INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER, AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179

Design of AC Electronics Load Surge Protection

N. Mungkung, S. Wongcharoen, C. Sukkongwari, and Somchai Arunrungrasmi

The solution by adding electronics load inside surge

Abstract—This study examines the design and construction of protection device could prevent voltage swell and electrical
AC Electronics load surge protection in order to carry electric surge voltage will not exceed the specified range [4]. Therefore, that
load arisen from faults in low voltage electricity system (single improves electrical power stability and quality and increases
phase/220V) by using the principle of electronics load clamping the lifetime of electric appliances, electric devices, and
voltage during induction period so that electric voltage could go
electricity protection equipments.
through to safe load and continue to work. The qualification of the
designed device could prevent both transient over voltage and
voltage swell. Both will work in cooperation, resulting in the ability II. PRINCIPLES AND THEORIES
to improve and modify the quality of electrical power in Thailand According to international standards, IEEE defines
electricity distribution system more effective than the past and help electrical power quality as the attribute of current, voltage,
increase the lifetime of electric appliances, electric devices, and and frequency of electricity distributor in normal state which
electricity protection equipments. will not make electric equipments malfunction or damage. The
main reason for considering electrical power quality is that
Keywords—Electronics Load, Transient Over Voltage, Voltage higher technology electric appliances have higher sensitivity
Swell. to the changes in electrical power quality than in the past. The
increase in using higher technology electric appliances and the
I. INTRODUCTION electricity system which connects every section together will
break down the whole system if one part is affected by
A T present, production process in the industry requires
higher technology electric appliances with higher
sensitivity to the changes in quality of electrical power than in
electrical power quality problems.

the past. Still, electrical system lacks stability and quality due A. Electrical Power Quality Problems are Caused by 5
to natural phenomena [1-7], electricity faults, switching Main Reasons
devices, using non linear devices, and improper grounding [8-
1. Natural phenomena such as lightning
9]. The above-mentioned causes of problem in electrical
2. Electrical faults
power quality are from electricity usage and electricity user.
3. Switching in devices
The right approaches in solving electrical power quality
4. Using non linear devices in industrial system
problem must receive helping hands from all sectors. 5 Improper grounding
Surge protection devices are mostly imported and
expensive [10]. Those devices could solve temporary B. Transient over Voltage [8]
electrical surge such as lightning. However, they could not 1. Impulsive transients which has high pitch current and
solve problem of voltage swell. Moreover, every country runs voltage takes place immediately without changes in
different electricity system. An analysis to solve electrical frequency. It is set to have one direction terminal. The
power quality problem must be based on real situations. duration of higher voltage is 5 ns – 0.1ms. The cause is
lightning which might take place directly or nearby, damaging
equipments in the system due to over voltage.
2. Oscillatory transient which has high voltage or current
without changes in frequency. Still, anode and cathode change
Manuscript received June 2, 2007. This work was supported by Electrical rapidly in the form of waves. The duration is around 0.3 ms –
Technology Education Department, Faculty of Industrial Education and
Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, 5ms. The cause is switching in system devices, damaging
Thailand. electric appliances and insulator will become impaired
Narong Mungkung is with the Electrical Technology Education quickly.
Department, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, 3. Voltage Swell occurs when the AC voltage RMS value
Thailand (e-mail: [email protected]).
Saktanong Wongcharoen is M.S. Ind Ed student in Electrical Technology rises between 1.1 to 1.8 pu. during 10 ms – 1 min. Most
Education Department, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, causes are due to phase, not from direct electrical faults. Other
Bangkok, Thailand. causes are large load is removed from the system or large
Chatchawan Sukkongwari is an instructor of Chonburi Technical College, capacitor installed in the system, damaging electric appliances
Chonburi, Thailand. or making devices with high sensitivity to changes in power
Somchai Arunrungrasmi is with the Electrical Technology Education
Department, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, distributor quality malfunction or stop working.
Thailand (e-mail: [email protected]).

IJECSE VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179 126 © 2007 WASET.ORG

 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER, AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179

III. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

As for circuit design, there were 2 sets of protection mode This mode comprises of the following components:
in order to prevent surge according to the specific capability 1. Electronics load functions as load to receive power
of designed material to work effectively with the system as from over voltage.
follows: 2. Drive gate controls voltage and current.
Set 1 is mode for transient over voltage protection. 3. Voltage comparer compares voltage during the time of
Set 2 is mode for voltage swell protection. electrical faults.

A. Mode for Transient Over Voltage

C. Block Diagram of All AC Surge Protection Equipments
Set 1 Set 2

Fig. 1 Set 1 or mode for transient over voltage.

