4112

IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol.

PAS-101, No. 10 October 1982 A NEW DC BREAKER USED AS METALLIC RETURN IRANSFER BREAKER
N. G. Hingorani J. W. Porter Electric Power Research Institute Palo Alto, California C. W. Kimblin J. G. Gorman Westinghouse R&D Center Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

J. J. Vithayathil A. L. Courts Bonneville Power Administration Portland, Oregon

Abstract
Pole3 When a bipolar HVDC transmission system is operating monopolar using the earth as a return path, -it is often desired to divert the return current from the earth to the line frot the unused pole. To do so re2 C.N auires either that the system be shut down temporarily sz F_ljter or that a dc circuit breaker be used. This paper desz cribes the development of such a new dc circuit break--I er, and its application on the Pacif ic Intertie as a Metallic Return Transfer Breaker (MRTB).
1. INTRODUCT ION

Celi lo
846MileUne
.

Sylmar

O -7uF N.O N.

Filter

D.NC.

'_iF

The majority of high voltage dc transmission sys4Electrode tems are built as bipolar systems. If there is a NB rn --|Line fault in one pole of the bipolar system the other pole could be operated in monopolar mode. If neutrals of i LnE both dc terminals are grounded, as is usually the case EB case, monopolar operation with earth return'-is achieved automatically from the de-energization of the faulted pole. From the point of view of transmission efficiency this would be the preferred mode of monopolar operation. However, in many cases, there could be jection to prolonged operation with earth current. If the failure is in the terminal equipment anld not the Pole 4 LA 1B line, or if the line is still capable of low voltagel ,, ,: transmission, an alternate mode of monopolar operationl p to 4 would be r use i the tormon e faulted noleas IA the low voltage return circuit. This feature of mono15 D.C.9 3 XNO So |D.C. r; polar metallicteturn mode of operation could have 2 Filter | ( 3B Flter | 2 significant impact on the availablility of the transS s mission system, especiallIy since the modern trend in 2A | |2B hvdc system design is to build fewer, sometimes only D. C Zs one, 12-pulse solid-state converter groups per pole. Fig 1. Switching Arrangement for Monopolar Metallic When the 1360-kmn long, + 400kV, 1600 MW Pacific Return Operation NW-SW H-VDC Intertie was comminissioned in 1970, there Ths e transfer from monopolar earth return mode inwas no provision for monopolar metallic return operation. In February 1971, a major earthquake in Southvolves. a number of switchinlg operations. First the ern California caused extensive damage. to the converconverter equipment of the faulty pole is isolated ter terminal at Sylmar and resulted in the shut down from the line and the. neutral bus then the line of of the intertie. A phased rebuilding program was adthe faulty pole is connected in.parallel with the earth path and finally the connection to earth of one of opted to allow restoration of one pole as soon as pos sible and the operation of this pole in monopolar metthe termninals opened. For monopolar metallic return allic return mode while work on the other pole was operation of Pacific Intertie, the Celilo neutral bus is floating and the Sylmar neutral is gro moded. For conltinued. The monopolar metallic return equipment was installed for this purpose then and the system as example, if a failure occurs in Pole 4 (Fig. i), to operated extensively in this mode in 1972. This dw obtain monopolar metallic return operation the main probably the first case of bipolar dc system design circuit is rearranged by openinprgSlA, SwB, StA, and adapted to facilitate monopolar metallic return opera- S2B, closit g S3A and S3B and then opening S4. tion. Since the the intertie has been operated many times in monopolar metallic return mode either during As originally designed, the switching to change scheduled shut-down periods for annual maintenance of over from earth return mode to metallic return mode pole equipment or when forced outages of terminl was accomplished by de-energizing the whole dc system. equipment required extended monopolar operation. To reqire complete shllt down of the system to change the mode of monopolar operation is an undesirable feature especially if the monopolar operation is the.result of a forced outage that would have already caused the loss of half the transmission capacity.

7lMile

ob-I

82 WM 218-6 A paper recommended anwd approved by the IEEE Transmission and Distribution Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society for presentation at the IEEtE PES 1982 Winter Meeting, New York, New York, January 31-February 5, 1982. Manuscript submitted

September

17, December 28, 981. 1

1981;.made

available for printing

The majordiffniculty in carrying out the over without de-energizing the heathy pole changeis the opening of S4 to break the grotind path. All the other switching operations can be carried out on the enerized systma without imposing heavy duty on the switches. When the terminal equipment of the faulted

pole

the metallic path iS connected in parallel wtth the

is

isolated

by opening of

SlA, S2Av alBr S2Bc and

0018-9510/82/1000-4112$0O.75 C 1982 IEEE

ground path by closing switches S3A and S3B, part of the ground current will be diverted to the metallic path. However, the major portion (in the case of Pacific Intertie about 90%) will still flow in the ground path due to the low resistance of the earth return path (1.5 Q ) compared to the metallic return path (17 Qi). Opening of S4 under energized conditions requires breaking of substantial direct current in the earth circuit and transferring it to the higher impedance metallic path. Duties on this switch, called the Metallic Return Transfer Breaker (MRTB), would be similar to that imposed on dc breakers.
2.

4113 represents switch S4 shonm in Fig. 1. The MRTB is installed at this point in parallel with a motoroperated disconnect switch (Sw 9000). This disconnect switch serves as a bypass switch when the MRTB is to be taken out of service for maintenance.

