has introduced and applies a quality system in accordance with
DIN ISO 9001 / EN 29 001
Quality systems: Model for quality assurance This system was first demonstrated in 1989 to the
DQS (German Association for the Certification of Quality Systems).
The electrical testing laboratories and the materials technology laboratories of the manufacturer
have been certified since 1992 by the German Accreditation Body in accordance with DIN EN 45 001.
If you require further copies of the operating instructions, please order them from the appropriate Siemens office,
indicating the title and order number shown on the title page.
Published by:In case of request:
Siemens AG Telephone exchange +49 / 30 / 386 1
PTD H 4Sales department:+49 / 30 / 386 23061
D-13623 Berlin Fax:+49 / 30 / 386 26721
e-mail:mailto:Arrester@Siemens.de
Subject to change.
Note
The equipment covered by these instructions should be installed and serviced only by
competent personnel familiar with good safety practices. This instruction is written for
such personnel and is not intended as a substitute for adequate training an experience in
safe procedures.
This information is intended for the correct installation of this product. Siemens has no control over the condition of the network, which can be greatly affected by the installation of a product. It is the responsibility of the
user to chose the appropriate method of installation. Under no circumstance is Siemens liable for any direct or
indirect damage caused by the use or misuse of this product.
The 3EL2 surge arrester serves to protect the insulation of a system (or of one of its components) from
undue stresses resulting from overvoltages.
Technical data
The standard model is suitable for an installation altitude of up to 1000 m above sea-level and for a
rated frequency between 48 Hz and 62 Hz.
Fig. 1Surge arrester type 3EL2
The surge arrester meets the following standards:
StandardClassification
VDE 0675, Teil 4/A2 : 2000-0710 kA
IEC 60099-4, Ed. 1.2, 2001-1210 kA, Heavy duty
ANSI C62.11-1999Station valve arrester
The rating plate [Fig. 2] will be found on the lowest flange (in some cases this has a special design in
accordance with customer requirements).
1Order number6Pressure relief class
2Rated voltage7Year of manufacture
3Continuous voltage8Works serial no.
4Rated discharge current9Module no. of upper arrester unit
5Line discharge class10Module no. of lower arrester unit
Fig. 2Rating plate
In the case of arresters in several sections, each module will also be provided with a module plate [Fig.
3]:
1Order number3Year of manufacture
2Rated voltage4Unit no.
Fig. 3Module plate
Description
Design
The active components of the arrester are metal oxide resistors. They are arranged in a stack and
hermetically protected against environmental influences by means of a directly mounted silicon enclosure. The mechanical strength is attained by glass-fibre-reinforced polymer rods which tightly enclose
and compress the resistor stack. Thanks to its hydrophobic properties, the silicon enclosure minimises
electrical discharges on the enclosure surface and thus ensures particularly good operating characteristics, even under conditions of heavy pollution.
The flanges are made of a lightweight metal alloy suitable for use outdoors and directly connected with
the silicon enclosure.
The MO resistors are tightly enclosed by the GRP rods (as if in a cage). In the event of resistor overload – an extremely unlikely case, but which cannot entirely be ruled out – the resultant arc produces
no overpressure, since the resistors are not enclosed by a sealed, mechanically rigid casing. The arc
escapes immediately through the silicon enclosure, without any abrupt rupturing of the mechanical load
bearing enclosing structure. At the same time the MO resistors are held largely in place by a considerable number of GRP rods. The risk of parts flying off is therefore minimised.
The arresters are, where necessary, equipped with control fittings and / or shields.
Mode of operation
Metal oxide resistors are markedly non-linear - in other words, they have a strongly curved currentvoltage characteristic, which means that with the continuous voltage obtaining under normal circumstances only the so-called leakage current of just a few milliamps will be flowing.
In the case of overvoltages due to lightning or to switching operations, the resistors become conductive
(ohm range) thereby allowing a discharge current to flow to ground and the overvoltage to be reduced
to the value of the voltage drop at the arrester (“discharge voltage”). Here the discharge currents may
range up to 2 kA in the case of switching surges and 1 - 10 - 20 kA in the case of lightning surges.
The modules of the surge arrester are packed in boxes or crates in the factory in accordance not only
with the stresses and climatic conditions they will encounter during shipping. but also with the requirements of the customer.
