Protection against Lightning Electromagnetic Pulses Using Surge Arresters: A Simulation Study for the Realistic High-voltage Power Line Region

Abstract

Lightning electromagnetic impulse (LEMP) falling on a power line or power plant creates an effect like closing a large switch between a large current source and a power line circuit. Turning off this switch generates a transient state by causing a sudden change in circuit conditions. In order to minimize the damage caused by this situation on the lines, protection elements are used. If a LEMP impact falls on a power plant or power transmission line, the most effective way to protect against them is the use of surge arresters. They ensure that these peak currents are drawn to the ground thanks to their non-linear resistance structures and are generally used at the entrance of transformer centers. However, in recent years, besides being used at the end of the line or at the beginning of the line, it has also started to be used by inserting to certain line poles. This has led to the rapid development of polymeric ZnO surge arresters. Recently, a significant number of line surge arresters with different voltage levels are in service. In the study, the situation created by the line surge arresters against the fault due to the LEMP hitting the protection conductor on the energy transmission line axis was examined. By using the ATP-EMTP software, the contribution of line surge arresters to protect a realistic 380 kV double-circuit overhead transmission line from LEMP has been investigated. All the models were compared with the existing models in the literature, and practical suggestions were made for the improvement of energy transmission lines against LEMP failures.