EXCOUNT-II — Technical information

Combined Surge Counter and Condition Monitor

for Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters

1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information 1

 Table of Contents:
Introduction to EXCOUNT-II 3
Surge Counting 4
General 4
Surge counting with EXCOUNT-II 4
Leakage Current Measurements 5
Leakage current of metal- 5
oxide arresters
Resistive leakage current 6
Harmonics in the leakage current 6
Leakage current measurements 7
with EXCOUNT-II
Resistive leakage current information 10
from the arrester manufacturer
Evaluation of resistive leakage 11
current levels
Technical Data 12
Dimensions 13
References 13

2 1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information

Introduction to EXCOUNT-II
The rising demands for improved reliability of power supply and reduced mainte-
nance costs have increased the attention on condition monitoring of equipment in
HV substations. As far as metal-oxide surge arresters are concerned, there are two
important aspects which are related to the reliability of the arresters:
• The stress on the arrester in terms of the intensity
and frequency of impulse currents
• The condition of the arrester in terms of its insulating
properties in normal service

The first aspect is addressed by performing continuous surge counting and the
second by leakage current measurements on regular basis.

The EXCOUNT-II is designed to handle both surge counting and leakage current
measurements in a single monitoring system. The EXCOUNT-II system comprises a
sensor, permanently mounted at the base of the arrester, a transceiver for wireless
communication with the sensor, and proprietary software installed on a personal
computer.

Fig. 1. EXCOUNT-II sensor. Fig. 2. EXCOUNT-II sensor mounted

at arrester base.

Fig. 3. EXCOUNT-II transceiver.

In the following, the bases for surge counting and leakage current measurements
are described, and the corresponding functions of the EXCOUNT-II are presented.
For general information on various diagnostic methods for metal-oxide arresters,
please refer to IEC 60099-5.

1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information 3

 Surge Counting
General
The primary aim of a surge counter is to give an indication of the stress on the arres-
ter from impulse currents caused by overvoltages. In addition, surge counters may be
helpful in analysing the occurrences of overvoltages on the system, provided the surge
counting information is sufficiently detailed.

Surge counting with EXCOUNT-II

Surge counters operate at impulse currents above a certain amplitude. The EXCOUNT-II
sensor is equipped with an impulse current transformer for registration of discharge cur-
rents from 10 A and above, see figure 4.

The measured current peak values are sorted into five impulse current ranges and
stored in the EXCOUNT-II memory along with the date and time of each impulse. The
impulse current ranges are: 10 - 99 A, 100 - 999A, 1000 - 4999 A, 5000 - 9999 A and
>10000 A. The precision of the impulse current measurements is optimized with regard
to lightning current impulses. The EXCOUNT-II memory keeps the information on the
1000 most recent impulses, with a maximum rate of 2 impulses per second. For techni-
cal data on surge counting, see technical data on page 12.

Impulse
current
transformer

Fig. 4. Internal parts of the EXCOUNT-II sensor.

The memory content is transmitted to the EXCOUNT-II transceiver, at the time of

the leakage current measurements described below. The surge counter data is later
transmitted to a personal computer and analyzed by means of the EXCOUNT-II
software.

The use of the detailed surge counting information provided by the EXCOUNT-II is
not limited to the estimation of arrester stresses. The information can also be used
to analyse the occurrence of the last 1000 lightning overvoltages with regard to
date, time and amplitude of the arrester impulse current. When this information is
combined with data from event recorders etc., investigations of lightning faults or
other system events may be greatly facilitated.

4 1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information

Leakage Current Measurements
Apart from the brief occasions when a surge arrester is functioning as an over-
voltage-limiting device, it is expected to behave like an insulator. The insulating
properties are essential for the length of life of the arrester and for the operation
reliability of the power system. Any deterioration of the insulating properties of a
metal-oxide arrester will cause an increase in the resistive leakage current, at given
values of voltage and temperature. Therefore, the resistive leakage current in ser-
vice can be used as a diagnostic tool to check the condition of a surge arrester.
Leakage current measurements for diagnostic purposes are usually made on tem-
porary basis at regular intervals. Repeated measurements may be necessary for
closer investigations, if significant changes in the condition of an arrester are revea-
led by temporary measurements.

