C ase Study

of the Month

Er. P.K.Pattanaik, is presently working with OPTCL as

General Manager, EHT (O&M) Circle Bhubaneswar
- Odisha and associated with the Protection and
Control schemes of Electrical systems.
Having 29 years of technical experience on various
HT and EHT voltage level in the field of transmission
sector. Specialization on the development techno-
economical design of protection control schemes for system development
and planning. At present involved with various on-going projects on
GIS, SAS and updated Remote SCADA control stations of OPTCL.
Published 105 technical papers in National and International arena
and is a regular contributor to the National journals like Electrical
Mirror, Electrical India, CBIP journal and IEEMA journal and author
of many technical books. Also Awarded in various arena on National
level. He is also the coordinator of a Nationwide Power Engineers’ VARIOUS CASE STUDIES
Technical Group named “SPARK- Ignited to share” consisting of Senior ON OPERATION AND CONTROL
Electrical Engineers from different parts of the country.
SCHEMES FOR GRID SUB-STATION
ele.pkpattanaik@optcl.co.in
Contd….

1. Introduction: For the last few months, the response of the readers to side. (Refer Fig 2.1.1)
the case studies on various incidents is overwhelming. Hence this month we
are again choosing the write up on similar kind of studies for developing
the synchronization of practical observation to the theoretical concepts.
The analysis of each incident being supported by actual observations
had been described during the situation to add awareness amongst the
operation, testing and commissioning engineers to know the cause of
problems and be helpful for easy rectification of the problems. This can
also help to develop economic schemes for the smooth running of the
operation and control system in the Grid Sub-Station.
2.1. Issues on High Impedance Fault: With one 33Kv feeder, snapping of 4. The protection system did not actuate, resulted with burning of
conductor and getting connected to Earth on Load connected side. ground shrubs due to laying of the wire from supply side.

Observations: Technical Analysis:

1. Fault on 33Kv feeder resulted, that connected between Star (Y) 1. In fact, supply side was connected from the source point with Star-
system to Delta loading system. Star transformer from the transmission utility.
2. The snapping of jumper occurred in between the supply connected 2. The load connected transformer is of Delta –star. So, for the faulty
wire. wire being snapped, touched to DELTA connected winding.
3. This snapping caused open circuit for the wire towards supply side, 3. The pattern of current and load impedance is shown in Fig 2.1.2,
but other disconnected wire got connected to earth towards load Fig 2.1.3.

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 4. The amount of current as Z ampere in this condition shall could be the solution.
be flowing through certain impedance of high magnitude,
as circuit has to cause the flow through GROUND EARTH
as the current path. So amount in maximum cases does
not become high for the actuation of protection scheme
available at the supply end.
5. But because of this effect and non-actuation of protection
system, in maximum cases, living being in touch or
coming in the zone of this electric field suffers with of
electrocution and succumbs to death also.
Solution to this effect
1. Sensitive earth fault relay, that works on the principle of
ZERO SEQ UN-BALANCE current could be used, collecting
the secondary current from Neutral CT being on the
NEUTRAL of the transformer. (Refer Fig 2.1.4)

w w w. e l e c t r i c a l m i r r o r. n e t
B. Fault on 11Kv side of the Delta Star transformer:
Any fault on the load connected side on 11 KV system. The
associated protection system should have to act upon to clear
the fault. But due to earth integrity, the related fault gets
converted to impedance kind of fault and causes delay action
on the tripping relays. The relays at different locations in the
upstream shall be actuating to clear the fault. But best solution
is to make use of ground return wire. Refer fig 2.2.2
C. Fault on Delta Transformer:
Delta winding of the transformer and fault on this system. In
2. But in the case of multi-used supply transformers (More practice transformer protection shall be actuating the fault in
than one), the current magnitude shall be less or may this situation and clears the same. In case of any deviation/
not be sufficient to result actuation of the SEF (Sensitive non-actuation, the upstream relays act to clear the fault.
Earth Fault) Relay. Recommendations:
3. So, the feeder that used for feeding this system should So, EARTH plays the important role for circulation of fault
accordingly be used with special Logic for actuation of current. So earth continuity to be confirmed in every system
Earth Fault relay and tripping of the feeder. 2.3: Actuation of OSR of transformer: It was found with the
2.2. Some Other Technical Solution to the HIGH IMPEDANCE actuation of OSR during a rainy day at one of the 132/33KV
FAULT in 33KV and 11 KV System. Grid Sub-station.
Different situations: Observations:
A. Fault on the Supply connected side: 1. It was reported by the grid in-charges regarding tripping
Snapping of Conductor for the 33Kv feeder towards supply end of the 20MVA Power transformer on OSR during the
side and touching to ground: rainy day.
2. Accordingly, it was asked for the checking of the OSR,
For this situation, if proper earth loop gets maintained, then
might be causing the ingress of moisture/ rain water and
the relay at supply end shall only actuate and trip the system.
causing the contact closure and tripping of the breaker.
The fault loop current flow is seen in the Fig 2.2.1. But in
case of any earth issues in the system, impedance fault shall 3. The transformer was taken shutdown for detail checking.
be developing and may not cause tripping, which may result 4. It was found with no any abnormality at the OSR on
with serious concern to the system due to delay in tripping external checking. The gland face was covered with
action. So, using of guard wire to get proper return current adhesive putty and cover plate was applied with suitable

