1798 IEEE Transactions on Power Dclivery, Vol. 11, No.
4, October 1996
Impact of Shunt Capacitor Banks on Substation Surge Environment
and Surge Arrester Applications
Report by Working Group 3.4.17 of the IEEE
Surge Protective Devices Committee
Abstract ---The introduction of high voltage shunt
capacitor banks on a power system can result in a number
of overvoltage problems that tend to be associated with
capacitor switching. Proper application of surge arresters
near a shunt capacitor bank requires careful analysis of
the power system, the switching devices and their
arrangements, the insulation level of nearby equipment,
the type of grounding, and the arrester energy dissipation
duty.
Keywords: Shunt capacitor banks, metal oxide arrester
applications, surge arresters, surge protection, overvoltage
protection, insulation coordination.
1. INTRODUCTION
Autility survey, followed by a working group report in 1991
[l], indicated the need for better information on the selection
of, and duty imposed on surge arresters located near shunt
capacitor banks. Existing standards and application guides
[2,3,4,5,6], relating to shunt capacitor banks and surge
arresters, are useful in explaining the rating structure and
capabilities, including the basic applications and procedures.
However, many important and specific details, as well as
system considerations, for the application of surge arresters in
combination with shunt capacitor banks are lacking.
The number of applications of high voltage shunt capacitor
banks in substations has increased significantly over the past
decade. This is primarily due to voltage regulation problems
associated with increasing loading levels on existing
transmission systems. In many applications shunt capacitor
banks are often switched on a daily basis to maintain control
of system voltage levels during load changes. As a
consequence, the switching of shunt capacitor banks has often
become the most common source of transient voltages on
many power systems. Certain switching operations can also
present some potentially hazardous overvoltage conditions, not
only to the capacitor bank, but to other nearby equipment such
as circuit breakers and transformers.
96 WM 014-1 PWRI) A paper recommended and approved by the IEEE
Surge Protective Devices Committee of the lEEE Power Engineering Society
for presentation at the 1996 IEEE/PES Winter Meeting, January 21-25, 1996,
Baltimore, MD. Manuscript submitted August 8, 1995; made available for
printing November 13, 1995.
0885-8977/96/$05.00
2. SCOPE
The intent of this paper is to provide an explanation of some
basic overvoltage mechanisms associated with the installation
and switching of shunt capacitor banks. The paper is written
primarily for utility personnel to provide assistance in
assessing the application and selection of surge arresters when
used in combination with shunt capacitor banks for
overvoltage protection.
In this paper it is assumed that all surge arrester applications
are of the metal oxide type. However, existing surge arresters
at a station may consist of gapped silicon carbide, metal oxide,
or a combination of both. If so, the ratings of both types must
be taken into consideration to ensure proper coordination.
The subject matter is broad and has many complexities. It is
not possible in this limited space, to cover all aspects of
switched shunt capacitor banks, nor to offer solutions to
specific problems that may be associated with a particular
installation. In some cases reference material may provide the
necessary details. In other cases it may become necessary to
model a part of the power system near the capacitor bank and
carry out a transient analysis using a transient network
analyzer (TNA), [7] or a digital simulation program such as the
Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) [SI.
3. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SHUNT
CAPACITOR BANKS
3.1 Capacitor Bank Installations
In many utilities there is a growing trend to use shunt capacitor
banks to provide voltage support due to the lack of an adequate
power transmission system. Shunt capacitor banks are usually
installed on the transmission system at major buses to provide
voltage support for a large area. The size and location of the
banks are usually based on load flow and stability studies of
the transmission network. As indicated from the survey
referred to above, shunt capacitors are being applied at all
voltage levels up to 500 kV, with bank sizes ranging from a
few Mvar to more than 300 Mvar.
As more capacitor banks are added to the power system there
will likely be installations with more than one bank on the
0 1996 IEEE