Leakage current of metal-oxide arresters

The total leakage current of a metal-oxide arrester can be divided into capacitive
and resistive parts, see figure 5, with a predominant capacitive component and a
significantly smaller resistive part (5 to 20% of the total current). The capacitive lea-
kage current is caused by the permittivity of the metal-oxide varistors, by the stray
capacitances and by internal grading capacitors (if applied).

A large increase in the resistive leakage current is needed before a noticeable

change occurs in the total leakage current level. Therefore, the total leakage cur-
rent is unsuitable for arrester diagnostic purposes. Instead, it may be used for other
diagnostic or maintenance purposes, e.g. to estimate the prevailing amount of insu-
lator surface pollution and the associated need for insulator washing, greasing etc.
of the insulators in the substation.

The resistive component of the leakage current, on the other hand, is a sensitive
indicator of any changes in the voltage-current characteristic of a metal-oxide
arrester. The EXCOUNT-II is equipped for measurement of the total leakage cur-
rent and, optionally, for measurement of the resistive leakage current. In this way,
the EXCOUNT-II may be equipped to fulfil different diagnostic needs in addition to
surge counting.

Fig. 5. Electrical representation of a metal-oxide arrester in the leakage current region.

1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information 5

 Resistive leakage current
The resistive leakage current is defined as the peak value of the resistive com-
ponent of the leakage current, i.e. the instantaneous value of the leakage current
when the voltage across the arrester is at its maximum (dU/dt = 0). In the leakage
current region, the resistive current depends on the voltage stress and tempe-
rature of the varistors. The typical non-linear behavior of the resistive leakage
current is shown in figure 6 for two different varistor temperatures. The voltage
stress is expressed as the ratio of the operating voltage to the rated voltage of
the arrester (U/Ur).

Fig. 6. Example of voltage-current characteristics of a metal-oxide arrester

The maximum continuous operating voltage of an arrester (the Uc according to

IEC, or the MCOV according to ANSI) usually corresponds to a voltage stress in the
range 0,7-0,85 p.u. of the rated voltage.

In normal arrester applications, the operating voltage stress usually ranges from 0,5
to 0,8 p.u. of the rated voltage. In this range, the resistive leakage currents at +20°C
may vary from 10 to 600 µA depending on the size and make of the varistors.

Harmonics in the leakage current

The non-linear voltage-current characteristic of a metal-oxide arrester, illustrated
in figure 6, gives rise to harmonics in the total leakage current when the arrester is
energized with a sinusoidal voltage. The harmonic content depends on the degree
of non-linearity, which is a function of voltage stress, temperature and make of the
arrester. As an example, the third harmonic content of the total leakage current is
typically 10-40% of the resistive current.

The harmonic content of the total leakage current can, therefore, be used as an
indicator of the resistive leakage current. Using harmonics for measuring the resis-
tive leakage current is advantageous compared to other methods, since no voltage
reference is needed to determine the resistive part of the total leakage current. The
third order harmonic is of special interest in this respect, since it has the largest
magnitude of the current harmonics.

6 1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information

The actual resistive leakage current level can be readily determined from measu-
rements of the third harmonic, provided the appropriate information is available
regarding the third harmonic content of the resistive current at the prevailing voltage
stress and temperature. This information is specific to the arrester make and type,
and must therefore be supplied by the arrester manufacturer.

Fig. 7. Total leakage currents of metal-oxide arresters in different service conditions.

Another source of harmonics in the total leakage current is the harmonic content in
the system voltage. The voltage harmonics produce capacitive harmonic currents in
the arrester. This is clearly illustrated in figure 7, showing results from total leakage
current measurements on two different arresters in service conditions that are signi-
ficantly different in terms of system voltage harmonics.

The capacitive harmonic currents produced by the voltage harmonics may be of

the same order of magnitude as the harmonic currents generated by the non-linear
resistive leakage current. This means that the third harmonic content originating
from the system voltage interferes with the third harmonic content associated with
the resistive leakage current of the arrester. In order to perform accurate measure-
ments of the resistive leakage current by means of third order harmonic analysis,
it is therefore necessary to compensate for the third order harmonic content in the
system voltage.

