ELECTRICAL HIGH

VOLTAGE
BUSHINGS
GROUP 8
* PA N L I C A N , A RV I N N I C O V I L L A N U E VA # 2 9
* RA Z , J O H N B E N I D I C T E N R I Q U E Z - # 3 0
* TA N , JAY S O N E D WA R D - # 3 1

Electrical High Voltage Bushings

Types
Bushing Troubles
Safety
Maintenance, inspection and testing
Storage of Bushings
Power factor Test (Insulation Testing)

Electrical Surge Arrester

Purpose
Operations, Testing and Maintenance

Bushing
is
an
insulating
structure,
including a through conductor or providing a
central passage for such conductor, with
provision for mounting a barrier, conducting
or otherwise, for the purpose of insulating
the conductor from the barrier and of an
electrical current from one side of the
barrier to the other.

Types of Bushing
Composite Bushing - A bushing in which insulation consists of two
or more coaxial layers of different insulating materials.
Compound-Filled Bushing - A bushing in which the space between
the major insulation (or conductor where no major insulation is used)
and the inside surface of a protective weather casing (usually
porcelain) is filled with a compound having insulating properties.
Condenser Bushing - A bushing in which cylindrical conducting
layers are arranged coaxially with the conductor within the
insulating material. The length and diameter of the cylinders are
designed to control the distribution of the electric field in and over
the outer surface of the bushing.

Composite
Bushing

Compound-Filled
Bushing

CONDENSER
BUSHING


Oil-Filled Bushing - A bushing in which the space between the
major insulation and the inside surface of a protective weather
casing is filled with insulating oil.

Oil Immersed Bushing - A bushing composed of a system of

major insulations totally immersed in a bath of insulating oil.

Oil-Impregnated Paper Insulated Bushing - A bushing in

which the internal structure is made of cellulose material
impregnated with oil.
Resin-Bonded, Paper Insulated Bushing - A bushing in which
the major insulation is provided by cellulose material bonded
with resin.
Solid/Ceramic Bushing - A bushing in which the major
insulation is provided by a ceramic or analogous material.

Dry or Unfilled
Type Bushing

Oil-filled Bushing

Oil Immersed
Bushing

Oil-Impregnated
Paper Insulated
Bushing

ResinBonded
Bushing

Ceramic
Bushing

Safety/Precautions
At all times, safety is the most important
consideration. All testing work on bushings shall
be performed in accordance with the ROMSS
(Reclamation Operation and Maintenance Safety
Standards) which establish safety standards and
safe work practices for operations and activities
performed by the Bureau. The following are
minimum suggestions for safety and are not
intended
to
supersede
safety
practices

A. Handling - When handling bushings, care must be taken to be

sure that rigging is applied properly to prevent damage to the
bushing and/or to adjacent equipment and personnel.
Cracked or chipped porcelain produce sharp edges which can
result in severe cuts on the hands and arms of personnel working
around them.
B. Static Charges - Static charges induced by test potentials
provide a source for serious accidents through falls caused by
reflex action, High- static voltages may be encountered at the
bushings installed in apparatus during cold weather and oilhandling operations. Protective or safety grounds should be used
to bleed off static charges. High-static charges may also be
encountered at the bushing capacitance taps if the covers are
removed. These also should be grounded before being handled.

C. Field Testing - Field testing generally requires work in the

proximity of energized equipment. A hazard analysis should be
performed and a short safety meeting on the site should be
conducted prior to beginning field tests on bushings.
D. Adjacent high-voltage equipment which may be hazardous to
workmen shall be marked off with visible warning devices, such
as tape, rope, or portable fence sections. Signs reading "DANGER
- DO NOT PASS THIS BARRIER, -- DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE," or
similar notice shall be placed along the barriers facing the
working area.

Maintenance, Inspection, and Testing

A. General - All high-voltage bushings should be inspected
periodically to intervals of not over 3-5 years. The inspections
should include power-factor tests for all bushings rated above 115
kV. Lower voltage bushings should also be tested if there is reason
to suspect they may be deteriorated. Bushings showing signs of
deterioration should be tested at intervals of 6 months to 1 year
and removed from service if the tests show a dangerous condition.
1. Terminal caps end connectors - Check for tightness to avoid poor
contact and resultant heating.

2. Capacitance taps and power-factor test electrodes - Check to determine

proper grounding for bushings with a grounded capacitance tap and for
power factor test electrodes. Examine for proper gasketing to prevent
entrance of moisture.

