r n e n t e n g i n e e r i n g c o l

o v e l ege
G sheohar

Power system-I
Name- ANKIT RAJ
BRACH- ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SEM- 5TH
ROLL NO- LE-23122
REG. NO.- 23103145912
SESSION- 2023-2026
Overvoltage Phenomenon:
Lightning and Switching Surges

Overvoltages are transient voltage spikes that surpass normal operating levels and
pose serious risks to electrical systems worldwide. This presentation examines two
significant types: lightning surges caused by natural phenomena and switching
surges resulting from internal power system operations. Understanding these
overvoltages is essential for designing resilient infrastructure and protecting
sensitive equipment. We will explore their origins, characteristics, effects,
protection methods, and industry standards to build a comprehensive
understanding of this critical electrical engineering topic.
What are Overvoltages?
Definition
Overvoltages are voltage spikes that exceed the standard operating voltage of electrical systems.
electrical systems.

Causes
• External events like lightning strikes
• Internal switching operations within the power network

Impact
They can cause insulation breakdown, equipment damage, and power system failures.

Scale
Measured in kilovolts with rapid rise times measured in microseconds. Residential systems can
systems can experience spikes up to 6 kV despite a nominal 120V supply.
Lightning Surges: Nature's Fury
Mechanism
Lightning may strike directly or induce voltages indirectly by electromagnetic
coupling to nearby conductors.

Frequency
On average, around 100 lightning strikes occur globally every second, reflecting the
reflecting the widespread nature of this hazard.

Current Characteristics
Lightning currents may peak above 200 kA and last only a few microseconds but carry
microseconds but carry enormous energy.

Ground Potential Rise

Near a strike point, voltage differences in grounding systems can reach dangerous
dangerous levels, affecting nearby equipment.
Lightning Surge Characteristics

Waveform Energy and Propagation Standards

Stress n
Lightning surges IEC 61000-4-5
surges typically These surges Once initiated, defines testing
typically follow deliver high initiated, surges testing
follow double energy pulses surges travel protocols for
exponential causing both swiftly along evaluating
waveforms, thermal and power lines and equipment
such as 1.2/50 mechanical and grounding performance
μs or 8/20 μs, stress on grounding against lightning
indicating rise electrical conductors, lightning surges
and decay components potentially surges to
times. and insulation. affecting wide ensure
insulation. areas. reliability.
Switching Surges: Man-Made
Transients
1 Common Sources
Switching actions such as capacitor bank operations, transformer energization, and circuit
breaker switching create surges.

2 Characteristics
Typically oscillatory in nature, with magnitude lower than lightning surges but more
more frequent in occurrence.

3 Frequency and Duration

Frequency ranges from hundreds of Hz to several MHz, with durations spanning
microseconds to milliseconds.

4 Example
Transformer energization can cause voltage surges up to 2 to 5 times the nominal system
nominal system voltage.
Types of Switching Surges
Inrush Currents Ferroresonance
High initial currents drawn when Nonlinear resonance phenomena in
when energizing transformers or phenomena in inductive circuits
Transient Recovery Voltage
or large motors, resulting in circuits producing unpredicted
Restrike Surges (TRV)
transient spikes. voltage surges.
Voltage surges generated when arc The voltage across circuit breaker
when arc reignites as a circuit breaker contacts immediately after
breaker opens, causing oscillations. after interruption, critical in breaker
oscillations. breaker design.

2 3

1 4
Overvoltage Mitigation: Protection Strategies

Surge Protective Devices Grounding Shielding Insulation Coordination

Devices (SPDs) Provides a low impedance path Physical barriers or conductors
Coordination
Devices that redirect surge path to earth, ensuring fault conductors that reduce Careful selection of equipment
currents safely to ground, currents dissipate harmlessly. electromagnetic induction from equipment rated for expected
minimizing equipment exposure. from lightning. expected surge withstand
exposure. voltages to prevent failure.
Surge Protective Devices (SPDs)
Types
• Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs)

• Gas Discharge Tubes (GDTs)

• Silicon Avalanche Diodes (SADs)

Clamping Voltage
The voltage level at which the SPD begins conducting to divert surge current.