This mode comprises of the following components:

1. Gas Discharge Tube (GDT) material Fig. 3 Block diagram of all AC surge protection equipments
2. Metal Oxide Varistor )MOV) material
As shown in Fig. 1, this is mode for surge protection in
parallel with electricity system. It has GDT in front in order to IV. RESEARCH RESULTS AND EVALUATION
reduce the power going through to next protectors without
damaging. MOV material will reduce over voltage left from A. Capability Experiment for Transient Over Voltage
forefront material in order to let voltage go through Set 2 and Fig. 4 shows the circuit to test the device in order to get the
equipment unit will not damage. value of voltage going to the designed load in AC
electronics load surge protection device. It is in parallel with
B. Mode for Voltage Swell the system in order to know whether it complies with the
This mode would reduce voltage swell of RMS value which design or how much it is different from the design. The
was higher than the specified range (or 220 V ± 10%). Design experiment was done by shooting surge power with 6000
of this mode is in parallel with electricity system without voltage range. Fig. 4-5 show the waveform of standard
considering how much load consumes current. This device voltage surge at 1.2/50 µs [11-13]
will examine and compare voltage. When voltage reaches the
specified point, the signal will be sent to drive gate to control
FET to conduct and control the level of let through electrical
voltage to clamp equipment unit in a proper time so that
nothing damages as shown in Fig. 2.

Set 1 Set 2

Compared Circuit

Fig. 4 Circuit to test the device for transient over voltage

Fig. 2 Set 2 or mode for voltage swell.

IJECSE VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179 127 © 2007 WASET.ORG

 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER, AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179

8000 580

Vt Vp 578
7000
576

Let through voltage Vlt [V]

6000
574

Voltage test Vt[V]

5000
572

4000 570

568
3000
566
2000
564
1000
562

0 560
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Fig. 5 Waveform of standard voltage surge at 1.2/50 µs
Sequence Test

Fig. 7 Comparison graph of voltage test and let through voltage

Fig. 6 Waveform of test signal with 6000 voltage range (1.2/50 µs)

TABLE. 1 RESULTS FROM THE DEVICES FOR TRANSIENT OVER VOLTAGE

SEQUENCE VOLTAGE TEST LET THROUGH VOLTAGE
TEST VT[V] VLT[V] Fig. 8 Signal of let through voltage at output, sequence 1
1 6000 562.5
2 6000 563.7
3 6000 564.5
4 6000 565.2
5 6000 566.4
6 6000 567.1
7 6000 567.9
8 6000 568.7
9 6000 569.3
10 6000 570.3

Results from the experiment in Table 1 shows the value of Fig. 9 Signal of let through voltage at output, sequence 5
let through voltage was satisfactory, in other words, let
through voltage did not exceed 600 V peak as shown in Fig. 8,
9 and 10, respectively. Fig. 7 shows comparison graph of
voltage test and let through voltage in a linear manner.

IJECSE VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179 128 © 2007 WASET.ORG

 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER, AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179

Fig. 10 Signal of let through voltage at output, sequence 10 Fig. 13 Waveform of test signal with 280 V voltage range

B. Capability Experiment for Voltage Swell

Fig. 11shows the circuit to test the device for voltage swell
in order to test electronics load clamping voltage. Electrical
power is let through with AC 50 Hz voltage with voltage
range at 260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380 and 400 V RMS
respectively. Results of clamping voltage test must not exceed
220 V ± 10%. Fig. 12 – 15 show the waveform of voltage
swell within the specified voltage range.

Fig. 14 Waveform of test signal with 340 V voltage range

Fig. 11Circuit to test the device for voltage swell

Fig. 15 Waveform of test signal with 400 V voltage range

Fig. 12 Waveform of voltage swell

IJECSE VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179 129 © 2007 WASET.ORG

 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER, AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179

TABLE 2 RESULTS FROM THE DEVICE FOR VOLTAGE SWELL

Leakage
Sequence Voltage test Clamping
current
Test Vt[V] Voltage Vc[V]
Cl[A]
1 260 202.81 2.750
2 280 206.99 3.350
3 300 213.44 4.075
4 320 218.30 4.694
5 340 222.33 5.146
6 360 227.56 5.984
7 380 230.07 6.546
8 400 234.50 7.227

Results from the experiment in Table 2 shows that

electronics load clamping voltage did not exceed the specified
voltage range or between 198 – 242 V. Fig. 16-17 show Fig. 18 Output signal of current and voltage test at 280V
comparison graphs of voltage test and clamping voltage and
leakage current in a linear manner. Fig. 18 – 20 show samples
of measured oscilloscope signal of voltage (CH1) and current
(CH2) which clamp electronics load during the operation
when over voltage occurs in the system.

