A field study of lightning overvoltages in low‐voltage distribution lines

The number of home electric appliances, such as personal computers and telephones, has been rapidly increasing. Lightning damage to these home electric appliances has a great impact on a highly sophisticated information society. There are cases in which lightning overvoltages in low‐voltage distribution lines cause malfunctions in them, even though they are equipped with surge protective devices to protect against lightning overvoltages. Therefore, for lightning protection of low‐voltage equipment including home electric appliances, it is important to understand the phenomenon of lightning overvoltages in low‐voltage power distribution lines. However, many aspects of this problem are not entirely clear, in particular how they are generated. The Tokyo Electric Power Company carried out lightning observations on low‐voltage distribution lines. The observation results provide a statistical distribution of lightning overvoltages in low‐voltage distribution lines. A mechanism for generating lightning overvoltages in low‐voltage distribution lines is inferred from the observed waveforms and facilities data. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 183(2): 12–21, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21299     

Study concerning production of lightning overvoltages on low‐voltage power distribution lines

In order to study lightning problems of low‐voltage power distribution lines, lightning overvoltage waveforms were observed inside the homes of customers. The cause of lightning overvoltages was examined from observation of striking points by still cameras. Lightning overvoltages of 62 waveforms were recorded by observation over a period of about 3 1/2 years. Observed waveforms can be classified into three types of single polarity (positive or negative), both polarities (which change from positive to negative or negative to positive), and pulsive waveform. The causes of these lightning overvoltages which were estimated from striking points are shown as follows: (1) Induced lightning overvoltages on low‐voltage distribution lines. (2)   Electric potential rise due to discharge of surge arresters or current of overhead ground wire. (3)   Shift of lightning overvoltages from high‐voltage side of transformer to low‐voltage side, which is due to electromagnetic induction. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 130(4): 66–75, 2000     

Distribution arrester outages caused by lightning backflow current flowing from customer's facility into power distribution lines

Direct lightning strokes are considered to be a main cause of damage to surge arresters on power distribution lines. Recently, lightning performance of distribution lines has been observed using still cameras, and lightning‐caused distribution outages on hilltop areas on the coast of the Sea of Japan have been investigated. This research has shown a possibility that lightning backflow current flowing from customer facilities into distribution lines causes damage to surge arresters on the distribution lines. We have investigated the lightning backflow current flowing from customer facilities into distribution lines as a cause of damage to surge arresters. The main results are as follows: (1) The electric charge of the backflow current flowing into distribution lines is more than 60% of that of the lightning stroke current. (2) If the grounding resistance of the customer's facility is not low, the failure rates of a surge arrester caused by backflow current due to winter lightning is more than 90% of that caused by direct lightning strokes. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 126(3): 9–20, 1999     

Effect of lightning overvoltages on low-voltage power distribution lines due to direct lightning hits to overhead ground wire

Overhead ground wires and surge arresters have been installed to protect high-voltage power distribution lines and apparatus from overvoltages induced by nearby lightning strokes. The effects of surge arresters for protection of high-voltage distribution lines against direct lightning strokes have already been investigated using the digital simulation program EMTP (Electromagnetic Transients Program). With regard to the protection of low-voltage distribution lines from overvoltages induced by lightning strokes, experimental analyses using a scale model line have been reported. This paper reports on the comparison between the experimental analyses and EMTP simulation of power distribution lines, including low-voltage lines, and the validity of EMTP simulation. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the overvoltages on low-voltage power distribution lines against direct lightning strokes to overhead ground wire using the digital simulation.     

