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

net/publication/234058061

The threat caused by fires under high voltage lines

Conference Paper · September 2004

CITATION READS

1 5,603

2 authors, including:

Krystian Leonard Chrzan

Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
91 PUBLICATIONS   450 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

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

History of Electrical Engineering View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Krystian Leonard Chrzan on 03 June 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 International Conference on Advances in Processing, Testing
and Application of Dielectric Materials

THE THREAT CAUSED BY FIRES UNDER HIGH VOLTAGE LINES

Krystian Leonard CHRZAN, Zbigniew WRÓBLEWSKI

Wrocław University of Technology, Poland

The effect of fires on the flashover voltage of power lines has been investigated in Brazil, Mexico, Canada, USA, South
Africa, Australia and Poland. The flashover voltage of outdoor insulation is reduced by hot air, conductive flame and
colloidal smoke. The paper explains shortly the fire induced flashovers of air gaps. The safety aspect for firemen and other
people caused by step potentials at the arcing point was described. The published works about deterioration of aluminum
stranded conductors steel reinforced (ACSR) and detection of fire induced corona are briefly reported.

Key words – breakdown voltage, step voltage, ground resistivity

1. INTRODUCTION temperature increases of 100 K [5]. As it was earlier

said, the flame is mostly positive charged, therefore in
The outdoor power lines cross often the forest and the dc electrical field it is attracted by the negative
agricultural areas where fires sometimes occur. The electrode (fig. 1b). In the ac field the flame is stretched
influence of high flames and intense smoke in the line between electrodes (fig. 1c, 1d). Due to the non-
vicinity on the electrical strength of air and the possibility stationary conditions under ac voltage, the flame shift in
of ground faults was studied in the Brazil, Mexico, Canada, one direction is lower than under dc voltage (compare
USA, South Africa, Australia. In these countries the fire of fig. 1b and fig. 1c).
forest, grass, sugar cane or bush ravage large areas, often The breakdown voltage of plate to plate with 3 cm air
jeopardizing the reliability of the lines [1, 2]. The special gap at normal atmospheric conditions amounts to 61
dangerous environmental conditions for overhead lines, kVrms. The placement of a candle fire in the middle
electrical or electronic apparatus were noted during the war reduces also the breakdown voltage by 10 times.
in Persian Gulf [3]. The line outages due to forest fires Additionally, the reduction of breakdown voltage depends
were observed in Poland too [4]. The early study of flame on the flame position in the gap and voltage shape. Under
in electrical field was started by Malinowski and Haber in dc voltage the smallest reduction is observed when the
1920s [5]. The influence of localized flame on dielectric flame is placed directly at negative electrode. Under the
strength of air was investigated at Wroclaw University of short impulse voltages the reduction of electrical strength is
Technology by Janat [6]. The basic studies explained the smaller than under the dc or ac voltages.
mechanisms responsible for lowering the electrical strength
of air in the presence of flame. Next, guides for safety of
people and firemen were worked out taking into account
fire induced flashovers with consequent hazardous step
potentials [7].

2. INFLUENCE OF FIRE AND SMOKE

ON AIR BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE a b
The flame is a kind of plasma where air molecules
are chemically and thermally ionized. The ion
concentration in the propane-air flame is in the range of
109 – 1012 / cm3 , the most of them have the positive
charge [8]. The low concentration of negative ions is
probably due to the fact that the most of the negative
charge is transferred by free electrons. The main source
of ions and electrons in the flame are the molecules with c d
a low ionization potential, e.g. carbon (the ionization
potential of graphite amounts to 4.35 eV). The rate of Fig. 1. The flame in an electric field, air gap 3 cm
ionization processes increases with temperature. The ion a – without voltage, b – dc voltage of 3 kV, the right electrode
generation rate increases by 2 – 4 times when the is negative, c – ac voltage of 3 kVrms,
d – ac voltage of 6 kVrms

Scientific Papers of the Institute of Electrical Engineering Fundamentals

of the Wrocław University of Technology, No 40, Conference 15
 THE THREAT CAUSED BY FIRES UNDER HIGH VOLTAGE LINES

