Characteristics Which Can Be Used to Detect Defective Distribution Surge Arresters

Electric utilities have indicated a need for a device to detect defective surge arresters on their power systems. A project RP 2004 was undertaken for EPRI to create such a device that would detect defective surge arresters. Surge arresters representing various manufacturers, voltage classes and construction were obtained from utility stock and tested to determine quantifiable characteristics which could identify defective surge arresters. Since studies by previous investigators [1] had shown a large percentage of surge arresters that fail do so because of water ingress, and a significant number of defective surge arresters were not obtained from utility stock, for test purposes defective surge arresters were created by injecting water. Characteristics of these defective surge arresters were then determined and a characteristic, capable of detecting a large percentage of defective surge arresters was identified.