The IEC 60099-5 standard, titled "Surge arresters - Part 5: Selection and application recommendations," serves as the primary technical guide for engineers and designers. It provides non-mandatory but essential recommendations for applying surge arresters in three-phase systems with nominal voltages above 1 kV.
The latest version is the third edition (2018), which replaces the 2013 version to align with updated arrester classifications introduced in IEC 60099-4:2014. Key Scope and Applicability
The standard offers guidance for selecting and applying various surge arrester types in power systems, covering gapless metal-oxide, gapped, and externally gapped line arresters (EGLA). IEC 60099-5:2018
This is a comprehensive guide and analysis covering IEC 60099-5, the international standard governing the selection and application of surge arresters. iec 600995 pdf
While many search for an "IEC 60099-5 PDF" to find the specific document, this guide provides a detailed summary of the standard's contents, its role in electrical engineering, and the critical technical concepts it defines.
IEC sells a “Redline” PDF that shows changes between the previous and current edition. It is slightly cheaper (about 20% less) and often sufficient for those who already own the older edition.
Switching capacitor banks creates high-energy transients. The standard provides specific formulas for sizing arresters to protect capacitor banks from reignition and restrike phenomena. The IEC 60099-5 standard, titled "Surge arresters -
A highly specialized section deals with protecting the sheaths of high-voltage cables, where induced voltages can damage the cable jacket if not properly bonded and protected by sheath voltage limiters (SVLs).
This is the crucial design parameter. $U_r$ is the maximum permissible RMS value of power-frequency voltage that the arrester can withstand for 10 seconds while conducting rated current (thermal stability).
For high-voltage transmission systems, arresters are classified by "Line Discharge Classes" (Class 1 through 5). Step 2: Determine the Rated Voltage ($U_r$) This
If you need the standard only for reference or academic research:
Trade associations sometimes publish summaries or application guides (e.g., Battery Council International for IEC 60095). These are free but non-normative.
While other parts focus on testing and manufacturing, IEC 60099-5 is the practical handbook for:
In short, if you are designing a substation or a wind farm, you need IEC 60099-5. It is not just a test standard – it is a decision-making tool.