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.     

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     

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     

10kV运行配电线路雷电感应过电压波形在线监测

雷电感应过电压是造成配电网故障的重要原因之一,针对雷电感应过电压波形特征不清晰的问题,作者采用过电压在线监测系统,对实际运行的佛山10kV富油甲线雷电感应过电压波形进行观测,根据波形特征给出了过电压的波形参数。结果表明,配电线路各相感应电压叠加在运行电压波形上,不同相上感应过电压与对应的回击电流在幅度、时间间隔和波形上都存在同时性,该线路观测的雷电感应电压波形表现为波头时间短、后续发生双极性高频振荡并逐渐转变为低频振荡的波形特点,首次回击感应过电压幅值大于后续回击过电压幅值,首次回击过电压的波头时间比后续过电压长,观测结果对于配电线路雷电保护具有重要意义。     

Experimental and analytical studies of lightning overvoltages in wind turbine generator systems

This paper presents the results of the experimental and analytical studies undertaken for the lightning protection of wind turbine generator systems by using a reduced-size wind turbine model. In the analytical studies, the FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain) method is used. This study focuses on the overvoltages observed at the wavefronts of lightning surges. The lightning strokes on one of the blades and on the nacelle were considered, and the experiments and analyses were carried out by considering the cases of summer and winter lightning. The voltages and currents at various positions on the wind turbine model were considered.     

Influence of corona on the voltages induced by nearby lightning onoverhead distribution lines

A model for the calculation of lightning-induced voltages is presented with the aim of assessing the effect of corona when power distribution lines are illuminated by lightning electromagnetic fields. Corona is taken into account by means of dynamic capacitance describing a charge-voltage diagram. Such an equivalent capacitance is then introduced in a model which describes a line illuminated by a lightning electromagnetic field. It is first concluded that the influence of corona on lightning induced overvoltages is of importance only for particularly severe strokes. It is also found that corona acts to increase the magnitude of these overvoltages, contrary to the case of voltages due to direct strokes, which are attenuated by corona. A theoretical explanation of such an amplitude increase is presented. The effect of the ground resistivity is also taken into account in the calculations. The results show that such an effect is in general as important as the effect of corona. This is different from the direct-strike behavior, where corona, when present, affects the surge propagation more than the ground resistivity. This is due to the fact that for the case of induced-voltages, the ground resistivity may affect more strongly the lightning-radiated fields rather than the surge propagation along the line, while corona affects only surge propagation. The need for experimental results to test the theoretical finding of the paper is stressed and some indication is given. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the induced voltages as a function of the charge-voltage diagram adopted to model corona is also performed     

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     

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     

配线接地雷电感应过电压特征分析

为了解架空配电线路雷电感应过电压特征,以及穿过金属管埋地的防护措施对入侵过电压的实际衰减作用,对自然闪电发生时穿过金属管埋地前后的过电压波形进行了观测和分析。观测表明,穿过金属管埋地约50 m后过电压的波形特征基本没有变化,但其幅值有了一定的衰减。衰减效能主要与闪电的距离有关,当闪电离观测点距离约1 km时,衰减比例约20%。衰减比例随着距离的增加而降低,3～7 km的闪电衰减比例平均约为6%,衰减比例还与闪电不同的方位有关。     

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     

Probability evaluation of low-voltage distribution equipment lightning failures due to AC arc

To construct low-voltage power distribution systems, it is important to have correct information on the probability of failures by lightning to meet the requirement for high reliability of these systems. The burn-out of low-voltage distribution equipment is triggered by flashover due to lightning overvoltage followed by the arc discharge current at the commercial frequency voltage. The arc characteristics were investigated by superimposing the lightning impulse voltage across terminals of the low-voltage distribution equipment connected to the commercial frequency power supply to reproduce these events on an experimental basis. As a result, it was found that the arc characteristics were affected by a number of factors. The probability of flashover occurrence on low-voltage distribution equipment is determined based on the frequency distribution data of lightning overvoltage occurrence obtained by monitoring the surge counters on actual distribution lines. Then the probability distribution of arc currents is established by application of the forementioned experimental equation on arc characteristics. Finally, the method for evaluating damages by lightning to low-voltage distribution equipment on actual lines was investigated with the frequency of lightning strokes and the configuration of low-voltage distribution systems taken into consideration.     