The electrical strength decrease of air under the

influence of flames and smoke can be explained as a
result of three factors:
- the high temperature reduces the air density
- the electrical charge is generated in the flame
- the influence of smoke particles.
Mc Mulan and West [9] blew the hot air between
the spheres of a horizontal air gap. Compared with the
room temperature the electrical strength decreased by
two times at the temperature of 350 °C and three times
at 700 °C. According to Uhm, the reduced breakdown
field E/p decreases with the gas temperature Tg [10].
Fig. 2. The breakdown ac voltage of a sphere air gap
E T (1) depending on the flame distance from the grounded sphere
= 25,7 r (dashed line); graphite rod with the temperature of 25 °C
p Tg
(solid thick line) and graphite rod with temperature of 400 °C
where: (dotted line) [6]
Tr is room temperature and p is the gas pressure.

When the temperature increases in a limited space

only, e.g. when the flame does not occupy the whole
electrode distance then the temperature influence is
smaller. In this case the space charge plays a dominant
role. The electrical charge changes the voltage
distribution between electrodes. When the charge
increases the non-uniformity of the electrical field, then
the breakdown voltage decreases.
The above described processes were demonstrated
by the experiment carried out by Janat [6]. The
breakdown voltage of the horizontal air gap (sphere
diameter 12.5 cm, distance 28 cm) was measured
depending on the position of a cold graphite rod Fig. 3. The breakdown characteristic of a plate to plate air gap
under ac voltage [6]. Solid line – pure air, dashed line – air
(temperature 25 °C). The measurements were repeated containing a cigarette smoke
with the hot rod (temperature 400 °C). The breakdown
voltages were also measured in the low-pressure
propane-air flame having similar dimensions to the
graphite rod. The experiment showed that the local
3. THE CONDITIONS FOR GROUND
temperature increase caused by hot rod reduces the
breakdown voltage not very much. The flame which FAULT OCCURENCE
generates the space charge and increases temperature
reduces the breakdown voltage more considerably (fig. The field experiments confirmed that even the
2). Authors are not convinced about the fact that the rod densest smoke alone can not cause mid-span flashovers.
temperature approached 400 °C. In our opinion the low- The ground fault is possible only when the flames occur
pressure propane-air flame temperature was much in the vicinity of phase conductor. However, smoke may
contaminate the insulators and lead to insulator
higher, about 2000 °C [11].
flashover in the presence of the moisture generated by
The smoke molecules got charged by attracting
fire fighting operation. This would generate hazardous
electrical charge which is generated in the flame. They
step potentials in the immediate vicinity of towers.
can link in strain aggregates which are positioned along
Hence, it is advisable to avoid the area within 10 m
electrical lines. The soot is a semi-conductor with a very
from the tower at all times [7].
extended surface. The partial discharges can easily be
Deno has shown that the ground faults are not
initiated on the soot edges. Therefore, the smoke
possible if the propane-air flames are at least 2 m
decreases the electrical strength of the air in a similar
beneath the phase conductor of 500 kV line [12].
manner like metallic particles lower the breakdown
However, when the flames and dense smoke are
voltage in GIS. The cigarette smoke reduces the
present together then this minimum safe distance
breakdown voltage to the half value of pure air. Fig. 3
should be greater. It seems that the safe distance of 3
compares the electrical strength of a pure air in a plate
m from phase conductor of 400 kV line could be
to plate air gap (plate diameter of 4.5 cm) with that of
assumed.
the air contaminated with cigarette smoke.

