JCT COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

PICHANUR, COIMBATORE - 641105

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERING / MODEL EXAM ANSWER KEY

What are the chief causes of over voltages in electric power system?
The main cause of these voltage surges in power system is due to lightning
impulses and switching impulses of the system. But over voltage in the
1 2
power system may also be caused by, insulation failure, arcing ground and
resonance etc ... But over voltages occur in the power system due to
lightning is very high.
How are switching over voltages originated in a power system?
Overvoltage can be produced by switching operations that are carried out in
2 electrical networks; that is, switching overvoltage can be produced by 2
closing an unloaded line, by clearing a fault or by interrupting currents in
inductive or capacitive circuits where the possibility of restricts exists.
Define Statistical time lag and formative time lag.
Statistical Time Lag: The time which lapse between the application of the
voltage sufficient to cause breakdown and the appearance of the initiating
3 2
electron is called a statistical time lag of the gap. Formative Time Lag: The
time required for the ionization processes to develop fully to cause the
breakdown of the gap, and this time is called the formative time lag (tf).
What are the factors which affect breakdown of gaseous dielectrics?
(i) Pressure
(ii) Temperature
4 2
(iii) Electrode field configuration
(iv) Nature of electrode surfaces
(v) Availability of initial conducting particles
What are the disadvantages of half wave rectifier circuit?
• More amount of ripple content.
5 • Transformer utilization factor is very low. 2
• Rectification efficiency is low.
• Generates harmonics.
Draw a simple voltage doubler circuit for generating HVDC.

6 2

What are the various methods available for measurement of High Impulse
currents or High frequency ac or fast rising ac?
7 Hall generators, 2
Faraday generators
Current transformers.
What are the factors influencing the spark over voltage of a sphere gap?
The breakdown voltage of a sphere gap is affected by some factors:
8 atmospheric conditions, nearby earthed objects, voltage ramp-up time, and 2
irradiation which is necessary when the diameter of the sphere gap is less
than 10 cm and measured voltage below 50 kV
What are the necessities of High voltage testing?
9 High Voltage testing is usually performed to qualify the device to operate 2
safely during rated electrical conditions, a way to check the effectiveness of
 its insulation. The objective sought during the high voltage testing will
determine the type and amount of voltage applied and the acceptable current
flow.
What is BIL?
BIL is an abbreviation for Basic Insulation Level. Insulation levels in
10 electrical equipment are characterized by the withstand voltages used during 2
the impulse test. ... BIL rating specifies the minimum voltage that
transformer can withstand under this condition.
Explain the different theories of charge formation in clouds.

11.(a) 13

(OR)
 What are the causes for switching over voltages? Explain each cause.
The different situations under which switching over voltages happens are
Interruption of low inductive currents (current chopping) by high speed
circuit breakers. This occurs when the transformers or reactors are
switched off.
Interruption of small capacitive currents, such as switching off of
unloaded lines etc.
Ferro-resonance condition
This may occur when poles of a circuit breaker do not close simultaneously
Energization of long EHV or UHV lines.
single pole closing 6f circuit breaker
interruption of fault current when the L-G or L-L fault is cleared
resistance switching used in circuit breakers
switching lines terminated by transformers
(b) series capacitor compensated lines 13
sparking of the surge diverter located at the receiving end of the line to
limit the lightning over voltages.
The different situations under which power frequency over voltages happens
are sudden loss of loads,
disconnection of inductive loads or connection of capacitive loads,
Ferranti effect, unsymmetrical faults, and
saturation in transformers.
The over voltages due to switching and power frequency may be controlled
by Energization of transmission lines in one or more steps by inserting
resistances and withdrawing them afterwards,
phase controlled closing of circuit breakers,
drainage of trapped charges before reclosing,
use of shunt reactors, and
limiting switching surges by suitable surge diverters

12.(a) Discuss in detail, about the breakdown of Vacuum medium. 13

 (OR)

Explain the breakdown mechanism involved in commercial liquid

(b) 13
dielectrics.
13.(a) Explain the working principle of a Cockcroft Walton voltage multiplier. 13