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     

Analysis of lightning surge overvoltages at substation using steady-state solution

The present paper proposes a method for analyzing lightning surge overvoltages at a substation by means of steady-state solutions. The lightning current is assumed to be periodic and representable by a Fourier series. The frequency responses of the line and substation impedances as seen from the substation entrance and the response of the steady-state solution for the open-end line voltage with the substation removed are then easily obtained. The steady-state voltage at the substation entrance is evaluated from the above frequency responses by means of The-venin's theorem. The transient voltage is expressed as the sum of Fourier series of the steady-state voltages. The lightning surge overvoltages calculated by the proposed method are in satisfactory agreement with the transient solutions calculated by the EMTP technique, and the computation time and memory requirements are far smaller. Because the proposed method evaluates the lightning surge overvoltage only in terms of steady-state solutions, it is conveniently used to evaluate the effect of the circuit parameters of a substation in terms of ac theory and thus may be useful in investigating the relationship between bus length and overvoltage, in estimating the optimum location of an arrester installation, and so on.     

配电线路感应雷过电压计算

为研究雷电感应过电压特性,提出了一种基于MODELS语言并应用ATP-EMTP软件计算多导体传输线感应过电压的新方法.计算时考虑了大地损耗对垂直电场的影响,并且在计算过程中将线路本身等效为无损传输线.将实际计算的结果与火箭引雷实测数值以及其他模型计算结果进行了对比,验证了该方法的有效性。     

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。     

Estimation of the surge arrester outage rate caused by lightning overvoltages

The computation based on the lightning limiting parameters method of the surge arrester minimum energy absorption capability is presented. The sensitivity analyses of certain lightning parameters like lightning current-wave duration and equivalent circuit parameters are performed. The influence of the tower footing impedance to the surge arrester failure rate due to the exceeding energy absorption capability is investigated. The method of selection of the medium voltage surge arrester energy absorption capability based on the allowed failure rate is proposed.     

浅谈中压架空绝缘配电线路的防雷措施

随着城网改造的深入发展,绝缘导线被广泛应用于中压配电网,它有效降低了电能损耗,提高了供电的可靠性,然而因其特殊性所导致的防雷问题也随之而来。1导线雷灾特点1.1绝缘导线架空线路绝缘导线遭遇雷击时,几乎全部发生断线事故,原因是当雷击绝缘架空线路时,绝缘层被雷击闪络击穿,瞬时会产生数千安培工频续流流过针孔状击穿点,其电弧受周围绝缘的阻隔,电弧集中在击穿点燃烧导致导线烧断,绝缘线路导线断线多集中在绝缘导线固定处。1.2裸导线线路裸导线线路被雷击闪络后,工频续流电弧因电动力作用将向导线的负荷方向侧移动,并在工频电流烧断导线…     

Comparative analysis of techniques for control of switching overvoltages during transmission lines energization

The energization of long transmission lines can cause high overvoltage stresses not only along the transmission line, but also in the rest of the network. The traditional method of limiting switching overvoltages to acceptable levels is the use of circuit breakers equipped with pre-insertion resistors. The present paper describes a study comparing this traditional method with two other alternatives for the limitation of switching overvoltages during line energization in an actual 500 kV transmission system: the use of metal oxide surge arresters at both line closing of circuit breaker poles. Digital simulations were made with PSCAD/EMTDC software and the degree of shunt compensation is considered as an independent parameter.     

谐波电流对低压配电网的影响分析

在理论上分析了谐波电流对中性线和变压器的影响。利用数字式示波表FlukeView190C对低压民用负荷和办公楼配电系统的谐波状况进行了实测,实测数据基本代表了非线性负荷和低压电网的谐波现状。根据实测数据,对谐波电流引起的各种问题及其对配电网的影响进行分析研究,发现三相四线制建筑配网普遍存在三相不平衡,谐波电流放大,中性线电流过大、网损增加,变压器出力下降等问题。最后简单的提出了一些解决上述问题的对策。     

谐波电流对低压配电网的影响分析

在理论上分析了谐波电流对中性线和变压器的影响.利用数字式示波表FlukeView190C对低压民用负荷和办公楼配电系统的谐波状况进行了实测,实测数据基本代表了非线性负荷和低压电网的谐波现状.根据实测数据,对谐波电流引起的各种问题及其对配电网的影响进行分析研究,发现三相四线制建筑配网普遍存在三相不平衡,谐波电流放大,中性线电流过大,网损增加,变压器出力下降等问题.最后简单的提出了一些解决上述问题的对策.