Lightning Protection Devices Research Articles

ASSESSMENT TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NEW EARLY STREAMER EMISSION LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM

Abstract A novel early streamer emission (ESE) lightning air terminal system is designed and fabricated. By comparing the intercepted artificial lightning striking numbers of the new ESE lightning protection device and the conventional lightning rod (CLR) lightning protection device in laboratory, the effectiveness of intercepting the artificial lightning strokes by the new ESE lightning protection device is superior to that by the conventional lightning rod lightning protection device. A modified Tesla Coil (TC) discharging by powering AC voltage up to 650 kV with the controlled triggering function generator is used to produce simulated lightning strokes. The top tips of both devices in the same horizontal plane are placed at the same distance to the modified TC during all the test processes. Exchanging their positions makes no obvious difference between the recorded results. The test data validate the effectiveness of the new ESE lightning protection device under the laboratory environment.

A Review of Progress Towards Simulation of Arc Quenching in Lightning Protection Devices Based on Multi Chamber Systems

Two distinct modes of follow current suppression were observed in multi-chamber systems (MCS) under lightning overvoltage: Zero Quenching (ZQ) and Impulse Quenching (IQ). Sufficiently lower erosion of electrodes and evaporation of discharge chamber walls makes the IQ more preferable as a mechanism of arc quenching. Since experimental search for best MCS design is both difficult and expensive numerical modeling is considered as a prospective method for geometry optimization. Several steps were made towards development of efficient arc model. This article highlights most important results of arc quenching simulation and current status of arc model development.

An experimental stand for investigating protective devices for high-voltage overhead lines

An experimental stand for investigating and testing lightning protection devices for aerial power lines is described. The stand is composed of an oscillation circuit modeling a power line with an industrial frequency of 50 Hz, a voltage of up to 10 kV, and a current amplitude in the circuit as high as 10 kA; a generator of short single current pulses with a voltage of up to 25 kV and a current amplitude of up to 30 kA, modeling a lightning discharge; and commutation, control, and diagnostic systems. The stand is used to investigate elements of multi-chamber arrester systems for protecting high-voltage overhead lines.

A review of advances in lightning observations during the past decade in Guangdong, China

This paper reviews recent advances in understanding the physical processes of artificially triggered lightning and natural lightning as well as the progress in testing lightning protection technologies, based on a series of lightning field campaigns jointly conducted by the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences and Guangdong Meteorological Bureau since 2006. During the decade-long series of lightning field experiments, the technology of rocket-wire artificially triggered lightning has been improved, and has successfully triggered 94 lightning flashes. Through direct lightning current waveform measurements, an average return stroke peak current of 16 kA was obtained. The phenomenon that the downward leader connects to the lateral surface of the upward leader in the attachment process was discovered, and the speed of the upward leader during the connection process being significantly greater than that of the downward leader was revealed. The characteristics of several return strokes in cloud-to-ground lighting have also been unveiled, and the mechanism causing damage to lightning protection devices (i.e., ground potential rise within the rated current) was established. The performance of three lightning monitoring systems in Guangdong Province has also been quantitatively assessed.

Research and application of a new jet stream arc extinguishing gap lightning protection device

After a lightning flashover, the resulted power frequency arc may cause the damages of insulators and the overhead line tripping. To solve this problem, a new kind of jet stream arc extinguishing gap lightning protection device (JSIGLPD) installed on the overhead transmission lines was developed. The proposed scheme can provide better distributed lightning protection to the overhead transmission lines. The JSIGLPD can limit the extreme over-voltage on insulators and avoid frequent tripping of circuit breakers. In arc extinguished test, the waveforms of voltage and current were observed with the high-speed camera and oscilloscope. In this paper, the characteristics of electric arc under jet streams are studied based on the chain arc model and shock wave theory, and the arc quenching process is discussed. The results of the arc-extinguishing experiment show that the JSIGLPD is a new type of efficient lightning protection method for overhead transmission lines.