same bas. Series reactors are usually installed in these cases to
limit inirush currents during back-to-back switching, and to
limit ontrush currents during close-in system faults.
Since there is no basic technical restriction, shunt capacitor
banks c,anbe installed in three basic configurations: grounded-
wye, ungrounded-wye, and delta. Wye-connected banks are
used almost exclusively in the higher voltage ranges since this
configuration is less expensive and less complicated to
construct than a delta-connected bank. Utilities that choose
ungrounded-wye often do so to avoid the problems associated
with high transient inrush currents in existing station
grounding systems, but must deal with the higher level of
transient overvoltages that will be encountered in this
arrangement.
3.2 Capacitor Bank Switchgear
The type of switchgear used to switch high voltage shunt
capacitor banks can have a significant effect on the nature and
magnitude of the transient overvoltages produced [9,10,11,12].
For many years oil circuit breakers were commonly used to
switch shunt capacitor banks. Capacitive switching poses a
particularly difficult problem for most oil circuit breakers.
The interrupters in these circuit breakers require several cycles
of arcing prior to successful interruption of fault current.
However, these same interrupters can easily interrupt the low
level of capacitive current at the first zero crossing. This
usually occurs before the contacts have achieved sufficient
separation distance to establish the high dielectric strength
required to withstand the peak recovery voltages associated
with capacitor switching. In this situation the oil circuit
breaker can restrike resulting in high transient overvoltages.
Although oil breakers are still being used by some utilities for
capacitor switching, these circuit breakers can lead to severe
overvoltage problems and arrester energy dissipation.
Fortunately, gas circuit breakers (e.g., air blast and SFJ, which
have become much more common throughout the industry,
have a much better capability for capacitor switching and are
now used almost exclusively to switch capacitor banks at the
higher voltage levels. Since gas breakers can easily cope with
high recovery voltages without restrikes, the de-energization
of a capacitor bank usually results in harmless switching
transients. On the other hand, it becomes expensive to install
closing resistors in gas breakers at the higher voltage levels -
so closing transients may still present problems.
Although vacuum switchgear is commonly used to switch
capacitors in the lower voltage ranges, they have been known
to produce significant transient overvoltages when switching
1709
shunt capacitor banks. There are two reasons for this
phenomenon. First, fitting vacuum interrupters with either
closing or opening resistors is difficult. Secondly, since
vacuum interrupters can interrupt high frequency currents, they
can produce a train of transients on closing due to multiple
prestrikes. If a restrike should occur on opening the ability of
vacuum circuit breakers to interrupt the high frequency current
can produce significantly higher transient overvoltages than
other types of switchgear [13].
3.3 Interconnected System and Other Equo'ment
Shunt capacitor banks are often switched on during peak loatd
or low voltage conditions and switched off during light load or
high voltage conditions. In many locations this means that the
capacitor banks are switched at least twice per day, "on" in the
morning and "off' in the evening.
When a capacitor bank is energized or de-energized, the
fundamental system voltage level will change according to the
bank size and the available short circuit impedance at the bus
location. Although the steady state voltage change is usually
limited to 2-4 %, it is not uncommon for the operating voltage
level to change 10% or more for shoirt periods, while
adjustments are being made to the new operating conditions.
Since the maximum continuous operating voltage is an
important consideration in the application of metal oxide surge
arresters, these system operating conditions ,and voltage 1eve:ls
should be recognized in the selection of surge arrester voltage
ratings.
The switching duty imposed on existing circuit breakers that
may become involved 'in capacitor switching operations ( e.;!.,
local breaker backup) can be severe. Since: the magnitude of
the capacitor current being interrupted and the initial recovery
voltages are low, the current is usually interrupted at the first
current zero crossing after contact parting. However, the
transient recovery voltage (TRV) on the first pole to clear
reaches 2 per unit @U) on grounded banks and 2.5 pu on
ungrounded banks, one-half cycle after current interruption.
If the breaker fails to withstand this TR'V, current will be
reestablished due to a dielectric breakdown across the contact
gap, (termed a reignition or a restrike depending on the delay
between initial interruption and the subsequent breakdown).
The steep-fronted surges associated with all energizing
operations and restrikes will be impressed not only on all local
equipment but will propagate outwardly on all lines
terminating on the station bus. This can cause severe
overvoltage stresses on low voltage equipment in the
substation and to power transformers, particularly if connected
to the end of radially fed lines. Excessive phase-to-phase
transient voltages and transformer part-winding resonance ,are
1800
two of the well-known problems that have occurred.
The oscillatory portion of the capacitor switching transient can
have a significant impact on low voltage equipment. Large
voltage transients may be impressed across primary and
secondary current transformer windings as well as on low
voltage power supply and metering circuits.
The presence of series reactors introduces several additional
considerations during the study of surge protection for shunt
capacitor banks. First, some provision must be made to protect
the reactor from transient overvoltage stresses that will be
impressed since it will appear as a high impedance.
Additionally, depending on the size of the reactor and the
capacitor bank, the arrester may have to discharge a large
amount of energy during faults near the capacitor bank.
The switching of shunt capacitor banks on a station bus will
generate voltage and current transients that can create
problems for nearby equipment and other parts of the
interconnected system [14]. While these transients are
generally comparable to those encountered with other
switching operations, the transients will occur more often since
capacitor banks are likely to be switched on a daily basis. In
addition, if the breaker is not restrike-free, the magnitude of
the transient overvoltages will be significantly higher,
typically by a factor of two.
Ungrounded capacitor banks often incorporate a potential
device, connected from the neutral of the bank to ground. This
device is used to provide unbalance protection for the bank in
the event of can failures. The potential device can be exposed
to severe voltage stresses during opening of the capacitor bank
due to delayed pole operation of the switchgear. Furthermore,
if the neutral grounding device consists of a potential
transformer, the overvoltage can result in saturation and
possible damage. One method of reducing the voltage on the
. neutral and therefore protecting the potential transformer is to
use surge arresters connected from the neutral of the capacitor
bank to ground.
Consideration must also be given to the size, configuration,
and location of all nearby shunt capacitor banks whenever
surge arresters are applied at a substation for overvoltage
protection. Capacitor banks can store considerable amounts of
energy during temporary overvoltage conditions, and in
particular during circuit breaker restriking events. This must be
considered in determining the energy absorption capability of
any nearby surge arresters.
3.4 Resonance and Ferroresonance
Whenever new installations of shunt reactors (L) or shunt
capacitor banks (C) are being planned, the possibility of
resonance conditions must be considered. This is true for linear
resonance as well as ferroresonance. The occurrence o f either
condition can impose severe duties on surge arresters if the
overvoltages under such conditions are high enough to cause
surge arresters to operate.
Ferroresonance conditions have been reported on some
ungrounded-wye capacitor banks. One such condition involves
two phases of the capacitor bank in series with one phase of a
grounded neutral transformer bank. It can occur due to
significant differences in pole interruption times of the
switching device [9].
3.5 Existing Surge Arresters
It is not uncommon for shunt capacitor banks to be installed at
a substation that contains equipment already protected by
surge arresters. The rating of all existing surge arresters must
be taken into consideration to ensure that the duty imposed
during capacitor switching operations will not exceed their
capabilities. This applies particularly to gapped silicon carbide
(Sic) surge arresters that can be severely damaged if a
sparkover occurs during capacitor switching. Sometimes they
may have to be replaced with metal oxide arresters while in
other cases it may be possible to coordinate the ratings so the
duty from capacitor switching will be placed only on metal
oxide arresters.
3.6 Lightning Surges
There is a paucity of information available on the subject of
overvoltage protection of shunt capacitor banks exposed to
lightning surges [15]. Due to the low surge impedance o f
shunt capacitor banks adding additional surge arresters beyond
that which already exist at the station may not be necessary.
Nevertheless, a detailed analysis should be carried out to
determine if the bank is adequately protected from incoming
lightning surges.
The increase in capacitor bank voltage from a lightning surge
does not depend on the rate-of-rise of the surge as it does with
transformers and other inductive equipment, but depends on
the charge absorbed. The protection of a shunt capacitor bank
against lightning surges is, therefore, an exercise in
determining the overvoltage resulting from the charge
absorbed. If excessive, arresters must be installed to discharge
some energy and so limit this overvoltage.
Some capacitor banks may be self-protecting. Depending on
the capacitance (C) of the bank and the charge (Q) contained
in the incoming wave, the capacitor bank may absorb the surge
energy without resulting in an excessive overvoltage.
Moreover, if arresters are protecting other equipment located