4. Gaskets - Check gaskets for deterioration, looseness, and

leaking. Loose gaskets should be replaced or painted with General
Electric lacquer or other suitable oil-proof sealer, and tightened.
Finding a loose gasket or seal may mean that moisture has
entered the bushing, and checks should be made to determine if
moisture is present. The bushing should be dried out if necessary.

5. Metal pads - Check and paint as necessary. Examine structural

parts, such as clamping rings and washers, for cracks or breaks.

6. Solder seals - Check for cracks and leaks and repair as

necessary.

B. Visual Inspection Annually with Binoculars

inspection should include the following items:

- The visual

1. Porcelain - Check for chips, cracks, and contamination. Minor chips

may be painted with an insulating varnish to obtain a glossy finish
which will shed dirt and moisture. Superficial cracks that do not affect
the mechanical or electrical strength of the bushing may be sealed
with insulating varnish or epoxy. Bushings with major chips or cracks
which appreciably decrease the creep age distance should be
replaced. The surface of the porcelain should be cleaned as needed to
remove dirt, oil, and other deposits that may reduce the flashover
value.
2.Oil level - Check the oil level on bushings equipped with sight
gauges or other types of oil-level indicators and add oil as necessary.
Low-oil levels with no sign of an external leak may indicate a leak
within the bushings which may require replacement of the bushing as

C. Maintenance Tests - Common maintenance tests are power factor,

RIV (radio-influence-voltage), dc insulation resistance, and testing oil
or compound for moisture. Descriptions of these various tests follow:

1. Power-factor Double Tests - The power-factor test is the most

effective known field test procedure for the early detection of
bushing contamination and deterioration. This test also provides
measurement of ac test current which is directly proportional to
bushing capacitance.

Bushings may be tested by one or more of four methods

depending upon the type of bushing and the power-factor test set
available.

a. The GST (grounded specimen test) - This test measures the

insulating qualities of the insulation between the current carrying
or centre conductor and the mounting flange of a bushing. The
application of such a test is necessarily limited to bushings out of
the apparatus such as spare bushings, or bushings which have
been isolated from connected windings and interrupters. The test
is performed by energizing the bushing conductor and grounding
the flange.
b. The hot-guard test -This test measures the insulation between
the current-carrying or centre conductor and the mounting flange
of a bushing. The test was designed specifically for "draw-lead"
type bushings but is applicable to any bushing in apparatus which
can be isolated from connecting windings and bus, but not
suffi ciently to withstand test potential. Both the bushing and the
draw-lead, winding, and bus are energized at the same test
potential, but only the current and losses of the bushing are

c. The UST (ungrounded-specimen test) - This test measures

the insulation between the current-carrying or center conductor
and the capacitance tap, power-factor tap, and/or ungrounded
flange of a bushing. This test may be applied to any bushing in
or out of apparatus which is either equipped with capacitance
or power factor taps or the flange of which can be isolated from
the grounded tank in which the bushing is installed. The
insulation resistance between the taps or insulated flanges and
ground should be 0.5 meg-ohm or better. While in this case,
anything that is attached to the bushing
would also be
energized

d. The hot-collar test - This test measures the condition of a

specific small section of bushing insulation between an area of
the upper porcelain rain shed and the current-carrying or center
conductor. It is performed by energizing one or more electrodes
(collars) placed around the bushing porcelain with the bushing
center conductor grounded. This test is used to supplement the
three tests described above or to test bushings in apparatus
when the above-mentioned three tests are either inapplicable or
impractical. Hot-collar tests are effective in locating cracks in
porcelain, deterioration or contamination of insulation in the
upper section of a bushing, low compound or liquid level, or
voids in compound.

2.The RIV test - The RIV test can provide detection of corona in
resin- bonded,
solid core no condenser bushings. Liquid-filled
bushings generally have a low RIV value. A high RIV value on this
type of bushings which cannot be reduced by cleaning the
porcelain indicates the level of the filling liquid should be checked.

3.The dc insulation resistance test- The dc insulation resistance

test generally cannot be relied on to detect early contamination in
bushings. When bushing deterioration can be detected by dc
insulation resistance, it is generally in an advanced stage requiring
immediate attention. A 2500-volt insulation resistance meter may
be used for an insulation resistance check, but a high reading
should not be completely relied upon as indicating a good bushing.
Any bushing testing less than 20,000 mega ohms has questionable
insulating value.

4. Hot-wire test for moisture - Plastic type compound used in

compound filled
bushings may absorb moisture if there are leaks
through the shell or cap. A moisture content of as little as 0.15
percent in soft compounds can be detected by pushing a red-hot rod
into the compound. If moisture is present, a crackling, sputtering, or
hissing sound will be heard. If no moisture is present, the compound
will melt quietly. Another test is to put some compound on a wire and
melt it in the flame of a match. If moisture is present, there will be a
sputtering sound and small sparks will be thrown off. Dry compound
will melt without disturbance.

