Line Arresters Application in Lightning Protection of High Voltage Substations with Non-standard Configuration

In this paper, application of gapless transmission line arresters (TLAs) in substation lightning protection is analyzed. Deterministic calculations in accordance with IEC 62305 are performed. Substations with non-standard configuration equipped with Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), long cables, and a direct cable connecting GIS and power transformer are considered. It is concluded that 220- and 400-kV substations lightning performance can be significantly improved by using TLAs at only one or two overhead line towers in front of the substation. In some cases, TLAs provide better lightning protection of power transformer than surge arresters installed in GIS. Positive effects of TLAs application are noticed both in the case of back-flashovers and in the case of shielding failures. TLAs energy stress increases with the decrease of the system rated voltage. Maximum estimated values in the analyzed substations are below 2.5 and 0.5 kJ/kVr for TLAs installed in 220- and 400-kV systems, respectively.