Observation of lightning phenomena on distribution lines using composite techniques

For the rationalization of lightning protection design of distribution lines, it is important to clarify the behavior of distribution lines when direct or nearby lightning occurs. Because of the lower insulation level than for transmission lines, in studies on lightning protection design of distribution lines, not only direct lightning strokes but also induced voltages caused by nearby strokes must be taken into account. Thus, it is necessary to grasp the frequency of occurrence on lightning phenomena around distribution lines. For this aim, lightning phenomena on TEPCO's distribution lines in use had been continuously observed for 6 years (1996 to 2001). The observation was carried out in a composite way, using still cameras and sensor for acquisition of lightning surge waveform data. Through the observation, new phenomena about lightning performance on distribution lines in the field became apparent. In some cases, in spite of a direct strike to the line, flashover did not occur. This fact means that the distribution line has a certain level of lightning resistance. Moreover, it was confirmed that AC following current generated between both ends of insulator disappeared naturally. These results are interesting discoveries that can be useful in estimating the fault ratio precisely. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 157(1): 10–19, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( http://www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20164     

Prospective method of lightning protection schemes in distribution system

Grounding wires and enclosed ZnO elements have been incorporated generally in 6.6‐kV distribution systems by TEPCO for the reduction of lightning overvoltages. At present, the reliability to lightning surges is tolerably good. However, the facility of grounding wires is not inexpensive and its maintenance is hard due to corrosion and disconnection in some areas. A typical model simulating TEPCO field adopting enclosed ZnO elements has been developed and we have evaluated relative failure risks systematically according to conditions with and without grounding wires against lightning overvoltages. Two kinds of failures discussed in the paper are the flashover of insulation and the overduty of ZnO elements, and two kinds of induced and direct lightning overvoltages are studied in flashover. The greatest problem with no grounding wire is the increase of ZnO elements' duty, but it was demonstrated that a short partial grounding wire around ZnO elements or the selection of heavier ZnO elements provides a solution. The main objectives of this study are to clarify the relative failure risks systematically according to realistic field conditions, the risk of small stroke currents having long duration to ZnO elements' duty, and countermeasures against ZnO elements' overduty. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 127(1): 1–10, 1999     

Statistical analysis of lightning performance of distribution lines based on observation in fields

Because of the lower insulation level than for transmission lines, in this study on lightning protection design of distribution lines, not only direct lightning strokes but also induced voltages caused by nearby strokes must be taken into account. Thus, it is necessary to grasp the frequency of occurrence of lightning phenomena around distribution lines. For this aim, lightning phenomena on TEPCO's distribution lines in use were continuously observed for 6 years (1996 to 2001). Through this observation, new interesting statistical data that can be a useful basis for rationalization of lightning protection design of distribution lines were obtained. Two hundred and four lightning strokes were observed through the six‐year period. Probability of occurrence of a direct stroke was 22% (45 direct strokes were obtained). The fact that in 47% of direct strokes the electric outage did not occur is very interesting. Moreover, the value of surge discharge current of the arrester in the case of nearby stroke is the basis for conventional theory of grounding system. Therefore, statistical analysis of ZnO discharging current in the case of nearby strokes was carried out. As a result, in the case of nearby strokes, 5% value of cumulative frequency of discharging current is 0.5 kA. This value is half the conventional data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 155(2): 8–16, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20180     

Mechanism of pole‐mounted transformer damage by backflow lightning and measures against the damage on low‐voltage distribution line

Pole‐mounted transformers are especially vulnerable to lightning damage. The progress of the information society imposes increasingly stringent requirements for the reliability of electric power supply, and this in turn necessitates a reduction in lightning damage to pole‐mounted transformers. Lightning protective devices (surge arresters) are now being installed around the primary bushing of the transformers, which has decreased the number of disconnections around the primary bushing due to lightning. But surge arresters installed on the primary side of the transformer cannot protect it against backflow lightning entering the secondary side of the transformer. The characteristic of transformer damage by backflow lightning is that the electromagnetic force produced by the current flowing into the secondary side deforms the transformer windings. This paper elucidates the mechanism of transformer damage by lightning flowing into the secondary side by comparing actual lightning damage cases with the results of verification tests using a short‐circuit generator. Effective countermeasures against transformer damage by backflow lightning are examined by EMTP calculations, which indicate that neutral grounding on the low‐voltage distribution line is the most effective way of decreasing the current flowing into the transformer. The lower the grounding resistance, the less current flows into the transformer. In addition, decreasing the voltage on the secondary side is important in order to protect the secondary‐side bushing. The calculation results indicate that surge arresters installed around the secondary side of the transformer are effective in decreasing the voltage on the secondary side. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 171(2): 1–11, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience. wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20921     

