1.1 Introduction
Surge arresters when installed are exposed to many physical factors on the earth. These factors that such arresters are exposed to when they are in operation are expected to affect them in one way or the other. So, it is easy to understand that surge protection of electrical equipment is a very important part of the electrical system design. Lightning strikes are not the only sources of voltage surges in the electrical system. A lightning protector also referred to as a lightning arrestor is a device used on electrical power systems and telecommunications systems to protect the insulation and conductors of the system from the damaging effects of lightning. The typical lightning protector, depending on the sizes, has a high voltage terminal and a ground terminal. When a lightning surge travels along the power line to the protector, the current from the surge is diverted through the arrestor, in most cases to earth (Hernandez, 2021).
In telegraphy and telephony, a lightning protector is placed where wires enter a structure, preventing damage to electronic instruments within and ensuring the safety of individuals nearby. Smaller versions of lightning protectors, also called surge protectors, are devices that are connected between each electrical conductor in power and communications systems and the earth (Wikipedia, 2021). These prevent the flow of the normal power or signal current to ground, but provide a path over which high voltage lightning current flows, bypassing the connected equipment. The purpose is to limit the rise voltage when a communications or power line is struck by lightning or being close to a lightning strike. If protection fails or is absent, lightning that strikes the electrical system introduces thousands of kilovolts that may damage the transmission lines, and can also cause damage to transformers and other electrical and electronic devices including home appliances (Wikipedia, 2021).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals the problem of the research work which entails that; lightning strikes are not the only sources of voltage surges in the electrical system. The following are a few of the more frequently encountered causes of transient voltage surges:
- Surge voltages associated with switching capacitors;
- Surge voltages due to a failure in equipment insulation resulting in a short circuit on the distribution system;
- Surge voltages associated with the discharge of lightning arresters at other locations within the facility.
When capacitors are switched in and out of the circuit, it is possible to get a re-strike when interrupting the capacitor circuit current. A steep-front voltage excursion may be created from each re-strike. These voltage excursions may be high enough to damage rotating machines applied at the same voltage. A surge capacitor applied at the motor terminals can change the steepness of the wave front enough to protect the motor.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Performance of Surge Arrestor Installation to Enhance Protection. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To assess the Installation procedure to Enhance Protection of Surge Arrestor
- To design a Surge Arrestor that will assess the low-voltage surge arrestor
- To construct a system that will protection the rotating machine using magnetic blow valve arrester
- To construct a system that will select the lowest rated surge arrester which will provide adequate overall protection of the equipment insulation and have a satisfactory service when connected to the power system.
1.4 Significance of Study
The study will help and give the electrical knowledge of the protection system in high-lightning area which coach to the technicians, the professional engineers, the students who are facing the overvoltage condition and protection coordination in high-lightning area. This study will be of immense benefit to Electrical Engineers and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
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