209
Scientific Papers of the Institute of Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
of the Wrocław University of Technology, No 40, Conference 15
 K.L. CHRZAN, Z. WRÓBLEWSKI

4. STEP VOLTAGE AROUND calculations, the fault duration is usually taken equal to
A FLASHOVER POINT 0.5 second [7]. Taking ρs equal to 100 Ωm and t = 0.5
second the tolerable step voltage USSP is calculated from
Fig. 4. shows the one-phase ground fault. The high (3). This value is only a bit higher than the tolerable
current I in the immediate vicinity of the arcing point touching voltage which equals 200 V (fig. 6).
and the associated high voltage gradient cause Assuming:
breakdown of the soil. The discharges develop until - fault duration t = 0,5 s
they reach the point (the radius a) at which the gradient - resistivity of the top layer of the soil ρs = 100 Ωm
in the soil is below the critical ionization gradient G - critical ionization gradient G = 3 kV/cm
amounting about 3 kV/cm [7]. The short current I the distance d from the arcing point beyond which the
generates the step voltage USS. The dangerous zone step voltage drops to a safe value USSP can be calculated
finishes at the distance d. The step voltage USS is lower from the approximate equation
than the tolerable step voltage USSP. These voltages and
d = 0,5 1 + 0,0169 ⋅ U n − 1
the resistance to ground Rg are represented by the 2 (7)
following equations [7]:  
where the voltage U is in kV and the distance d in m.
Iρ
U SS = (2) 1000
2πr ( r + 1) 800
600

U SSp = (116 + 0,7 ρ S ) / t

(3)
UTp , V
400
300

200
Rg = ρG / 2πI (4 )
where: 100

I = 0,5β  1 + ( 2 I o / β ) 2 − 1 (5) 60
  0,05 0,1 0,2 0,4 0,7 1,0 2,0 4,0 7,0 10
tF , s
2
I  3ρ ⋅ G (6)
β =  o  ⋅ Fig. 6. Permissible touch voltages depending on fault time
U n  2π (according to and IEC 60479-1 [13])

Un is the phase to phase voltage in Volts, I is the fault Table 1 contains the safe distances from the ground
current available from the system assuming Rg = 0, t – fault for different high voltage lines as derived from (7).
time in seconds, ρ - ground resistivity in Ωm, ρs –
resistivity of the top layer of the soil in Ωm. Tab. 1. Safe distances from the ground fault of high
voltage lines
A B C
Line voltage Safe distance from
the ground fault
( kV) (m)
safe
10 0,4
zone
20 0,9
110 7
I ionized 220 14
d zone 400 21
:: :: :
a
::: : :::: :: : : :
:: ::: : : :: : :
1m r :

dr 5. DETERIORATION OF ACSR
CONDUCTORS
Fig. 4. Step voltage around a flashover point [7]
When aluminum stranded steel reinforced
In overhead 400 kV transmission lines the ground conductors (ACSR) are exposed or heated by fires, their
fault is usually switched off after 0.1 s. However, in the mechanical strength is reduced below the rated values of
lines with lower voltages this time is longer because of new conductors [14]. Moreover, the zinc layer on the
the use of less sophisticated equipment. In safety steel strand would be removed and galvanic corrosion
210
Scientific Papers of the Institute of Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
of the Wrocław University of Technology, No 40, Conference 15
 THE THREAT CAUSED BY FIRES UNDER HIGH VOLTAGE LINES