Experimental demonstration of the effectiveness of an early streamer emission air terminal versus a franklin rod

This paper is devoted to a detailed presentation of all aspects involved in a novel experimental technique to prove the effectiveness of an early streamer emission air terminal (ESEAT) versus a traditional Franklin rod in a laboratory. Firstly, a theoretical basis for the equivalent-circuit analysis of an ESEAT model is presented. It is shown that the dynamic electric field intensity on the active ESE rod is higher (theoretically even twice as high) than the static field intensity of the conventional Franklin lightning rod. Then, an experimental test using a method and associated with an electrostatic simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of an ESEAT (Pix3-60 from Piorteh Company) versus a conventional Franklin rod in the SIAME laboratory of the University of Pau in France. This method consists in locating both the ESE terminal and the Franklin rod together in the same configuration in accordance with the French Standard NFC 17-102 (09/2011). During the tests, all discharges were recorded on the ESEAT manufactured by Piorteh Company when its rod was active. This experimental test could be used on any kind of lightning protection device.

The Lightning by Mobile Tech

According to the lightning protection requirements of the facilities and equipments in oil depot, this paper proposes the integrated mobile lightning protection device and technology to protect lightning strike in different regions of oil depot, analyses the systemic composition and the technical characteristics of the integrated mobile lightning protection device and technology, and practically applies them to establish the lightning protection system in the important region of oil depot. The application shows that the integrated mobile lightning port According to the lightning protection requirements of the facilities and equipment in oil depot, this paper proposes the integrated mobile lightning protection device and technology to protect lightning strike in different regions of oil depot, analyses the systemic composition and the technical characteristics of the integrated mobile lightning protection device and technology, and practically applies them to establish the lightning protection system in the important region of oil depot. The application shows that the integrated mobile lightning protection device and technology are safe, reliable, practical and convenient, which makes it suitable for widely applications.

A Platform of Lightning Protection Business Based on Tablet-PC

As a most grievous meteorological disaster in the world, lighting calamity is destructive and could be inducement of fire explosion accidents. Lightning protection business mainly consists of lightning protection devices (LPD) inspection, lightning disasters authentication and lightning risk evaluation, for which on-site data gathering is indispensible, and the status in quo has common defects. Based on tablet-PC and mobile information technology, we developed a platform including such seven modules as system configuration, LPD inspection of existing buildings, LPD inspection of under-construction buildings, identification of lightning disasters, lightning risk assessment, location of inspected clients and location of inspectors. Mobil GIS technology and fast-developing method of forms were taken into use as key technologies. With its help, an promotion of facilitation, standardization and intellectualization of lightning protection business is achieved.

Application of Mobile Data Acquisition Technology in Highway Lightning Protection

The inspection of lightning protection system is developing gradually presently,while it is still in a relatively backward stage, data acquisition method is old, measuring conclusion is not real-time, data measurement is out of line with the standardization of lightning business. The service area and toll station of highway prone to lightning strikes for the isolated location. Meantime, there is no lightning protection facility or facilities are not perfect, lightning accidents happen sometime which caused heavy losses to the highway with a lot of sensitive electronic equipment. The inspection of highway lightning protection should be strengthened, the mobile data acquisition technology is introduced to the highway lightning inspection in order to make the lightning protection devices play an effective role. The data acquisition process and application are described, it can ensure the diversification of data, the real-time transmission of field testing data, further standardization of the lightning inspection process and the quality of inspection to ensure safe and effective operation of building and electromechanical systems.

Lightning a Fundamental of Atmospheric Electricity

This paper discussed briefly the basic connection between lightning phenomena and atmospheric electricity. Characteristics pertaining to lightning discharges were reviewed in order to elucidate some elementary mystics that are still associated with lightning events in some parts of the world and that lightning strike when and where it will. Various lightning protection principles were discussed. The essence of lightning protection device is to prevent lightning strikes from taking place over or around an installation or structure.

