K-factor value and front time related characteristics of UHV-class air insulation for positive polarity lightning impulse test

The authors are conducting a study on the lightning impulse voltage test standard for UHV-class equipment, including the application of the evaluation method using the Kfactor (test voltage) function. Previously, the actual measurement results of K-factor values assuming UHV-class power transformers and UHV-class gas insulated switchgear were reported. The present paper reports the evaluation results of the influence of LI voltage test waveforms on the breakdown characteristics in the largest possible bushing model, assuming actual UHV-class air insulation. According to the test of the breakdown voltage characteristics with respect to the overshoot rate, it was indicated that the 50% breakdown voltage tended to rise with increasing overshoot. Subsequently, the evaluation using the K-factor function is considered useful for UHV-class air insulation. The evaluation result of the K-factor value based on the experimental results was lower in value than the present K-factor function and the result of the European Project, which is considered attributable to the significant formative time lag of a discharge in the long air insulation distance. Consequently, the K-factor function might be reviewed downward in these cases. Furthermore, according to the experimental results of the breakdown characteristics, when the front time is extended, its extension up to about 3.6 μs might possibly be allowed under a standard assuming UHV-class air insulation.