The packaging will have the appropriate transportation and storage labelling as well as instructions on
proper handling.
The consignment should be inspected immediately after receipt for signs of damage. If damage is
found the carrier should be informed without delay. Loose parts packed with the consignment should
be checked against the dispatch note to make sure none is missing. This means that all shipping containers will need to be opened.
If the items are to be stored for extended periods, we recommend you leave the modules and accessories in their shipping containers.
All of the screws, terminals and supplementary equipment (tell-tale spark gap, surge counter) required
for assembly and installation are supplied in an accessory pack.
Note:
To avoid damaging the insulators, do not remove the assembly and shipping protector
until assembly and installation has been completed.
Important note: Note the following before installing:
Warning
Before any work starts:
Ø switch off and isolate
Ø secure against reclosing
Ø verity that equipment is dead
Ø earth and short circuit the equipment
Ø cover or fence off nearby live parts
Death, severe injury and considerable damage to
property and environmental damage may result if
the safety instructions are not followed.
Ø Confirm that these safety measures have been carried out.
Accessories
With the standard model, the following accessories are included in the scope of supply:
Ø Grading ring and struts (as applicable)
Possibilities for isolated installing:
Ø 3-hole mounting insulated Ø200 … 276 mm [Fig. 10]
Ø 4-hole mounting insulated 200 × 200 mm² with screws M16 x 130 [Fig. 11]
Ø 4-hole mounting insulated 310 × 310 mm² with screws M20 x 140 [Fig. 12].
The range of protection offered by the arresters is restricted, which is why the surge arrester should be
installed as close as possible to that part of the system being protected. The distance between
grounded or live components and adjacent arresters or their control components should be selected on
the basis of the relevant regulations.
Note
The arresters must be installed or suspended vertically. If they need to be installed in a
non-vertical position, you should first contact the manufacturer.
Mounting the components
The individual components for mounting are shown in the drawing in [=> on page 15].
Danger of damage to the interior of the arrester
ØDo not lean a ladder against the surge arrester.
The contact faces of the flanges of the arresters must be cleaned with a steel brush, if necessary.
With arresters consisting of several units the units must be placed one on top of the other in the sequence of their numbers marked on the rating plate [Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 6].
Attention
Danger of damage to the interior of the arrester
The contact faces [4/Fig. 6] shall be cleaned before installation.
1lower unit
2upper unit
3Rating plate for unit
4contact faces
Fig. 6Surge arrester units
Attention
Shim plates between the individual arrester units are not allowed.
Before the top unit is located in place, it is advisable to fit the outer grading ring struts [3/Fig. 17],
[4/Fig. 17] and the terminal plate [10/Fig. 17] to the upper flange.
standing installation
The arrester must be placed and mounted with four rag bolts M10 on a concrete foundation or with four
bolts M10 on the support [Fig. 9] by means of appropriate lifting gear (crane, tackle) comprising slings
and lifting lugs [Fig. 7].
Fig. 9unisolated 4-hole mounting
Basic plate for isolated installation, 3 hole mounting ø200 … ø 276 mm 3× M12 (standing installation)
Attention
Do not remove the insulating tube from the bolts M12 × 140.
Put according to the drilling plan the three lower insulating sockets [Fig. 10] to the holes of the support.
The base plate and the upper insulating sockets can be mounted with three bolts M12 × 140 on the
lower insulating sockets. The arrester must be placed and mounted with four bolts M10 × 50 on the
base plate by means of appropriate lifting gear (crane, tackle) comprising slings and lifting lugs [Fig. 7].
Fig. 10Basic plate for isolated installation, 3 hole mounting Ø 200 … 276 mm 3× M12
Do not remove the insulating tube from the bolts M 16 x 130.
Put according to the drilling plan the four lower insulating sockets [2/Fig. 11] to the holes of the support
[1]. The base plate [3] and the upper insulating [4] sockets can be mounted with four bolts M16 × 130
on the lower insulating sockets. The arrester [5] must be placed and mounted with four bolts M10 × 50
on the base plate by means of appropriate lifting gear (crane, tackle) comprising slings and lifting lugs
[Fig. 7].
Do not remove the insulating tube from the bolts M 20 x 110.