(NB) - ,

Neutral Bus

Sw9000

Electrode Bus
(EB)

EARLIER EFFORTS

In 1973, an experimental dc breaker using crossfield tubes was developed and tested by Hughes ReseaThere were no commercial rch Laboratories. 2 3 MRTB's at that time although more recently different types of MRTB's have been installed for- the Square Butte Projects and the GiJ Project0, both with lower current and much lower energy requirements. Recognizihg the need for MRTB's for dc transmission, EPRI and BPA sponsored the development and testing of a prototype MRTB based broadly on the Hughes dc breaker concept. An MRTB along these lines was developed and tested at the Gelilo terminal in 1978. This breaker concept (Fig. 2) involved the use of an in-line switch Sl (a minimum oil breaker), which opened and transferred the current to a cross field tube which after conduction for a short time quenched the current like a transistor and transferred it to a parallel capacitor and a zinc oxide nonlinear resistor. This effort was only partially successful. The MRTB passed the tests for currents up to 600A, but the minimum oil breaker failed during tests at higher currents. For technical and other reasons further work based on Hughes cross-field tube was discontinued at that time.
1
(

S3
Y

S3

21
nO Fig. 3 Arrangement of the MRTB

In'-Une Switch)
Cross-Field
Tube Tube

IS

Sx and Sz are vacuum switching devices that remain normally closed to provide the path for direct current between -the converter neutral bus and the ground electrode line during bipolar and monopolar earth return operation. Sx, the transverse field device, is a special vacuum device developed by Westinghouse under an EPRI sponsored research. S is a high voltage vacuum interrupter similar to the protozinc oxide varistors are connected in parallel with the vacuum switches. The motor operated disconnect switch on the left was provided to limit long-time voltage stress on other MRTB components, especially ,the capacitor and zinc oxide varistors.
type discussed in Ref.8.

A commutating capacitor and

Fig. 2 Schematic of Hughes Experimental MRTB

Meanwhile, Westinghouse, under EPRI sponsored research on vacuum arc current limiters, had demonstrated the feasibility of commutating current from a vacuum breaker to a parallel impedance by su4jecting Since vacuum arcs to a transverse magnetic field. -this switch could serve the function of both the inline switch and the cross-field tube the MRTB development was redirected to incorporate this special vacuuim breaker for dc current interruption. This was done with minimum change to most of the eqLipment--ZnO energy absorbers, controls, platform assembly, disconnects, and bus work desig:ned and installed for the Hughes MRTB. The successful development and testing of an MRTB using vacutum inlterrupters subjected to a transverse magnetic field and ZnO energy absorbing varistors are reported below,
3. DEVICE CHARACTERISTICS
Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the MRTB which

The operation of the MRTB is as follows: To go from monopolar earth return operation to metallic return operation, the metallic return is first reconnected in parallel with the earth return. Switches Sx and Sy through which the earth current flows are then opened. After several milliseconds of arcing in the vacuum switches with contacts fully open, precharged capacitor C1 is discharged through magnetic field-coils spaced on either side of Sx.7 The resulting arc instability9 causes the current to be diverted into commutating capacitor C2. The phy 'cs of this process is described in a companion paper. Following arc extinction in Sx and Sy, the voltage across C2 rises rapidly to 80kV at which point the zinc oxide varistor limits further increase of voltage and the current is diverted into the zinc oxide varistor. In effect an 80kV back voltage has been inserted into the ground path. The high voltage vacuum interrupter provides adequate withstand capability against this recovery voltage. The converters, with their controls, essentially act as constant current sources and continue to inject the direct currenlt through the parallel circuit of metallic conductor and earth circuit. Maximum steady state voltage drop along the metallic conductor with a resistance of about 17 Q2 is less thanl 40kV for the specified ranyge of direct current of 200A to 2160A. With 80kV voltage across the zinc oxide in the earth return circuit, the

4114

direct current is forced into the highly inductive metallic path. When the current in the earth return path reaches zero the voltage across the zinc oxide varistor drops to the steady-state voltage (40kV max). The time required to transfer the current to the metallic path is determined primarily by the varistor clipping voltage, by the self inductance of the loop formed by the metallic conductor and the earth return circuit and by the initial earth return current.

Protective circuits are provided to prevent opening of the breaker in case the paralleled metallic circuit is open. There is also provision for reclosing within 100 to Sx and interrupt the earth200 ms if the breaker fails to Syr current (autoreclose). Shortly after the transfer of the current the disconnect switches S3 (Fig. 3) are opened.
To return to bipolar operation, the system is Eirst returned to monopolar earth return operation. To do this the disconnect switches S3 are closed, charging the commutating capacitor to the neutral bus voltage. Then the vacuumn switches Sx and Sy are closed to establish the direct current path through earth. The switches are designed to withstand the inrush current associated with the discharge of the commutating capacitor during this closing operation. With the vacuum switches closed, 90% of the direct current now flows through the earth path. The recovered pole terminal equipments are then reconnected to the line and neutral bus (close SlA, SlB, S2A and S2B in Fig. 1). Closing the bypass switches across the converter groups provides parallel paths to S3A and S3B, thereby permitting their opening to transfer the remaining 10% current into the bypass switches. From then on, standard procedures for deblocking the converter groups in the recovered pole are followed to establish bipolar operation. 4.