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Case Study

adhesive putty also. thermo-vision scanning, it was observed with HOT-SPOT on

5. But suspecting something any internal problem, the cover the non-current carrying metal part at the tension holder.
was removed and found with moist part, oxidation and Observations:
sulphation of the contacts as like shown in the fig 2.3.1. 1. During regular Thermal scanning of the transmission
line, it was found with certain peculiar temperature
spot on the base of the tension hardware in a 400 KV
Transmission line. (Refer Fig 2.4.1).

Fig 2.3.1
6. The moist part and sulphation contacts were cleaned
properly and then cover was put to the OSR with
application of adhesive putty.
7. The problem was rectified and transformer was charged
Case Study

Fig 2.4.1 Hot-Spot on the Base of Hardawre

ok. 2. The temperature was observed with 91 degrees centigrade
Technical analysis: on the non-current carrying metal holder connected part
1. In fact, just before this fault occurrence, the grid in-charge between insulator string and main conductor.
had been instructed for the necessary action of application 3. Only one string was found with related hot-spot, with
of putty and closure of the gland holes. other one being normal.
2. So, the team as per the instruction, applied the same 4. The current on the system during the thermal scanning
without attending the internal part of the OSR. was of 322 Ampere on both the conductor. So individual
3. Actually, there were some moisture inside the OSR current being 161 amperes approximately out of its
chamber, before application of the adhesive putty on the capacity being 700 Ampere.
closed cover edges. This moisture was not that sufficient 5. This quantity of current is well within the range of its
to cause contact continuity of the contact, but suphasion capacity and in practice nothing should have been caused
had been started. for this amount of current.
4. During the intermittent raining and cold season, the 6. So the detail analysis was done to rectify the problem.
vapour inside the covered OSR might have started
Technical Analysis:
condensing to moisture and clung to the contacts, resulting
1. Reason of Temperature rise on NON_CURRENT carrying
with tripping of the transformer.
conductor
5. So, the mistake was with grid personnel, regarding
a. If any sharpen edge remains near to the potential field,
application of adhesive putty without opening and
then due to CORONA effect, the point may be heated
cleaning of the internal moisture residues in the OSR.
up with rise of temperature.
Because of this residual moisture and after total sealing
of the cover, during heating and cold process, the vapour b. If any hardware connected with TWIN current carrying
with condensation to moisture caused tripping of the path, then due to double hardware fittings, small loose
transformer. connection on any one path/ clamp, shall cause abnormal
current flow. The clamp fitting may not cause heating
Recommendation due to its heat bearing capacity.
For the Transformer top mounted device, in the case of sealing
of the external cover for the ingress of moisture etc…, before c. The other clamp may be heated and its impact shall be
application of adhesives/ any sealing agent, the cover should more on the adjacent supporting hardware (Non-Current
carrying part), which may not subside quick due to less
be opened and internal part should be properly cleaned and
material mass.
dried to avoid the condensation of any residual moisture/vapour.
d. The heat conduction shall also be the cause of temperature
2.4. Hot Spot on the NON-CURRENT carrying part: During
rise.

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 e. There might be problem on the hardware fittings like 3. The connection of jumper was towards conductor as like
connection of Clamp with L-Pad for jumpering of the Figure shown 2.4.2.a. This is the general pattern of
conductor. The Inter-connection may have less bolt due connection and recommended in many of the utilities. This
to mis-match of the holes with the pad. connection becomes easier to connect by the workmen. But
f. If such, then the gap shall allow to accommodate dust due to issue on the base of the jumper cone, sometimes
deposition due to ingress of moisture. If so in due lower enbuldging portion fouls on the L –PAD and
course, the heating effect may have caused the heat resulted with minor gap between the interface.
transformation to adjacent metal part. 4. In such case, the jumper hardware cone need to be
g. The connection clamp face is also the cause of gap connected on the insulator string side, so that the other
development as like shown in the Fig 2.4.2. face can perfectly match the L pad instead of any fouling
due to other side of the enbuldging part. ( Refer 2.4.2.b).
h. The other reason could be the rusting, dust deposition
and dirty of the clamp connected conductor portion, for 5. The connection was made as per the above way after
which local ionization may cause heating. replacement of faulty hardware on cleaning of the dust
and other particles. EM
2. In this situation, the maximum possibility being the
cause as mentioned above 2.b and 2.e.
3. However, the team was asked for physical verification
on availing Shutdown on the system.
Detail Action Taken
1. Shutdown was availed for checking of the hardware and
other points as mentioned.
2. It was found with the issue on the connection of clamp
with L pad.

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