IX International Symposium on

Lightning Protection
26
th
-30
th
November 2007 Foz do Iguau, Brazil


IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSMISSION LINE
LIGHTNING PERFORMANCE

Marcos Tell*, Vicente M. Canalli, Roberto P.
Homrich, Daniel Gazzana, Daniel S. Roso
Guilherme A. D. Dias, Virgilio T. D. B. Filho,
Flvio R. P. M. Jnior
CEEE IMPULSE Engenharia
MarcosT@ceee.com.br gaddias@terra.com.br
*Av. Ipiranga 8500 - Prdio E2 - Bloco A
Bairro Jardim Carvalho
CEP: 91.530-000
Porto Alegre - RS - Brasil

Abstract - This paper will presents the methodology used to
improve the lightning performance of a 69 kV transmission
line (TL) that feeds large industries in the vicinity of Porto
Alegre City and that was the subject of a R & D Project. The
criteria chosen to define the transmission line were the worst
possible performance and proximity with research people.
The chosen TL is located in a region with GFD-Ground
Flash Density of 5 flashes / km
2
year and presents a
normalized performance index of about 130 tripouts/100 km
year with only 3 km and 26 concrete structures.

Keywords: Lightning arresters, Lightning protection,
Transmission lines


1 INTRODUCTION

The steps adopted to improve the performance of the
transmission line were:
Electric and geometric characteristics inspection of
TL;
Preparation of instructions and procedures for soil
resistivity measurements, including high frequency
measurements;
Lightning shielding studies were conducted to
evaluate TL performance due to direct lightning
strikes to tower real configuration of phases and
overhead ground wire;
Use of ATP- Alternative Transients Program software
to model towers, phase conducting cables, overhead
ground wire and grounding systems, using measured
parameters. Another analysis involves the use of
transmission line arresters to be installed in the
transmission line structures in parallel with insulators.
This study was intended to be a quest for the best
transmission line arresters location;
Use of CDEGS software package (Current
Distribution, Electromagnetic Fields, Grounding and
Soil Structure Analysis) to evaluate the performance
and improvement of the impulsive grounding system
to better define the electrode geometry response to
lightning impulsive waves.
Soil electric parameters (electrical conductivity and
permittivity) are function of frequency range. So,
measurements of soil electromagnetic properties were
done in soil samples. The soil samples were obtained
in the site of the transmission line.

2 TL DOCUMENTATION

In the first stage of R & D Project, the Transmission Line
design was revisited and was prepared a Photographic
Report with all TL details recording aspects from concrete
structures, insulators, overhead conductors and ground
wire.

2.1 Checking the available TL Documents

The following 69 kV TL available documents were
checked: 69 kV TL structures, soil resistivity
measurements, cables (phases and overhead ground wire),
and grounding system resistance in each 69 kV TL tower,
etc. Fig. 1 shows the power system under study.


Guaba 1
Substation
Riocell Substation
Air Products
Substation
001
019
008
009
011
Car traffic circle
Praia da Alegria
entrance Portico
No OHGWbetween
structures 001 and 002
002
018
Fig. 1 Power System under study (69 kV TL).


2.2 Photographic Report

In Fig. 2 there are three fotographs of concrete strucutures
and respective insulation. Near the structures exists a 13,8
kV distribution feeder that dificult the access to the 69 kV
TL.







Fig. 2 Some photographs of concrete structures of TL.
2.3 Soil Resistivity and TL Grounding Resistance

The following measurements were conducted:
Grounding System resistance of each 69 kV TL
structure
Soil Resistivity

The grounding system resistance measurements show high
values of ground resistance (around k) in each structure
of the 69 kV TL. Checking in loco the 69 kV TL ground
resistance we verify the complete resistance grounding
system deterioration. This fact explains the bad
performance of the TL considering lightning discharge.
Measurements of soil resistivity were done to design the
new ground system resistance of each 69 kV TL structure.
The Wenner method was used to measure the soil
resistivity. The soil structure from Wenner Method is:

1
= 137,41 m

2
= 35,53 m
h = 0,79 m
The evaluation of soil structure allowed modeling the soil
parameters function of the frequency (see impulsive
grounding).

3 ATP SIMULATIONS

ATP simulations were conducted to determine the
performance of the 69 kV TL considering the lightning
strikes to tower and to estimate the maximum energy
absorbed by the line arresters installed in critical sections
of TL. Specifically, two stages of simulations were done.
The first stage of simulations considered the actual 69 kV
TL configuration, that means, high value of the 69 kV TL
structures ground resistance and stretch of the TL without
overhead ground wire. The second stage of simulations is
characterized by the inclusion of line arresters in parallel
with isolators in some towers of the 69 kV TL (critical
sections in terms of excessive overvoltage) and the value
of tower ground resistance obtained using the impulsive
grounding system (grounding electrodes configuration in
each tower of the 69 kV TL evaluated using analytical and
numerical methods). Its important to comment that the
many ATP simulations to take in account the impossibility
to install the overhead ground wire in one stretch of the 69
kV TL (to install the overhead ground wire the LT 69 kV
must be desenergized, however this is impossible). Fig. 3
shows one line ATP diagram used during many ATP
simulations.



