24

7.

HIGH

VOLTAGE

INSTALLATIONS

7.1 General
Ensure that all connections to live voltages are
isolated and earthed before starting any tasks
concerning
equipment
with
dangerous
voltages.

endings should be checked for good earthing

connections in accordance with distribution needs.
When necessary (for earth-fault protection needs)
the cable screens, armours and endings must be
insulated from the frame when bringing the ground
connection to the earthing point via the cable
transformer (see fig 15.1).

Allways ask permission of the personnel

responsible of the electrical operation of the plant,
before starting to work with any kind of HV-system.
Make sure that the device that you are working
with is isolated from the network and effectively
earthed. Follow the safety prescriptions for HVsystems.

Check that every transformers neutral point and

frame are grounded. Allso check
that the
perimeter fence, all steel supporting structures,
foundations, breakers and cable trenches are
earthed according to the regulations. For more
information then refer to equipment supplier.

A typical outdoor switchyard consist of:

-step-up transformers
-voltage & current transformers
-disconnectors
-busbars, overhead wires, insulators, clamp and
connections
-capacitors
-control cables
-circuit breakers
-earthing switches
-marshalling boxes
-earthing materials
-relay and control panels
-galvanized steel support structures

7.3 Mesuring circuits

The following equipment are to be used for safe

working in (indoor and) outdoor switching stations:
- Earthing and short-circuiting device
- Insertion plates
- High-voltage detector
- Fuse tongs
- Warning signs
- Protective clothes

Before connecting any voltages, the measuring

transformers and circuits should be tested for
correct polarities and ratios, and also for reliably
terminated closed current circuits. The tests will
include external circuitry to meters, transducers,
protective relays, etc. in control panels and desks.
Performing these tests is described later in the
chapter 15 'Measuring Transformer Tests.
Check dual-ratio current transformers visually for
correct ratio connection. Ratio testing of the current
transformers is recommended using currents which
can be checked to give correct indications on
connected Ammeters in control panel/desk.
The connections of power meters and signaltransducers for power metering are critical for
correct measurements and regulating controls. The
3-phase measurements cannot normally be sitetested for correct functionality. Only a particular
polarity test close to the measuring device
terminations can prove correct connections across
the measuring transformer and its secondary
circuit. Direction-sensing protective relays depend
on correct phase sequencing and polarities,
likewise. These too should be thoroughly checked
for correct connections if not fully tested due to
relay-tests.

7.4 Auxiliary voltage distributions

fig.7.1. Typical outdoor switchyard

7.2 Earthings
Protective earthing demands good binding frame
connections between the swichyard and to the
power plant grounding grid. HV cable sheaths and

The auxiliary voltages are connected, voltage and

polarity checked and forwarded cubicle by cubicle,
circuit by circuit to allow checking of breaker
controls and indications locally and with respect to
the main control panel. The MCB related control
circuitry may apply to one or several cubicles.

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The same or a separate distribution provides the
spring charging voltage for the HV breakers and a
third distribution may be used for powering
interlocking-freeing coils for the earthing switches.
Voltage and polarity should be checked for each
circuit. Spring charging functions should be
observed and checked for reliability (similar
charging speed for each breaker). Check that the
voltage of the circuit powering the breaker spring
charge does not drop below accepted limits or trip
the supply even when several breakers are
charged simultaneously if this is possible in normal
operation.

7.5 Controls
Check every tripping, closing, interlocking and
indicating function for full functionality. Trip signals
should be generated using a relay tester when
performing the protective relay tests, transformer
trips by pumping the Bucholz-relay etc. Check that
each protective device also releases the HV-load
breaker in addition to raising the signal. Check
close and trip commands for local controls as well
as for main/distributed control panel and control
system command functionality including necessary
interlockings. Where controlling devices cannot yet
be tested, the commands should be recorded for
later testing when that device or system is tested.
A preliminary test of a command signal circuit by
simulating commands from device connections
confirms the circuit but does not clear the test.
Closed / open indications should be tested using
the breakers in actual positions. Check that
indications correctly indicate at every location (local
indication, in central control desk/panel, on screen,
remote indication and on event report printer).
Checks for circuit breakers are:
-

Check phase to phase resistans.

Check the effectiveness of the heaters and the
function of any monitoring equipment fitted.
It is recommended to integrate the breaker in
the plant in accordance with the circuit
diagrams. All command and signalling paths
should be checked.
Remove grease from and paint all bolted joints
made during installation of the circuit breaker.
Check exisiting paintwork and touch-up if
necessary. For more information then refer to
equipment supplier.

7.6 Alarms
The alarms for following should be checked:
-Outgoing line bays, MW, MVAr, cos phi
-Breaker open, closed, tripped
-Earthing switch open, closed
-Earth-fault relay operated
-Overcurrent relay operated
-Diffrential protection relay operated
-Distance relay operated
-Gas relay alarm and trip
-etc.
Allmost all these are PLC based alarms.

7.7 Relay protection

The protective relays located in the control panel(s)
must be tested in accordance with the protectiontype instructions described later in chapter 16.
Each protection is recommended to be tested
using primary test currents when this is possible.
When the available power of the tester used is not
sufficient for primary testing, a secondary test
current should be connected and fed overlapping
the polarity and ratio tests performed earlier.
Test voltages are always supplied as secondary
voltages onto the protective relay connection. This
should be done, carefully observing that the
voltage does not reach the voltage transformer
secondary circuits or any uncontrolled external
circuits.
The relay test should comprise function tests for
high and low settings each and in combination, and
finally for final settings. For protective relays which
have been subject to a complete recorded test by
the switchyard manufacturer, a test to check each
final set value is sufficient.
Preliminary protective relay settings, calculated
and listed by designers/suppliers, are intended to
secure a basic level of protection for delivered
gear. These calculations are often made with little
knowledge about grid conditions; for example,
preconditions may have changed since the design
stage. For this reason, before commissioning tests
are carried out a protection co-ordination study
should be made in cooperation with the operator to
ensure good, selective protection functionality
which satisfies all conditions. Values determined by
this study should be used for the final settings.

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7.8 Completing tests
The auxiliary and control voltage distribution is
connected for all activated equipment. The SF6filled breakers are checked for sufficient gas
pressures. No alarm signals are active. All lids and
cover sheets are closed and earthing isolators on
outgoing connections are not yet closed.
Finally the insulation test is performed for busbars
and the connected feeder line as described in the
chapter Insulation Tests. Any voltage transformers
connected directly to the busbars will have to be
disconnected for this test and reconnected after
the test voltage has been discharged. It is
recommended to move as many of the circuit
breakers as possible to normal operating positions
for them to be included with this test. These
breakers must be open and all phases of
connected outgoing cables must be earthed to
prevent distribution of leaking test voltages. The

insulation test is made using the highest available

test voltage (generally 5000 V DC) to be injected
for 1 minute.

If the insulation test is deemed satisfactory, all

other breakers but feeder breakers are secured in
isolating positions. The feeding voltage is
connected to the feeder and to the busbars.
Voltage transformer secondary voltages are
measured for correct values and phase sequence
order and, if correct, the switchyard is ready for
distribution.