ISBN 978-0-620-44584-9

Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering

c 2009 SAIEE, Innes House, Johannesburg
Copyright

LINE SURGE ARRESTER APPLICATION ON 123 KV DOUBLE

CIRCUIT LINE
S. Sadovic1*, M. Babuder2, M. Hrast3, D. Bokal3, M. Marinek3 and T. Sadovic1
1
Sadovic Consultant, France
2
Elektrointitut Milan Vidmar, Slovenia
3
Elektro Slovenija, Slovenia
*Email: sadovic@aol.com
Abstract: This paper presents Line Surge Arresters (LSA) application on double circuit shielded
123 kV transmission line. LSA with the external gap, installed on the composite insulator
(flexarrest type) are used. In order to optimize arrester installation configuration a series of the
simulations, using sigma slp software are performed. Line total and double circuit composite
lightning performance is computed for the real tower footing resistance distribution and different
ground flash densities along the line. Ground flash densities along the transmission line route are
taken from the Slovenian Lightning Location System (SCALAR).

1. INTRODUCTION
Line insulation critical flashover voltage is 584 kV.
Tower footing resistance distribution along line length
was available. Ground flash density on the different line
sections was obtained from the SCALAR. This data is
used for the line composite performance computations.

There are several methods used for the improvement of

lightning performance of the existing transmission lines,
such as: tower footing resistance reduction, increase of
line insulation level, installation of additional ground
and guy wires, addition of under-built ground wires, etc.
Some of them have limited effect, while others are very
often related to very high costs and the corresponding
difficulties.
Thanks to the development of polymer housed line
surge arresters with and without an external gap it is
possible to maintain complete control on the line
lightning performance. LSA are mainly used for line
lightning performance improvement [2, 3, 4] and for the
reduction of the multi circuit outages [4].
This paper presents results of the study, related to the
application of line surge arresters for the lightning
performance improvement of a 123 kV double circuit
shielded line, which is installed in the region with a very
intensive lightning activity. In this region, it was also
very difficult to achieve good line grounding.
For the line lightning performance improvement,
polymer housed line surge arresters with an external
gap, installed on the composite insulator (flexarrest
type) are applied.

2.2 Line surge arrester

LSA with external gap, installed on the composite
insulator (flexarrest type) is used in all simulations. The
considered arrester has following characteristics:
Rated voltage:
MCOV:
Nominal discharge current:
IEC Line Discharge Class:
100 % LI Flashover voltage:
Switching impulse withstand voltage:

108
78
10
I
505
230

(kV)
(kV)
(kA)
(kV)
(kV)

2.3 Software simulations

Sigma slp software [1] is used for all simulations. The
features of this package are a multiphase travelling
wave method, leader propagation insulation flashover
model, current dependent tower footing resistance,
linear or upward concave stroke front, random stroke
timing with respect to the power frequency voltage
angle, etc.
The software performs the modelling for the
electromagnetic transient simulations. The user specifies
only readily available data. The line insulation flashover
voltage is varied according to the normal distribution,
described by the insulation critical flashover voltage and
a standard deviation of 3%.
Three-dimensional electro-geometric modelling is
performed in order to determine the lightning stroke
distribution along the transmission line. Sigma slp
software has a tool for the automatic determination of
the line composite performance, taking into account real
tower footing distribution and real ground flash density
distribution along the line.

2. STUDY DATA AND MODELLING

2.1 Transmission Line
The studied transmission line is one section of the
123 kV line Gorica Divaca. The line is double circuit
shielded line. This, 26.8 km long section of the line
consists of 107 towers. The towers are of metal
construction, having a height of 29.6 m. Towers are
represented as propagation elements having a surge
impedance of 182 . Transients on the tower top are
also modelled using equivalent inductance branches
(coupled with a damping resistance). The phase
conductors and ground wire data are given in the
Annex. The span length is 253 m, while the phase
conductor and ground wire sags are 9 m and 7 m
respectively.
Pg. 1

Paper G-36

Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering

c 2009 SAIEE, Innes House, Johannesburg
Copyright

ISBN 978-0-620-44584-9

3. LINE LIGHTNING PERFORMANCE

Table 2: Line Double Circuit Flashover Rate as a
function of the tower footing resistance and LSA
installation
[Flashovers/100km/year]

Line lightning performance is computed for the

different arrester installation configurations and for the
different tower footing resistances (from 10 to 60 ).
The ratio between soil resistivity and footing resistance
was 30 in all cases. Total number of 3000 statistical
simulations is performed for each value of the tower
footing resistance and for each LSA installation
configuration.
LSA installation configurations are given in the first
row of the Tables 1 and 2. Empty circle indicates phase
conductor without LSA, while black filled circle
indicates presence of the LSA on that conductor.
Line Total Flashover Rate as a function of the tower
footing resistance and LSA installation configuration is
given in Table 1, while Table 2 presents double circuit
flashover rate. Presented results are based on the 100
km of the line length.