450 250

400 Vt Vp

350 240
Clamping Voltage Vc[V]

300
Voltage Test Vt[V]

230
250

200
220
150

100 210
50

0 200 Fig. 19 Output signal of current and voltage test at 340 V

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sequence Test

Fig. 16 Comparison graph of voltage test and clamping voltage

450 10

400 Vt Cl 9

350 8
Leakage current Cl[A]

300 7
Voltage Test Vt[V]

250 6

200 5

150 4

100 3

50 2

0 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sequence Test Fig. 20 Output signal of current and voltage test at 400V

Fig. 17 Comparison graph of voltage test and leakage current

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 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER, AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179

V. CONCLUSION
Experiment of AC electronics load surge protection in low
Narong Mungkung was born in Lopburi Province, Thailand, in 1965. He
voltage electricity system (220V, 50Hz, and current less than received the B.S.Ind.Ed. degree in electrical engineering from King
20 amp) shows that the designed device could carry electrical Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi, Thailand, in 1992, the
surge load which agree with IEEE and IEC standard [11-13]. M.S.Tech.Ed degree in electrical technology from King’s Institute of
Let through voltage was still low and clamping voltage was Technology, North Bangkok, Thailand, in 1998, the M.S. degree and D.Eng
in electrical engineering from Nippon Institute of Technology, Saitama, Japan,
within the specified standards. This device could be used to in 2000 and 2003. Currently he is Asst Prof. of Department Electrical
prevent voltage surge arisen from electrical faults with Technology Education, Faculty of Industrial Education and technology , King
effectiveness. Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand. His main research
interests are in engineering education, electrical discharge, energy conversion
system and high voltage.

REFERENCES Saktanong Wongcharoen was born in Srisaket Province, Thailand, in

[1] Sangkasaad ,Samruay, Dr., High Voltage Engineering, Department of 1981. He received the B.S. degrees in Industrial Technology (Electronic) from
Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn Rajabhat Institute Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand, in 2004. Curently
University, 2004.
[2] Chalartsakul, Thanawat, Power System Analysis ,Technology Promotion Chatchawan Sukkongwari was born in Chonburi Province, Thailand, in
Association (Thailand-Japan), 2004. 1962. He received the B.S. degrees in electrical engineering from King’s
[3] Hokierti ,Jamnarn, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Voltage Swell in Low Voltage Institute of technology, Ladkrabung, Thailand, in 1985. He is an instructor of
Electricity System, Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Chonburi Technical College, Thailand.
Engineering, Kasetsart University.
[4] Hokierti ,Jamnarn, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Questions and Answers about Somchai Arunrungrasmi was born in Chonburi Province, Thailand, in 1965.
Electrical Power ,Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of He received the B.S.Ind.Ed. degree in electrical engineering from King
Engineering, Kasetsart University. Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi, Thailand, in 1995, the M.S.
[5] Provincial Electricity Authority ,Manual: Questions and Answers about degree in electrical engineering from King Mongkut’s University of
Technology Thonburi, Thailand., in 2000. Currently he is a lecturer of
Techniques for Industrial Electrical Quality ,May,2 005.
Department Electrical Technology Education, Faculty of Industrial Education
[6] Golde, R.H. editor, Lighning, Dover Publiccation, 1984. and technology , King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi,
[7] Vladimir A. Rakor and Martin A. uman, Lighning Physic and Effects, Thailand. His main research interests are in engineering education, image
First Pulished, 2003. processing, geographic information system and system design.
[8] IEEE std 1159-1995, IEEE Recommended practice for Monitoring
Electric Power Quality.
[9] Roger C. Dugan, Mark F. McGranaghan and H. Wayne Beaty,
Electrical Power Systems Quality.
[10] Peter Hasse, Overvoltage Protection of Low Voltage Systems, 2nd
Edition, IEE Power and Energy Series 33, 2000.
[11] IEEE Std C62.41-1991, IEEE Recommended Practice on Surge Voltage
in Low-Voltage AC Power Cicuit,1991.
[12] IEEE Std C62.45-1992, IEEE Guide on Surge Testing for Equipment
Connected in Low-Voltage AC Power Cicuit,1992.
[13] IEC 6100-4-5, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Part 4-5, Testing
and measurement techniques, Surge immunity test, 2000.

IJECSE VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 2007 ISSN 1307-5179 131 © 2007 WASET.ORG