Factor affecting transient overvoltages of electric electric submersible pumps

A theoretical simulation and analysis of factors due to transient overvoltages (TOV) which contribute to electrical failures of electrical submersible pumps (ESP) motors used in oil fields is presented. A software package, PSCAD is used to simulate a single cable-fed, 3.3 kV induction motor including the mains of the 33-kV distribution system. TOVs increase with an increase in cable earthing resistance, the opening time of circuit breaker measured from the zero-current crossing, circuit breaker pre-insertion resistance, transformer stray capacitance in the high voltage side, and cable insulation permeability. EMTDC is a transient simulator of electric networks with the capability of modeling complex power electronics, controls and the nonlinear network. The simulation study has helped to investigate the different factors affecting TOVs and contributing to insulation failures of ESP motors.