nearby, additional arresters may not be needed. If the existing
station arresters are rated for lightning surge discharge duty,
then they will adequately protect the capacitor bank for
lightning surges providing shielding is in place. If the bank is
not self-protecting or if the nearby arrester locations and/or
duties are not adequate, additional arresters must be installed.
In most cases, determining capacitor bank protection will
require a simulation study that rakes into consideration details
of the complete station layout, including equipment bus
connections, and surge arrester locations as well as the type of
bank, its size, configuration and exposure to lightning surges.
The frequency and magnitude of the acceptable overvoltages
also must be determined. The lines entering the station must be
evaluated for the number of lightning strokes to the line, the
origin of the surge (shielding failure or backflash), the line
critical flashover voltage, and the waveshape and attenuation
of the surge entering the station. A detailed analysis can be
done using the Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTF').
The range of overcurrents and overvoltages that a capacitor
may be expected to withstand during its lifetime depends on
the magnitude, duration and frequency of occurrence. The
tables in Section 8.3.2 of the IEEE Standard for Shunt Power
Capacitors [4] are intended to provide some guidelines for this
evaluation.
An analysis of the charge content of the stroke is necessary to
detemiine whether a capacitor bank is self-protecting and to
calcu1,ate the required arrester discharge duty. The capacitor
voltage will depend on the charge absorbed. In general, the
voltage rise in the capacitor bank is determined by the
following equation:
v = cvc
where:
V is ithe capacitor voltage in volts
Q is ithe charge in coulombs
C is the capacitance in farads
3.6.1 Backflashovers - According to the standard definition
[3] a lightning surge rises to its peak in 1 . 2 and
~ ~decays to
half value in 50 p. The critical flashover level (CFO) for
many insulation systems is considered to be obtained in the
fist 10-15 p. An insulation failure from a lightning stroke to
a grounded tower or station structure will thus normally occur
early in the duration of the lightning surge. The peak current,
however, may spread into adjacent grounded elements. This
will rapidly reduce the magnitude of the long duration tail
current. Therefore, it is conservative to apply statistics on the
total charge in the retum stroke when determining the surge
1801
protection of shunt capacitor banks. The median impulse
charge for the fast rising negative impulse component (ai) is
approximately 5 coulombs for the first stroke and 1 couloinb
for each subsequent stroke [ 161.
3.6.2 Shielding Failure - Shielding failures tend to be caused
by low current first-stroke events. Some shielding failures will
cause a flashover of line insulation to ground, and cannot be
treated in the same manner as backflashoverai. The main danger
to capacitor banks would be caused by a shielding failure that
does not result in a line flashover. Some 10% of lightning
strokes have current durations that exceed1 100 ms, resultilng
from low-amplitude (100 A) long duratioln (200 ms) events
between retum strokes. The continuing current component can
inject a charge (Qc) of typically 25 couloimbs into the phase
conductor. The distribution of this charge into the power
system should be computed to establish the portion of ithe
charge that will lead to a voltage rise on the capacitor bank
[161*
4.OVERVOLTAGES ASSOCIATED WITH CAPACITOR
BANK SWITCHING
The switching of any capacitor bank produces overvoltages.
Transient overvoltages will always occur dluring energization
and will only occur during de-energization if restrikes occur
in the switching device [17]. Arresters located in the substat ion
to protect transformers and other equipment from overvoltages
can be severely stressed from an energy dissipation standpalint
during capacitor switching because of the large amount of
energy stored in a capacitor bank. The ability of all nearby
arresters to withstand the energy dissipated during capacitor
switching is therefore an important consideration.
4.1 Energization Transients
At the instant of switching on a capacitor bank the source side
voltage collapses instantaneously as if closing in on a shiort
circuit. After this sudden drop in voltage the capacitor bank
begins to draw inrush current through the source impedance.
The charging of the capacitor bank in this IC circuit produces
an overshoot in the voltage wave followed by a damped
oscillatory transient that is determined by the system
inductance, circuit losses and the capacitance of the bank.
Fig. 1 illustrates the transient voltage appearing on the 'bus
when a capacitor bank is being energized. The transient is
typical for energizing any isolated capacitor bank. In
evaluating the effect of these transients om the nearby power
system, the key characteristics are the fast-front that occurs
initially, due to breakdown of the contact gap, and the
oscillatory wave that follows.
 -
1802
steep- f ron t surge
vj - vc 1-7pu
Fig.1. Voltage Transients on capacitor bank energization
The fast-front portion of the transient, which normally does
not exceed 1 pu, nevertheless raises concerns about surge
protection for transformers and low voltage equipment.
Transformer failures associated with capacitor switching have
been documented in the literature [MI.
Switching an isolated, grounded-wye capacitor bank from a
predominantly inductive source can result in a transient
overvoltage approaching 2.0 pu on the station bus with a
dominant frequency between 300-600 Hz. In most cases
circuit damping will limit the overvoltage to the range of 1.5
to 1.7 pu. Energizing an ungrounded-wye capacitor bank can
result in slightly higher transient overvoltages because of
unequal pole closing. In general, however, the overvoltages
associated with normal closing are similar for grounded and
ungrounded banks [9].
The energization of shunt capacitor banks without prestriking
transients does not usually endanger station equipment at the
bus location. However, it has been observed on networks with
several lines connected that the initial wave front can result in
higher voltages on other equipment, such as transformers
connected at remote locations. Studies and measurement have
shown that reflections from these fast-front waves, coupled
with superpositions on the low frequency oscillations, can
produce transients approaching 3 pu [9]. If multiple prestrikes
occur during the energization of a capacitor bank, significantly
higher overvoltages can result. This occurs if the switch is able
to clear the prestrike current at one of the high frequency
current zeroes. These phenomena have been known to occur
with vacuum switchgear.
4.1.1 Steep-fronted Surges - The energization of a shunt
capacitor bank on a station bus generates steep-fronted waves
on all three phases, with magnitudes approaching 1 pu. These
steep-fronted waves propagate away from the station on all
transmission lines connected to the station bus. As they reflect
from points of discontinuity, and travel back to the station they
change polarity due to the low surge impedance of the
capacitor bank. As they propagate away the second time they
can, under certain conditions, create severe overvoltages both
phase-to-ground and phase-to-phase at remote locations.
As a consequence of this phenomenon, voltages up to 2.7 pu
phase-to-ground have been recorded at remote stations with
some circuit configurations [9]. Transformers at the end of
radial lines have been known to fail under such conditions.
Similarly, the switching of lines from buses that have shunt
capacitor banks connected can initiate steep-fronted waves on
the line being switched. Consequently, the overvoltage
protection of equipment, such as transformers at the ends of
remote lines, must be examined whenever shunt capacitor
banks are applied to a bus from which those lines are switched.
4.1.2 Oscillatory Transients - The oscillatory part of
capacitor switching transient is the result of energy exchange
between the inductive and capacitive elements in the circuit.
Energy stored in the capacitor elements (% CVz)will flow into
the inductive elements (% LIZ). The frequency of the
oscillation can be estimated from the normal expression
1 I 2 n m The oscillatory portion raises concerns about the
possibility of part-winding resonance in transformers, [18,19]
and the transfer of high per unit overvoltages and energy to
secondary circuits.
Low frequency oscillations, ranging typically from about 300
to 600 Hz,result from interaction of the capacitor bank with
the source. Medium frequency transients in the 2 to 10 lcHz
range are encountered if the capacitor bank is switched in
parallel with another bank (back-to-back switching) or other
capacitive elements such as power cables. High frequency
oscillations in the 10 kHz range can occur as a result of the
steep-fronted voltage surge impressed on the station bus.
4.1.3 Voltage Magnification - Capacitor switching transients
can be magnified in certain installations. One that appears to
be most commonly associated with this phenomenon occurs
when capacitors are being switched from a bus which supplies
a step-down transformer that has shunt capacitors installed on
the secondary side [20,21,22]. Energizing the primary loop
will excite the natural modes of oscillation in both the primary
and secondary loops. If the natural frequency of oscillation of
the secondary loop is close to that of the primary then a
"beating" effect can occur. Since many factors play a part in
determining the amplitudes involved, each case must be
analyzed separately. An example of an installation that may
produce voltage magnification effects is shown in Fig. 2.
Whenever capacitors are installed at multiple voltage levels,
the equipment at the lower voltage level may be subjected to
severe overvoltages (>3 pu) even when the tuning is not exact
&Cl = Lj2.J. These surges may cause the arresters to dissipate
significant amounts of energy. The magnitudes of these surges
 1803
and therefore the arrester energy can be greatly reduced by equipment connected to the line. Transfomiers, in particular,
using closing resistors in the switching device. may be vulnerable due to phase-to-phase surges or
part-winding resonance.

