Discharge time monitoring system 3EX5 080-1

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Overview
Surge arrester monitoring is a critical process in electrical power systems to ensure reliable operation and extend the service life of surge arresters that protect equipment from damaging overvoltages. Siemens Energy provides a portfolio of monitoring devices from basic impulse counters to advanced Arrester Condition Monitors and Sensarresters™ for remote condition-based management and analytics.

Why monitor Surge Arresters?

• Early detection of arrester condition changes
• Prevention of unexpected outages
• Optimized maintenance scheduling
• Improved asset management and network reliability

Solution types
Siemens Energy’s solutions cover different needs: basic surge counters (impulse counting), remote sensor and display combinations, Arrester Condition Monitors (ACM) that analyse leakage and harmonic content, and Sensarresters™ for connected, cloud-enabled monitoring with analytics.

Surge Counters
The 3EX5 family includes impulse-only and leakage-current capable counters. The 3EX5 030 is an impulse counter installed in the arrester grounding connection. The 3EX5 050 adds an integrated leakage current meter. Selected -1 versions can include a passive auxiliary contact for remote metering.

Counter for remote monitoring (3EX5 060 / 3EX5 062)
The 3EX5 060 sensor is mounted in the arrester ground conductor to count impulses and continuously measure leakage current. The 3EX5 062 display visualizes impulse counts and leakage current remotely (cabling possible up to 200 m from the sensor) and provides a connection for local oscilloscope measurement (measuring lead available as accessory).

Arrester Condition Monitors (ACM)
The basic ACM (3EX5 080-0) measures total leakage current and surge impulses, performs 3rd harmonic analysis with network harmonic compensation, applies temperature correction and indicates condition via traffic-light LEDs. The device can be upgraded to the advanced ACM (3EX5 080-1) by adding a wireless USB module and the ACM Service Tool software for detailed visualization, analysis, parameter adjustment and software updates.

Sensarresters™ — Smart, Connected Monitoring

• Real-time remote access: Online status and alarms via web and mobile interfaces.
• Data analytics integration: Enables trend assessment and predictive maintenance.
• Wireless communication: Supports wireless data transfer and remote diagnostics.

Key features and benefits

• Comprehensive monitoring: From impulse counting to advanced leakage and harmonic analysis, including energy absorption logging on advanced units.
• Long-term trend analysis: ACM devices log daily leakage currents over years for precise trend evaluation.
• Remote access: Reduces onsite inspections and simplifies data retrieval.
• Integration: Designed for retrofit to existing arresters without modification.
• Improved safety and reliability: Early detection supports prevention of catastrophic failures.

Downloads and documentation
Product flyers, technical leaflets and user manuals are available as PDF resources describing Sensarresters™ and the 3EX5 surge counter and ACM families, their features and ordering information.

Technical specifications

• Product family / brand: Siemens Energy surge arrester monitoring (Sensarresters™, 3EX5 series).
• Surge counter models: 3EX5 030 (impulse counter), 3EX5 050 (impulse counter + leakage current meter); -1 versions may include passive auxiliary contact for remote metering.
• Remote sensor / display: 3EX5 060 (sensor: impulse counting, continuous leakage current measurement); 3EX5 062 (display: visualizes impulses and leakage current remotely up to 200 m; local oscilloscope connection).
• Arrester Condition Monitor (ACM): 3EX5 080-0 measures total leakage current, surge impulses, 3rd harmonic content with network compensation, temperature-corrected leakage trends and LED condition indication; upgradeable to 3EX5 080-1 with wireless USB module and ACM Service Tool for PC visualization, analysis and updates.
• Sensarresters™ capabilities: real-time remote access (web & mobile), wireless data transfer, integration with analytics for predictive maintenance.
• Measured quantities: impulse counts, total leakage current, surge current impulses, 3rd harmonic content, temperature-corrected leakage trends, energy absorption logging.
• Installation: sensor integrated into arrester grounding conductor; display unit mountable remotely (3EX5 062 up to 200 m cabling).
• Interfacing & upgrades: passive auxiliary contacts for remote metering (selected versions), wireless USB module (3EX5 086) for PC connectivity on ACM advanced versions.
• Benefits: early fault detection, optimized maintenance scheduling, reduced unplanned outages and extended asset life.