Surge Current Capacity

Maximum surge current that a device can safely handle without damage.

Response Time and Standards

SPDs respond in nanoseconds to microseconds and comply with UL 1449 for safety and
performance.
Industry Standards and Best Practices
IEC 61643 IEEE Std C62.41
Guidelines for surge protective devices in low-voltage power systems Defines surge voltages in low-voltage AC circuits and provides test
systems to ensure consistent protection. provides test methods for evaluating equipment robustness.

NFPA 780 Risk Assessment

Standard for installing lightning protection systems, detailing design Comprehensive evaluation of likelihood and impact of surges guides
design and installation criteria. guides the selection and placement of protection measures.
Protecting Against
Overvoltages: Insulation
Coordination
As we rely more on sensitive electronics, power surges threaten system stability.
Protection is vital to ensure safety and avoid costly failures in electrical networks.
Understanding Overvoltages
Definition & Causes Types & Standards
• Voltage exceeding normal limits • Temporary and transient overvoltages
• Caused by lightning, switching surges, faults • IEC 60664, IEEE Std C62.41 standards guide protection
Insulation Coordination: A
Layered Approach
Goal Balance
Reduce equipment failures and Cost, performance, and system
and outages reliability

Key Elements
Surge arresters, insulation strength, reliable grounding
Surge Arresters (SPDs): First Line of
Line of Defense
Function
Diverts excess energy safely to ground

Types
• Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs)
• Silicon Avalanche Diodes (SADs)

Placement
Service entrance, sub-panels, equipment level

Selection
Based on voltage rating and surge current capacity (e.g., 20kA)
Grounding and Bonding: Critical for Safety
Purpose Systems Standards
Low-impedance path to ground to protect • Ground rods, plates, building steel Compliance with NEC grounding
people and equipment • Proper bonding reduces voltage requirements
differences
Shielding and Cable Routing:
Minimizing Exposure

Shielded Cables Cable Routing

Reduce induced voltages from Minimize loop areas, avoid
external sources interference

Additional Protection
Use conduit systems; fiber optics immune to overvoltages
Insulation Strength:
Withstanding Transient
Voltages
• Materials must resist dielectric breakdown
• Impulse voltage withstand tested per IEC 60060-1
• Coordination with surge arrester protection levels essential
• Example: Transformer insulation withstands 50kV impulse
Practical Considerations: Risk
Assessment
Geographical Impact
Assess lightning strike frequency regionally

Equipment Sensitivity
Evaluate vulnerability of connected devices

Cost-Benefit Analysis
Balance protection expense with risk mitigation

Example
Data centers require the highest protection levels
Case Studies: Real-World Examples
Industrial Facility Residential System Data Center
Use of SPDs reduced downtime significantly Enhanced grounding improved safety and Comprehensive protection strategy extended
significantly and reliability extended equipment lifespan
Understanding Surge
Propagation
Surge propagation refers to transient waves of energy moving through
various media. Understanding this helps in predicting impacts and creating
protective strategies. Common surge types include electrical, hydraulic, and
acoustic waves, each with unique propagation characteristics and risks.
Causes of Surges
Electrical Surges Hydraulic Surges
Triggered by lightning strikes, Occur due to water hammer and
switching events, and system pump starts or stops in
faults. pipelines.

Acoustic Surges
Result from explosions, sudden impacts, and sonic booms in air and
solids.
Electrical Surge Propagation
Transmission Lines Grounding Systems Building Wiring

Inductive and capacitive coupling Ground potential rise (GPR) influences Surges cause ringing and reflections,
causes energy to spread. voltage distribution. affecting devices.
Factors Affecting Propagation Speed
Temperature
Molecular motion increases, influencing
energy transfer rates.
Medium Density Pressure
Generally, higher density leads to faster Affects compressibility and overall wave
wave propagation. characteristics.

1 3
Effects of Surges: Electrical Systems
Equipment Damage
Insulation breakdown and component failures occur.

Data Loss
Surges lead to data corruption and system crashes.