Effective lightning protection schemes for distribution line

The causes of lightning outage are subdivided into direct lightning strokes and induced lightning strokes, which are identified by the characteristics of the lightning overvoltage. In the past, lightning protection devices were directed mainly toward the latter, and attention has been focused on the installation of lightning protection devices, ground wires, and reinforcement of insulators. However, lightning outages continue to occur. Thus it is extremely important to clarify the fault characteristics of lightning surges and to study the effectiveness of various lightning protection devices by considering both direct lightning stroke and induced lightning stroke in order to prevent lightning outage in the future. In this research, the electromagnetic transients program (EMTP) has been applied to the direct lightning stroke, and the induced lightning outage analysis program for multiple conductor systems has been applied to the induced lightning stroke to study the effectiveness of lightning protection devices provided by combination of various lightning protection devices. The most effective lightning protection schemes are analyzed and evaluated based on verification tests on the full scale models as well as economic considerations.     

Lightning protection of overhead power distribution lines

There are two major protective methods against lightning outages on overhead distribution lines. One is by use of surge arresters and the other is by an overhead ground wire. Surge arresters have rather constant effect regardless of the type of lightning outage causes. On the other hand, the effect of an overhead ground wire is quite different against the two major causes: direct lightning hit and induced overvoltages. This paper shows how to design lightning protection for overhead power distribution lines taking these characteristics into account. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

10 kV配电网压缩灭弧防雷装置工频续流遮断与雷电冲击实验研究

针对配电网络通常不架设避雷线,雷击时极易引起闪络跳闸的情况,本文研究了一种应用于10kV线路的具备灭弧能力的防雷装置。压缩灭弧装置本质上是一种带有灭弧能力的并联间隙,为验证其有效性,对其分别进行了遮断灭弧实验以及雷电冲击放电实验,实验结果表明：该装置能在4ms内熄灭电弧且能达到抑制重燃的效果;通过雷电冲击实验得到了该装置在干弧长度为22.5cm的支柱绝缘子下的间隙长度为5、7、9cm的伏秒特性曲线,分析其伏秒特性曲线,最终得出适合此类绝缘子的间隙长度是不超过7.4cm,为日后的工程安装提供理论指导。     

再析避雷针(线)防直击雷作用

从影响避雷针（线）保护范围主要因素及其无法定量等方面说明了世界各国的避雷针（线）保护范围计算方法均是经验公式,并就GB 50057—1994选用外国经验公式提出质疑;同时指出避雷针（线）保护范围的绕击率除应经理论、实验室分析研究外还要靠实践运行统计分析得出,并分析了实际工程中不宜设置较高的独立避雷针（线）,非金属结构屋顶应用避雷网,不宜用避雷针的原因。     

Statistical analysis of lightning surges on distribution lines based on the observation

Probability distribution of surge discharging current of arresters provided a basis for conventional theory of grounding systems. In order to rationalize the grounding systems, it is necessary to grasp the statistical data of lightning surges on distribution lines caused by direct lightning strokes and indirect lightning strokes. Lightning phenomena on TEPCO's distribution lines had been continuously observed for the rationalization of lightning protection design of distribution lines. The observation had been carried out with still cameras and monitoring sensors of lightning surges. This makes it possible to discover new interesting facts that can be useful for rationalization of lightning protection design of distribution lines. Cumulative frequency distribution of conventional data is close to that of ZnO discharging current in the case of direct strokes and indirect strokes through TEPCO's observation. Moreover, to verify the cumulative current distribution in concrete poles, the authors have compared the cumulative distribution of current through ground lines with that of current through ground lines and concrete poles. The results show that the distribution of current through ground lines and concrete poles is larger than that of current through only ground lines for high currents exceeding 1 kA. This fact suggests that lightning surge current flows not only in ground lines but also in concrete poles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(2): 36–44, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20468     