In monopolar metallic return operation, the overvoltage protection for the neutral bus is provided by a spark gap. The spark gap level is set at about llSkV with minimum sparkover level of about 100kV. The choice of 80kV as the maximum permissible switching surge voltage generated by MRIB was dictated primarily by this overvoltage protection level for the neutral bus. This voltage determines the clipping voltage for the zinc oxide varistors across the MRTB. The transient overvoltage appearing on the neutral bus would be the sum of the voltage across the MRTB and the transient voltage on the electrode iine.
In principle, however, specification of the zinc oxide clipping voltage is a tradeoff between the overvoltage level and the energy requirements of the zinc oxide and the ti-me it takes to transfer current Since the time is of no significance in MRTB application, the tradeoff is between energy and overvoltage.
A simplified analysis of the MRTB operation is given in Appendix I. If the resistance of one pole of the dc line is 18.5Q1, at 2160 A, the steady state voltage drop per pole would be 40 kV. For transfer of current from ground path to metallic path, the zinc oxide clipping voltage, Vz, has to be at least this value. The effect of the value of Vz on the time to transfer the current from ground to the metallic conductor and on the energy dissipation in zinc oxide are shown in Fig. 4. The curves are based on expressions derived in Appendix I for Id = 2160 A, RL = 18.5Q and other line parameters given in Appendix I.

MIRTB SPECIFICATIONS

Fig. 4 shows that increasing Vz is advantageous from the point of view of reducing the transfer time and the energy dissipation in the zinc oxide. The cost of the varistor is a function of energy and essentially independent of Vz. On the other hand, an increase in voltage Vz increases the cost of the switch and the insulation level of the neutral bus.
An additional criterion for the energy absorption capability of the zinc oxide was that it should be adequate for two consecutive operations at the maximum current with little time in between for cooling.

The general technical specifications for the MRTB are listed in Table 1.
TABLE I

Specifications for Metallic Return Transfer Breaker

-Minimum dc and surge voltage withstand across open device 'Continuous current rating

150
T
-

*BIL to ground

250kV
80kV 2160A (max)

2MkA carrying capacity ,,Interrupting capability in either direction 2160A at 80kV 2160A at 40kV 'Closing capability 'Maximum permissible switching 80kV surge voltage generated by MRTB 'Maximum energy absortion for the MRTB (2 consecutive operations) -U 15J 'Outdoor installation with controls locally at ground potential and for operation from converter station control room. Provision for.status indication of MRTB switch position and current.

'Transient

current

10 _
0 'j c . =

\ \

100+

50

W
V

II

potential and the ground is through optical links.

The 250 kV BIL is consistent with the BIL of the neutral bus.- To meet this specification all breaker components are mounted on a platform supported by high voltage insulators. Auxiliary power for the control circuitry is provided through an isolation transformer. Communication between controls at the platformn
The continuous currenlt rating of 2160A was based on the intertie design objective of operation at 20% above original intertie normal rating of 1800A.

'~

) ,I ,I ,I ,I 200 40 80 120 160 240 Zinc Oxide Clipping Voltage, V I(kV/) ;Z Fig. 4. TRhe Effect of the Value of Varistor Clipping -Voltage on Switching Time and Energy Dissipation 0

4115

An EPRI sponsored project at IREQ, Montreal, to perform system studies on HVDC Circuit Breakers included analysis of MRTB performance using the Pacific Intertie example.11 This study was useful in establishing or checking some of the specifications.
5.

14 12
; 10
C

PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENTS

The selection of the vacuum switches and commutating capacitor was guided by some preliminary experiments in a high power test facility. The schematic of the test circuit is shown in Fig. 5. The main capacitor bank was tuned to 12Hz to simulate dc current near the current crest. Arcing was established in a series-connected HV vacuum interrupter prototype and a current limiter prototype, previously developed under another EPRI project. The arc was then extinguished by applying an oscillating transverse magnetic field to the current limiter prototype. The current decay was monitored oscillographically to detect whether the current collapsed immediately to zero or the current oscillated to zero. The parallel capacitance values tested were 16 uP and 10.7 HF. The recovery voltage with 10.7 ioF rose to a value of 76kV in 600 As following arc interruption at 2500A. The stray inductance of the parallel circuit was about 17.5 yH. As
TABLE 2

.
-

Commutationi
4
10 External Parallel

Fu

a Success I ,
60

Circuit Capacitance. C pF0)

Fig. 6 Dependence of Current Commutation on Parallel Capacitance for a Prototype Vacuum Current Limiter
6. COMPONENT CHARACTERISTICS

RESULTS OF H.V. EXPERIMENTS WITH 10.7 AF

Current(kA) Peak Rcvy. Current(kA) Peak Rcvy. Instantaneous Voltage (kV) Instantaneous Voltage (kV)
1.4 1.8 1.4 2.1 2.2 2.2
45

44 65 68 68

56

600 s to Voltage Peak

2.3 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.5

69 70 73 73 76

A photograph of the MRTB Switch Cabinet appears in Fig. 7. Both the high voltage vacuum interrupter, Sy,and the transverse field device, Sx, are actuated by a standard single spring-loaded mechanism. When the electrodes are fully open, a transverse magnetic field is applied by energizing the field coils. The electronic circuitry includes a field coil capacitor charging supply, a firing circuit, and an autoreclose circuit.

indicated in Table 2, satisfactory interruptions were observed for a parallel capacitance of 10.7 tF. This was expected from previous investigations 7,9 into the dependence of current commutation on the value of parallel capacitance for the conditions of oscillating magnetic field and a series-connected conventional vacuuim interrupter. A typical dependence9 of commutation on parallel capacitance appears in Fig 6. It will be appreciated that the capacitor has two functions: First, when the magnetic field is applied, the arc voltage experiences a sudden rise which, in the presence of a parallel capacitor, causes current commutation from the arc. Second, immediately after commutation, it controls the rate of rise of recovery voltage across the gaps with a rate of rise given by I/C.
Make