Fig. 3 Typical simulation diagram.


ATP simulations are related with evaluation of tower
voltages, isolators voltages, etc. Considering direct
lightning stroke to tower and induced voltage in the TL
phase conductors due lightning stroke near the
transmission line. Fig. 4 shows the isolator voltages
considering induced voltage (due lightning discharge near
of the TL) in phase conductors of the TL.



Fig. 4 - The isolator voltages considering induced lightning
voltage.
4 IMPULSIVE GROUNDING

Impulsive Grounding considers the behavior of the
grounding system electrodes and the soil. The soil is one
of the most critical parameter that affects the design of
grounding systems in low frequency as much as high
frequency. In low frequency the electric conductivity (),
electric permittivity () and electric permeability () of
the soil are considered constant. Indeed, the soil
parameters and are considered null (this is true only
when w<<). However, the referred soil electric
parameters change with frequency (is the case when a
lightning stroke is applied in the grounding system). Its
important to comment that earth electric conductivity and
earth electric permittivity are strong frequency dependent.
Usually, in low frequency the soil is modeled in two
horizontal layers with different values of electric
conductivity. Such model ignore the effects of local soil
heterogeneity (like the existence of rocks).
In high frequency the earth electric conductivitty and
electric permittivity are frequency dependent. The
following expression represent these dependence [1-2].

) (
1 2
cot
0 0
m
mS
W
MHz
f
i ang i W
i
+ = |

\
|
(

+ |

\
|
+ = + =

(1)

Where,
0
,
i
and are statistically dependent.
0
is the
soil electric conductivity in low frequency (up to 100
kHz) and W is the variation of W with the frequency. In
other words, W represents the variation of W with the
frequency f. Reference [2] describes evaluations done in a
great number of soil samples to determine the probability
density distribution (pdd) of the
i
and parameters.
According [2] the
i
and maximum pdd are 12 mS/m
and 0.72, respectively. Additionally, according [2] the
developed methodology to determine soil electric
parameters variation with the frequency is valid because
in all soil samples analyzed dont exist correlation
between the couple parameters [
0
,
i
] and [
0
, ].
Fig. 5 shows the real and imaginary parts obtained
applying the methodology described above in the soil of
the transmission line 69 kV GUA1 RIO.

Resistivity [Ohms x m] (Real part)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 0,13 0,25 0,38 0,5 0,63 0,75 0,88 1
Frequency [MHz]
R
e
s
i
s
t
i
v
i
t
y

[
O
h
m

m
]


Imaginary part [S/m]
0
0,002
0,004
0,006
0,008
0,01
0,012
0 0,13 0,25 0,38 0,5 0,63 0,75 0,88 1
Frequency [MHz]
I
m
a
g
i
n
a
r
y

p
a
r
t

[
S
/
m
]


FIG. 5 - Electric Soil Parameters behavior considering the
frequency spectrum.


Fig. 6 shows a acrylic box filled with soil sample obtained
in the site where the transmission line 69 kV GUA1 RIO
is installed. In this soil sample was applied (in the acrylic
box extremity) a current wave of 8/20 s (standard wave
that represents a lightning discharge) and the difference
voltage between electrodes installed in the acrylic box
center was measured. Using this laboratory procedure its
possible to determine the expression + iw that

represents the soil behavior when impulsive waves (like
lightning discharge) flows into the soil.



Fig. 6 69 kV TL GUA1 - RIO soil sample under test.

Fig. 7 shows the electrode configuration of the grounding
system (new grounding system) used in each tower of the
transmission line 69 kV GUA1 RIO.



Fig. 7 Grounding system disposition of each tower in the
transmission line 69 kV GUA1 RIO.

Analytical expressions were applied to evaluate the
electrode low frequency resistance and the electrode surge
impedance installed in each TL 69 kV GUA1-RIO tower.
The obtained analytical results were compared using the
CDEGS software package.
Crow foot electrode disposition was our choice as tower
grounding system. The referred grounding electrode
disposition was the most suitable choice considering the
available physical space near the structures of the 69 kV
transmission line.
The ground resistance is evaluated using the expression:
(

+ |

\
|
= ) ( 1
2
ln ) (
'
n N
a
l
l n
n R

(2)
Where:
n: number of counterpoise;

( )2
1
'
2ah a =
, a is the physical radius of the conductor; h
is the depth of the conductor below the surface of the
earth;

=
(
(
(
(

\
|
|

\
|
+
=
1
1
1
ln ) (
n
m
n
m
sin
n
m
sin
n N

The surge impedance is evaluated using the following
expression (in Ohm):