Leakage current measurements with EXCOUNT-II

When the EXCOUNT-II is optionally equipped for measurement of resistive leakage
currents, the measurement is based on third harmonic analysis of the total leakage
current with compensation for the third harmonic in the system voltage. The com-
pensation is performed by simultaneous measurements of both the total leakage
current of the arrester and the current induced in a field probe, the latter being pro-
portional to the harmonic content in the system voltage.

1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information 7

 The principle for measurement of the resistive leakage current with the EXCOUNT-
II is the same as for the original leakage current monitor, LCM, developed by ABB

The procedure for total leakage current and field probe current measurements
with EXCOUNT-II is presented step-by-step in the following:

Field probe

Zero-flux current
transformer

Fig. 8. Internal parts of the EXCOUNT-II sensor.

The total leakage current is measured by means of the zero-flux current transfor-
mer, and the electric field generated by the system voltage is measured in terms of
the current induced in the field probe, both shown in figure 8. The field probe cur-
rent, see figure 9, is used to compensate for the harmonic content in the system
voltage.

Every 10 seconds, the data communication system of the EXCOUNT-II sensor is acti-
vated to establish contact with an EXCOUNT-II transceiver in the vicinity. If success-
ful, the sensor makes the total leakage current and field probe current measurements
described above and transmits the measured data to the transceiver. In addition, the
sensor also transmits surge counting data along with data on ambient temperature
and sensor identity, etc. For details on the sensor/transceiver data communication
system, see technical data on page 12.

8 1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information

 Electric field
surrounding the
arrester

Field
probe

Ip

Fig. 9. Principle of field probe for determination of system voltage harmonics.

In the transceiver, the magnitudes of the total leakage currents are checked with
regard to the measurement ranges (see Table 1). Extremely low current levels,
caused by the arrester being out of operation etc., are also identified. Accepted
measurements are analysed by means of Discrete Fourier Transformation (DFT)
to determine the magnitude and phase angle of the first and third order harmonic
components of the total leakage and field probe currents (for resistive leakage cur-
rent option). Several measurements are analysed to verify the stability of the current
levels. The total leakage current and field probe current data (as well as the surge
counting data) are temporarily stored in the transceiver for later downloading to a
personal computer.
By means of the EXCOUNT-II software, the total leakage, field probe current and
surge counting data are analyzed and presented for each arrester. The resistive
leakage current level (optional) is calculated in two steps: First, the resistive third
harmonic of the arrester resistive leakage current, with compensation for the third
harmonic in the voltage, is determined by the equation below (for a three-phase
horizontal installation). For a detailed explanation of the equation, see [2]. Secondly,
the resistive leakage current is determined from the resistive third harmonic current
by means of information supplied by the arrester manufacturer.

The ratio of the total resistive leakage current to the third harmonic current depends
on the operating voltage stress (the operating voltage divided by the rated voltage)
and the arrester temperature (in practice, the ambient temperature). These parame-
ters are therefore recorded at the time of the total leakage current and field probe
current measurements. The ambient temperature is automatically measured by the
sensor, while the operating voltage is entered into the transceiver at the time of the

1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information 9

 Resistive leakage current information from the arrester
manufacturer
The information from the arrester manufacturer is given in accordance with IEC
60099-5 [1] for each arrester type. All ABB type arresters are included in the
EXCOUNT-II software to allow measurements of resistive leakage currents. To be
ably to correctly calculate the resistive leakage current for non-ABB type of arres-
ters the characteristics of that type must be added to the data base. Please contact
your ABB office for further information. The manufacturer’s information comprises:
• Maximum recommended levels of total resistive leakage current and resistive
third harmonic current at a specified voltage stress (U/Ur = 0,7) and a specified
ambient temperature (+20°C). These conditions are referred to as “standard ope-
rating conditions”.
• Multipliers for the total resistive leakage current and the resistive third harmonic
as functions of voltage stress and ambient temperature. These multipliers are
used for converting the actual values of voltage stress and ambient temperature
at the time of measurement to standard operating conditions. Examples of such
multipliers are given in Figures 10 and 11.

