CHAPTER 3

LIGTHNING PHENOMENA & HV

TRANSIENT ANALYSIS
Question 1:

Q1(a) With the aids of suitable labeled diagrams, discuss three possible discharge
paths that can cause surges on the transmission line.

earth wire

tower conductor 3 leader core

space charge envelope

tower footing

resistance 1

earth plane

Answer:

In the first discharge path (1), which is from leader core of the lightning stroke to
the earth, the capacitance between the leader and earth discharged promptly,
and the capacitance from the leader head to the earth wire and the phase
conductor are discharge ultimately by travelling wave action, so that a voltage is
developed across the insulator string. This is known as the induced voltage due
to lightning stroke to nearby ground. It is not a significant factor in the
lightning performance of the systems above 66kv, but causes considerable
trouble on lower voltage systems.
 The second discharge path (2) is between the lightning head and the earth
conductor. Its discharges the capacitance between these two. The resulting
travelling wave comes down the tower and, acting through its effective
impedance, raises the potential of the tower top to a point where the difference in
voltage across the insulation is sufficient to cause flashover from the tower back
to the conductor. Then is so-called back flashover mode.

The third mode of discharge (3) is between the leader core and the phase
conductor. This discharges the capacitance between these two and injects the
main discharge current into the phase conductor, so developing a surge
impedance voltage across the insulator string, at relatively low current, the
insulation strength is exceeded and the discharged path is completed to earth via
the tower. This is the shielding failure or direct stroke to the phase conductor.

Q1(b) A lightning stroke which reaches a peak current of 35kA in 1µS strikes a 20 m
tower on a 345kV transmission line. The line has a ground wire joining the tops of
the towers; its surge impedance is 520Ω. The tower surge impedance is 90Ω and
the ground footing resistance is 40Ω.

Determine whether the line insulators will flashover as a consequence of the

surge, assuming that their impulse flashover strength is 1050 kV. A coupling
factor 0.3 with the phase conductor can be assumed; the impedance of the
stroke channel can be ignored; a wave velocity on the tower of 2.98 x 10^8 m/s
can be assumed. Show the surge progressions in the form of Bewley lattice
diagram.
Answer:

α3

β2 Zg= 520Ω

α2

ZT= 90Ω 20m

α1

40Ω 40Ω

1/Zeq = 1/Zt +1/Zg + 1/Zg V = Imax x Zeq

=1/90 + 1/520 + 1/520 = 35 x 10000 x 66.86

Zeq =66.86Ω = 2.34MV = u(t)

α1 = (R - Zt)/(R + Zt) α2 = Zg//Zg – Zt Β = 1 + α2

= (40 - 90)/(40 + 90) = (520//520 – 90)/ (520//520 + 90) =1 + 0.486 = 1.486

= - 0.385 = (260 – 90)/ (260 +90) =0.486

Time taken for wave travel from tower top to tower base

dt = distance/velocity = 20/ (2.98 x 10^8) = 0.067µs = 1T

No of travel in 1µs after the lightning strike

0.067 µs 1T

1µs 1/ 0.067 =14.9 T

(not completed- please refer to Dr. Muhridza book)
Question 2:

Q2 (a) Fig. Q2 (a) shows a schematic diagram of a titled transmission line tower and an
impulse current waveshape, i(t) . Consider the tower top is struck by the lightning
current i(t) and voltage rises to u(t).

Figure Q2. a)

Also

Zg is the surge impedance of the ground wire

Zt is the surge impedance of the tower

u(t) is the impulse surge function

i(t) is the current wave function

TT is time of surge propagation from tower top to the tower footing.

R(t) is tower footing resistance

UTT (t) is the potential distribution on the top of tower.