Isolation

17.2 miSwtH
|

SKh

Switch

MRTB

~~~~Voltage

Vlltage

DIvIdIr

1c

I8cm

ll

IFig. 7. Internal Viewi of MRTB Switch Cabinet

A

10,800lmF?
R-*
ZCP

DivIder

, i1, lii 1 r_CVR2

L

l i 23cm|| | l T | | 1URI 1
C CMT_____

10.6pF

llClI
i
I

in Ref. 8(23cm) was chosen since the arc current was less than 2.5kA. The high voltage vacuum interrupter specifications are shown in Table 3, Column A. The design of the transverse field device was based on current limiter experience, and was built to the specifications shown in Table 3, Column B.
transverse

smaller liameter (18cm) than the prototype discussed

vacuu m

Fig. 5. Schematic of the Test Circuit

Two field coils are employed to generate the magnetic field. The magnetic field coils

4116

TABLE 3

7.

LABORATORY TEST RESULTS

23cm 18cm Envelope diameter 35cm Length from end plate to end plate 39cm '3cm Stationary electrode stem diameter '3cm It t Movable stem diameter "2cm 2cm Stroke 150cm/sec 150cm/sec Opening speed %'15cm IOcm Electrode diameter 2160A dc 2160A dc Continuous current 80kV dc D.C. voltage withstand 2160A Arcing current 2160A dc Current interruption with 10 PF None 3 floating Arc shields
were designed with a coil diameter approximately equal to the distance between the coils. This produces a maximum transverse magnetic field in the interelectrode region of the transverse field device. The coils are two turn coils with a diameter of 29cm, and they are connected in series having a total inductance of 6 MH and a total resistance of 36mQ .

Table 4 summarizes all of the tests performed on the MRTB that involved current through the breaker. All tests were successful. The sequence of tests was (a) to check the overall circuitry by obtaining one interruption at each of the current levels 600A, 1200A and 1800A; (b) to add additional instrumentation to detect the speed of interruption, and then complete tests at 200, 600 and 1200A (c) to interrupt the test program following the 1200A tests in order to perform "capacitor-closing" experiments and "autoreclose"; (d) to perform six interruptions at 2160A and (e) finish with an "auto-reclose."

The magnetic field coil power supply provides an oscillating current to the field coils. The power supply utilizes a charged capacitor to provide the required fast rise time, high voltage and high current pulse. This 140 uF capacitor in the power supply is rated at lOkV and is only charged when the station operator requires operation of the MRTB. A 15V trigger pulse is required to trigger the ignitron firing circuit of the power supply in order to eliminate false triggering from electrical noise. The transverse magnetic field is triggered from a pulse generated by a mechanical switch connected to the actuator. The contacts of this switch are closed when the MRTB reaches its fully open position. When the capacitor discharges the coil current oscillates at the frequency of 5.2k Hz and peak value of about 30 kA. According to calculations, the magnetic field reaches a maximum value of 0.24T with an initial rate of rise of 8000T/sec. The 10.6 MF commutation capacitor bank consists of two series groups of 13,280V capacitors, with 7 units in parallel per group. Special current limiting fuses were designed for this application. The capacitor bank was installed on top of the switch cabinet. A control circuit responds to 3 signals from the control room operator: 1. Activate charging circuit, 2. Open ground path, and 3. Close ground path.
Breaker _Tae Breaker Closed

Sample oscillograms showing interruption at 1800A are shown in Figure 8. Fig. 8 (a) shows the electrode travel of the transverse field device. The electrodes separate during the rise of the 12Hz current wave, and the B field is triggered at full stroke by the switch connected to the mechanism. The current immediately falls to zero, and a recovery voltage of 65kV (Fig.8 (b)) appears across the series-connected devices. Separate high speed oscillograms showed that the current collapsed to zero in 15 us during the B field rise.
For final "auto-reclose" test at 2200A, this test interrupter failure was simulated by shortening the interrupters with a conductor. The breaker was connected to the 12Hz L-C circuit. This circuit was then permitted to ring down through the shorted interrupters, with the breaker programmed to open at the instant of current initiation. The magnetic field power supply, charged to 7.7kV prior to current flow, was pulsed at maximum electrode separation. Fig.8(c) shows the oscillogram associated with this test. The TABLE 4

Type of Test

Current(amps)

# of Tests
3 17 6

200 Interruption 600 Interruption 1200 Interruption Close-in Tests Peak Close-in Current 26,44,54 kA 20,30,40 kV + 150A Auto Reclose to + 1500A w/dc Current 1800 Interruption +2200 Interruption -2200 Interruption 2200 Auto Reclose

25 3 3 3 1

-Travel

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Actuator
Breaker_ Current~

1800A -

65

k'J-

Current Zero

Voltage Zero _

10 ms/DIV (a) Travel of central pull shaft (upper trace) and circuit current (lower trace) as observed in CVRI

50 ms/DIV

50 ms/DIV

of Fig. 5.

(b) Recovery voltage waveform peak value of 65kV falling to 30kV at a time of 300 ms after interruption.

(c) Automatic reclose of the breaker due to simulated continued current flow. The first current peak is 2200A.

Fig. 8.

Sample Oscillograms for an Interruption at 1800A Reclose of the Breaker [Fig. (c)].

[Figs. (a) and (b)]; and for

a Test of Automatic

upper trace records the travel indicator, and the lower trace shows the ringing of the 12Hz current. Note that the breaker opened, the sensor circuit detected continued current flow, and then this sensor circuit caused an automatic reclose.