Analysis about Influence on Surrounding Lightning Environment of Communication Base Station Based on One Lightning Disaster

With the lightning position data in recent years of Jiangsu, satellite and live data on 3rd,July,2012, the reasons for the damage to office room equipment beside a communication base station in Wujin District, Changzhou were analyzed, and reasonable suggestions were given. Based on the lightning accident, this paper analyzed the reasons of lightning strike to buildings near communication base station from weather, lightning strike probability, the validity of lightning protection device and potential. It is mainly because of lightning electromagnetic pulse. Base station can protect the buildings inside the protective area from direct strike, but which increased the possibility of damage to equipment from lightning impulse, at the same time, direct lightning strike probability in the scattered strike zone may increase. Therefore communication base station should be sufficiently far away from the building, when it cant meet a safe distance, not only the direct lightning protection measures should be taken to protect the station and buildings, but also protection measures against lightning electromagnetic pulse for equipment in buildings around are needed.

Data Transmission over Power Line with Lightning Protection Devices

This paper discusses comparative analysis of the effects of surge protection devices (SPD) upon the power line communication channels. The quality of the data transmission channel is measured based on the data rate for the various channel parameters which include channel length and application method of the lightning protection device. The performance measurements are also carried out for various lengths of the communication channel. Experiment results show that specific combination of SPDs applied in the network causes severe degradation of the channel quality which is associated with the combination of grade levels and channel lengths.

工程实际中避雷器的选择

避雷器是电力系统中主要的防雷保护装置之一，避雷器的选择不但决定着其它配电装置和电气设备的绝缘水平的选择，还对产生过电压时继电保护的正确动作起着非常重要的作用。本文对各种避雷器的特性进行了介绍及分析，并重点提出了无间隙氧化锌避雷器的选择方法。 Surge arrester is one of the main lightning protection devices in power system. The selection of surge arrester not only determines the insulation level of other power distribution equipments and electrical equipments, but also plays a very important role in the correct operation of relays when overvoltage occurs. In this paper, the various characteris- tics of the surge arrester are introduced and analyzed, and special stress is laid on analyzing methods of choosing zinc oxide arrester.

Simulation Analysis of Suppressing Lightning Overvoltage in Automatic Weather Station Collector by Ferrite

With the advancement of meteorology modernization, automatic weather station had become an important means of atmospheric sounding. Collecting data and information security were basic requirements for meteorological monitoring and forecasting. When lightning struck large scale and very large scale integrated circuits, the automatic station can be damaged or its data collector can be interrupted. Two-level SPD lightning protection system and three-level ferrite lightning protection system can compensate for the lack of lightning protection board and power protector. MATLAB simulation analysis shows that the three level lightning protection circuits with ferrite are better than the two level SPD circuits in guaranteeing the automatic station operation. Putting the ferrite rings around the power lines or communication lines, along with the common lightning protection devices, can make the load terminal voltage limit to 500V. The lightning current is significantly reduced by using the simple method in the collector.

Development of Current Limiting Arcing Horn (MOV type arrester with external gap) for 22 kV power distribution line

In Japan, EGLA has been increasing since ZnO was developed. We developed Current Limiting Arcing Horn (CLAH) for 22kV power distribution line which was one of the EGLA. A lot of composite type lightning protection devices including CLAH are adopted for 6.6kV power line in Japan. This CLAH is the first lightning protection device, which used MOV, on 22kV distribution line in Japan. CLAH is better than arrester and arcing horn in interrupting the follow-current, re-transmission and other abilities. This product will contribute to be the decreasing outages for 22kV distribution line.

Experimental Investigation to Calculate the Lightning Outage Rate of a Distribution System

A method was devised for estimating the lightning outage rate in distribution lines based on a field study. The observation has pointed out that direct lightning flashes to distribution systems were the main cause of line outages; however, a greater number of arresters reduced the number of distribution line faults due to direct lightning strokes. The observation also suggested that the number of direct lightning strike flashovers changes by two factors: 1) the installation rate of surge arresters and 2) the density of the lines. It is noted that this assumption can be applied to the distribution system that has a greater number of transformer-containing arresters. Based on these factors, a computer program was proposed to estimate the lightning outage rate due to lightning strokes, and the calculated results showed good agreement with the observed values in the actual lines. These results suggest that this method can contribute to the evaluation of lightning protection devices, and can lead to effective lightning protection practices.