5. Testing oil for moisture - Whenever the presence of moisture in the

oil of an oil filled bushing is suspected or found by a bushing powerfactor test, the oil should be drained out and a sample tested by a
dielectric or power-factor test. Since the quantity of oil in a bushing
is small, the old oil should be discarded and new oil put in. If

Bushing Troubles
Operating records show that about 90 percent of all preventable
bushing failures are caused by moisture entering the bushing
through leaky gaskets or other openings. Close periodic
inspection to find leaks and make repairs as needed will prevent
most outages due to bushing failures. Such an external inspection
requires little time and expense and will be well worth the effort.
High-voltage bushings, if allowed to deteriorate, may explode
with considerable violence and cause extensive damages to
adjacent equipment.
Flashovers may be caused by deposits of dirt on the bushings,
particularly in areas where there are contaminants such as salts
or conducting dusts in the air. These deposits should be removed
by periodic cleaning

Trouble
Cracked porcelain

Deterioration of
cemented joints

Bushing Troubles
Possible Results
Moisture enters
Oil and/or gas
leaks
Filler leaks out
Moisture enters
Oil and/or gas
leaks
Filler leaks out

Moisture enters
Oil and/or gas
leaks
Filler leaks out

Moisture in
insulation

Moisture enters

Solder seal leak

Moisture enters
Filler leaks out

Gasket leaks

Broken connection
between ground
sleeve and flange

Sparking in
apparatus tank or
within bushing
Discoloured oil

Method of Detection

Visual inspection
Power factor test
Hot collar test

Visual inspection
Power factor test
Hot collar test

Visual inspection
Power factor test
Hot collar test
Hot-wire test for
moisture
Insulation
resistance
Power factor test
Hot collar test
Visual inspection
Power factor test
Hot collar test
Hot-wire test for
moisture
Leak detector

Power factor test

Power factor tip-up

Oil migration

No oil
Displaced grading
shield

Filler
contamination

Oil leaks out

Moisture enters

Internal sparking
Discoloured oil
Cracked or broken
porcelain
Complete failure
Cracked or broken
porcelain
Complete failure
Internal breakdown
Radio interference
Treeing along
surface of paper or
internal surfaces
Increased
capacitance
Reduced voltage at
capacitance tap
terminal
Adds internal stress
to insulation
Radio interference
Poor test results

Electrical flashover

Lightning

Corona

Short-circuited
condenser sections

Darkened oil

Power factor test

Hot collar test
Visual inspection
Power factor test
Hot collar test
Visual inspection

Hot collar test

Hot collar test

Visual inspection

Test lighting
arrestors
Visual inspection

Power factor test

Hot collar test
Hot-wire test

Power factor test

Voltage test at
capacitance tap
Capacitance test

Power factor test

Hot collar test

Storage of Bushings

The manufacturer's instructions for storage should

be followed for all bushings. The following are
general guidelines for the storage of bushings:
A. Bushings should be stored where they will not be
subject to mechanical damage.

B. Bushings having exposed paper insulation on the

lower end require special protection to prevent
moisture contamination. This can be accomplished
with a tank or tub filled with oil or with a special
moisture- proof wrapping. Completely sealed outdoor
bushings may be stored out of doors.

C. Liquid-and plastic-filled bushings should never be stored in

a horizontal position. Storage in a horizontal position can
introduce voids or air bubbles into the filler insulation.
The condition of stored bushings should be checked
periodically for oil level, mechanical damage, and power
factor. The power factor of a stored bushing should be
checked before putting it in service.

Electrical Surge Arresters

Surge arresters are devices that help prevent damage to apparatus

due to high voltages. The arrester provides a low-impedance path to
ground for the current from a lightning strike or transient voltage and
then restores to a normal operating conditions. A surge arrester may
be compared to a relief valve on a boiler or hot water heater. It will
release high pressure until a normal operating condition is reached.
When the pressure is returned to normal, the safety valve is ready for
the next operation. When a high voltage (greater than the normal
line voltage) exists on the line, the arrester immediately furnishes a
path to ground and thus limits and drains off the excess voltage. The
arrester must provide this relief and then prevent any further flow of
current to ground. The arrester has two functions, it must provide a
point in the circuit at which an over-voltage pulse can pass to ground
and second, to prevent any follow-up current from flowing to ground.