4.2 De-energization Transients - If there is a successful

interruption of the capacitor current at the first zero crossing
and the switching device withstands the TRV there are 130
significant transients on de-energizing a caplacitor bank (apart
from the small transient associated with the steady state drop
7' c1 in the bus voltage due to removal of the capacitor bank).

The occurrence of reignitions during breaker opening is of

minimal consequence since the resulting vldtage and current
Fig. 2 Capacitor installation that may lead to voltage magnification transients are usually smaller than those produced on closing.
Restrikes on the other hand, will produce transient voltage a:nd
4.1.4 :?urge Transfer to Low Voltage System - Equipment at currents significantly larger in magnitude than those occurring
lower voltage levels can often be exposed to dangerous during closing. Since restrikes can occur when there is a
transient overvoltages from capacitor switching on the high charge remaining on the capacitor bank it is possible for
side of step-down transformers. The steep-fronted portion of restrikes to generate transient overvoltages that are much
the wave will transfer capacitively through the transformer and higher in magnitude than on closing.
thus thle magnitude of the surge on the secondary will depend
on the ratio of capacitance and not on the ratio of tums. On the 4.2.1 Restrike of Switching Device -When de-energizing a
other hand the low frequency oscillations (400-600 Hz)will grounded-wye capacitor bank, a trapped charge of 1pu is left
transfer through the winding according to the tums ratio. This on the capacitors. The recovery voltage across the switching
may create a problem of insulation coordination on the low device reaches 2 pu one-half cycle after opening. If a single
voltagle system. restrike occurs at this maximum recovery voltage, the transient
overvoltage will approach 3 pu (Fig-3).
4.1.5 Phase-to-Phase Overvoltages - The surges produced
on the substation bus where the capacitor bank is energized
will propagate along any transmission line connected to that
ADPrOKM) Jw --
bus. If the end of the line is an open circuit or is terminated
with a transformer, then the surge may double at that point. If
the surges produced on two phases by energizing the capacitor
bank are of opposite polarity, then the transformer can
experience severe phase-to-phase surges [23,24]. Arresters on
the tramformer (normally connected phase-to-ground) will
limit the phase-to-ground components on each phase to the
switching surge protective level of the arrester. However, the
phase-to-phase stress can be twice this level and may be a Fig.3 Capacitance switching with a restrike at peak voltage
problem for the transformer. It may be more economical to
Multiple restrikes may produce higher overvoltages. While
consider closing resistors or inductors in the capacitor bank
selecting a switching device that rarely restrikes is desirable,
switchgear to reduce the phase-to-phase surges at remote
designing the arrester protection is prudent, such that it can
transformers.
withstand the resulting overvoltage if a restrike occurs.
Althoiugh steep-fronted waves are generated and propagate
Any nearby arrester will dissipate a significant amount of
along the line whenever transmission lines are energized, the
energy if a restrike occurs. Also, because of the high current
magnitude of such surges can be increased by having capacitor
magnitudes involved in the arrester discharge, the arrester's
banks on the bus. The reason for these phenomena is that the
energy absorption capability may be different from ihe
capacitor bank presents a much stiffer source than a normal
standard value as published by arrester manufacturers. For a
bus arid the bus voltage does not drop significantly when the
S i c arrester the energy discharge duty is usually more severe
line is energized. Consequently, the line voltage will jump to
than for metal oxide arresters. This is due to the partial
the bus voltage level at the instant of closure. For certain
discharge of the capacitor through the arrester, which occurs
lengths of line this can pose a problem for any terminal
1804