2
1
0
2
1 ' ' 0
0
) 1 ( ) ( 2
) ( 1
2
ln ) ( 1
2
ln

+
(

+ |

\
|
(

+ |

\
|
=
r
n
n N
a
l
n N
a
l
Z

(3)
Where:

|

\
|
(
(
(
(

|
|
|
|

\
|
|

\
|
|

\
|
+
=

=
n
m
n
m
sin
n
m
sin
n N
n
m

cos
1
ln ) (
1
1
1
;

( ) ( )
{ }
180 0022 , 0 180 008 , 0
5 . 37 35

+ + =

e e
r


Using the above analytical methodology 5.90 is the
value of ground system surge impedance.
Fig. 8 shows soil surface potential distribution over the
grounding electrodes.

Fig. 8 Soil surface potential distribution over grounding
electrodes, plan and lateral view.
5. R&D IMPLANTATION

Its important to comment that before to install the line
arresters in parallel position with the TL isolators we did a
test of Rated Withstand Voltage (60 Hz, 1 minute). The
aim of this test is to guarantee the personal safety during
line arrester installation. Its important to point out that

the 69 kV TL GUA1-RIO remains energized during
grounding electrodes and line arresters installation.
Concerning to the grounding electrodes: in the original
design (and installation) of the 69 kV TL GUA1-RIO
inside of the concrete tower was made the connection
between overhead ground wire and the grounding
electrodes. Our R&D group chose to connect the overhead
ground wire and the grounding electrodes outside to the
concrete towers. This procedure was extended to all
towers of the TL, including the towers without line
arrester in parallel with the TL isolators. In Fig. 9 is
showed the activities done to install the line arresters and
the outside fall ground wire (connection between
overhead ground wire and grounding electrodes), as well
as the details of the line arrester installed on 69 kV TL
GUA1-RIO.


Fig. 9 Details of the line arrester installed on 69 kV TL
GUA1-RIO.
6. CONCLUSION

The line arresters were installed along critical sections of
the transmission line. The referred TL critical sections, as
well as the maximum energy absorbed by the line arresters
were determined using software ATP. So, ATP was used
to evaluate the LT performance in way to optimize the
quantity and the location of the line arrester along the
transmission line.
Analytical and numerical evaluations were done to
determine the grounding system behavior when a lightning
discharge flows into the electrode grounding.
Up to now the 69 kV TL GUA1-RIO are been monitored
to evaluate the LT lightning performance.

7. REFERENCES

(1) C.M. Portela, J.B. Gertrudes, M.C. Tavares, J.
Pissolato, Earth conductivity and permittivity data
measurements: Influence in transmission line
transient performance, Electric Power Systems
Research 76 (2006) 907915.
(2) Miranda, J. A., Simulao de Fenmenos
Transitrios em Sistemas de Aterramento,
Dissertao de Mestrado apresentada
COPPE/UFRJ, Maro 2003.
(3) Dart, F. C.; Fernandes, C.; Portela, C., Sistemas de
Aterramento Discusso de Aspectos Bsicos para
Concepo e Dimensionamento Adequados, XI
SNPTEE Seminrio Nacional de Produo e
Transmisso de Energia Eltrica, Rio de Janeiro, RJ,
1991, RJ/GSU/06.
(4) Devgan, S. S. and Whitehead, E. R., "Analytical
models for distributed grounding systems", paper T
73 182-3, apresentado no IEEE PES Winter Meeting,
New York, NY, January 28, February 2, 1973, pp.
1763-1769.
(5) Lobo, A. R., Cherchiglia, L. C. L., Malhas de Terra
para Estaes Remotas de Telecomunicaes, anais
do IX Seminrio Nacional de Produo e
Transmisso.
(6) IEEE Std 1243-1997, IEEE Guide for Improving the
Lightning Performance of Transmission Lines.
(7) ATP Alternative Transients Program RULE
BOOK, 1987.
(8) CDEGS (Current Distribution, Electromagnetic
Interference, Grounding and Soil Structure Analysis).
(9) Ministrio do Trabalho e Emprego, Norma
Regulamentadora NR 10 Segurana em Instalaes e
Servios em Eletricidade, 2004.
(10) NBR 7117:1981 Medio da resistividade do solo
pelo mtodo dos quatro pontos (Wenner).
(11) NBR5410:2004 Instalaes eltricas de baixa tenso.
(12) ANSI / IEEE Std 516:1987 IEEE Guide for
Maintenance Methods on Energized Power Lines.
(13) Gustavo Carrasco H., Alessandro Villa R. - Lightning
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Santa Elena up 230 kV - International Conference on
Power Transients - IPST 2003 in New Orleans, USA.
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IEEE Volume Issue , 6-10 June 2 004 Page(s): 1125 -
1130 Vol.1.