A Lightning Surge Analysis for the Rationalization of the Grounding System in Power Distribution Lines

Abstract

The grounding system is one of the most important lightning-protection features of power distribution lines. Based on the statistical distribution of surge currents through lightning arrestors caused by indirect lightning strokes and electrical surges in customers, a rated value of the grounding resistance for lightning arrestors on distribution lines was specified in the 1960's.
TEPCO had conducted field research to measure the waveforms of surge voltage and current in order to rationalize the lightning protection design of distribution lines. And the authors proposed a lightning-surges analysis model based on the observation data. In this study, a lightning surge analysis for the rationalization of the grounding system was carried out by means of the EMTP. The calculation conditions were set based on the observation data. The calculated results suggest that a simple grounding design is possible. That can be useful for the Electric Power Companies to manage grounding systems.