when the arrester sparks over. The current magnitude and These differences may be the result of arc duration or timing.
duration are of primary concem for S i c arresters. It may be An example of this circuit condition is shown in Fig. 5.This
possible to apply metal-oxide arresters in a station to protect ferroresonance condition can impose significant duty on surge
existing Sic arresters from the surges associated with arresters [ 9 ] .
restriking during the de-energization of a capacitor bank.
I- 1.1 c (**I VOLTAGES:
Simplified methods can be used to make a preliminary *XWRCE
assessment of the energy dissipation duty that an arrester may
experience during the de-energbation of a capacitor bank.
R + SOURCE
However, a detailed computer simulation is usually needed to VOLTAGE
determine the arrester energy rating. 8 + VOLTAGES
CAPACITOR

When de-energizing ungrounded capacitor banks, the

u\y v \SOURCE
CAPACITOR
NEUTRAL
switching device experiences even higher recovery voltages V 0L TA GE
than those associated with de-energizing grounded capacitor
banks. The recovery voltage will reach 2.5 to 3.0 pu in
one-half cycle and under certain stuck pole conditions can
exceed 4 pu. If a restrike occurs on one phase, the recovery
voltages will be increased across one of the other phases. This OXIDE
tn A ARRESTER
can result in a two-phase restrike. The two-phase restrike can CURRENTS
be used as a conservative analysis of the duty that an arrester
may see when located near an ungrounded capacitor bank.
Fig.4 Switching ungrounded 230 kV 192 Mvar capacitor bank with
independent pole operated breaker -W (D intentionally delayed
The transient voltages on a capacitor bank and the recovery
voltages across a switching device can be reduced during a
restrike by installing arresters on the capacitor side of the
switching device. Arresters connected phase-to-ground on
ungrounded capacitor banks will limit the recovery voltage but
do not necessarily limit the voltages trapped on capacitors
during restrikes. Arresters are sometimes connected from
phase-to-neutral to limit the trapped voltages to lower levels,
thus reducing switch recovery voltage and minimizing the
possibility of multiple restrikes.

4.2.2 Stuck Pole on Switching Device - If an independent pole

operated (IPO) circuit breaker is de-energizing a capacitor
bank, then stuck pole conditions may occur. Depending on
pole opening sequence, this can give rise to recovery voltages
across the circuit breaker contacts exceeding 4.0 pu. The
installation of metal oxide surge arresters to limit the
phase-to-ground voltage to about 1.7 pu will prevent the Fig. 5 Single pole rmnance involving W-@ breaker pole when switching an
ungrounded capacitor bank with a grounded neutral transformer
occurrence of these high recovery voltage levels and tend to
keep the switching duty within the capability of the circuit
breaker. As a consequence of the stuck pole only one phase of
4.3 Control of Overvoltages
the ungrounded capacitor bank remains to be disconnected by
the upstream general purpose breaker. In this case severe
Overall, overvoltage protection should be considered whenever
energy dissipation requirements may be imposed on the surge
shunt capacitor banks are installed on the system. Several
arresters. An example of this condition is shown in Fig. 4 [9].
methods are available for reducing energizing transients,
however, not all are practical or economical [25,26,27].
4.2.3 Ungrounded Capacitor Bank with Transformer - This
condition involves two phases of the ungrounded capacitor
4.3.1 Surge Arresters - Although surge arresters are not
bank and the windings of an adjacent transformer and occurs
normally used at stations to control the transient overvoltages
because of the significant differences in interruption times that
during energization of local capacitor banks, they are
can appear among the three poles of the switching device.