RT ()
10
20
30
40
50
60

0.22
0.92
2.33
4.44
6.73
9.26

0.03
0.39
1.18
2.37
3.89
5.34

0.18
0.45
1.37
2.29
3.97
5.6

0
0
0.01
0.22
0.45
0.79

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0

Taking into account the tower footing resistance

distribution and ground flash density distribution
(obtained by SCALAR) along the line where available,
it was possible to compute so called Line composite
performance.
Line composite performance is
computed on the each tower basis, taking into
consideration particular tower footing resistance and the
corresponding ground flash density. The results from
Tables 1 and 2 are used for the determination of the
performance of any tower, as a function of tower
footing resistance (by interpolation). The software
performs this automatically.
The software has also a tool, which enables automatic
selection of the arrester installation configuration based
on the tower footing resistance criteria.

RT ()
0.54
2.07
4.72
8.37
11.27
14.52

0
0.07
0.26
0.63
1.2
2.01

4. LINE COMPOSITE PERFORMANCE

[Flashovers/100km/year]

1.59
6.62
13.32
19.4
25.86
31.95

0.01
0.22
1.14
2.18
3.38
5.00

- Without LSA
- LSA Installed

Table 1: Line Total Flashover Rate as a function of the

tower footing resistance and LSA installation

10
20
30
40
50
60

0.47
3.16
7.05
11.4
16.28
20.36

0.03
0.09
0.37
0.94
1.58
2.35

- Without LSA
- LSA Installed

Ground Flash Densities along different line sections

[Strokes / km2 / year]
4.2

4.7

4.7

3.4

4.7

3.4

4.5

3.4

3.0

2.6

Footing resistance (ohm)

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1

11

21

31

41

51

61

71

81

91

101

Tower number

Figure 1: Tower footing resistance and ground flash density distributions along the studied line

Pg. 2

Paper G-36

Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering

c 2009 SAIEE, Innes House, Johannesburg
Copyright

ISBN 978-0-620-44584-9

Table 5: Line Composite Performance for the 100 km

line length
[Flashovers/100km/year]

It was decided to use only three arrester installation

configurations (2, 4 and 6 LSA per tower). Adopted
arrester installation strategy is presented in Table 3.
Table 3: LSA installation strategy as a function of the
tower footing resistance
RT ()

No of LSA
0
150

LSA Installation
configuration

SFFR
0.288
0.24

DBLE
1.80
0.15

5. MONITORING SYSTEM

8 < RT 15

This project is considered as LSA application pilot

project. A sophisticated real time monitoring equipment
will be installed. Data will be transferred to the control
centre over WiFi and 3G networks.
Two types of the monitoring equipment will be
installed:

15 < RT 25
RT > 25
- Without LSA
- LSA Installed

a) Equipment to monitor LSA current shapes

This system consists of the controller equipped with 4
or 8 channels fast digitizing card (10 samples per
microsecond). As soon as LSA operation is detected,
complete arrester current shape will be transmitted to
the central server. Rogowski coils will be used as
current sensors.

When arrester installation strategy is applied, the

software automatically places the corresponding LSA
installation configuration on the different towers. With
the application of these criteria the software selects the
total number of 162 LSA. After that step it is possible to
change manually LSA installation on some towers
(especially in the sections with lower values of the
ground flash density). It was decided to use the
maximum number of 150 LSA.
Line composite performance before and after LSA
installations is presented in Table 4 (for line real length)
and Table 5 (for 100 km line length).
From the presented results we can see that the
substantial improvement in the line performance is
obtained by the use of LSA. Line total flashover rate is
improved 4 times, while double circuit flashover rate is
improved for more than 10 times (12 times).
After installation of 150 LSA we can expect only one
flashover in 4 years. Return rate for the double circuit
flashovers is one in 12 years. We can consider this line
lightning performance as excellent.
It is important to note that this performance is obtained
by the installation of the 25 % of the total possible
number of LSA (107 towers x 6 LSA = 642 LSA: all
towers 6 LSA).

b) Equipment to monitor lightning stroke position

and surge arrester operation
This is an optical system, which uses high-speed IP
optical sensors. Optical system is installed on the towers
adjacent to the tower where systems for LSA current
shape monitoring are installed. Local controller
permanently examines pictures (using picture
recognition technology) and as soon as a sudden change
is detected complete event video is transmitted to the
central server. There are three picture monitoring
windows: two monitoring arresters - to detect spark gap
operation and one which monitors tower top in order to
determine stroke location (tower top, shield wire, phase
conductors).
All systems (LSA current monitoring and optical) are
synchronized over WiFi network. Systems are powered
by solar supply systems, installed on the line towers.
Total number of 6 current shape monitoring and 6
optical systems will be installed.
6. LSA CURRENT SHAPES

