
real MOA element: show current and voltage peak values. They are the same in
• maximum continuous operating voltage both cases. Visible differences occur when the current and
(MCOV) Uc=275V voltage exceed front surge time. New model forces bigger
• rated voltage Ur<1500V current then the MOA. The hysteresis loop in V-I
• nominal discharge current In=20kA characteristic provides this phenomenon. Voltage behaves
• maximum discharge current Imax=40kA inversely proportional - Ohm’s law. Differences between
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MOA and new model are small but must be taken into
consideration. These differences reduce a little bit surge
arrester voltage protection level. In special types of calculation
it may be crucial for computation results. Major differences
occur when computations of complex building structure are
made.

Fig. 3.4 Surge arrester V-I characteristic - MOV model.

Fig. 3.5 Surge arrester V-I characteristic - new model with hysteresis loop.

Fig. 3.1 New model algorithm.

Fig. 3.6 Surge arrester current in time domain - new model with hysteresis
loop (red line), MOV (blue line).

Fig. 3.2 Circuit diagram of MOA new model in ATP/EMTP.

Fig. 3.7 Surge arrester voltage in time domain - new model with hysteresis
Fig. 3.3 Circuit diagram with standard MOV element. loop (red line), MOV (blue line).
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Fig. 3.8 Surge arrester new model resistance change in time domain.

IV. CONCLUSIONS
Presented model more precisely approximates surge arrester
characteristic. Real MOA V-I characteristic can be directly
transferred from digital measurement to computer simulation
program. There is no need to approximate any MOA analog
parameters. New model can be also use for any non-linear
element with hysteresis loop in V-I characteristic or not too.
Tricky algorithm eliminates oscillation during step parameter
change. It’s easy to improve in future by simple ATP/EMTP
user.

V. REFERENCES

[1] N. Watson, J. Arrillaga “Power systems electromagnetic transients

simulation”, The Institution of Electrical Engineers 2003, London, UK.
[2] L. Dube “User guide to Models in ATP”, Handbook for ATP/EMTP.

Jaroslaw Wiater received the M.Sc. degree from

University of Bialystok, Poland, in 2002. Graduated in
power system. Main research area is application of
computer technology in damage analysis at electric
power substation during direct lightning strikes.