frequently used to reduce the transient recovery voltages on
opening and thus the probability of restrikes, or on the
capacitor bank to limit the overvoltage should restrikes occur.
Metal oxide surge arresters can be used to reduce the
possibility of restrikes occurring in the switching device and
to protect transformers. However, studies are usually required
to determine arrester ratings and energy requirements.
4.3.2 Alternatives - Both preinsertion resisters and inductors
have been used by circuit breaker manufacturers to reduce
voltage and current transients during the energization of high
voltage shunt capacitor banks. The difficulty with these
devices however, is in providing sufficient energy absorption
capability that greatly increases the complexity and cost of
the circuit breaker.
Synchronous closing is another means of reducing energizing
transients. However, reliability requirements of the sensing
device coupled with mechanical variations in the switching
device under a wide range of operating conditions have
delayed developments. Renewed activity in the development
of synchronous closing circuit breakers for high voltage shunt
capacitor banks appears to be taking place due to increasing
conceims of the voltage and current transients generated during
energiization [28,29].
5. APPLICATION O F SURGE ARRESTERS
5.1 Location of Surge Arrester
Surge arresters can be connected phase-ground, phase-phase
or phase-neutral depending on the actual system
configuration. Obviously the selection of voltage rating of a
surge arrester must take these factors into consideration.
If the primary aim of installing surge arresters is to protect the
capacitors in the capacitor bank, their physical location with
respect to other elements will also be important. For example,
if a series reactor is installed, the placing of arresters in front
of the reactor will not protect the capacitor. In this situation
the voltage on the capacitor may be much higher than at the
arrester location.
If the purpose of the surge arrester is to protect the switching
device or a transformer, studies will be required to assess the
best location and physical arrangement.
5.2 Selection of Surge Arrester
Baseid on the above presentation it is important to recognize
that surge arresters can be exposed to very high stresses when
used to limit the overvoltages on shunt capacitor banks. The
inherent parameters, which are primarily responsible for these
1,905
consequences, are the low impedance and the high stoIed
energy associated with shunt capacitor banks.
Consequently when selecting metal oxide surge arresters for
shunt capacitor installations it is necessary to consider 'the
following:
0 Maximum operating voltage on the system
Amplitude and waveshape and duration of possible
overvoltages
Energy absorbed by the arrester if the expected
overvoltages exceed the maximum continuous operating
voltage (MCOV)of the arrester
5.2.1 MCOV(Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage) - The
MCOV rating of a metal oxide surge arrester is the maximum
RMS value of power frequency voltage that may be applied
continuously between the terminals of the arrester. In selectilng
the MCOV for surge arresters located near high voltage shunt
capacitor banks the first consideration, therefore, is to
determine the maximum operating voltage at the arrester
location. According to the survey [l]the maximum permissi'ble
operating voltage where the capacitor banlk is installed under
normal system conditions is 5-10% above the nominal voltage
level.
The minimum required MCOV rating for the application of
phase-ground arresters on a solidly (directly) grounded
system is the maximum phase-ground voltage (maximum
systemvoltage divided by J3). It can usually be assumed that
the neutral of a power system will be directly connected1 to
ground at large shunt capacitor installations. If the system
cannot be considered solidly grounded, then the system
configuration and operating practices should be reviewed. If
phase-phase arresters are considered, the required MCOV is
the maximum phase-phase operating voltiige.
An arrester must also be capable of withstanding the maximum
anticipated temporary overvoltage (T0.V) at the arrester
location. TOV requirements must take into account both the
magnitude and duration of the anticipated overvoltage, If the
system voltage is distorted, the MCOV of the arrester should
be higher than or equal to the expected crest voltage divided
by J2.
5.2.3 Energy Absorption Duty - Any discharge of a capacitor
bank through a surge arrester results in high currents. Thus,
energy absorption becomes a critical factor in selecling
suitable surge arresters installed in the vicinity of shunt
capacitor banks. Switching surges of different origins can
occur, but overall a restrike in a circuit breaker will 1ik.ely
result in the highest arrester energy duty.
1806
The high energy requirement can be demonstrated by 7. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
considering the following example. Assume a temporary
overvoltage of 2.5 pu (where 1 pu = V,x J U J 3 ) and the Present and former members of WG 3.4.17 who contributed to
rating of the arrester has been chosen to limit overvoltages to this paper:
2.0 pu. The energy involved in this voltage reduction can be C. C. Erven - Chairman
estimated from the following expression.
M. M. Bostic R. T. Leskovich G A Pillmore
E = 1/2 c ( v,Z - vA2) joules M. G. Comber A. L. Lim D. E. Seay
H. Huynh L. Lishchyna ~ J. P. Skliutas
where: B. Johnnerfelt H. G. Mathews K. B. Stump
R. A. Jones Y. I. Musa E. J. Tarasiewicz
C is the bank capacitance G. E. Lee V. Pargaonkar R. S. Thallum
V, and V, are the voltages before and after the arrester
application, respectively. 8. REFERENCES

On a 230 kV system, with an installed shunt capacitor bank
of 200 Mvar, the energy dissipated in the arrester would be
about 400 kJ. For a selected arrester with an MCOV rating of
144 kV this would represent 2.2 kJ per kV of duty cycle rating.
As indicated previously stuck pole conditions on a circuit
breaker clearing an ungrounded capacitor bank can lead to
much higher temporary overvoltages and must be given careful
consideration in the application of metal oxide surge arresters.
In many cases single column station class arresters will be
adequate but in some cases using arresters with additional
parallel columns to handle the energy involved may be
necessary. If so a routine test should be used to ensure current
sharing tolerances are acceptable over the range of currents
anticipated.
[l] IEEE, PES Surge Protective Devices Committee, WG
3.4.17, "Surge Protection of High Voltage Shunt Capacitor
Banks on AC Power Systems - Survey Results and
Application Considerations," IEEE Trans. Power Delivery,
Vol. 6, no. 3, July 1991, pp. 1065-1072.
[2] IEEE/ANSI (262.2-1987, "Guide for the Application of
Gapped Silicon-Carbide Surge Arresters for AC Systems.
[3] IEEE/ANSI C62.22-1992, "Guide for the Application of
Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for Alternating-Current
Systems. I'
[4] ANSVIEEE STD 18-1992, "IEEE Standard for Shunt
Power Capacitors."

6. CONCLUSIONS [5] NEMA Standards Publication, Shunt Capacitors,

In many cases severe duties can be imposed on arresters
located next to shunt capacitor banks due to the high energy
discharges during bank switching, regardless of whether the
arresters were installed to protect the capacitor bank or other
station equipment.
The application of surge arresters for the protection of shunt
capacitor banks is essentially a matter of determining the
voltage level at which the arrester will limit the overvoltage
and then determining the energy absorption requirements.
Arrester ratings can vary widely and studies should be carried
out as an aid to selecting suitable arresters for these
applications.
NO. CP-1-1988.
[6] CAN3-C155-M84,1984, Shunt Capacitors for AC Power
Systems, (A National Standard of Canada).
[7] S. S. Mikhail, and M. D. McGranaghan, "Evaluation of
Switching Concems Associated with 345 kV Shunt Capacitor
Applications," IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, vol. PWRD-1,
No. 2, April 1986, pp. 221-230.
[8] M. F. McGranaghan, W. C. Reid, S. W. Law, and D. W.
Gresham, "Overvoltage Protection of Shunt-Capacitor Banks
Using MOV Arresters," IEEE Trans. Power Apparatus and
Systems, vol. PAS-103, no.8, August 1984, pp. 2326-2336.
[9] C . C . Erven, and A. Narang, "Switching of Large
Ungrounded Shunt Capacitor Banks on the Ontario Hydro
System," Canadian Electrical Association, 1985 Transactions
of Engineering and Operations, Vol. 24, Part 1, Paper No.
85-A-65.

