Choosing configurations of transmission line tower grounding by back flashover probability value

Abstract

There is a considerable number of works devoted to electrical characteristics of grounding. These characteristics are important in general. However, in application to grounding of transmission line towers they are not enough to determine what grounding construction is preferable in some particular case, because these characteristics are calculated or measured apart from the grounded object, and only limited number of current (or voltage) source waveforms is used. This paper indicates reasons in favor of the fact that to choose the optimum design of grounding, the calculation model should include the tower as it is. The probability of back flashover, which provides both qualitative and quantitative estimate of the grounding structure efficiency, can be taken as the criterion for the grounding design. The insulation flashover probability is calculated on the basis of engineering method, which evaluates breakdown strength of insulation for nonstandard waveshapes, and probability data on lightning currents. Different approaches are examined for identifying the back flashover probability, as not only amplitudes but also other parameters can be taken into account. Finite-difference time-domain method is used for calculations of transients. It is found that lightning current waveform can greatly influence calculated back flashover probability value.