A distribution line model for lightning overvoltage studies

Recently, the focus of lightning protection measures for distribution lines has moved from a nearby lightning stroke to a direct lightning stroke. Studies of direct lightning stroke countermeasures are generally carried out by digital simulations using the EMTP (Electro‐Magnetic Transients Program). Thus, components of a distribution line must be modeled appropriately in the EMTP for accurate simulations. The authors have previously clarified the surge response of a distribution line by pulse tests using a reduced‐scale distribution line model. In this paper, first, the results of the pulse tests are simulated in the EMTP using a conventional model which represents a distribution pole by a single lossless distributed‐parameter line model, and comparisons with the test results show that transient overvoltages generated at the insulators cannot accurately be reproduced by the conventional model. This indicates that a special treatment is required to represent the transient response of a distribution pole and wires. Then, this paper proposes new EMTP models of the pole and wires which can reproduce the transient overvoltages at the insulators. The parameter values of the proposed models can be determined based on a pulse test result. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 173(1): 11–23, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21001     

应用线路避雷器提高10 kV配电线路防雷性能的研究

配电网系统作为电力系统的重要组成部分,承担着直接向用户供电的任务,是连接电网和用户的纽带,其安全运行非常重要。10 kV配电线路由于绝缘水平低的特点,易发生雷击过电压而造成绝缘事故。因此,10 kV配电线路的防雷保护是保证配电网安全运行、提高供电可靠性的重要措施。结合广东高要配电网的工程实际,以10 kV大企线为例,计算配电线路的耐雷水平和雷击跳闸率,并建立相应的ATP仿真模型,通过对安装线路避雷器前后的线路过电压水平的仿真计算,验证其能够有效提高配电线路的防雷性能,为工程设计提供有价值的基本数据。     

Observation of lightning at 500‐kV transmission lines (part 1)

We investigated the phenomenon of lightning strokes on 500‐kV transmission lines from 1984 to 1993. The investigation covered the recording of lightning paths by still cameras and measurements of lightning current at the lower part of transmission tower on 31 towers, over a 12.7‐km‐long section of the transmission line. We also observed lightning on an isolated tower at a nuclear power station. In the course of lightning observations spanning a 10‐year period, we have confirmed the suitability of the lightning protection design on transmission lines. The distribution of lightning incidence angle (θ) expressed in terms of (cos^mθ) was characterized by exponent m = 2 for the three‐dimensional observations and m = 3.5 for the two‐dimensional observations. No cases of shielding failure on 500‐kV transmission lines were observed. The ratio of lightning current at the top of the isolated tower to the lower part was about 11 to 1. In addition, the lightning current waveform at the top of the isolated tower was similar to that at the lower part. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 130(2): 59–67, 2000     

增城110 kV线路避雷器运行效果分析

分析了线路避雷器的防雷原理．根据易遭受雷击的110kV线路采用复合绝缘外套金属氧化物避雷器后的实际运行情况,对避雷器投运前后线路跳闸数据进行分析对比。从而说明了线路避雷器确实具有一定的防雷效果。最后对线路避雷器的一些使用问题提出了建议。     

基于AutoCAD二次开发技术的直击雷保护设计软件的实现

阐述了直击雷保护设计软件的设计思路,首先对AutoCAD的用户菜单进行二次开发,使用DCL语言编写对话框,利用可编程对话框函数(PDB)对对话框进行管理,实现人机交互的友好界面;然后,利用AutoLISP语言编程,完成直击雷保护的计算过程以及AutoCAD自动绘图。     

农村配电网线路和设备的防雷接地保护研究

针对1起10 kV配电变压器高压侧避雷器爆炸引起的低压侧用户电击死亡事件,分析农村配电网的防雷保护和低压配电线路上用户的电气安装等问题,并提出相应的修改措施。     

线路避雷器在线路防雷上的应用效果

为了减少雷击对输电线路的伤害，将线路避雷器安装在输电线路的易击段，可以提高线路的耐雷水平。鉴此，介绍了线路避雷器防雷的基本原理和安装前的准备工作。并对近年来肇庆四会供电分公司部分已挂网运行的避雷器进行了跟踪分析，原多雷击杆塔自从加装了线路带串联间隙避雷器后，迄今杆塔未发生雷击跳闸。