Following the interruption tests the high side of the capacitor bank was disconnected, and voltage withstand tests were performed with voltage applied between the feed through bushing and the breaker housing. The BIL exceeded 110kV, and the SIL exceeded 100kV. The breaker also passed d.c. tests of 80kV for 3 seconds and 50kV for 30 minutes.
8. FIELD TESTS

Fig. 9 is a picture of MRTB installed at the Celilo terminal. Field tests were conducted October 23 and 24, 1980, Two series of switching tests were conducted, Test Series I on the 23ni and Test Series II on the 24th. Both series were basically the same

Fig. 9 View of the MRTO

MRTB

__

_____~~~~_

Voltage Hz-

Hz 13

_Neutral

:" -~~~~
-:-----f-!gh-

_7

Electrode Line Voltage= lI70 A

_

,=f0tMR-TB _ _PT
415 Hz

ZnG _Varistor_Current

ZnO Varistor

=Xif :-z=~3M.F9f
Installation at Celilo
_

Q 4117 except for power flow direction and minor differences in instrumentation and switching sequence. During both series the MRTB was tested at progressively higher dc line currents of 200, 600, 1200 and 1700A.
A total of ten successful interruption tests were performed including three at the 1200 A level and three at the 1700 A level. During all phases of both test series the MRTB performed flawlessly and met all design expectations. Table 5 summarizes results of the measurements made during the test.

The recorded waveforms from Test I-1, a test at 200 A nominal line current, appear in Fig. 10(a). After the i4RTB vacuum switches open inserting the 10.6 AF MRTB capacitor in series with the ground path, the MRTB voltage rises to a peak value of 30kV and oscillates sinusoidally at 13 Hz, damping out in
TABLE 5 Test No. Id A 180 590 1210 1760 200 600 1200 1200 1740
-

'eQ '4iTB VNB A kV kV

170 540 1100

WZno(MJ) T1(ms) Test-Calc. Test-Calc.

-24 47 70 25 47 47 70 -26 46 71 26 46 46 69 1.5 3.3 0 0.2 1.5 1.5 3.7

1I-1

I-3 I-4
II-1 II-2 II-3a II-3b

I-2

1600
180 550 1090 1090 1585

30 80 81 81 30 79 80 80 81

33 82 88 98

na

0 0.2 1.6 3.7

II-4

32 81 85 87 98

0 0.2 1.5 1.5 3.5

Ieo - Ground current interrupted 4RTh- Peak voltage across MRTB VNB - Peak voltage on neutral bus T1- Time from contact parting to zero

Id

Converter current

WZn0
na

current in varistor. Calculated as sum of Tv and Tc from Eqns. A2 and A6. - Energy dissipated in varistor calculated from Eq. A10 - Data not available, instrument problem

81
-

(a)

kV: XX=-t

:Cu~~

(b)

___ __)

--98-k -d

- --____1______:__: __v

Bus Voltage

13 Hff

-Hz
_

<

415
L : A2

'
-\

.__

__e.

E_

':-1

8ree=

,_ =-

-1600
-

_A

_____ _

______5 i=:
-

,_

__

kV _ 7x\
Hz

00: t= -t_0L-S0: t

t=
-

--e

--

tl U -lt-t2 155

-1940 A
, ....00_

_________J__________ ___________---_
e -

-_

Energy

Ir0 1

L1mOs r

Fig. 10.

Waveforms Recorded During Field Tests of MRTB at Celilo Terminal

4118

about 400 ms. No varistor conduction occurs because the peak capacitor voltage, 30 KV, is well below the varistor's 80 KV clipping level. This is consistent with the analytical determination based on Eqn. AS of Appendix I that the varistor conduction should occur only for values of direct current above 450A. The 13 Hz oscillation is the natural frequency of metallic return self-inductance, Ls, and the total effective neutral bus capacitance, C, to ground which is the parallel combination of the MRTB capacitor, the neutral bus capacitor and part of the line capacitance. The 415 Hz oscillation that appears on the MRIB current results from the superposition of a transient current circulating in the loop formed by the 7 mile long electrode line (22 mH) and the neutral bus capacitor in series with the MRTB capacitor.
The waveforms from Test I-4, a 1700 A test, are shown on two different time scales in Figs.10 (b) and (c). After the MRTB capacitor is inserted by opening the vacuum switches the voltage rises rapidly (about 5 ms.) to the 80 kV clipping voltage of the varistor which then begins conducting. The varistor holds the URTB voltage nearly constant as ground current is forced into the metallic return path. When ground current reaches zero the varistor ceases conduction and characteristic 13 Hz oscillation ensues as the neutral bus capacitance, C, discharges through Ls. Again the 415 Hz electrode line oscillation appears superimposed on the MRTB current and voltage as was seen in Test I-1. However the frequency of oscillation in Test I-4 abruptly shifts to 155 Hz when varistor conduction begins. The varistor, by holding the MRTB capacitor voltage constant, effectively removes it from the circuit thereby increasing the capacitance in series with the electrode line.

9. APPLICATION OF HVDC BREAKER Application concepts of HVDC Breakers have been widely discussed in the past. One of these concepts involves combined application of HVDC controls and DC breakers. When a fault occurs in an interconnected HVDC system, the rectifier constant current control would automatically bring the voltage down to a low level and hold the current to the pre-fault level. In order to isolate the faulty section with a low voltage dc breaker, the rectifier is ordered to hold the voltage to a low level until the low voltage dc breaker has interrupted the direct current in the faulty circuit and a high voltage isolator in series with the low voltage dc breaker is opened to provide the high voltage isolation. Then the recifier is allowed to raise the voltage. The total time involved from the fault instant to the restoration of power in the unfaulted dc system would be in the range of 100-150 milliseconds including communication time between the breaker and the rectifier.
