Study on the Failure Causes and Improvement Measures of Arresters in 10 kV Distribution Transformer Areas

Taishan Hu, Yuanzhi Wu, Zhiming Liao (), Gang Liu, Shangmao Hu, Yongxia Han, Lu Qu and Licheng Li
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Taishan Hu: Electric Power Research Institute, CSG, Guangzhou 510663, China
Yuanzhi Wu: School of Electric Power, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Zhiming Liao: School of Electric Power, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Gang Liu: Electric Power Research Institute, CSG, Guangzhou 510663, China
Shangmao Hu: Electric Power Research Institute, CSG, Guangzhou 510663, China
Yongxia Han: School of Electric Power, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Lu Qu: Electric Power Research Institute, CSG, Guangzhou 510663, China
Licheng Li: School of Electric Power, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: In recent years, arresters in 10 kV distribution transformer areas of the Guangdong power grid have exhibited a rising trend of premature failures, posing a serious threat to distribution network reliability. This paper studied the failure causes of arresters through performance tests on failed arresters and through deterioration tests on new arresters and their prorated sections under typical operating stresses. The failed arresters and their internal varistors displayed varying degrees of physical damage and pronounced degradation in electrical performance, characterized by a strong polarity effect on the DC reference voltage ( U 1mA ), elevated DC leakage current ( I L ) and resistive current ( i R ), and excessive residual voltage ( U 5kV ). In the lightning impulse test, varistors primarily showed pinhole-type damage and significant polarity effects on Δ U 1mA . In the AC aging test, Δ U 5kV increased markedly. In the water immersion test, varistors exhibited salt deposits and aluminum electrode blackening, with Δ U 1mA decreasing, while I L and Δ i R increased significantly. Overall, internal moisture superimposed on other operating stresses was identified as a major internal cause of arrester failure, while pollution flashover of the housing was considered the primary external factor. Corresponding improvement measures in material optimization, testing and inspection, and operation and maintenance are proposed to enhance arrester reliability.

Keywords: distribution transformer area; arrester; pollution flashover; moisture exposure; compound operating stress; improvement measure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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