SWITCHING AND LIGHTNING OVERVOLTAGES AND THE REQUIRED WITHSTAND VOLTAGE BETWEEEN THE OPEN CONTACTS OF 245 KV CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Abstract

This paper deals with the surges generated in the network during switching operations and lightning surges. The level of both kinds of surge was compared with the required dielectric strength between the open contacts of 245 kV circuit breakers. Overvoltages greater than the electrical withstand voltage of the circuit breaker can cause arc ignition between the circuit breaker’s open contacts and power engineering service s have reported such cases. The results of such failures can be very serious. This is a problem especially for single-break circuit breakers, in which the stresses on the electrical insulation between the open contacts of the breaker are very high. A method for selecting lightning arresters to lower the overvoltages is proposed. The switching of short-circuit currents by a circuit breaker may cause a weakening of the circuit breaker chamber’s insulation and reduce its electrical withstand and durability.