could be accelerated. This tends to corrode the REFERENCES

aluminum strand in the interior layers as well as the bare
steel strands. Any blaze like forest fires could be an
important factor in reducing the life of aged ACSR [1] LANOIE R., MERCURE H.P., Influence of forest fire on
conductors in service. power line insulation. 6th Int. Symposium on High Voltage
Eng., New Orleans 1989, paper 30.06
[2] VOSLOO W.L., HOLZHAUSEN J.P., BRITTEN A.C.,
Research into the detection of fires under high voltage
6. DETECTION OF FIRE INDUCED lines. 7th Int. Symp. on High Voltage Eng., Dresden 1991,
CORONA paper 41.12
[3] COMIZZOLI R.B. et al., The Kuwait environment and its
The numbers of flashovers caused by sugar cane effects on electronic materials and components. Journal
fires amounted several hundred per year in South Electrochemical Society, July 1992, pp. 2058-2066
[4] WIDLICKI Z. Wrocław Distribution Utility, private
Africa. One of the strategies being used to avoid or information
mitigate this problem is the development of a means for [5] LAWTON J., WEINBERG F.J., Maximum ion currents
detecting the presence of a fire under a line prior to from flames and the maximum practical effects of applied
possible flashover. The extreme temperatures and electric fields. Proc. of the Royal Society, vol. 277 A,
floating particles introduced by the fire under or near an 1964, pp. 468-497
energized line initiate enhanced corona discharges, and [6] JANAT M. Influence of localized flame on dielectric
as a result, significant levels of radio frequency noise strength of air. Ph. D. thesis. Wroclaw University of
[15]. There is a need of discrimination between radio Technology 1991
noise generated by fires, conductor corona and noise [7] MOUSA A.M., Protecting fireman against fire-induced
flashovers. IEEE Trans. on power delivery, Jan. 1990, pp.
from polluted insulators during dry and wet weather 297-302
conditions. In the most favourable dry weather [8] FIALKOV A.B., HOMANN K.H., Large molecules, ions,
conditions, the high noise levels generated by fire are radicals, and small soot particles in fuel-rich hydrocarbon
distinguishable from those produced by conductor flames part VI: positive ions of aliphatic and aromatic
corona and polluted insulators. In heavy rain conditions, hydrocarbons in low-pressure premixed flame of n-
fire noise generated more than 30 to 40 km away will butane and oxygen. Combustion and Flame, Nov. 2001,
not be detectable at the termination. pp. 2076-2090
[9] WEST H.J., Mc MULAN D.W., Fire induced flashovers
of EHV transmission lines. IEEE-PES Winter Power
Meeting, New York 1978, paper A 73-047-2
7. CONCLUSIONS [10] HERNANDEZ-AVILA J.L., ROBLEDO-MARTINEZ
A., Effect of polarity on DC flame breakdown. Int.
Fires under power lines can cause mid-span Symposium on High Voltage Eng. ISH Bangalore 2001,
flashovers with consequent hazardous step potentials. pp. 310-313
During a fire fighting action the guidelines for safety of [11] LITTLE C.E., MAITLAND A., Electrical breakdown in
firemen are as follows: low-pressure propane-oxygen flames with SF and air
buffers. IEEE Trans. On Electrical Insulation, June 1990,
• The fire fighting action in the vicinity of operating
pp. 569-573
power line (without de-energizing the line) is [12] DENO D.W., ZAFANELLA L.E., Flashovers caused by
permissible if : fires. Second Edition of Transmission Line Reference
- the fire has not reached the ground area beneath the Book 345 kV and above. Pp. 384-388, EPRI, Palo
wires, Alto 1982
- the fire is burning under the wires – the gap between [13] IEC 60 479-1 report: Effects of current passing
the wires and the top of the flames is greater than through the human body, part 1: general aspects,
3 m (this is valid for 400 kV lines) 1984
[14] KIM S.-D., MORCOS M.M., Mechanical deterioration of
• If a fire with high flames is detected in direct vicinity ACSR conductors due to forest fires. IEEE Trans. on
of operating line, the utility should be requested to de- Power Delivery, Jan. 2003, pp. 271-276
energize the affected power line. For the period the line [15] BRITTEN A.C., Electromagnetic noise on HV overhead
remains energized, the hazardous step potential zone lines: discrimination between nise levels generated by
sugar cane fires, conductor corona and polluted insulators.
should be evaluated based on the table 1.
Int. Symposium on High Voltage Eng. ISH Graz 1995,
vol. 6, paper 6901
• The area within 10 m from towers should be avoided
at all times to protect against the risk of flashovers of
insulators under the wet polluted conditions generated ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
by the flames, the dense smoke and fire fighting action.
The chapter 4 represents a summary of the paper [7].
• The mechanical and electrical deterioration of line Dr. A. Mousa, British Columbia Hydro, is appreciated
conductors should be taken into account for his courtesy to show the equations 2 -6 and fig. 1.
211
Scientific Papers of the Institute of Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
of the Wrocław University of Technology, No 40, Conference 15

View publication stats