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     

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。     

Suppression of lightning-induced overvoltages by distribution line surge arresters

The primary aim of surge arresters in power distribution lines is to protect lines and equipment from the voltage induced by nearby lightning strokes. To further improve power systems, methods to protect distribution lines against direct lightning strokes are still needed. An effective measure against direct lightning strokes is to increase the number of arresters. However, if the surge current is too large, some surge arresters absorb energy in excess of their capability and may break; this leads to a line fault. To evaluate the protective effect of the surge arresters against direct lightning strokes to overhead ground wire, the authors measured both the voltage across the surge arresters and the energy absorbed by them using a full-scale model line and a 12 MV impulse generator. The results were compared with simulation results by EMTP. There have been no previous studies making a comparison of this kind.     

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.     

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     

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     

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     

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     

Suppressing the effect of lightning-induced overvoltages by the combined use of surge arresters and overhead ground wires

Lightning voltage induced by nearby strokes is one of the causes of major overvoltages which threaten the insulation of power distribution lines. Surge arresters as well as an overhead ground wire usually are employed for the protection of equipment and line insulation on overhead power distribution lines. The fundamental mechanism of suppressing effects of overvoltages induced by nearby strokes has been demonstrated independently by one of the present authors for surge arresters and for an overhead ground wire. In this paper, the protective effect of the combination of surge arresters and overhead ground wire is analyzed. As a result, it is found that the effect of surge arresters used together with an overhead ground wire is almost the same as that of surge arresters alone.     

外串间隙线路型避雷器在架空输电线路中的防雷作用

针对阳江地区输电线路存在遭受严重雷击跳闸的问题,分析了各种雷击过电压引起的线路闪络跳闸,介绍了外串间隙线路型避雷器在输电线路中间防雷的机理,指出在阳江电网中应用外串间隙线路型避雷器解决架空输电线路中间防雷的必要性及避雷器的安装选点原则,可供同行参考。     

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.     

Observation of lightning effect on power distribution lines by still cameras

In order to clarify the cause of lightning outages of a distribution line, simultaneous observation of lightning discharge channels and types of damage on distribution lines were carried out with still cameras from July 1993 through July 1995. High-voltage lines located in the observation area did not suffer from induced voltages due to indirect lightning strikes, even if such lightning strikes were nearby. One instance of a direct lightning strike on a distribution line was observed. The striking point was the span center of the overhead ground wire, and only a transformer fuse was blown on the high-voltage line. Damage to surge arresters was observed in the case of a lightning strike on a building located near a distribution line. The cause is thought to have been lightning current which flowed into the nearby distribution line through the damaged arresters. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn 119(1): 17–23, 1997     

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     

别把避雷针(线)保护范围"绝对化"

分析了避雷针(线)的防雷保护原理和影响避雷针(线)保护范围的主要因素,认为：1)当今国内外所有避雷针(线)防雷保护范围的计算公式都是经验公式,这是因为影响着避雷针(线)防雷效应的主要因素无法定量;2)所谓避雷针(线)保护范围是相对于被保护物在此空间内遭受雷击的概率而言的,各种文献规定的保护范围不同,是因允许遭受雷击概率不同;3)不能把避雷针(线)保护范围“绝对化”。     

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     

Role of an overhead ground wire in the generation of lightning-induced voltage over lossy ground

The role of an overhead ground wire on the generation for lightning-induced voltage on a multiconductor line associated with a vertical return-stroke channel is studied based on numerical calculation. The induced voltage is calculated by a method in which the tangential component of the electric field to the wire is looked upon as an inducing source. The analyzed multiconductor line consists of three phase wires and an overhead ground wire having one or two earthing points. The influence of the overhead ground wire on the induced voltage is dependent on the direction of a return stroke, as well as the ground conductivity. When a return stroke is on the side of a power distribution line, the induced voltage decreases with a decrease in the earthing resistance of the overhead ground wire, irrespective of the ground conductivity. When a return stroke is close to an end of a distribution line, the influence of the overhead ground wire is dependent on the ground conductivity. In this case, the voltage induced on overhead wires over lossy ground sometimes increases with the presence of an overhead ground wire having only one earthing point. This effect can be avoided by adding earthing points to the overhead ground wire. © 1998 Scripta Technica. Electr Eng Jpn, 121(4): 18–27, 1997     

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。     

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     

北郊站220 kV黄北线雷击故障分析

分析了220kV黄北线雷击造成变电站电流互感器（TA）相间短路的原因,强调在多雷的广东地区必须采取措施,防止连续雷击形成的侵入波对变电站设备造成危害,提出了反事故措施,并就简单实用的间隙保护方式提出了研究建议。     

Analysis of one-line ground fault surge on simulated overhead distribution line

One-line fault location techniques of intermittent ground fault points on nongrounded distribution lines are necessary to supply steady electric power for customers. This paper proposes a novel method that uses frequency spectra of transient waveforms at a sending end when an intermittent ground fault occurs. In this method, if a ground fault position differs, it causes a different frequency spectrum pattern for the current or voltage transients at a send end (decided by surge reflection phenomena between the sending end and the ground fault point). Comparison between experimental data of one-line ground fault tests on a simulated overhead line (373 m line length, two branch points) and digital simulation analyses shows that the grounded capacitance of a power source transformer was useful in locating the ground fault point. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 118 (1): 52–60, 1997