A protocol for selecting viable transmission line arrester for optimal lightning protection

Abstract

Direct lightning strikes on overhead lines and towers causes power system outages. Optimal surge arrester placement is a practical and economical protection technique. From research trends, three types of transmission line arresters are in practice: Non-Gapped Line Arrester (NGLA), Externally Gapped Line Arrester (EGLA) and Multi Chamber Insulator Arrester (MCIA). This study proposed a simplified guide for selecting the most suitable line arrester considering the placement configurations, double circuit outage prevention and energy capabilities. Electromagnetic Transient Program was implemented to analyze back flashover performance of a typical 275 kV double circuit transmission line in Malaysia. Critical flashover parameters considered are lightning current magnitude, tower footing resistance, and power frequency angle. Analyzed results from the three arresters found that installing four arresters, two per circuit, at the lower and upper phases respectively, is the most optimal and universal double outage mitigation technique. Energy comparison reveals that MCIA discharges 54% and 44% less energy than NGLA and EGLA respectively. Also, from 132 kV system results, MCIA discharges 74% and 22% lesser energy respectively. From further validation of the simulation model, NGLA discharged 23.8% more energy than EGLA from experimental results. The proposed guide is applicable to double circuit lines below 275 kV.