The dc breaker described in this paper has adequate capability to be used as such a breaker. To adapt this MRTB for a high voltage system, e.g. a 400 kV system, would simply require a higher platform insulated for 400 kV and an isolator in series with the platform. In all other respects the MRTB described here can be used as is and it has more than ample energy handling capability. The rectifier would have to hold the voltage to less than about half the zinc oxide clipping voltage during interrupt in order to accomplish interruption during reasonable time. 10.

CONCLUSIONS

The MRTB vacuum switch current from Test II-4, a 1700A test, is shown in Fig. 11. Commutation of switch current to the parallel capacitor occurs in less than 10 Ats. The commutation occurs Without oscillation implying a mode I interruption Y(interruption before the oscillating transverse magnetic field reaches its first peak). | 10Ps |

This work has demonstrated a new principle for switching dc current and its successful application on an hvdc system as a Metallic Return Transfer Breaker. Comparison of analytical and field tests results shows good agreement and provides confidence in predicting the MRTB performance. While the particular application required only a capability of 2160 amps at 40kV the principle could be extended to higher currents and voltage if required. 11.

ACKNOWLEDGBAENTS

1560 A

Fig. 11 MRTB Vacuum Switch Corrent In Table 5, calculated values of energy dissipation in the zinc oxide varistor and the time to interrupt the ground current are given along with the measured values. Calculations were based on the values of line parameters given in Appendix I and VZ = 80 kV. A comparison of measured and calculated values shows good agreement which validates the simplifying assumptions made in the derivations of Appendix I. The error introduced by the assumptions is no greater than the uncertainty in the values of the various parameters, particularly the line inductance which is highly frequency dependent over the range of frequencies characteristic to MRTB operation.

The design, installation and testing of the MRTB involved the contributions of a number of engineers of Bonnville Power Administration (BPA) and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). The help of Messrs, Bill Woodson and Paul Shockley of LADWP and Messrs Robert Hasibar, Daniel Goldsworthy, Fred Johnson, Richard Bunch, Bruce Lavier and John Richards of BPA is acknowledged. The concept of using _Hughes cross-field tubes and subsequently the Westinghouse current limiter switch for MRTB application was originated by Dr. Narain Hingorani. Funding of the work by Westinghouse on this project was from Substations Program of EPRI Electric System Division and the help from Stig Nilsson and Uno Lamn through various phases of this project is acknowledged. The authors wish to acknowledge other Westinghouse personnel who participated in the design and development of the metallic return transfer breaker: R. E. Wien, J. C. Roote, R. E. Voshall, Y. K. Chien, P. G. Slade and W. S. Davenport from the Research and Development Center, and R. Innis from the Distribution Apparatus Division. The vacuum devices were manufactured by Westinghouse Industrial and Government Tube Division.
REFERENCES
1.
N. G. Hingorani: 'Monopolar Metallic Return Operation of Long Distance HVDC Transmission

4119

2. 3.

4.

5.
6.
7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Systems", IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, PAS-93, No. 2, pp. 554-563, March/April 1974. H. Gallagher, G. IHbfmann, and M. Lutz, "Te Crossfield Switch Tube - a New HVDC Circuit Interrupter", IEEE Transactions on Pbwer Apparatus and Systems, PAS-92, pp. 702-709, March/April 1973. G. A. Hbfmann, G. L. LaBarbera, N.E. Reed, and L. A. Shillong, " A High Speed HVDC Circuit Breaker with Cross-field Interrupters," IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, PAS-95, pp. 1182-1193, July/August 1976. G. A. Hofmann, G. L. LaBarbera, N. E. Reed, L. A. Shillong, W. F. Long, and D. J. Melvold, "Field Test of HVDC Circuit Breaker: Load Break and Fault Clearing on the Pacific Intertie", IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, PAS-95, pp. 829-838, May/June 1976. R. H. Lasseter, D. M. Demarest and F. J. Ellert, "'Transient Overvoltages in the Neutral Bus of HVDC Transmission Systems", IEEE PES Summer Power Meeting,Los Angeles (1978) Paper A 78 607-4. Paper by CIGPE Working Group 13.03 "The Metallic Return Transfer Breaker in High Voltage Direct Current Transmission", Electra, No. 68, pp 21-31, January 1980. C. W. Kimblin, J. G. Gorman, F. A. I-blmes, P. R. Entage, J.V.R. Heberlein and R. E. Voshall, "Development of a Current Limiter Using Vacuum Arc Current Commutation; Phase II: Maximizing the Current Rating of a Single 7ZkV Device Using a Minimum of Parallel Capacitance,"E.P.R.I. Final Report #EL-1221, October 1979. R. E. Voshall, C. W. Kimblin, P. G. Slade and J. G. Gorman,"Experiments on vacuum interrupters in high voltage 72kV circuits", IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, PAS-99, pp. 658-666, March/April 1980. P. R. Bntage, C. W. Kimblin, J. G. Gornan, F. A. Holmes, J.V.R. Heberlein, R. E. Voshall and P. G. Slade, "Interaction Between Vacuum Arcs and Transverse Magnetic Fields with Application to Current Limitation",IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, PS-8, 4, pp.314-319, December 1980. J. G. Gorman, C. W. Kimblin, R. E. Voshall, R. E. Wien and P. G. Slade, "The Interaction of Vacuum Arcs and Magnetic Fields with Applications", submitted for presentation at the IEEE Winter Power Meeting, January 1982. J.P. Bowles, A. B. Turner and R. L. Vaughan, "System Studies for HVDC Breakers", EPRI Final Report # EL-1260, December 1979.
