Update on Transient Surge Arresters (SA) and Insulators at Medium-Voltage Power Distribution System

The integration of renewable energy resources, a step forward for decarbonization, has posed trivial power system protection and reliability challenge for power supply to I&CPS facilities. Such switching surges and power system harmonics generated by the power electronics used by the renewable energy resources. Severe weather changes, extreme heat, across the insulators, lightning thunderstorms breaking overhead bare line conductors falling on ground to cause fire endangering safety of public and animals. Severe lightning and switching surges injecting additional harmonics to harmonics from renewable energy resources integrated into the grid, makes power system protection at the PCC challenging. This paper reviews application of power system surge arresters, insulators, surge limiters, protection of wood poles from fire by insulators flashover to poles metallic support structure. IEEE and IEC standards on surge arresters and insulators are included to establish difference of these devices’ selection methods. This paper ends with practical application recommendations of surge protection devices based upon power system equipment configuration, insulation level, and surge propagation theory.