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Calculation of Altitude Correction

ALTITUDE CORRECTION FOR METAL-ENCLOSED CAPACITOR

BANKS AND HARMONIC FILTER BANKS
The following calculator computes the altitude correction factor and resulting sea-level impulse withstand and power frequency withstand voltage
requirements for electrical equipment being applied at altitudes greater than 1000 meters (3300 feet) in accordance with IEC and IEEE/ANSI
standards.
ANSI/IEEE and IEC standards differ slightly on the standard available voltage ratings for components and equipment, impulse withstand voltage,
and power frequency withstand voltage, as well as the methodology for de-rating these voltage ratings due to high altitude application. The following
calculator provides both calculations based on the standards.
Be sure to use tables 1 and 2 to determine "industry standard" sea level withstand and impulse levels for IEC standards, and Table 3 for ANSI
standards for your rated equipment voltage.

Calculator-1
Known variables: Equipment Elevation (meters or feet), Standard Equipment Impulse Voltage (kV), and Power Frequency Withstand Voltage (kV)

Input Equipment Details*

1500

Input Equipment Elevation (in meters or feet):

Input Sea Level Impulse Volage Based On System Voltage (kV):

95

Input Sea Level Withstand Voltage Based on System Voltage (kV):

36

meters

* Obtain Impulse and Withstand Voltage Values from Tables 1 and 2 for IEC Standards, and
Table 3 for ANSI Standards

IEC Calculation Results

1.06

IEC Correction Factor:

Required Sea Level Impulse Voltage (kV):

101.01

Required Sea Level Withstand Voltage (kV):

38.28

ANSI/IEEE Calculation Results

1.05

ANSI/IEEE Correction Factor:

Required Sea Level Impulse Voltage (kV):

100.00

Required Sea Level Withstand Voltage (kV):

37.89

Formulas and Variables

IEC Correction Factor

IEEE / ANSI Correction Factor

Where:
Up = Rated lightning impule withstand voltage [kV (peak value)]
Ud = Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (kV (r.m.s. value))
Ur = Rated voltage (kV (r.m.s. value))

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Calculation of Altitude Correction

Ka = altitude correction factor
H = altitude above sea level in meters

Note: the correction factors should only be applied to the impulse and withstand voltages and not to the rated voltages.

Background
Medium-voltage metal-enclosed harmonic filter banks are designed and built with components that are based on application under "usual service
conditions" as defined by IEC and ANSI standards. Generally, the "usual service conditions" defined in standards encompass ambient temperature,
altitude, solar radiation, and environmental considerations.
The insulating property of air decreases as the altitude increases, therefore this phenomenon must be taken into account for air insulated
components applied at altitudes greater than 1000 meters (3300 feet). ANSI/IEEE and IEC standards provide a methodology for determining the
impulse withstand voltage, and power frequency withstand voltage for medium-voltage components used in metal-enclosed harmonic filter banks at
high altitude.

IEC STANDARDS
In accordance with IEC 60694, the rated insulation level for switchgear and control gear is selected from the values given in tables 1 and 2,
depending on location. In these tables, the withstand voltages are based on a standardized reference atmosphere (i.e. sea level). The standards
state the rated withstand voltage values for lightning impulse voltage (Up) and power-frequency withstand voltage (Ud) shall be selected without
crossing the horizontal marked lines based on the rated voltage of the switchgear or control gear, or in NEPSI's case, the harmonic filter or
capacitor bank.
For most of the rated voltages, several rated insulation levels exists to allow for application of different overvoltage performance criteria. The choice
of insulation level for a give rated voltage should be made considering the degree of exposure to fast-front and slow-front over-voltages, the type of
neutral earthing of the system, and the type of overvoltage limiting devices. Medium-voltage metal-enclosed harmonic filter banks equipped with
lightning arresters are considered to have a lower degree of exposure and therefore the lower withstand voltage is most often chosen. Metalenclosed banks are considered to have lower exposer.
Table 1 - IEC Rated Insulation Levels for Rated Voltages
Non-North American Apparatus

Table 2 - IEC Rated Insulation Levels for Rated Voltages

For North American Apparatus

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Calculation of Altitude Correction

ANSI / IEEE STANDARDS

ANSI standards are similar to IEC standards in that they both use a multiplying factor and both have standard voltage withstand ratings based on
equipment voltage rating. Table 3 provides the standard voltage ratings for equipment rated in accordance with ANSI/IEEE standards. Table 3 can
also be used in a similar manor to 1 and 2. The first column on the left is the Rated maximum Voltage (Ur ). The second is the Power-frequency
withstand voltage (Ud). The final column is the Impulse withstand (Up).
Table 4 is utilized to determine altitude correction factors in accordance altitude. The table shows a 1% decrease in withstand voltages for each 100
meters above 1000 meters. The voltage factors shown in Table 4 should be applied to both the power frequency withstand voltage and the impulse
withstand voltage.
Table 3 - Standard Voltage and Insulation Levels for Components Rated in Accordance With ANSI/IEEE Standards

Table 4 - Altitude Correction Factors

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