Author(s)

Wichet Thipprasert^*, Prakasit Sritakaew

Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) surge arresters (SAs) experience thermal runaway when the temperature exceeds the acceptable limit. This phenomenon is associated with the increase in resistive leakage current due to degradation. This paper presents the electrical performance of ZnO SAs in 22 kV distribution systems using thermal image camera under the power frequency AC operating voltages. When ZnO surge arresters are installation takes a long time in distribution system over more than 5 years. For the experimental study, as ZnO installation takes a long time over 6 years the leakage current is 63.9 mA, temperature differences were measured over a period of time over 14 degree Celsius. This data will be useful as a guideline for solving problems and reducing power loss from leakage current. Moreover, it will be useful in predicting lifetime of ZnO SAs.

Electrical Performance; Surge Arrester; Thermal Image Camera

Thipprasert, W. and Sritakaew, P. (2014) Leakage Currents of Zinc Oxide Surge Arresters in 22 kV Distribution System Using Thermal Image Camera. Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 2, 712-717. doi: 10.4236/jpee.2014.24095.