High Voltage Engineering Lab Lab 1

Familiarization to the High Voltage Laboratory (HVL)

1. Introduction to High Voltage Equipment

The Department of Electrical Engineering of KFUEIT has established a world-class High

Voltage Laboratory that includes state-of-the-art equipment. It is the most advanced HVL
in Pakistan. Following is the short detail of major available equipment.

1.1. Impulse Voltage Generator

Lightning Impulse (LI) testing is
necessary to verify the insulation integrity
of test objects, as described by Basic
Insulation Level (BIL). LI testing is
carried out in both routine tests (on
transformers), and type tests (on cables,
switchgear, generators, motors,
insulators, overvoltage arresters, surge
protection, etc.). The impulse voltage test
system is designed for the generation of
full lightning impulse voltages (LI) and
switching impulse voltages (SI)
according to IEC 60060-1. Performance
and accuracy of the measuring system
follow international standards, especially
IEC 60060-2.

Figure 1.1: Impulse generator

System parameters:

Total charging voltage 500 kV

Total charging energy 25 kJ ±5%
Impulse capacitance 200 nF ±5%
1.2. 500 kV impulse voltage divider
The low-damped capacitive impulse voltage measuring divider is used to convert the
high lightning (LI) or switching (SI) impulse voltages to a level of 1000 V. This output
voltage is measured by a transient impulse recorder or by a peak voltmeter. The divider
serves also as a basic load capacitor for impulse voltage generators.
Main parameters:
Rated lightning impulse voltage (1.2/50) 500 kV
Rated switching impulse voltage (250/2500) 450 kV

High Voltage Engineering- ELEN 4210 Lab 1

 High Voltage Engineering Lab Lab 1

HV capacitance 1600 pF
HV damping resistance 62.5 Ω
Rated secondary voltage 1000 V

1.3. Impulse current shunt

The impulse voltage measuring resistors are designed for impulse current
measurements during lightning voltage tests on low inductive test objects (e.g. power
transformers). They are also right for measurements of impulse currents with shapes
4/10 μs, 1/20 μs, 8/20 μs and 30/80 μs on metal-oxide surge arresters according to IEC
62475 and IEC 60099-4.

1.4. 100 kV AC / 135 kV DC / 135 kV Impulse module system

Test transformer based modular system is used to generate an AC, DC and impulse
test voltage. The internal partial discharge (PD) level of insulating case
transformers is very low. Therefore, it is well suited for PD measuring circuits as
well. High voltage dividers of resistive and capacitive types are also included to
measure AC, DC and impulse voltages.

Figure 1.2: Modular system (impulse configuration) Figure 1.3: Test Transformer

System parameters:
Rated AC voltage 100 kV
Rated DC voltage 135 kV
Lightning impulse voltage 1.2/50 110 kV
Switching impulse voltage 250/2500 100 kV

High Voltage Engineering- ELEN 4210 Lab 1

 High Voltage Engineering Lab Lab 1

Primary voltage 230 V

Frequency 50 Hz

1.5. Partial Discharge Measurement System (MPD 600)

Partial discharges, as defined by IEC 60270, are localized dielectric discharges in a
partial area of an electrical insulation system under high electric field intensity. MPD
600 is a high-end measurement and analysis system for partial discharges. It
corresponds to the relevant standards for electric PD measurements and provides latest
analysis techniques.

Figure 1.4: Partial Discharge System - MPD 600

1.6. Advance tan-delta Measurement

The advance tan-delta measuring
system consists of a universal
measuring bridge and it is used for
high voltage insulation diagnostics
and is characterized by high
precision for capacitance, tan-delta
or power factor, and measures
impedances in all four quadrants.

Figure 1.5: Advance tan-elta

Main parameters:

Capacitive range 0.1 x CN… 1000 x CN

Dissipation factor range 0.00001… 1
Uncertainty of capacitive measurement ± 0.01%

High Voltage Engineering- ELEN 4210 Lab 1

 High Voltage Engineering Lab Lab 1

1.7. PD measurement ICM

This is a multiple-purpose PD
measuring instrument. It is well suited
for both, laboratory and onsite tests.
This measuring system fulfills all
requirements of IEC 60270.

Main parameters:
Min. detectable charge 0.1 pC
Max. detectable charge 1000 pC
Frequency (kHz) 40 … 800
Figure 1.6: PD measurement ICM

1.8. Compressed gas standard capacitor (100 kV)

The compressed gas standard capacitor is used for precise
measurement of voltage, capacitance, dissipation factor,
transformer ratio, etc. It is characterized by high stability of
capacitance, very low dielectric dissipation factor, and very
low PD level.

