An Analytical Method for Estimation of Lightning Performance of Transmission Lines Based on a Leader Progression Model

Abstract

The leader progression model (LPM) is a tool for estimating the lightning performance of transmission lines. However, the large computation time remains a problem for the engineering application of this model. An analytical method is proposed in this paper to mitigate the aforementioned problem. First, nonlinear trajectory equations describing the movement of upward and downward leaders are obtained, starting with differential equations. Based on the trajectory equations, the average electric field between the upward and downward leader tips is represented with a comprehensive nonlinear equation. The final strike point is determined by solving the equations. Results show that the proposed method effectively mitigates the large computation time problem of traditional (numerical) LPM.