Table 4: Line Composite Performance for the real line

length
[Flashovers/26.8km/year]
TOT
1.01
0.25

BFR
3.48
0.69

TOT - Line Total Flashover Rate

BFR - Back Flashover Rate
SFFR - Shielding Failure Flashover Rate
DBLE - Line Double Circuit Flashover Rate

RT 8

No of LSA
0
150

TOT
3.76
0.94

BFR
0.93
0.19

SFFR
0.08
0.06

Mesured LSA current shapes will be compared with the

current shapes obtained by the software simulations and
info obtained from the SCALAR lightning location
system. In addition, picture obtained with the optical
sensors will also help to identify stroke locations and
arrester gap operations.
Figure 2 presents LSA current shapes for four LSA
installation configuration. Lightning stroke, having peak
of 100 kA, 4 s front time and 75 s tail time hits tower
top.

DBLE
0.48
0.04

TOT - Line Total Flashover Rate

BFR - Back Flashover Rate
SFFR - Shielding Failure Flashover Rate
DBLE - Line Double Circuit Flashover Rate
Pg. 3

Paper G-36

Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering

c 2009 SAIEE, Innes House, Johannesburg
Copyright

ISBN 978-0-620-44584-9

7.

Mesured LSA current shapes will be compared with

the current shapes obtained by the software
simulations and info obtained from the SCALAR
lightning location system. In addition, picture
obtained with optical sensors will also help to
identify stroke locations and arrester gap
operations.

8.

Depending on the results of this LSA application

pilot project, it will be decided about future
applications of this technology to other lines.

8
LSA Current (kA)

7
6
5
4
3
2
1

8. ANNEX

0
0

10

15 20

25

30 35

40 45

Conductor locations on the towers and the

corresponding conductor radiuses are given in Table
A.1.

50

Time (microsec)

Table A.1: Conductor data

Figure 2: LSA Currents shapes - 4 LSA configuration

[100 kA to tower top]

Cond. No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

As expected LSA installed on the bottom conductors are

more stressed than top conductor arresters (different
coupling factors).
7. CONCLUSIONS
1.

In order to improve transmission line lightning

performance of 123 kV double circuit shielded, 26.8
km long section of the Gorica Divaca line, 150
polymer housed LSA with external gap (EGLA) will
be used. LSA external gap will be installed on the
composite insulator (flexarrest type).

2.

LSA installation strategy is based on the sigma slp

software simulations. This software enables line
composite performance determination taking into
account real tower footing resistance distribution
and ground flash density distribution along the line.
In addition, the software automatically places on the
towers different arrester LSA installation
configurations, based on the tower footing resistance
criteria.

3.

Data obtained by the Slovenian lightning location

system (SCALAR) is extremely important for the
LSA installation optimisation.

4.

After installation of 150 LSA we can expect only

one flashover in 4 years. Return rate for the double
circuit flashovers is one in 12 years. We can
consider this line lightning performance as excellent.

5.

This project is considered as LSA application pilot

project. A sophisticated real time monitoring
equipment will be installed.

6.

Two types of the monitoring equipment will be

installed:

x (m)
-2.1
-2.9
-2.1
2.1
2.9
2.1
0

y (m)
26.2
22.1
18
26.2
22.1
18
29.6

r (mm)
10.9
10.9
10.9
10.9
10.9
10.9
8

Conductor No 7 is a shield wire.

9. REFERENCES
[1] sigma slp software - software for the determination
of overhead line lightning performance, Sadovic
Consultant, France, www.sadovic.com.
[2] M. Babuder, M. Kenda, P. Kotar, E. Brocard, S.
Tartier, R. Joulie, S. Sadovic: 'Lightning
Performance Improvement of 123 kV Transmission
Line by use of Line Surge Arresters' XI International
Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, London,
U.K., August, 1999
[3] S. Sadovic. R. Joulie. S. Tartier. E. Brocard Use of
Line Surge Arresters for the Improvement of 63 kV
and 90 kV Shielded and Unshielded Transmission
Lines. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery. Vol.
12. No. 3. July 1997. pp. 1232 1240
[4] S. Sadovic, R. Joulie, S. Tartier, E. Brocard: Line
Surge Arresters and Unbalanced Insulation in the
Reduction of Double Circuit Outages on a 225 kV
Transmission Line X International Symposium on
High Voltage Engineering, Montreal, Canada,
August 25-29, 1997
[5] Y. Wahab, Z. Abidin, S. Sadovic Line Surge
Arrester Application on the Quadruple Circuit Transmission Line, Bologna PowerTech 2003 International Conference, June 2003, Bologna, Italy
[6] M. Muhr, T. Sadovic Real-Time Remote
Monitoring of Line Surge Arresters, CIGRE
Colloquium, Application of Line Surge Arresters in
Power Distribution and Transmission Systems,
Cavtat, Croatia, 2008

- Equipment to monitor LSA current shapes

- Equipment to optically monitor lightning stroke
position and surge arrester operation

Pg. 4

Paper G-36