Designing and Planning High Voltage Laboratories

Designing and Planning High Voltage Laboratories1. IntroductionThe demand of energy which has to be delivered over long distances is increasing in todays world due to industrial and economic development. Transportation of such a large amount of power needs extra spunky potentiality contagious disease lines.High potential laboratories are an essential requirement for making acceptance tests for the equipment that go into operation in the extra high voltage transmitting systems. In addition, they are also used in the development work on equipment for conducting research, and for planning to ensure economical and reliable extra high voltage transmission systems.2. Transmission System Equipment in High Voltage LaboratoriesA high voltage laboratory is expected to carry out withstand tests at high voltages on the following transmission system equipment(i) Transformers(ii) Capacitors(iii) Cables(iv) Lightning arresters(v) Isolators and circuit breakers(vi) Line hardware and accessories( vii) Other equipment like reactors, etc.3. Activities and Studies in High Voltage LaboratoriesOn equipment, professors use high voltage laboratories for study and improvement work and conducting tests on equipment. At voltage, more dominant than the test voltage needed, this contains decision making of the tribute factor for dielectrics and trusty whole shebang under varied atmospheric conditions for standard rain, fog Occasionally, it is needed to work problems related test lines and another equipment under befoulment and atmospheric conditions. It cannot be done enclosed spaces.Research activities generally contain the following1) Breakdown case in insulating media for example solids, liquids, gases or composite systems2) assert on voltage on large gaps, requisites used in power systems and surface flashover works on equipment specific reference to the equipment.3) Electrical interference works because of the discharges from equipment working at high voltages.4) Works on insu lation regulation on high voltage power systems.5) High current case for example plasma physics, electric arcs.Generally, high voltage laboratories equipped with an expensive tool and that increasing their build cost. As a result, planning and order have to be with caution done in order that with the test rig chosen, the enterprise isnt high and maximum beneficences of the laboratory is done.4. Classification of High Voltage LaboratoriesHigh voltage laboratories can be classified into three types, depending on the purpose for which they are goal and the available finances.(i) Small laboratories(ii) Medium laboratories(iii) Large (general) laboratories4.1 Small LaboratoriesSmall LaboratoriesA small laboratory is one that contains d.c. or power frequency testequipment of lessthan 10 kW/10 WA military rating and impulse equipment of energy rating of about lOKJorless. Voltage ratings can be about 300 kV for a.c., single unit or 500 to 600 kV a.c.for cascade units, 200 to cd kV d.c. and less than 1OO kV impulse voltage. Normallythe equipment is meant for housing in a room or hall of size 15m x 10 m x 8 m.Sometimes the equipment ratings are limited such that they can be accommodated ina room of height 5 m to 6 m only. Such laboratories are meant for EngineeringColleges and Universities who decide to build such a facility with small resources fordoing high voltage tests or research or for imparting training. In such a case, it ispreferable that the Engineering college or University associate with a local industryor R D organization. It is principal(prenominal) to decide and define the responsibilities of theparties concerned as to how the test facilities and time can be shared. Another idea isto have the university to decide to own the laboratory amply but throw open thefacilities of regular technical training and high voltage testing for the clients. Here itmay be mentioned that many high voltage problems can be solved by tests at moderatevoltage levels. Such la boratories can be built with an investment of 2 to 10 zillionrupees (at 1991 prices).