Simulation and Experimental Analysis of an Impulse Voltage Generator

Carlos Favela,Esau Caro,Concepcion Hernandez,Jesus Gonzalez,Jose Hernandez-Avila,Marco Arjona

doi:10.11648/j.jeee.20210904.11

Abstract

This paper presents the simulation and experimental analysis of an impulse voltage generator (IVG) used for atmospheric discharge voltage tests. The electrical equivalent circuit of the IVG was simulated using the electromagnetic transients program EMTP-VR. Besides the simulation of the generator operation, it was necessary to make a detailed revision of the IVG components and determine their working condition to carry the laboratory experiments. The lack of a high DC voltage source to feed the IVG led to developing a high-voltage dc supply. Although the IVG was designed and built in February 1982, this equipment was out of operation due to its DC power supply failure. Due to the interest in rehabilitating the equipment to perform high voltage experiments, and with the need to characterize insulation materials and electrical equipment subject to electrical stress, it was decided to put it back into operation. Capacitor tests were carried out for each IVG stage to determine if they fulfilled the electrical charging function. Other components were also repaired, such as damaged resistances and sphere gaps. The impulse generator was configured with a maximum of six stages which is half of the original design. Before doing an experiment with the IVG, a simulation analysis was made to study the IVG. The simulation results allow evaluating before the experimentation whether the impulse generator is working correctly; the model allows to analyze the charge and discharge of each capacitor and the electrical currents at each branch of the IVG equivalent circuit. Performance Simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the IVG functionality. The IVG will be used for carrying out insulation tests made by power engineering graduate students.

Highlights

An impulse high-voltage voltage generator with twelve reconfigurable stages up to 720 kV is employed to evaluate the insulation level of electrical equipment
Electrical measurements were made to verify the working conditions of components, mainly the capacitors and load resistors corresponding to the voltage multiplier stages and Carlos Favela et al.: Simulation and Experimental Analysis of an Impulse Voltage Generator spinterometers
The impulse voltage generator (IVG) components presented a severe lack of maintenance, and a large amount of dust, oil, grease, and oxidation was found in the support columns, stage capacitors, spheres, connectors, bridges, and cables

Summary

Introduction

An impulse high-voltage voltage generator with twelve reconfigurable stages up to 720 kV is employed to evaluate the insulation level of electrical equipment. The generator was initially built for academic and research purposes where electrical components, electrical equipment, and insulating materials employed at high voltage levels were tested [1, 2]. References [9] and [10] present the design and simulation of an IVG using the ATP simulation software This equipment was designed such as its characteristics of applied voltage and discharge current can be modified by quickly changing the array of capacitors and resistors during the generator charging stage. Electrical measurements were made to verify the working conditions of components, mainly the capacitors and load resistors corresponding to the voltage multiplier stages and Carlos Favela et al.: Simulation and Experimental Analysis of an Impulse Voltage Generator spinterometers (spheres of a discharge switch or spark-gaps). High voltage experimental tests are shown that successfully demonstrate the IVG functionality

Impulse Voltage Generator

IVG Components

Simulation of IVG Operation

IVG Experimental Results

Conclusions