Adjusting the Parameters of Metal Oxide Gapless Surge Arresters’ Equivalent Circuits Using the Harmony Search Method

Christos Christodoulou,Georgios Perantzakis,George Milushev,Lambros Ekonomou,Vasiliki Vita

doi:10.3390/en10122168

Christos Christodoulou, Georgios Perantzakis + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en10122168

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Abstract

The appropriate circuit modeling of metal oxide gapless surge arresters is critical for insulation coordination studies. Metal oxide arresters present a dynamic behavior for fast front surges; namely, their residual voltage is dependent on the peak value, as well as the duration of the injected impulse current, and should therefore not only be represented by non-linear elements. The aim of the current work is to adjust the parameters of the most frequently used surge arresters’ circuit models by considering the magnitude of the residual voltage, as well as the dissipated energy for given pulses. In this aim, the harmony search method is implemented to adjust parameter values of the arrester equivalent circuit models. This functions by minimizing a defined objective function that compares the simulation outcomes with the manufacturer’s data and the results obtained from previous methodologies.

Highlights

Atmospheric overvoltages create a series of problems to power systems, resulting in damages and/or failures of the equipment, interruption of the power supply, and potential life endangerment.Overhead transmission and distribution lines are susceptible to direct and indirect lightning hits, involving traveling waves that, even though they are of short duration, can result in overvoltages that exceed the insulating capabilities of transmission and/or distribution lines
The main point of concern in the modeling of gapless arresters is the evaluation of the parameters of the circuit models, which are dependent on their geometrical and electrical characteristics
The harmony search method is used to estimate the optimum parameters of the most frequently used models, in an effort to minimize the difference between simulation results and the manufacturer’s data

Summary

Introduction

Overhead transmission and distribution lines are susceptible to direct and indirect lightning hits, involving traveling waves that, even though they are of short duration, can result in overvoltages that exceed the insulating capabilities of transmission and/or distribution lines This can lead to severe damage to the equipment as well as power supply interruptions [1,2,3]. The appropriate placement and the determination of the electrical characteristics of the arresters constitute critical issues that require appropriate theoretical substantiation. This is achieved by applying simulation procedures, the precision of which depends on the used equivalent circuit models. The modern gapless arresters cannot be represented only as non-linear

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Results

Conclusion