This paper deals with the application of ZnO varistors—an area which has not been treated in a systematic way in the literature. The paper starts with a brief description of the fundamental properties comprising the electrical behavior as well as the physics, chemistry, and microstructure of the varistor. These properties then form the basis for defining the application parameters that are directly related to the nonlinear current-voltage characteristics of the varistor. This paper provides a detailed description of these parameters and their relation to microstructure and the processing of the varistor. Finally, a discussion is presented on the reliability of the varistor by considering a grain-boundary defect model which explains both the instability and the stability under use conditions.

Application of Zinc Oxide Varistors

A defect model for the grain-boundary barrier has been proposed to explain the phenomena of voltage instability/stability of the ZnO varistor. The key element of the proposed model is the zinc interstitials which are present in the depletion layer as excess zinc, arising from the non-stoichiometric nature of ZnO. Both instability and stability have been described in terms of diffusion of these interstitials in the depletion layer, followed by chemical interactions with defects at the grain-boundary interface. Finally, a large body of experimental data is presented to indirectly validate the proposed defect model.

A Grain-boundary Defect Model for Instability/stability of a ZnO Varistor

The increasing application of SF6 as an insulating gas has led to many studies on SF6 decomposition in gas-insulated equipment. In the presence-of an electric arc, spark or corona, SF6 decomposes to a wide variety of chemically active products which possess completely different properties from SF6. The accumulation of these decomposition products in the equipment has caused concerns regarding personnel safety and material compatibility problems. This paper reviews previous research in SF6 decomposition relating to the operation of gas-insulated switchgears, gas-insulated transmission lines, and electrostatic accelerators. Results on the qualitative and quantitative determination of the by-products and their formation ion rates in various modes of electrical discharges are summarized. The mechanisms leading to the formation of transient and stable products are described. In particular, the influence of discharge energies and impurities on the formation of SOF2 and SO2F2, the two dominant stable by-products, is discussed. The effects of the by-products on personnel safety and equipment ent dielectric integrity are presented. The application of SF6 gas analysis as a tool for diagnosing the internal condition of gas-insulated equipment is assessed. Based on the results of many phenomenological observations, future research activities are suggested to address the issues of safety, compatibility and equipment aging. More fundamental studies on electron, ion, and neutral reaction rates in an SF6 discharge are required to gain a better understanding of the decompositon mechanisms and the influence of the products on equipment operation.

SF6 Decomposition in Gas-Insulated Equipment

It has been known for many years that the grounding resistance of a concentrated electrode drops when it is subjected to a high current charge. This helps reduce the ground potential rise. The degree of the resistance depends on the magnitude of the ionization gradient of the soil E/sub o/. Based on both a theoretical analysis and a critical review of the large number of available measurements, this paper recommends that E/sub o/ be taken equal to 300 kV/m for typical soils. This is significantly less than the 1000 kV/m value used by some authors. Graphs are also given describing the behaviour of the rod electrodes which are used in many field installations. >

The soil ionization gradient associated with discharge of high currents into concentrated electrodes

Surface flashover in compressed-gas insulated systems is a much studied, but poorly explained phenomenon. In this paper we review the literature of surface flashover with primary emphasis on the understanding of physical processes leading to discharge initiation and insulator flashover under high voltage excitation. The flashover models presently in vogue will first be discussed, followed by the results of some recent experiments which are likely to have an impact on further modeling. Included in this context are phenomena such as ionization, surface charging, partial discharges, optical activity, and gas/dielectric interactions. Finally, the influence of system parameters such as insulator size, shape, surface condition, triple junction geometry, voltage waveform, gas formulation and particle contamination are discussed with regard to their effect on the flashover characteristics. Mechanisms are suggested in an effort to provide a physical explanation for the observed phenomena. Although the physics of the discharge initiation and propagation processes are presently not well understood, and the present models only account for a few of the mechanisms known to be important in the discharge development, all the work points to an interaction between the spacer and the various electron/photon processes in the surrounding gas volume. This interaction has not been accounted for in the discharge models proposed to date. Further modeling work should incorporate these interactions and the intrinsic properties of the dielectric ric which are related to these interactions. More basic research is suggested to provide a better understanding of the physics of the discharge initiation and breakdown phenomena.

Mechanisms of Surface Flashover Along Solid Dielectrics in Compressed Gases: a Review

Various factors controlling the flashover of solid insulators in pressurized SF6, are reviewed and their influences in gas insulated systems are discussed from a practical point of view. Flashover voltage of clean insulator surface is under the influence of the insulator-metal contact as well as the macroscopic electric field distortion due to the high dielectric permittivity of solid insulator. Conducting particles or even fine metal powder can reduce the flashover voltage. Their effects are strongly dependent on the position they are located, the size of the insulator and gas pressure. Humidity of SF, gas should be strictly governed in SF, gas insulated apparatuses, since the condensation of water can decrease flashover voltage considerably. Decomposition products of SF6 due to the arcing in switchgears are deleterious to epoxy insulators particularly when silica is used as their filler. The decomposition products decrease the leakage resistance on the insulation surface. The field strength near positive electrode is enhanced by the electrolytic effect in the surface conduction layer. In some extreme condition, it initiates tracking on the insulator surface.

Factors Controlling Surface Flashover in SF6 Gas Insulated Systems

The electrical discharge characteristics of SF6 are discussed theoretically in relation to the field dependence of the ionization coefficient a and the electron attachment coefficient The results are compared with the characteristics of air. A simple theoretical formulation of breakdown or corona inception voltages of gaps in SF6 is derived. The formulation has been examined by experiments on several electrode configurations. At low pressures of less than 4 atm, the agreement of the theoretical and the experimental results is fairly good. The breakdown voltage decreases from the theoretical estimation at higher pressure.

Electrical Breakdown of Long Gaps in Sulfur Hexafluoride

This paper presents experimental results on the statistical properties of ac and dc breakdown field strength of compressed SF6. The experiment is performed on four gaps of different electrode area, ranging from 0.2 cm2 to 3000 cm2. Patterns of breakdown characteristics are classified into four categories depending on the type of distribution and the characteristics of conditioning effect. The criterion of the transition of these categories are discussed quantitatively.

Area Effect of Electrical Breakdown in Compressed SF6

Static electrification phenomena in forced oil cooled large power transformer are studied on two full scale models of EHV transformer and some other supplemental models. The dc field due to the static charge separation by the flow of oil can possibly exceed the dielectric strength of oil to produce a discharge in oil. The important factors in the streaming electrification and the precautions for the static charge problem are discussed in this paper.

Static Electrification by Forced Oil Flow in Large Power Transformer

The thermal runaway process and the long term degradation of metal oxide blocks for a surge arrester are investigated both experimentally and analytically. The critical condition of a thermal runaway of the blocks is formulated. The dynamic stability after surge absorptions is also studied. The stability limit is given as a function of the temperature rise of the blocks due to the surge absorptions. A kind of degradation of metal oxide proceeds under ac stress even at the level lower than that required for the thermal runaway. The life of a metal oxide surge arrester is evaluated combining the degradation process with the above thermal runaway condition. The Arrhenius relation which has been proposed to evaluate the life of metal oxide blocks is discussed in the light of the analysis.

T. Nitta

Papers

Factors Controlling Surface Flashover in SF6 Gas Insulated Systems

Electrical Breakdown of Long Gaps in Sulfur Hexafluoride

Area Effect of Electrical Breakdown in Compressed SF6

Static Electrification by Forced Oil Flow in Large Power Transformer

Stability and Long Term Degradation of Metal Oxide Surge Arresters