Put according to the drilling plan the four lower insulating sockets [2 [2/Fig. 12] to the holes of the support [1]. The base plate [3] and the upper insulating [4] sockets can be mounted with four bolts
M20 × 110 on the lower insulating sockets. The arrester [5] must be placed and mounted with four
bolts M10 × 50 on the base plate by means of appropriate lifting gear (crane, tackle) comprising slings
and lifting lugs [Fig. 7].
suspended installation
The top and bottom plates may have to be exchanged together with their associated bolts and insulating parts to make it into a hanging version [Fig. 1], [Fig. 17]. In other respects, the arrester must be
installed at site in accordance with local conditions.
Grounding
The protective effect of surge arresters will be negatively affected with increasing length of the ground
wire, since a voltage drop occurs along the ground wire during a surge event. Thus, the ground wire
should connect the ground terminal of the arrester to the substation grounding system using the shortest and most direct path. The length of the ground wire, if possible, should not exceed 1 m for medium
voltage surge arresters and 3 m for high voltage surge arresters. Even if the arrester is monitored by
devices connected in series with the ground wire, e.g. by control spark gap 3EX6 040 or surge counter
3EX5 030/050, the ground wire should be as short as possible and loops should be avoided. If monitoring devices are to be installed at a larger distance from the arrester, it is recommended to use devices with separate sensors and display units, such as the surge monitor with sensor unit 3EX5 060
and display unit 3EX5 062. If monitoring devices are connected to the ground wire, the conductor between the earth terminal of the monitoring device and the grounding system of the substation must
protected against contact.
For installation of ground wire and monitoring devices the requirements of the corresponding national
or international standards are to be applied.
Standing or suspended installation:
Bolt the ground wire to one of the four M10 base flanges in accordance with [13a. Fig. 17].
Isolated installation
Bolt the ground wire to the M12 ground bolt in accordance with [14, Fig. 17].
Terminal
Attention!
High-voltage connections with tube conductors should be flexible in
order to prevent exertion of any inadmissible mechanical forces on
the surge arrester.
Pay attention to the electro-chemical compatibility of the materials utilised.
Terminal with cable eye
The terminal must be mounted with a cable eye according to [Fig. 13].
Bolt terminal, DIN-flat terminal or NEMA-flat terminal
If the terminal is mounted by means of a bolt terminal [Fig. 14] or a flat terminal [Fig. 15], [Fig. 16], the
necessary accessories are already installed by the manufacturer.
Fig. 14 Bolt terminal
Fig. 15 Flat terminal DINFig. 16 Flat terminal NEMA
0/4
1Rating plate
0/2Rating plate for unit
1Plate
1Flat terminal DIN / NEMA
1Bolt terminal with plate
1Plate
1Basic plate for isolated installation 3× ø200…276 mm
1Basic plate for isolated installation 4× 200 × 200 mm
1Basic plate for isolated installation 4× 310 × 310 mm
Ø switch off and isolate
Ø secure against reclosing
Ø verity that equipment is dead
Ø earth and short circuit the equipment
Ø cover or fence off nearby live parts
Death, severe injury and considerable damage to
property and environmental damage may result if
the safety instructions are not followed.
ØConfirm that these safety measures have been carried out.
For technical reasons the silicone sheds do not need cleaning. Should they nonetheless be cleaned,
only use clear or soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge.
Important
Do not use solvents or abrasive or scratching materials.
Regular maintenance of the arresters is not necessary.
The only monitoring required is to:
– Read the operations counter
– Check the tell-tale spark gap
– Check the arrester for any overloads (blackening or traces of burning at the blow-out aperture of
the flange). In such a case you will need to replace the arrester
Disposal arrester and arrester accessories
Surge arresters and the accessories are an environmentally compatible product. Environmentally acceptable disposal of the surge arresters and the accessories is possible in line with current legislation.
The following materials have been used to make up the device: Steel, aluminium, glass-fibrereinforced plastics, electronic components and silicon rubber (VMQ), ceramics (metal oxide).
According to current waste disposal techniques, arresters type 3EL2 cannot be used for neither material nor thermal purposes..
Seeing as the arresters do not contain any dangerous substances, they can be disposed of along with
household waste.
In as-supplied-by-Siemens state, the device incorporates no hazardous substances in the sense of the
pertinent regulations in Germany. If the device is to be operated outside Germany, the locally applicable laws and regulations must be followed.
Local customer support offices will be able to answer any questions concerning disposal.