Fig. 10. Typical information for conversion to standard operating voltage conditions.

Fig. 11. Typical information for conversion to standard ambient temperature conditions.

10 1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information

Evaluation of resistive leakage current levels
By means of the manufacturer information, the resistive leakage current level is
determined from the resistive third harmonic current, and the results obtained under
the actual operating conditions are converted to the standard operating conditions.
After conversion, the results of the leakage current measurements can be evaluated
in two different ways:
• The converted leakage current level can be compared with previous results obtai-
ned for the same arrester, to reveal any significant changes in the leakage current
level over time.
• The converted leakage current level can be compared with the maximum level
recommended by the arrester manufacturer.

These comparisons are carried out by the EXCOUNT-II software. The results may be
presented and documented in graphs, tables and reports.

1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information 11

Technical data
The technical data presented below are valid for all versions of the EXCOUNT-II system. Special con-
siderations are indicated for the different measurement and application options, e.g. resistive leakage
current measurement, indoor application, etc.

Optional Surge counting

Measuring range of resistive Counting threshold (8/20 µs) 10 A
10 – 2000 µA
leakage current (peak level) 10–99 A
Error in resistive leakage cur- < 10 µA (10 – 50 µA); 100-999 A
Surge current amplitude clas-
rent < 20% (50 – 2000 µA 1000-4999 A
sification (8/20 µs)
5000-9999 A
Sensor/Transceiver
> 10 000 A
Data Communication
Error in surge counting amp-
AM radio (OOK) < 20%
Type litude
ETSI and FCC approved
868.35 MHz Surge counting time resolution < 0.5 s
Frequency (916.50 MHz for North America Surge counting time stamp YYYY:MM:DD:hhmmss
and Australia) format (1 s resolution)
Antenna Integrated on circuit-board 1000 registrations (wrap-
Surge counting memory
Output power -3dBm (0.75 mW) around)
capacity
Operation range (max.)
Environment 60 m Leakage Current Measurement
dependent Measuring range of total lea- 0.1 – 50 mA (10-bit A/D
kage 0.1 – 50 mA conversion, autorange)
current (peak level)
Error in total leakage current < 5%

General
Sensor Transceiver
Sealed, water-tight design, IP67
Climatic conditions Weather-proof, IP 54
(Battery compartment, IP 65)
Ambient temperature –50 °C to +60 °C
-10 °C to +50 °C
range Operation: –40 °C to +60 °C
Measuring frequency
50 or 60 Hz (automatic) N/A
range
Short-circuit capability 65 kA acc. to IEC 60099-4 N/A
Outdoor version:
9 Volt battery
Built-in solar cell and field probe
Primary power supply Alkaline type
Indoor use: 9 Volt lithium
6LR61/PP3
battery U9VL
Battery replacement period 8 years with 1200 mAh lithium battery > 4 hours
Weight (without battery) 2072 g 221 g

12 1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information

Dimensions

EXCOUNT-II
ID. No: XXXXXXXX
Cat. No:
1HSA44X XXX-X
Made in Sweden

Sensor Transceiver

References
[1] IEC 60099-5 Ed. 1.1 (2000-03): Surge arresters - Part 5: Selection and application recom-
mendations.

[2] J. Lundquist, L. Stenström, A. Schei, B. Hansen, ”New Method for Measurement of the
Resistive Leakage Currents of Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters in Service,” IEEE Trans. on
PWRD, Vol. 5, No. 4, November 1990.

1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information 13

 Produced by: HVP/MD MF
Catalogue Publ. 1HSA 801 080-17en (earlier PTHVP/A 2282) Edition 2, 2005-08

ABB Power Technology Products AB

High Voltage Products
Surge Arresters
S-771 80 LUDVIKA, SWEDEN
Tel: +46 (0)240 78 20 00
Telefax: +46 (0)240 179 83
E-mail: arresters.div@se.abb.com
Internet: http://www.abb.com/arrestersonline
14 1HSA 801 080-17en EXCOUNT-II — Technical information