The CW is a voltage multiplier that converts AC or pulsing DC electrical

power from a low voltage level to a higher DC voltage level. It is made up of
a voltage multiplier ladder network of capacitors and diodes to generate high
voltages. Unlike transformers, this method eliminates the requirement for the
heavy core and the bulk of insulation/potting required. Using only capacitors
and diodes, these voltage multipliers can step up relatively low voltages to
extremely high values, while at the same time being far lighter and cheaper
than transformers. The biggest advantage of such circuits is that the voltage
across each stage of the cascade is equal to only twice the peak input voltage
in a half-wave rectifier. In a full-wave rectifier it is three times the input
voltage. It has the advantage of requiring relatively low-cost components and
being easy to insulate. One can also tap the output from any stage, like in a
multitapped transformer.
To understand the circuit operation, see the diagram of the two-stage version
at right. Assume the circuit is powered by an
alternating voltage Vi with a peak value of Vp. After the input voltage is
turned on  When the input voltage Vi reaches its negative peak −Vp,
current flows through diode D1 to charge capacitor C1 to a
 voltage of Vp.
 When Vi reverses polarity and reaches its positive peak +Vp, it adds to the
capacitor's voltage to produce a voltage of 2Vp
on C1s righthand plate. Since D1 is reverse-biased, current flows from C1
through diode D2, charging capacitor C2 to a voltage of 2Vp.
 When Vi reverses polarity again, current from C2 flows through diode D3,
charging capacitor C3 also to a voltage of 2Vp.
 When Vi reverses polarity again, current from C3 flows through diode D4,
charging capacitor C4 also to a voltage of 2Vp.
With each change in input polarity, current flows up the "stack" of capacitors
through the diodes, until they are all charged.
All the capacitors are charged to a voltage of 2Vp, except for C1, which is
charged to Vp. The key to the voltage
multiplication is that while the capacitors are charged in parallel, they are
connected to the load in series. Since C2 and C4
are in series between the output and ground, the total output voltage (under
no-load conditions) is Vo = 4Vp.
This circuit can be extended to any number of stages. The output voltage is
twice the peak input voltage multiplied by the
number of stages N or equivalently the peak-to-peak input voltage swing
(Vpp) times the number of stages The number of
stages is equal to the number of capacitors in series between the output and
ground.

(OR)
(b) Explain the operation of Vande Graff generator from the electrostatic 13
principle.
The Van De Graaff generator works simply on the principle of static
electricity. All matter, as we know is made up of atoms which further
constituted of electrons, neutrons and protons. Electrons carry negative
charge whereas protons are considered to be positively charged. When the
number of electrons and protons remain the same, the matter is considered to
be neutral in charge. A negatively charged matter has more number of
electrons than protons while the opposite holds true for a positively charged
matter. Electrons can flow from one matter to another.
 When two materials are rubbed together, a flow of electrons can take place
depending on the triboelectric properties. When such a transfer occurs, the
material that lost electrons will become positively charged and the one that
gained electrons becomes negatively charged. This basically how static
electricity is generated.
A Van de Graaff generator creates static electricity. The current generated by
a Van De Graaff generator remains the same, while the voltage changes
according to the applied load. A very simple Van De Graaff generator is
made of the following:
A motor Rollers, two in number Insulated belt Brush assemblies, two in
number Metal sphere as the output terminal
The motor is required to turn the belt at a constant speed around the two
rollers. The lower roller is built of a material that has a stronger triboelectric
property. Now when the motor starts turning the belt around the lower roller,
electrons are captured from the insulated belt onto the lower roller. Slowly
more and more charge becomes concentrated on the roller. This phenomenon
of concentration of charge results in repelling the electrons from the tips of
the brush assembly. It also starts to attract electrons from the air molecules
between the lower roller and brush assembly. Due to this phenomenon, the
positively charged air molecules get carried on the belt away from the
negatively charged roller. The belt therefore gets charged positively and
moves towards the upper rollers.
The upper roller is made from or coated with a material that is higher up in
the triboelectric series such as nylon due to which it tries to repel the positive
charge on the belt. The upper brush is directly connected to the inside of the
output terminal or sphere at one end and almost touches the upper roller and
belt at the other. The electrons in the brush become attracted to the positive
charges on the belt. The air particles break down too and the free electrons
move towards the belt. The sphere takes up all of the charge and the excess
charge gets spread to the outside of the terminal output or sphere.
It is this simple electrostatic effect that allows the Van De Graaff generator
to output very high voltages continuously.
Uses of Van De Graff Generators
In modern times, the application of Van De Graff generators is largely
limited to academic purposes to demonstrate the practical aspects and
concepts of electrostatic behavior of particles. Primarily designed as a
particle accelerator, the Van De Graaff generators are used in laboratories for
demonstration purposes only. However, it must be noted that Van de Graaff
generators were one of the first methods used to study nuclear physics before
the advent of better methods to accelerate particles. Though the use of Van
De Graaff generators are limited in today's world, they mark a very
important milestone in the study of particles in the history of nuclear physics.
14.(a) Explain the principle and construction of a generating voltmeter for the 13
 measurement of high dc voltages. List out its advantages and disadvantages.

(OR)

Explain with neat diagram the principle of operation of an electrostatic

voltmeter. Discuss its advantages and limitations for high voltage
measurements.

(b) 13

Describe the various tests to be carried out on a circuit breaker.