Arrester
Maintenance, Field
Tests & Failures
Cant check protective
levels in the field!
Moisture intrusion
Leakage current
Power factor
Megger
Thermovision
Visual inspections
Failed arresters

32

Leakage Current:

Measure leakage current with the arrester energized

Increasing resistive component of
the leakage current indicates blocks are
failing (losses are proportional to i2)

ma

watts

vars
33

Inspection and Prep for Testing:

Inspection While Out of service:
Weather Tight Housing
Check for cracks in the porcelain or tears or bulges in the polymer.

Clean all external surfaces of the arrester

Coat all external weather tight housing surfaces with silicon
grease to aid in water shedding if environment is harsh.
Check and clean the ground connections

34

Effects of Contamination:
Contamination causes an unequal voltage
distribution across the outside surface of
the arrester.
In arresters with internal gaps and grading
circuitry this can also cause an imbalance
of voltage across the gaps and results in
improper operation and premature
failure of the arrester.

35

Power Factor:

Apply 10kv to terminal and measure

leakage current
Resistive component of leakage current
indicates internal moisture contamination

10 kv

watts

vars
36

Power Factor Test:

Inspection While Out of service:
Electrical Testing
Power Factor Testing
Should perform upon installation to establish benchmark.
This test is generally more effective on Silicon Carbide arresters than MOV
arresters in detecting internal contamination or breakdown of spark gaps or
valve blocks.
Make the measurement with the highest voltage available on the test set
without exceeding the line to ground voltage of the arrester under test.
The values that are measured are the leakage current (less than 3 milliamperes) and watts loss (less than 150 mW). These tests can only be read
utilizing a 10kV power factor test set.
37

Test Results
on a Good Arrester
All tests were performed with the Doble Power Factor test set
at 10 kV.

Phase results (comparable to all arresters tested of the same

make and model)
mA Watts
Top

0.357 0.060

Mid

0.164 0.059

Bot

0.318 0.083
38

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Top of Middle section Arrester with
Retaining plate removed and seal
plate exposed.

39

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Under side of Seal plate after removal

Notice the
corrosion and
signs of moisture
40

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Inside arrester with Seal plate removed

Notice the
corrosion and
signs of moisture
41

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
A close inspection of the seal plate
revealed a crack in the plate.

42

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Removal of first MOV Disc. Notice
the surface contamination on the
disc

43

ABB Investigation
6/3/2002
Removal of entire
stack of MOV Discs.
Notice the surface
contamination on all
the discs

44

Megger Test:
Inspection While Out of service:
Electrical Testing
Insulation Resistance
An arrester is to act as an insulator a majority of its in service life. It will only
allow current to flow to ground during high voltage transients generally
caused by lightning.
Make the measurement with the highest voltage available on the test set
without exceeding the line to ground voltage of the arrester under test.
Readings should be comparable to similar arresters. The value should be
greater than 200 Mega Ohms. This test is generally more effective on
Silicon Carbide arresters than MOV arresters in detecting internal
contamination or breakdown of spark gaps or valve blocks.
MOV arresters may show a high insulation resistance value after an
operation but still be failed as an open circuit.

45

Infra-red Image of Arresters

*>24.3
C
20.
0
15.
0
10.
0
5.0
*<4.1
C
46

Infrared Imaging
Inspection While in service :
Infra red Imaging
Infra red imaging of in-service arresters may detect damaged
arresters
Arresters while in normal service only conduct a few milli-amps of
current, therefore, will not produce heat.
If the arrester images indicate a rise in temperature from ambient
temperature of 5 degrees Celsius or more, replacement should be
considered.
The blocks are probably starting to fail and are conducting too much
current

47

Visual Inspection
Inspection While in service:
Weather Tight Housing
The weather tight housing is the covering of the arrester
Generally produced from porcelain or polymer.
Check for cracks in the porcelain or tears or bulges in the
polymer.

Make certain porcelain or polymer appears clean

and free of any debris
Visually inspect the ground connections from the
base of the arrester. A missing connection will not
allow the arrester to function as designed.
Multiple arrester operations with improperly sized wire may
result in a failure of the ground wire.
Improperly sized ground wire may also result in fire.
48

Failed Arresters:
Failure assessment
Suspect Arresters
Exercise EXTREME caution while investigating problems and handling suspect
arresters. Sealed Silicon Carbide and MOV arresters may be under pressure due to a
build up of fault gasses.
Visually inspect suspect arresters carefully while looking for burn deposits near arc
chutes on Silicon Carbide arresters.
MOV arresters may show very subtle signs of failure such as deformation of the
polymer covering. Generally, MOV arresters will fail and split the polymer covering or
fracture the porcelain cover.

49