Fire Hazards
Overheating and arcing increase fire risks.
Surge Protection Methods
Electrical Protection Hydraulic Protection Acoustic Protection

SPDs and grounding mitigate surges Use accumulators, surge tanks, and Dampening materials, barriers, and
effectively. slow-closing valves to buffer pressure. isolation mounts reduce wave impact.
Understanding Traveling Surges

Traveling surges are brief, high-energy transient waves that propagate

along conductors or insulating materials in electrical networks. These
rapid voltage disturbances can profoundly impact electrical systems,
posing a threat to reliability and safety.

Initially, these surges start with certain voltage levels, but through
interactions with system components, their amplitude often amplifies
significantly. Understanding these surges is critical for designing resilient
power and electronic systems.
Causes of Traveling Surges

Lightning Strikes Switching Operations Fault Conditions

A primary natural cause that injects Activities like capacitor bank Short circuits and other faults cause
intense transient energy into power switching generate transient waves unanticipated surges, stressing
lines, leading to traveling surges. due to sudden changes in circuit equipment.
conditions.

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Geomagnetic Disturbances

Rapid discharge events in sensitive electronics introduce Solar storms create ground currents that induce traveling
damaging transient voltages. waves in power networks.
Characteristics of Traveling Surges
Fast Rise Times Waveform Dynamics

Traveling surges often have rise times in microseconds or • May be unidirectional or oscillatory in nature
nanoseconds, making their detection and mitigation • Distortions occur due to line impedance and reflections
challenging.
• Create high voltage gradients along the line
These rapid transitions generate high-frequency content
critical in surge behavior.
Voltage Generation Mechanisms
Inductive Coupling
Energy transferred electromagnetically to nearby conductors induces voltage
surges.

Capacitive Coupling
Voltage division through capacitive elements causes transient voltages along
cables.

Wave Superposition
Reflected waves combine constructively with incident waves, amplifying
voltage levels.

Resonance
Certain frequencies cause voltage magnification due to system resonance
effects.
Voltage Magnification Phenomenon

High-Impedance Loads
Unloaded transformers exemplify points
2 where reflections and magnification
Open-Circuited Terminations occur.
When a line ends without a load,
reflected waves can double voltage
1
amplitude at the endpoint. Sudden Impedance Changes
3 Voltage spikes happen where system
impedance shifts abruptly, risking
insulation failure.
Factors Influencing Surge Voltage
Surge Amplitude Line and Termination Impedance Line Length & Protection Devices

The initial energy magnitude sets the

baseline for possible voltage peaks • Impedance affects wave speed and • Longer lines alter surge duration
along the conductor. reflection magnitude and attenuation
• Termination impedance determines • Surge protection devices reduce
Higher amplitude surges translate into
reflection coefficients peak voltages
greater potential damage.
Real-World Examples: Power Systems
Lightning on Transmission Lines
Voltages exceeding 1 million volts can be induced, creating dangerous transient stresses.

Switching Surges in Substations

Temporary overvoltages of 2 to 3 per unit occur due to capacitor switching or breaker operations.

Equipment Failures
Surge-induced stress can cause insulation breakdown in transformers or failure of arresters.
Real-World Examples:
Electronics
ESD Damage to ICs Lightning Strikes on
Communication Towers
Microscopic damage
Towers
accumulates, often leading
to system failure months Can instantly destroy radio
after initial exposure. and antenna equipment,
disrupting critical
communications.

Ground Loop Surges

Introduced surges through grounding faults affect sensitive
medical and laboratory devices.
Mitigation Strategies
Surge Arresters
Devices like metal oxide varistors and silicon avalanche diodes clamp transient voltages
effectively.

Shielding and Grounding

Proper grounding techniques and shielding reduce susceptibility to external surges.

Cable Routing and Termination

Correct layout and terminations minimize reflections and voltage magnification risks.

Filters and TVSS

Transient voltage surge suppressors and ferrite beads filter high-frequency noise and
spikes.
Introduction to Bewley Diagrams
Diagrams
Bewley Diagrams are a powerful graphical tool used for analyzing transient
voltage behavior in power systems. Developed by Dr. L.V. Bewley in the mid-
20th century, these diagrams predict voltage surges resulting from switching
operations, lightning strikes, or system faults.

