Power dissipation characteristics of zinc-oxide arresters for HVDC systems

The voltage waveforms applied to HVDC surge arresters do not have a simple sinusoidal shape, so that the leakage current contains high-frequency components. The power dissipation characteristics of a thyristor valve arrester were measured using a 1/25 prorated arrester section with a 5 kV/500 kW thyristor bridge. High-frequency power dissipation characteristics of the zinc-oxide elements were measured, and it was found that the high-frequency power dissipation of the thyristor valve arrester is larger than that of an AC system arrester. The determination of the equivalent continuous operating voltage for the performance testing of an HVDC arrester is considered.<
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