Simulation study of lightning fault waveforms influenced by the arc quenching properties of wooden distribution line poles
Date
2008-05-23T13:08:54Z
Authors
Bredenoord, Carl Henk
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Abstract
Abstract
With an ever increasing emphasis on reliability of supply, improvement in the lightning
performance of distribution lines is required. The arc quenching properties of wooden
distribution line poles during lightning strikes are an important factor in the reduction of
switchgear operation, hence outages. Measurements were conducted on a 22 kV distribution
line and it was suspected, in some cases, that direct lightning strikes to the line did not cause
switchgear operation. Distribution lines predominantly use wooden poles with a specific
configuration which incorporates a 'wooden' spark gap. This paper provides background
to the basic configuration of a typical distribution line and the processes which govern the
electric arc. A simulation using a dynamic arc model shows that field measured lightning
overvoltages on a distribution line are reproducible through system modelling. The simplistic
dynamic arc model developed is sufficiently accurate to describe a set of arcs in a larger
system such as a distribution line.
Description
Keywords
lightning, electric power distribution, electric power transmission, South Africa