PROTECTION OF INSTALLATIONS AND ELECTRIC MOTIVE POWER UNITS AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF OVER-VOLTAGES. COMPARISON IN SERVICE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIGHTNING ARRESTOR FOR 1500 V AND 3000 V OVERHEAD CONTACT SYSTEMS

The tests were designed to compare the effectiveness of the catenary-protection provided, using non-linear arresters and horn-type arresters. They were carried out in service, and the effectiveness of the arresters was assessed on the basis of the number of cases of damage to the equipment protected and to the arresters themselves, and of the number of flashovers (recorded by means of counters installed in the arrester circuit) occurring before and after fitting the arresters. The number of flashovers indicates the frequency of over-voltage of the catenary which exceed the flashover voltage of the arresters. The SNCB tests on a 3000 V d.c. catenary more exposed to the effects of lightning lasted four years. Twenty-two horn arresters were installed. The spark-gap was 16 mm, which corresponds to an impulse sparkover voltage at about 45 kV (peak value). The number of times the arrester worked was estimated from the traces of beads on the horns. Eight non-linear arresters were used; they were fitted with discharge counters and had an impulse sparkover voltage of 12 kV (peak value). From the tests it may be concluded that arresters both of the horn-type and of the non-linear type provide a very effective form of protection against over-voltages of atmospheric origin. It seems that the distance between arresters may vary from 600 to 1200 metres depending on whether or not the section in question is in a region particularly exposed to lightning.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Restrictions on the use of this document are contained in the explanatory material.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Union of Railways

  Office of Research and Experiments
  Utrecht,   Netherlands 
• Publication Date: 1967-11

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures;
• Pagination: 18 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Catenaries (Railroads); Electric insulating materials; Electric power supply; Overvoltage; Railroad electrification; Tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Surge protection
• Old TRIS Terms: Electrical insulation; Flashovers; Lightning arrestors; Question a50
• Subject Areas: Energy; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00053087
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Union of Railways
• Report/Paper Numbers: A50/RP 8/E
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 3 1976 12:00AM