Main parameters:
Rated voltage 100 kV
Rated capacitance 100 pF
Insulating gas SF6
Tan-delta (max.) 1E-5

1.9. Standard measuring sphere gaps

The standard measuring sphere gap are used to directly
measure the peak voltage of AC, DC, LI, and SI types
according to IEC 60052.
Figure 1.7: Standard gas capacitor

Figure 1.8: Standard measuring sphere gaps

High Voltage Engineering- ELEN 4210 Lab 1

 High Voltage Engineering Lab Lab 1

1.10. Ratiometer
The ratiometer is used for the
measurement of the scale factor
(according to IEC 60060-2) of HV
dividers for AC and impulse voltage. It is
meant for the performance check of
dividers requested by IEC 60060-2.

Main parameters:
Scale factor 1...10000
Max. input voltage (RMS) 100 V
Figure 1.9: Ratiometer
Measuring voltage (RMS) 100 V
Measuring frequency 50 / 60 / 975 Hz

1.11. High Voltage (10 kV) Insulation Tester

It is a high-end portable measuring instrument
intended for the measurement of very high
electrical insulation and resistance values.
This instrument can also measure Dielectric
Absorption Ratio (DAR), Polarization Index
(PI), and Dielectric Discharge Index (DD).

1.12. Earthing Tester

It is a three-electrode instrument used to
measure the grounding resistance.

Figure 1.10: Insulation tester

Figure 1.11: Grounding resistance tester

2. Laboratory Earthing System

The activities in the high voltage laboratory are both to withstand voltage and breakdown
voltage tests. Therefore, the grounding system is essential for the breakdown voltage test
due to a very high transient current flowing through the ground. Further, an electromagnetic
shield is required to perform partial discharge (PD) measurements of power apparatus and
cables in high-voltage (HV) test laboratories. Such a shield must be connected to a deep-
driven
High Voltage Engineering- ELEN 4210 Lab 1
 High Voltage Engineering Lab Lab 1

grounding rod to prevent disturbances caused by ground circulating currents. An

equipotential ground plane of the test area (a Fenced-in area or a closed room which contains
the HV components of one HV test system and the test object, both together form the HV
test circuit.) is needed to carry out impulse tests.

Earthing and shielding system of HVL at the Department of Electrical Engineering

KFUEIT have been designed as per the
International Standards and the overall
grounding resistance of about 0.5Ω is
achieved. The grounding system consists of:

• Surface earthing mesh

• Earthing rail
• Earth electrodes
• Earthing bus bars

Referring to the figure (Figure 12), there

are three colors of wires connected to the
earthing bus bars. Figure 12: Earthing bus bar connection

1. Blue color: Blue coded wire is directly connected to the earthing electrode.
2. Green color: Green color wire is connected to the surface earthing mesh.
3. Yellow color: It’s the earthing rail and connects one bus bar to another. There are
6 bus bars in the HV test area, and all are connected to each other by the copper
earthing rail.
Important
1. Test objects and test sources serve as energy storage and electric shocks can cause fatal
personal injury or death. Test object and test source must be earthed reliably and remain
earthed!
2. The HV test circuit shall be connected with the earthing system of the test area or
laboratory only at one point (near the HV generator or near the test object with a short,
low impedance connection between the two).
3. Avoid closed loops of the HV lead (e.g. by direct connection of the voltage divider to
both, the test object and HV generator) and of the earth return (e.g. by direct connection
of test object and HV generator and additional connection to different points of “earth
potential” in the test area).
4. All connections to the earth rail shall apply the “star” principle and avoid
loops.
5. The shielding of the HV test area is not a part of the earthing system.
6. Dangerous overvoltage in the test system and at components connected to the same
earthing system caused by a wrong earth return.
a. The earthing must be performed by qualified personnel
b. The correct earthing must be checked regularly by qualified personnel

High Voltage Engineering- ELEN 4210 Lab 1

 High Voltage Engineering Lab Lab 1

3. Power Supply and Safety Controls

The power supply area (switching cabinet) is a closed electrical operation area of the low
voltage and its located near the HV test area. The power supply area contains the complete
set of components necessary for power feeding and control of the HV test system(s).

Power supply unit has a separate control and power feeding scheme for both impulse and
module system. Phase failure relay, over and under voltage protections are provided in this
power supply system.

Additionally, for both impulse and module system, PLC based monitoring and protection
control is applied; at low and high voltage sides in charging unit and power module LM-48
respectively.

