Voltage impulse generator using boost converter array applied in electrical grounding systems

Abstract

This paper describes a voltage impulse generator, which is utilized in the commissioning of an electrical grounding system. Unlike the Marx generator with spark gap switches, this converter uses semiconductor devices, which have a long life, better efficiency, and it can operate at high frequencies. The generator's topology uses a boost converter array operating in Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM). Therefore, it is responsible to inject an impulse voltage signal similar to a lightning stroke into the installed grounding system. Furthermore, one acquisition subsystem is responsible to acquire the response signals (voltage and current) at a high sample rate, and a developed software extracts the features from the transient signals. In this work, four grounding system configurations which are widely used by electricity companies are exploited, and the results are discussed.