HIGH GRADIENT METAL OXIDE SURGE ARRESTER BLOCK FOR VFTO APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Metal oxide surge arrester plays important role in protection of power system against various surges. The present design of arrester is inoperative against very fast transient overvoltages (VFTOs). The height of arrester increases with voltage rating and so potential distribution is highly non-uniform because of its capacitive effect. A new composition of arrester material is proposed and arrester samples are prepared using conventional and microwave sintering processes at different temperature and holding time. All prepared samples are analyzed and one among them is chosen for VFTO application. The chosen sample gives arrester with reduced grain size, height, capacitance and leakage current. The density and non-linear coefficient are improved. Because of these good parameters, the arrester with new composition sintered using microwave furnace, might be used for successful protection of power system against VFTO.