Analysis of the failure mode of surge protector under multi-pulse lightning strikes and its mechanism

Li, Chunying; Zhang, Chunlong; Zhang, Gang; Kong, Min; Yang, Zhong-Jian

doi:10.1016/j.egyr.2022.08.065

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…However, a leakage current may increase due to the deterioration or failure of SPD protective elements even if no surge is introduced, and if the heat protection function does not work correctly, it can lead to a thermal runaway [14,15]. A thermal runaway is defined in IEC 61643 -12 as an operating condition in which the power consumed inside the SPD exceeds the thermal dissipation capability of the connecting terminal, thereby increasing the temperature of the internal elements and ultimately resulting in an SPD failure [16,17]. One of the telecommunication service providers in Korea had many cases of damaged wireless equipment due to lightning.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on the Physical Properties of Varistors According to Temperature

2022

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This study aims to determine the basic physical properties of varistor, which is a protective element in a surge protection device (SPD) used to prevent damage to electric and electronic equipment due to lightning. To do this, we conducted tests of insulation resistance, leakage current, heating characteristics, accelerated aging, impulse current, and operating duty according to temperature. To measure insulation resistance and leakage current, an S1-1568 insulation resistance tester was used. To measure the temperature rise according to a change in the external environment, a convection oven was employed. For the impulse current test, a surge current generator of a direct lightning strike, which was designed and manufactured according to the IEEE and UL standards, was used. We verified that the leakage current increased and the insulation resistance decreased as the voltage and outside temperature were applied to the varistor. This meant that heating and deterioration accelerated due to the leakage current, depending on the place where the SPD was applied. Heat accumulation due to constant heating could cause a change in the physical properties of a varistor and degradation of performance, leading to failure. The impulse current test results of the varistor through the operating duty test showed that changes in insulation resistance and leakage current did not occur significantly with an increase in the number of impulse applications when the less than the maximum surge currents. On the other hand, the maximum surge current was exceeded, the insulation resistance rapidly decreased, which also rapidly increased the leakage current.INDEX TERMS SPD, MOV, varistor, surge protection device.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on the Physical Properties of Varistors According to Temperature

2022

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“…By changing the temperature and humidity of ZnO varistors, some scholars found that the aging rate of a wet ZnO varistor under multi-pulse impact is significantly faster than that under dry conditions. Increased humidity will accelerate the aging rate, indicating that the environmental conditions of temperature and humidity are important factors affecting the aging of a ZnO varistor [11][12][13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Experimental Study on the Effect of Multiple Lightning Waveform Parameters on the Aging Characteristics of ZnO Varistors

Zhang

et al. 2020

Electronics

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In this study, in order to study the effect of multi-pulse waveform parameters on the aging characteristics of ZnO varistor, the aging rate and surface temperature rise of ZnO varistor under the impact of multi-pulse current were analyzed. The number of pulses and the pulse interval under multiple pulses play a decisive role in the aging rate of ZnO varistor. The greater the number of pulses and the smaller the pulse interval, the higher the temperature rise of the ZnO varistor and the faster the aging rate, the more likely to be failure and damage. The surface temperature distribution of the ZnO varistor under multi-pulse is not uniform, and the more pulses, the more uneven the temperature distribution, but the surface temperature rise has a nonlinear relationship with the number of pulses. The relationship between pulse interval, impact times and average surface temperature rise is established. The aging mechanism of the ZnO varistor under a multi-pulse lightning stroke was revealed from the perspective of energy absorption and heat transfer modelling. The energy sustained by the ZnO varistor under multiple pulses have a nonlinear multiple relationship with the energy of the single pulse current wave at the same amplitude. The superimposed cumulative energy of the impact under multiple pulses accelerates the aging process of the ZnO varistor, and eventually produces an irreversible structural destruction.

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