APPENDIX I

Zn
s
Cn

Cf_

Fig. Al.

R L 1/2 C1/2 C1/2 C _ Equivalent Circuit for DC System

AV, E

(10.6 AF) Cs - MRTB Parallel Capacitor Bank (55 MF) C, - utral Bus Capacitor Banks - Line Capacitance of Metallic Return (14 ,#F) L- Self Inductance of Metallic Return (2.8 H) (17 ohms) R1- Resistance of Metallic Return (1. 5 OhmS) RG - Total Resistance of Ground Return (80 Vz - Varistor Conduction Voltage operation KV) Ieo- Ground Current Prior to MRTB i- Ground Current when Varistor Begins Conduction ei capacitance in parallel with the varistor is the sum C = Cs +

Cn

C1/2

Varistor conduction is delayed until this capacitance is charged to the varistor conduction voltage, Vz. Duing this charging period the increasing neutral bus voltage causes an increase in metallic return current, il, and a corresponding decrease in ground return current, ie.

Neglecting the small initial voltage on Cn due to ground resistance drop, the capacitor voltage prior to varistor conduction is approximately
Vc C V

/I

+ I

t)

The time from SI opening until varistor conduction begins is found by setting Vc equal to Vz. T =
N

2CV I eo

z + I

(A2)
e

Neglecting the resistance drop in the circuit during this time, the decrease in ground current is given by

Analysis of MRTB Operation

With simplifying assumptions, the MRTB operation to obtain expressions for the switching times and energy dissipation requirements of the zinc oxide varistors.
is

eI =I

]
2

V dt

(A3)

analyzed

Substituting eqs. Al and A2 and integrating

eo

The relevent parts of the dc system are represented by the equivalent ci rcuit of Fig. Al. Assuming constant current control of the converter, the sound pole of the dc system is represented by a constant current source. In Fig. Al, along with explanation of the symbols used, typical values used for calculations for the Pacific Intertie are given in parenthesis. Initially the MRTB is closed and return current flows in both the ground return and metallic return paths dividing inversely as the resistance ratio. Ininediately upon the opening of Sl, current is diverted to The total effective the parallel capacitance.

ei
eo

1T1TFI s eo ei
2

Iei

1/2 2 a s eo

1/2
(A4)

If Iai becomes zero before the voltage across the capacitor reaches the clipping voltage Vz, the varistor will not conduct. For the limiting case of Iei 0 when Vc just becomes Vz, from eq. (A4),

I'

=s. V

(AS)

4120

The varistor voltage during conduction remains essentially constant over a wide range of current because of its extremely nonlinear volt-ampere characteristic. On this basis the varistor is replaced by a constant voltage source. The equivalent circuit, neglecting small changes in voltage across neutral bus and line capacitances, is simplified to that shown in Fig. A2.
4e

W =

2 s

LI

21+ 1 3 eli

RI

Vz
*1

RI

'7

2 ei +

io* z

1 RI ei

(A8)

If RIei/Vz < 0. 5, eliminating 2nd order and above terms from the series results in less than a 4 percent Verror. Then
W

L ei

1 +

V )

(A9)

jjijjjj

Substituting eq. A4 for I.e

Fig.

A2.

L ;( Ri V ~~~s Equivalent Circuit While

I2
eo

z)

Varistor Conducts

The total ground return current is the superposition of the current resulting from each of the two sources.
i e = ei - i v where iv is the current produced by the voltage source, Vz. Putting R = RG+ R1, i

RI i +1 eo 31 +

s 1eo (2

z2

l 1/22

(Ado)

Ie.

Recognizing Ieo ten -in terms of

uled) direct current of the system.

= (Rl/R)Id eq. A10 may be writconverter station current Id which normally represents the specified (rated or sched-

4R(l - e -Rt/L5)

i e = Iei - Rz e -e s/ The counter-current, iv, increases with time until it equals Iei at which time the ground current becomes zero and the varistor ceases conduction. The time of varistor conduction, Tc, is therefore
T

-Rt/LI

=-s ln R

V z V -RI.e z ei

(A6)

To find the energy dissipated during conduction

CV vc i e dt Since Vz is assumed constant,

W =

W =

V V fc[I

4
VL

e-Rt/Ls dt
e

F V\ VI[(I.- Rz1T zv e RT

z s

V L1 -RT /L c 5+ zs

Substituting for Tc from eq. A6

W

s=RLi[[(1 e

Vz

V11lz z +T- 1 ei
+

el

(A7)

Using a series expansion for the logarithmic function for X>1/2,

Putting X = V/(V -RIe .)

4121

Discussion Allan Greenwood (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY): It was indeed good news to see the report of the successful test of this Metallic Return Transfer Breaker. For the past few years CIGRE Working Group 13.03 has been addressing different aspects of HVDC breakers. Most recently the group has elected to examine various applications in sequence, taking the MRTB as the first, believing that it would be the first to see service in the field. This has turned out to be the case, the CIGRE Working Group's report is the sixth reference in the paper. There are a number of ways, involving different technologies, in which an MRTB can function. My question to the authors is why, if vacuum is to be the technology used, did they use the approach describ ed rather than the straightforward forced commutation method (1, 2)? I raised this question yesterday when a transverse-field interrupter was described in another paper and this particular application was mentioned. A dominant feature of the MRTB described in this paper is the 10.3 uF capacitor. I believe that the relatively small current (2160 A) could be successfully commutated by a precharged capacitor two orders of magnitude less than the one used by the authors. Since the capacitor subsequently experiences a transient