[lo] A. L. Janssen, and L. van der Sluis, "Controlling the
Transient Currents and Overvoltages after the Interruption of
a Fault near Shunt Capacitor Banks," CIGRE Paper 13-13,
Pans, 1988.
[ll] L.van der Sluis, A. L. Janssen, "Clearing Faults Near
Shunt Capacitor Banks," IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, Vol. 5,
N0.3, July 1990, pp. 1346 - 1354.
[12] T. M McCauley et al, "The Impact of Shunt Capacitor
Installaltions on Power Circuit Breaker Application," IEEE
Trans. Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-99, No. 6,
Nov/D<:c 1980, pp. 2210 -2218.
[13] E. W. Boehne, S.S. Low "Shunt Capacitor Energization
with 'Vacuum Interrupters - A Possible Source of
Overvoltage," IEEE Trans. Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol.
PAS-88, September 1969, pp. 1424-1443.
[14] W. C. Reid, "Capacitor Application Considerations - Controlling the Overvoltages Produced by the Energization of
UtilityKJser Interface," Presented at T&D Conference,
New Orleans, April 1976.
[15] J. Fish, and J. M. Clayton, "Lightning Protection of Shunt
Capacitors," IEEE PES Summer Meeting, 1972, CP72560-1.
[16] M. A. Uman, n e Lightning Discharge, (Orlando:
Acadernic Press), 1987.
[17] A.. Greenwood, Electrical Transients in Power Systems,
John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 1971.
[18] R.S. Bayless, J. D. Selman, D. E. Truax, W.E. Reid,
"Capacitor Switching and Transformer Transients," IEEE
Trans. .Power Delivery - PWRD, Jan 1988, pp. 349-357.
[19] L,. Lishchyna, R. H. Brierley, "Capacitor Switching
Surges and Possible Effects on Transformer Insulation,"
Canadian Electrical Association, 1983 Transactions of
Engineering and Operations.
[20] M. F. McGranaghan, R. M. Zavadil, G. Hensley,
T. Singh, M. Samotyj, "Impact of Utility Switched Capacitors
on Customer Systems - Magnification at Low Voltage
Capacitors," IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, Vol. 7, No. 2, April
1992, pp. 862 - 868.
[21] D. M. Dunsmore, E. R. Taylor, B. F. Wirtz, T.L.
Yanchula, "Magnification of Transient Voltages in Multi-
Voltage-level, Shunt-Capacitor-Compensated, Circuits" IEEE
Trans. Power Delivery, Vol. 7, No. 2, April 1992, pp. 664-
673.
1807
[22] A. J. Schultz, J. B. Johnson, and N. R. Schultz,
"Magnification of Switching Surges," AlEE Transactwm,
PAS, February 1959, pp. 1418-1426.
[23] R.A. Jones, and H.S. Fortson Jr., "Consideration of
Phase-to-Phase Surges in the Application of Capacitor
Banks," IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, Vol. PWRD-1, No. 3,
July 1986, pp. 240-244.
[24] L. Lishchyna, and R. H. Brierley, "Plnase-to-Phase
Switching Surges Due to Capacitor Energization," Canadian
Electrical Association, 1986 Transactions of Engineering arid
Operations, Vol. 25, Part 4, Paper No. P86-SP-148.
[25]H. M. Pflanz, and G. N. Lester, "Control of 0vervoltagr:s
on Energizing Capacitor Banks," IEEE Transactions, PAS
Vol. 92, No. 3, MayIJune 1973, pp. 907-915.
[26] R.P O'Leary, R.H. Hamer, "Evaluation of Methods for
a Shunt Capacitor Bank," CIGRE Paper 13 - 05, Paris, 1988.
[27] L. Stenstrom, "Application Guidelines for Shunt
Capacitor Overvoltage Control," CIGRE S(3 33-93 WG (1l)
4 IWD.
[28] R. W. Alexander, "Synchronous Closing Control for
Shunt Capacitor Banks," IEEE Trans. Power Apparatus and
Systems, Vol. PAS - 104, No. 9, September 1985, pp. 2619 -
2626.
[29]J. H. Brunke, and G. G. Schockeit, "Synchronous
Energization of Shunt Capacitors at 230 kV," IEEE Paper
A 78 148- 9, January 1978.
[30] A. Sabot, C. Morin, C. Guillaume, A. Pons, J.P. Taisne,
G. Lo Pizzo, H.U. Morf, "A unique Multipurpose Damping
Circuit for Shunt Capacitor Bank Switching," IEEE Trans.
Power Delivery - PWRD, July 1993, pp.1173-1183.
1808
Discussion
John E. Harder (Applications Consultant, Bloomington IN,
USA) The Working Group has done an excellent job of
assembling a litany of things that can go wrong associated with
capacitor applications in substations, and some concerns over
arrester selection and location. In addition, many of the items are
supported by appropriate references. This overview should be a
valuable reference. The following comments are offered for the
consideration of the working group.
In focusing on problems which have occurred, the paper has
an unfortunate overtone that capacitor applications and arrester
protection in the vicinity of these banks are likely to create
problems and that every proposed application requires in-depth
study, perhaps including TNA or EMTP modeling. The vast
majority of substation capacitor banks on utility and industrial
systems operate without problems and do not require in-depth
study for good application. It would be helpful in the closure of
this paper to give a brief list of specific items to look for to
indicate the need for investigation.
Modern metal oxide arresters have very high mherent energy
capability compared with older silicon carbide arresters. Concern
for arrester energy capability is only concern for the very largest
(KVAUikV) capacitor banks, and then only if the arrester is to be
applied based on withstanding a worst case restrike of the
capacitor switcling breaker (which may be restrike free). Even in
the example of a 200 WAR,230 kV bank in the paper, 2.2 kJkV
is well withm the capability of standard arresters available for this
application. It may be helpful to indicate in some simple way for
what size banks energy capability is a concern, perhaps related to
arrester energy capability.
It is indicated that it may be possible to use metal oxide
arresters to protect existing silicon carbide arresters from
excessive duty from a capacitor bank. Unfortunately the
minimum sparkover of an existing arrester may be very low. If
the silicon arrester sparks over below the protective level of the
metal oxide arrester, the metal oxide arrester will have little impact
on the duty to the gapped silicon arrester. The use of a metal
oxide arrester to protect a silicon carbide arrester associated with
a capacitor installation is generally not a good option.
The paragraphs discussing gas circuit breakers and vacuum
switchgear suggest that gas circuit breakers ...have a much better
capability for capacitor switching... and vacuum switchgear
...have been known to produce been known to produce
significant transient overvoltages.. .. The suggestion that gas is
better (or worse) than vacuum for capacitor switching is probably
beyond the scope of this paper, and is unfortunate. Some gas
breakers and switches have unfomiiiately restruck in service and
have caused damaging overvoltages. This can occur because of
design defects, abuse, etc. The reference [ 131 cited for the vacuum
switchgear relates to problems with an early version of a vacuum
switch (not vacuum switchgear). The switch involved was so
badly out of adjustment that some phases would bounce
completely open during the closing operation. Both technologies
applied properly are excellent capacitor switches. Both
technologies can result in problems if the application is incorrect
or there is a defect in the breaker.
It would seem desirable to incorporate some of the arrester
application aspects of this paper into C62.22 IEEE Guide for the
Application of Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for Alternating-
Current Systems, where it will be more available to the usual
planning or substation design engineer.
Manuscript received January 30, 1996.
C.C. Eru-en (Chairman, Working Group 3.4.17), and on
behalf of the workiiig group: We appreciate the
comments offered by Mr. J. Harder. As indicated, the
scope of the paper is to prohide utility personnel with
information which can be used in the application of
surge arresters in combination with the installation of
shunt capacitor banks. The results of the utility sumey
carried out by the working group indicated the need for
such information. In reviewing the literature on the
subject of capacitor banks and surge arresters, the
working group found that many papers dealt with
specific problems but found a paucity of information on
the general application considerations.
While we do not wish to overemphasize the risk for
problenis occurring in practice, it is our view that
overvoltage protection should be considered whenever.
and whei-ever shunt capacitor banks are installed,
regardless of voltage level, size, locafion, connection or
switching arrangement. Since capacitor banks can store
large amounts of energy during overvoltage conditions.
several important factors, such as system operating
conditions, installation and switching arrangement, and
equipment insulation protective levels, must be taken
into account in determining the energy absorption
requirements of all nearby surge arresters. Unfortunately,
there is no easy way to determine the amount o f studies
required by a utility, that will depend on many factors
well beyond the scope of this paper. The following list
indicates some of specific application consideration
which may require detailed studies
1 ) On the capacitoi primary and backup swtchgear to
limit transient recovery voltages when shunt capacitor
banks are switched out This wl1 tend to reduce the
possibility of restrikes, particularly for ungrounded wye-
connected shunt capacitor banks
2) At the end of transformer termmated lines to limit
phase-to-phase overvoltages resulting from capacitor
switching, or line switching in the presence of shunt
capacitor banks
3 ) On transformers in the presence of shunt capacitoi
banks
4) To control overvoltages due to resonance when
switching shunt capacitor banks (a) In series or parallel
with transformers, (b) in the presence of other capacitor
banks
5 ) To control overvoltages due to voltage magnification
on an inductively coupled lower voltage system, which
has shunt capacitors installed, when a capacitor is
swtched on the higher voltage system
6) On the neutrals of ungrounded shunt capacitor banks