Mechanism of pole‐mounted transformer damage by backflow lightning and measures against the damage on low‐voltage distribution line

AbstractPole‐mounted transformers are especially vulnerable to lightning damage. The progress of the information society imposes increasingly stringent requirements for the reliability of electric power supply, and this in turn necessitates a reduction in lightning damage to pole‐mounted transformers. Lightning protective devices (surge arresters) are now being installed around the primary bushing of the transformers, which has decreased the number of disconnections around the primary bushing due to lightning. But surge arresters installed on the primary side of the transformer cannot protect it against backflow lightning entering the secondary side of the transformer. The characteristic of transformer damage by backflow lightning is that the electromagnetic force produced by the current flowing into the secondary side deforms the transformer windings. This paper elucidates the mechanism of transformer damage by lightning flowing into the secondary side by comparing actual lightning damage cases with the results of verification tests using a short‐circuit generator. Effective countermeasures against transformer damage by backflow lightning are examined by EMTP calculations, which indicate that neutral grounding on the low‐voltage distribution line is the most effective way of decreasing the current flowing into the transformer. The lower the grounding resistance, the less current flows into the transformer. In addition, decreasing the voltage on the secondary side is important in order to protect the secondary‐side bushing. The calculation results indicate that surge arresters installed around the secondary side of the transformer are effective in decreasing the voltage on the secondary side. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 171(2): 1–11, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20921

An Experimental Study of a Simulation Method for Calculating a Lightning Outage Rate of Distribution Lines

This paper has experimentally studied a simulation method for estimating a lightning outage rate of distribution lines. The observation shows that direct lightning hits to distribution systems are the main cause of the outage of the line, and further suggests that the two factors, the installation rate of surge arresters and the density of the lines, can play a decisive role in the generation of a direct lightning stroke to the line. Based on these data, a computer program was proposed to estimate a lightning outage rate due to lightning strokes, and the calculated results showed good agreement with the observed values in the actual lines. These results suggest that the method can contribute to the evaluation of lightning protection devices such as shielding wires and surge arresters, and can lead to effective lightning protection practices.

配電線雷観測に基づく耐雷機材の事故抑制効果の検証

Field study of lightning stroke effects, particularly the mechanisms underlying the production of line faults, is essential for designing rational lightning protection for distribution lines. The Tokyo Electric Power Company has conducted photographic research and observed voltage and current waveforms due to lightning strokes in actual distribution lines since 1996, obtaining 284 datasets, including 62 for direct hits to the lines. Combining lightning surge waveforms with photographs provides a comprehensive observation of each lightning flash and its effects. This paper experimentally evaluates observed datasets due to lightning flashes, and estimates the effect of lightning protection devices such as ground wires. These results can serve as a valuable resource to clarify lightning effects in distribution lines, and can lead to effective lightning protection practices.

Developing the First Gapless ZnO Surge Arrester in the World

Metal Oxide Surge Arrester (MOSA) technology was first developed in Japan and improved. Original discovery was made by Matsushita Electric Industry Co., Ltd by a finding of some diode phenomenon. Meidensha Corporation applied it to high voltage grid system in Japan in 1975 as a reliable lightning protection device. Japanese MOSA manufactures played a leading role in world MOSA innovations and developments. The BIL has been standardized based on arrester protective characteristics. Due to MOSA, the product shift to MOSA occurred from the gapped type arresters (GTA) 35 years ago as GTA had many gap-related problems. The MOSA became a complete IEC standard (IEC60099-4-1991) taking 20 years from starting development. The MOSA now has a solid footprint in the world lightning protection space.