Important
Emergency stop buttons are installed on the “operator device” BG8 for both impulse and
module system and in case of emergency, these buttons must be used to avoid any loss.

4. Usage of the High Voltage Test Apparatus

4.1. Start of operation

1. Check the correct earth connections and clearances of the HV circuit.

2. Depending on the usage (impulse or the module system), the corresponding power
supply must be switched on from the power supply switching cabinet.
3. Close the control power switch activating the green signal lamps.
4. Check that no other persons are in the test area and take off all manually operated
earthing bars and ropes.
5. Close the safety loop (door of safety fence). The door has a set of contacts which are
necessary to close in order to have the safety column and safety fence energized.
6. Close the main power switch that activates the red signal lamps and opens the electric-
driven earthing, shortening and discharging devices.
7. Give a warning by horn and/or calling “Attention, I switch on”, Close the operation
switch, the HV test is running. The Signal lamp remains red!

4.2. Termination of operation

The HV test is running and shall be terminated as following. For an unexpected
termination by a breakdown, by opening the safety loop or by using a mean for
emergency switching-off are different and can be asked from qualified personnel. The
steps after the operation switch is switched-off are identical.
1. Decrease test voltage
2. Open the operation switch: The HV is switched off, but the red signal lamps are
still activated, the electric-driven discharging and earthing devices are closed.

High Voltage Engineering- ELEN 4210 Lab 1

 High Voltage Engineering Lab Lab 1

3. Open the main power switch, the red signal lamps extinguish, the green lamps are
switched on.
4. If a motor-driven shorting exists start it manually.
5. Open the safety loop and perform the remaining discharging, shortening and
earthing manually.
6. Switch-off the control power switch, the green signal lamps extinguish, the HV test
system is out of operation.

Important
1. Due to internal space charges, capacitors will be charged up if not short circuited after
voltage application and/or during storage. This will lead to high voltages with
corresponding hazards. Short-circuit the capacitors after the test!
2. Arrange earthing rods and discharge/earthing rods at the door of the test area. Do not
forget their application after a HV test!
3. Charged energy after termination of the test procedure; manual discharging, earthing
and short-circuiting operations must be performed by the operator!
4. By pressing any random emergency stop buttons, the power of the high voltage
generator can be interrupted immediately (safe energy interruption). At the same time,
the automatic grounding will be triggered to discharge and ground the arrangement as
fast as possible.
5. When the entrance door of the safety fence is opened, the power of the high voltage
generator can be interrupted immediately and at the same time, the automatic grounding
will be triggered to discharge and ground the arrangement as fast as possible.

Important
The HV test area must be entered only on advice of the qualified personnel responsible
for the laboratory. Great care must be taken!!

General Notes:
1. In the HVL it is forbidden to eat and drink.
2. The HVL is only opened during definite times.
3. For damages done premediated or grossly negligent the person responsible can be liable.
4. Persons with cardiac pacemakers are not permitted to enter HVL during the execution
of high-voltage experiments. If persons with cardiac pacemakers are in the high-voltage
laboratory, it is not allowed to perform any high-voltage experiments.
5. The safety rules of the department and the relevant directives and standards must also
be fulfilled.
6. It is not allowed to modify, manipulate or to bypass safety devices.
7. No modification of the installed test setup is allowed.
8. Physical injuries, disturbances, defects, unallowed warnings and other defects must be
reported to the qualified person responsible for the work, who will induce further
proceedings.

High Voltage Engineering- ELEN 4210 Lab 1

 High Voltage Engineering Lab Lab 1

9. Every person working in the HVL must have a clear overview of the dangers and is
forced to do suitable preventive measures to protect himself/herself and the other
persons from possible dangers.
10. If there is a risk of an injury due to mechanical influence by setting up an experiment,
suitable protective equipment must be used, such as gloves, safety shoes, etc.
11. Before using the high-voltage test arrangement all its components including the test
control and the safety control must be checked. If any error is visible, it is forbidden to
use the test arrangement until the error is cleared.
12. A permanent supervision of the experiment is necessary. Long-term tests are not
allowed.
13. It is not allowed to do both assembly and high-voltage tests at the same time.
14. Life-line work is not allowed.
15. New or modified test circuits must be checked by the qualified personnel prior to the
usage.
16. All metallic parts in the experimental area which are not part of the active circuit must
be grounded.

Student’s Signature: _______________

Instructor Signature: _______________

High Voltage Engineering- ELEN 4210 Lab 1