This example shown to demonstrate the energy
absorption in reducing overvoltages was not intended to
show a worst case scenario. but simply to demonstrate a
conivenient method of estimating the energy involved in
such a reduction While restnkes usually represent the
highest overvoltages, stuck pole conditions, or
feriroresonance condihons may involve much higher
energy In some cases of ungrounded capacitor banks,
see for example Ref [9] in the paper, multi column metal
oxide surge arresters have been used to satisfy the energy
absorpfion requirements under stuck pole conditions on
the switching dewce
While we agree in pnnciple that it is generally not a
good option to use a metal oxide surge arrester to protect
silicon carbide arresters, it mal be lustified on an
economic basis, especially if the altemate is replacing a
large number of stahon class silicon carbide arresters
We agree with Mr Harder that design defects and lack
of maintenance can often jeopardize the performance of
any switching dewce However, in principle circuit
breakers based on gas blast (SF, air ) or vacuum media
can be designed to be essentially restrike free.
1809
whereas oil circuit breakers are prone to restnkes on
capacitor switching It would be prudent therefore to
include a requirement for restnke-free performance in
the specification for any circuit breaker to be used on
capacitor switching tinfortunately most circuit breakers
which operate as the back-up swtching dewce on
capacitor swtching are likely to be those that already
exist at the substation
We especially thank Mr Harder for his final comment,
and wsh to acknowledge his foresight The working
group actually started out by attempting to prepare some
material for inclusion in C62 22 IEEE Guide for the
Application of Metal Oxide Surge Arresters for
Altemating Current Systems However, when it
became apparent that there was so much more to the
application considerations than could be included in this
document it was agreed that a paper would be used as a
reference document As suggested, we do intend to
incorporate some of the apphcahon aspects of this paper
in the application guide
Manuscript received April 10, 1996.