Lightning Flashover Characteristic and Effective Protection Measures of 10 kV Distribution Line Network

Song Zhang, Xiaobin Xiao, Lei Jia, Huaifei Chen, Lu Qu, Chakhung Yeung (), Yuxuan Ding () and Yaping Du
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Song Zhang: Guizhou Electric Power Research Institute, China Southern Power Grid, Guiyang 546000, China
Xiaobin Xiao: Guizhou Electric Power Research Institute, China Southern Power Grid, Guiyang 546000, China
Lei Jia: Power Research Institute, China Southern Power Grid, Guangzhou 510530, China
Huaifei Chen: Power Research Institute, China Southern Power Grid, Guangzhou 510530, China
Lu Qu: Power Research Institute, China Southern Power Grid, Guangzhou 510530, China
Chakhung Yeung: Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom 999077, Hong Kong
Yuxuan Ding: Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom 999077, Hong Kong
Yaping Du: Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom 999077, Hong Kong

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: Among various failure causes, lightning overvoltage represents the most significant threat to overhead distribution lines, which serve as critical components in power systems. This study uses the hybrid partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC) multi-conductor transmission line (MTL) method to perform overvoltage simulations and investigate lightning risk distribution along distribution lines developed from a real 10 kV distribution networks in Guizhou, China. The results of the rocket-triggered lightning observation verify the accuracy of the hybrid method for direct lightning simulation. Combining the Monte Carlo method with the electro-geometric model (EGM), the impact of differential protection configurations on annual lightning flashover rates is analyzed. The results demonstrate that lightning strikes on phase wires generate high-magnitude overvoltages but with limited spatial influence, resulting in fewer pole flashovers. Conversely, strikes on poles produce lower overvoltage peaks but affect wider areas, leading to significantly more flashovers. Using annual flashover rates as the risk evaluation metric, the line topologies into high-risk, medium-risk, and other low-risk areas are classified. Targeting an annual flashover rate below 0.4 as the design objective, the configuration schemes of the arresters are progressively optimized. This risk-based approach provides an effective reference framework for differential protection design of distribution line safeguards.

Keywords: distribution lines; EGM; Monte Carlo; risk distribution; arresters; direct lightning; differentiated protection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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