15.(a) 13
Type tests are conducted for the purpose of proving the capabilities and
 confirming the rated characteristic of the circuit breaker. Such tests are
conducted in the specially built testing laboratory. Type tests can be broadly
classified as the mechanical performance test, thermal test, dielectric or
insulating test, short circuit test for checking the making capacity, breaking
capacity, short time rating current and operating duty.
Mechanical Test – It is mechanical ability type test involving the repeated
opening and closing of the breaker. A circuit breaker must open and close at
the correct speed and perform its designated duty and operation without
mechanical failure.
Thermal Test – Thermal tests are carried out to check the thermal behavior
of the circuit breakers. The breaker under test deal with the steady-state
temperature rises due to the flow of its rated current through its pole in a
rated condition. The temperature rise for rated current should not exceed 40°
for current less than 800A normal current and 50° for normal value of
current 800A and above.
Dielectric Test – These tests are performed to check power frequency and
impulse voltage withstand capacity. Power frequency tests are kept on a new
circuit breaker; the test voltage changes with a circuit breaker rated voltage.
The test voltage with a frequency between 15-100Hz is applied as follows.
(1) Between poles with circuit breaker closed (2) between pole and earth
with circuit breaker open, and (3) across terminals with circuit breaker open.
In impulse tests impulse voltage of specified magnitude is applied to the
breaker. For outdoor circuit dry and wet tests are conducted.
Short -Circuit Test – Circuit breakers are subjected to sudden short-circuits
in short-circuit test laboratories, and oscillograms are taken to know the
behavior of the circuit breakers at the time of switching in, during contact
breaking and after the arc extinction.
The oscillograms are studied with particular reference to the making and
breaking currents, both symmetrical and asymmetrical restriping voltages,
and switchgear is sometimes tested at rated conditions.
Routine Tests of a Circuit Breaker
Routine tests are also performed as per recommendations of the standards of
Indian Engineering Service and Indian Standards. These tests are performed
on the manufacturers’ premises. Routine tests confirm the proper functioning
of the circuit breaker. The routine tests confirm the proper functioning of the
circuit breaker.
Power frequency voltage test being the same as mentioned under the heading
of type tests, the mill volt drop test is performed to determine the voltage
drop within the current path of the breaker mechanism. Operational test is
performed on the breaker by simulating its tripping by artificially closing the
contacts of the relays.

(OR)

(b) Explain the different aspects of insulation design and insulation co- 13
ordination adopted for EHV systems.
High Voltage Substation Study:
Typical studies include the analysis of a substation to determine the
probability of post insulator flashovers. This is generally measured in
flashovers per hundred years. Another important analysis is to determine that
the insulation contained within transformers has an acceptable margin of
protection. Since the internal insulation is not self-restoring a failure is
completely unacceptable. An insulation coordination study of a substation
will present all the probabilities and margins for all potential transients
entering the station. The studies include both switching surge analysis and
lightning surge analysis. Even though stations are usually shielded, the
lightning surge finds its way into a substation when there is a backlash on
any incoming line. The resulting current levels in the station are quite low
relative to direct strikes, but all that is needed to fail insulation is voltage and
 not current.
Transmission Line Study:
Insulation coordination studies of a transmission lines fall into two
categories. A very common study in recent times is to determine the proper
locations and ratings of arrester applied on lines that do not have pre-
insertion resistors installed on their breakers. A second type of study is to
determine where to install arresters to reduce the back-flash-over rate of a
line. This type of study also indicates what the new flashover rate will be
after installation of the arresters.
Small Power Plants:
This type of study analyzes the insulation from the generator terminals to the
outgoing transmission or distribution lines. Incoming and internal surge
sources are considered in this type of analysis. If the power plant is
connecting to a distribution system that is unshielded, special consideration
needs to be given to grounding on the incoming pole or tower.
Industrial Complexes:
This type of study compares the expected transients on the power system and
the insulation withstand of the system. For industrial environments,
transients from arc furnaces, switching power supplies and other various
electronics need special considerations.
Wind farms and Solar farms:
These devices are treated in a similar fashion to small power plants.
Grounding and internal switching surges need consideration.
Index
16.(a) Derive the expression for travelling waves on transmission line in electrical 15
power system.
Traveling Waves On Transmission Lines
Travelling waves are the current and voltage waves which travel from the
sending end of a transmission line to the other end.
When the switch is closed at the transmission line's starting end, voltage will
not appear instantaneously at the other end. This is caused by the transient
behavior of inductor and capacitors that are present in the transmission line.
The transmission lines may not have physical inductor and capacitor
elements but the effects of inductance and capacitance exists in a line.
Therefore, when the switch is closed the voltage will build up gradually over
the line conductors. This phenomenon is usually called as the voltage wave
is travelling from transmission line's sending end to the other end. And
similarly the gradual charging of the capacitances happens due to the
associated current wave.
Consider a lossless transmission line with a wave after time t has travelled
through a distance x. Consider the wave travelled a distance dx in a time dt.
An electro static flux is associated with the electromagnetic flux and voltage
wave with the current wave.
Consider the charge between conductors of a line up to a distance x.
Here, V is voltage, C is capacitance, x is distance travelled by wave and q is
charge.
The current that flows through the conductor is determined by the rate at
which the charge flows into and out of the line as,
From equation (1),
Here, is velocity of travelling wave.
Consider,
Equation (2) can be modified as,
In a similar way, the electromagnetic flux linkages created around the
conductor due to current wave,
Where, ψ is electromagnetic flux and L is inductance.
Consider the voltage is determined by as,
From equation (4),
Here, is velocity of travelling wave.
Consider,
Equation (5) can be modified as,
Dividing equation (6) by equation (3),
Where, Zc is the characteristic impedance or natural impedance value of
transmission line.
By multiplying equations (3) and (6), we can obtain the velocity of travelling
wave as,

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