of 80 kV, it could be precharged to this value. It is true that a charging circuit would be required, but this could be quite simple and inexpensive for rapid charging is not an issue in -this application. It would occupy relatively little space within the cubicle shown. Also, it would not be necessary to maintain this stress on the capacitor for any length of time inasmuch as the MRTB operation is a planned sequence. It might be argued that the commutation approach is polarity sensitive, but this is really not the case. It would be possible to connect the charged capacitor in any way one chose. Also, as Premerlani has shown, it is possible to commutate the current very effectively even with the "wrong polarity". The current in the switch simply increases first before it is brought to zero. The direct commutation approach requires a "switch" in the commutating circuit, but this could be a relatively simple triggered device, or perhaps a pair of ignitrons, which could be housed in the gentle environment of the cubicle. The transverse field tube requires a switch of some kind for the field circuit, albeit a somewhat lower voltage device, and a power supply for the current. All of this and the transverse field tube itself would be redundant if direct commutation was applied. As I say, I asked this question yesterday and I would ask it again now that the project sponsors are present, why not the simple commutation

kV

---

_ _ _ _ _ m a _(b

13_-

__

6w A
-

___

=______7

__

-------=

=
b

approach?

REFERENCES

(1) A. N. Greenwood and T. H. Lee, "Theory and application of the commutation principle for HVDC circuit breakers," Trans. IEEE, PAS-91, (1972), pp. 1570-1574. (2) A. N. Greenwood et al, "HVDC vacuum circuit breakers," ibid pp. 1575-1588. Manuscript received February 16, 1982. J. P. Bowles (BODEVEN INC., Quebec, Canada): It was with great interest and pleasure that I read this paper. Having been responsible for the simulator studies at IREQ for amplications of HVDC circuit breakers, under the sponsership of EPRI program RP 326-1, and reported in EPRI report EL-1260 (ref. 11 of the paper), I was extremely pleased to see the close correlation between the predicted results of the studies and the observed results in the field. Pu L ! @- ( ^ (* ,- , + X tJl _ _ _ >to

Figure 1 Comparison between predicted (a), and measured results (b). It can be seen that (fig. 1) the predicted waveforms and observed waveforms are very similar in nature, the minor differences being due to the different current conditions, the test conditions being at 1600 A, the simulator tests at a level corresponding to 2160 A, and the small divergence in metallic loop inductance. Observed and predicted energy dissipations correlate well if adjustments are made for the current conditions and the appropriate metallic return inductance. The effective metallic return inductance is a function of earth resistivity and transfer rate of the current into the metallic return. In the simulator studies ranges of inductance were used to cover the expected variations. I note that in the figure Al of the paper a value of 2.8 H is quoted for the total loop inductance. How was this measured (or calculated), what value of earth resistivity does it correspond to, and what rate of transfer was used. Although at the start of our studies it was thought that the metallic return duty was going to be one of the easier duties for a DC circuit breaker, in fact in the end, it was found to be one of the most severe. We are therefore in the position of having a device tested in practice and behaving in a predictable manner, that with modification could be used for other purposes such as * Paralleling and deparalleling HVDC lines. * Separating faulted convertor stations in multiterminal operation. * Supporting unit generator/convertor concepts using diode rectifiers. All these techniques were studied and reported in EL-1260.

Manuscript received February 22, 1982.

A. L. Courts, J. J. Vithayathil, N. G. Hingorani, J. W. Porter, J. G. Gorman and C. W. Kimblin: We thank Professor Greenwood and Dr. Bowles for their comments and the interest they showed in our paper. Professor Greenwood's suggestion for using a charged capacitor is an alternate approach that would admittedly reduce the capacitor size. We did not explore the counterpulse technique in detail for this application. Preliminary assessment showed the disadvantage of using a charged capacitor at line potential would outweigh the advantage of obtaining a smaller value of the capacitor. The following considerations apply: 1.) The need for a certain minimum capacitance to control the dV/dt across the switch, --I--- --- i -' - -2.) The need for an auxiliary power supply to charge the capacitor to high voltage, _ _ _ _ . [> . 1.I~ - I The _3.)need for electrical connection of the charging circuit to the I \main d.c. power circuit with consequent insulation problems, ] l , / \ 4.) The need for an additional switch for insertion of the charged 1 \ capacitor, and arangement for the coordination of this switch '-*I1----:-t-, 91---and the main switch. O.?~~~ t I t , ~~~~~~~~~~Althoughthe capacitor is an important element of this MRTB design, in_terms of size or cost we do not consider the capacitor as "a dominant 0wL_ _ _____ F___ .4 feature" of this MRTB installation. 0., | _ _ 1_ __ -_ | With respect to Dr. Bowles question, the line characteristics were Il ___ . IJ biz e9__omputed using Carlson' s formula at 13Hz and for an earth resistance of 170 ohm-meter. _1_._0_

22t t + --t- i-

I1--

-- -8

<

'8. .

ti X

2.5

3.8

3.

3.0

3.1

4.0

s.

~~~~~~~~~~Manuscript received April 23,

1982.