This technique is essential for insulation coordination and protecting electrical

equipment from excessive voltages by providing engineers with a clear
visualization of transient wave interactions in power networks.
Importance of Transient Analysis
Analysis
Surge Impacts High Magnitude Surges
Transient voltage surges can Switching surges may reach
cause critical equipment 3–5 times normal operating
failure and destabilize power voltage, while lightning
systems if not properly induces high-magnitude,
managed. short-duration spikes
requiring precise analysis.

Design Reliability
Accurate transient analysis ensures reliable system operation by
enabling appropriate protective measures and design adjustments.
Transmission Line Characteristics
Surge Impedance (Zc) Propagation Velocity (v) Wave Behavior

Calculated as the square root of The speed at which voltage waves travel, At impedance discontinuities, waves
inductance over capacitance (√L/C), it approximately equal to the speed of light reflect and refract, influencing transient
typically ranges from 250 to 500 ohms in (1/√LC), critical for timing and wave voltage levels and must be accounted for
overhead transmission lines, defining reflections in Bewley diagrams. in diagram construction.
wave behavior on the line.
Reflection and Refraction Coefficients
Coefficients
Coefficient Formula Description

Reflection (ρ) (ZL - Zc) / (ZL + Zc) Determines magnitude

and polarity of wave
reflected from load
impedance ZL

Refraction (τ) 1 + ρ = 2ZL / (ZL + Zc) Measures magnitude of

transmitted wave
continuing beyond the
load

Special Cases ρ = 1 (open circuit), ρ = -1 Reflects entire wave

(short circuit) positively or negatively,
essential for boundary
behavior understanding
Constructing a Bewley Diagram -
Diagram - Step 1
Define Time Axis
Create a horizontal time line representing transient event
duration, preparing to plot voltage changes over time.

Mark Wave Travel Times

Mark key points where traveling waves reach system elements
based on propagation velocity and line length.

Example Calculation
For a 100 km line with velocity 3×10⁸ m/s, travel time is about
0.33 milliseconds, guiding plot positioning.
Constructing a Bewley Diagram - Step 2
Represent Wave Lines Calculate Magnitudes Sum Contributions

Draw incident waves and their Use reflection and refraction coefficients Combine voltage contributions at
subsequent reflections and refractions as to determine voltage levels of each wave intersections to find total transient
linear segments on the time-voltage plot. component. voltage buildup and decay over time.
Application: Surge Arrester
Placement
Voltage Stress Reduction Optimal Positioning
Placing surge arresters near Bewley diagrams guide optimal
transformers significantly arrester locations to maximize
reduces voltage surges, protection effectiveness and
protecting critical assets. minimize transient impact.

Cost Efficiency
Effective placement lowers failure risk and reduces downtime costs,
enhancing overall system reliability.
Application: Insulation Coordination
Withstand Capability Proper Selection Prevent Flashovers
Insulation must endure transient Diagram insights ensure Accurate analysis minimizes costly
voltages exceeding the highest appropriate insulation levels are flashovers and equipment damage
surges predicted by Bewley selected for substation equipment. caused by transient events.
diagrams.
Advantages of Bewley Diagrams
Diagrams
Intuitive Visualization
Simplify understanding of complex transient wave propagation and
reflections.

Preliminary Design
Useful for rapid assessment and optimization in early power system
design phases.

Low Resource Requirement

Requires minimal computational resources compared to detailed
electromagnetic simulations.
Limitations and Advanced Techniques
Assumptions
Bewley diagrams assume lossless transmission lines and linear behavior, limiting accuracy in complex
real-world systems.

Frequency Effects
They do not incorporate frequency-dependent phenomena or damping effects present in actual power
networks.

Advanced Tools
Detailed transient studies often require EMTP or other numerical simulation methods beyond the scope of
Bewley diagrams.

Foundational Use
Despite limitations, Bewley diagrams remain a valuable starting point for understanding and analyzing
transient phenomena.