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TechTopics No. 47
7.2 kV equipment basic insulation levels (BIL)

The differences in insulation levels, or withstand voltages, of Consider the most extreme situation with respect to insulation
differing types of electrical equipment can be quite puzzling. levels, for equipment used on 6.9 kV systems. Since most users
The differences do make sense, and relate to the application commonly think of insulation strength in terms of the rated
of the equipment. To a minor degree, differences among the BIL, the discussion will focus on BIL.
ratings of equipment exist because the equipment standards Metal-clad switchgear is often the main service equipment for
are created in different organizations. However, the major the facility, supplied directly from the utility system. The utility
reason that insulation levels differ among different types of system is often an overhead line system, with direct exposure
equipment relates to the equipment’s role in the distribution to lightning, or only slightly shielded from lightning surges.
system. Thus, the BIL requirements for switchgear are relatively high,
Insulation levels in electrical equipment are characterized by but not as high as for outdoor power transformers and outdoor
the withstand voltages used during the design tests. circuit breakers exposed to lightning.
There are two basic classifications of insulation strength: basic 6.9 kV metal-clad switchgear has the same dielectric capability
insulation level (BIL) or lightning-impulse withstand voltage, as 15 kV class metal-clad switchgear (95 kV BIL). Liquid-filled
and power-frequency withstand voltage (often called “hipot” power transformers usually have 95 kV BIL at 6.9 kV. Outdoor
voltage). distribution type 15.5 kV circuit breakers (e.g., the Siemens
type SDV7), are rated 110 kV BIL.

Insulation levels for equipment system voltage (or voltage rating of winding) = 6.9 kV

Lightning-impulse
Power-frequency withstand
Type of equipment Reference standard withstand voltage
voltage kV, rms
(BIL) kV, peak
Power transformers (liquid) (8.7 kV class) IEEE C57.12.10 95 kV 26 kV

Outdoor distribution circuit breakers (15.5 kV class) ANSI/IEEE C37.06 110 kV 36 kV

Metal-clad switchgear (8.25 kV class) ANSI/IEEE C37.20.2 95 kV 36 kV

Dry-type transformers (8.7 kV class) ANSI/IEEE C57.12.01 45 kV 19 kV

Medium-voltage motor control (MVC) UL 347 60 kV 17.5 kV1

Medium-voltage motors NEMA MG1 26.2 kV3 14.8 kV2

Footnotes:
1
2,000 V + (2.25 x nominal voltage rating) = 2,000 + (2.25 X 6,900) = 17.5 kV
2
1,000 V + (2 x nominal voltage rating) = 1,000 + (2 x 6,900) = 14.8 kV
3
Refer to discussion. 14.8 kV x √ 2 x 1.25 = 26.2 kV

Answers for infrastructure.

Switchgear and circuit breakers most often feed transformers Essentially, all transformers and a number of other voltage-
and other circuit breakers, both relatively “robust” from the sensitive devices (such as, autotransformers, reactors, CPTs,
dielectric standpoint. The BIL of the upstream equipment surge arresters and surge capacitors) are disconnected from
is coordinated with that of the served equipment, as the the MVC when the impulse test is performed. This may sound
insulation capability (BIL rating) of the equipment increases as like “cheating,” but really isn’t. These devices all would take
the exposure to lightning increases (e.g., as you move closer to very high currents when the voltage rises, preventing the
the utility source). voltage from rising to the level required for the test. Therefore,
Well after this basic concept was embodied in the standards, they are disconnected from the MVC equipment for dielectric
dry-type transformers were introduced. Since air is used as testing. They are also disconnected from switchgear during
the insulating medium, of course, the insulation level of the dielectric testing.
dry-type transformer is less than that of liquid-filled power It is recognized that machines have very poor insulation, and
transformers. As shown in the table, a dry-type transformer therefore, CPTs, autotransformers and reactors in MVCs are
has a standard rated BIL of 45 kV for 8.7 kV class windings. allowed to have the BIL capability allowed by their respective
This is considerably less than the BIL level of liquid-filled standards.
transformers, so use of surge arresters was very common All of this reflects the fact that MVCs are intended to feed
in the early years. In recent years, insulation in dry-type machines that have low dielectric capabilities. Also, it is
transformers has improved, but conservative engineers rare for MVCs to have direct exposure to lightning. For MVC
still often specify surge arresters for “standard BIL” dry-type installations that have exposure to voltage surges, surge
transformers. More recently, VPI, VPE and cast epoxy windings arresters should be specified.
have become available on dry-type transformers, so it is
becoming much more common to require a “power class” BIL Philosophically, when a lightning surge comes down the line,
(95 kV) on dry-type transformers. it doesn’t stop just before it reaches the connected equipment
to ask, “What BIL are you?” It doesn’t change its voltage level to
Now, we turn to medium-voltage motor control (MVC) suit the BIL of the equipment it is about to hit. Lightning surges
equipment. MVC equipment became popular in the late don’t come in 30 kV, 45 kV, 60 kV or similar values. A lightning
1940s and early 1950s, and predominantly was used to feed strike is millions of volts and tens of kA. Accordingly, if the
2.3 kV and 4.0 kV machines. A motor has no BIL capability, application involves direct lightning exposure, surge protection
strictly speaking. IEEE 141-1992 (the “Red Book”) shows a in accordance with the applicable standards (primarily ANSI/
value for “impulse strength” in table 6-4, based on a proposal IEEE C62.21) must be specified when the equipment is
from a working group. The proposed impulse strength value purchased.
was 125 percent of the peak value of the power-frequency
withstand voltage. In our example, the power-frequency In summary, the differences in BIL requirements arise primarily
withstand voltage is 14.8 kV, with a peak value of 20.9 kV and from differences in the dielectric capabilities of the served
a corresponding “impulse strength” of 26.2 kV. equipment and exposure levels.

This proposed “impulse strength” has not been incorporated

in the motor standards, and is mentioned solely to illustrate
that motor insulation levels are considerably lower than the
insulation levels of the equipment used to supply power for the
The information provided in this document contains merely general
motors.
descriptions or characteristics of performance which in case of actual
Since the motor starting contactor feeds a machine with a use do not always apply as described or which may change as a result of
very low impulse capability, there is little value to requiring further development of the products. An obligation to provide the
a high BIL of the vacuum contactor. Even so, the makers respective characteristics shall only exist if expressly agreed in the terms
of contract.
of the vacuum contactors in the early years were relatively
conservative, and many had backgrounds in circuit breaker All product designations may be trademarks or product names of
type equipment. Accordingly, the vacuum contactors came Siemens AG or supplier companies whose use by third parties for their
to be designed for 60 kV BIL, which is the BIL level of 4.76 kV own purposes could violate the rights of the owners.
switchgear.
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Vacuum contactors also employ a control power transformer 7000 Siemens Road
(CPT) to supply power for the contactor main coil. With Wendell, NC 27591
drawout designs, the CPT is often on the drawout carriage. The
CPT is usually of open, dry-type construction for cost reasons Subject to change without prior notice.
and for space considerations. This led to an exclusion of the Order No.: E50001-F710-A336-X-4A00
CPT from the BIL requirement (impulse test) in the standard for All rights reserved.
© 2012 Siemens Industry, Inc.
MVC equipment.
For more information, contact: +1 (800) 347-6659

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