α is the coefficient of the reflection on the tower bottom side

β is the coefficient of reflection on the tower top side

(i) Show that

u(t) = ZgZt/(Zg + 2Zt). i(t)

Answer:

u(t) = [Zg//Zt//Zg] x i(t)

= {(Zg/2)//Zt } x i(t)

= {(ZgZt/2)/ (Zg/2 + Zt )} x i(t)

= ZgZt/(Zg + 2Zt) x i(t).

(ii) Determine whether the following equation is right or wrong.

UTT = u(t) + αT (1 + β) [u(t – 2TT) + (αTβ)u(t – 4TT)+(αTβ)u (t – 4TT) + (αTβ)^2 . u(t –

6TT) +…..]

Answer:

UTT = ut(t) + β1α1ut (t - 2∆T) - β1 α12 α2 ut(t – 4∆T) - β1 α13 α22 ut(t - 6∆T) - …..

= ut(t) – (1 - β) α1 ut(t – 2∆T) – β(1 - β) α12 α2 ut(t - 4∆T) - (1-β) α13 α22 ut(t -
6∆T) - ….

= ut(t) – (1 - β) α1[ ut(t – 2∆T) – β(1 - β) α1α2 ut(t - 4∆T) - (1-β) α12 α22 ut(t -
6∆T) - ….

UTT = u(t) + αT (1 + β) [u(t – 2TT) + (αTβ)u(t – 4TT)+(αTβ)u (t – 4TT) + (αTβ)2 . u(t

– 6TT) +…..]
Q2(b) A lightning current surge with the wave shape as shown in figure Q3 (b), strikes a
tower, which has a single ground wire in both directions. The characteristics are
as follows:

Surge impedance of lightning channel, Z1 = infinity

Surge impedance of tower, Zt = 150Ω

Surge impedance of ground wire, Zg = 340Ω

Velocity of wave propagation on lines = 298m/µs

Velocity of wave propagation on tower = 240m / µs

Height of tower = 30m

Effective tower footing resistance =40Ω

Lightning current peak magnitude = 40kA.

Orientation of propagation

20 µs 1 µs

Based on fig 2(a), determine the maximum tower top potential for a duration 5
times the time of surge propagation from the tower top to the tower base after the
lightning strike the tower.

Answer:

UTT = ut(t) - 0.579(1 – 0.0625)[ut (t - 2∆T) – 0.579 x 0.0625(t – 4∆T)

 = ut(t) - 0.579(1 – 0.0625)[ut (t - 2∆T) – 0.579 x 0.0625(t – 4∆T)

= ut(t) - 1.036(ut (t - 2∆T) – 0.036Ut(t – 4∆T)

= ut(t) - 1.036(ut (t - 2∆T) – 0.037Ut(t – 4∆T)

∆T = 30/240 = 0.125 µs

The lightning current wave shape 1/20 µs.

1 µs = 1/0.125=8∆T

20 µs=20/0.125=160

The Vsurge =

The peak voltage is 0.91MV.

Question 3:

Q3.a) Discuss two (2) of the followings.

i. Lightning phenomena

ii. Direct strike and indirect strike

iii. Switching overvoltage

Answer:

i) Benjamin Franklin has proved lightning is an electrical phenomena. An

electrical phenomenon carries the concept of charge involvement. So two types
of charges are the reasons for the cloud to be considered as a 'cell' . The
charges are a) positive type, and b) negative type. Fig 1 shows the typical
thundercloud structure.

Not all clouds are lightning cloud generator. It is only the cumulonimbus cloud
type that can generate lightning. The Ice Splinter can be used to explain on the
electrification of the cloud. The moistures and precipitation particles being is
suspension in air and due to upwards action of updraft, causing super cooling to
take place and resulting moistures to become ice. The ionic migration of OH in
the front and H being lighter are pulled out to settle in the outer layer. The
resultant two-layer ice structure split due to different rate of ice expansion (the
inner and outer layer). The splinters are basically of positive-charge and
negative-charged. The lighter positive splinters are pulled upwards while the
lighter negatively charged splinters settle at the lower point of the cloud. If the
electric field between the cloud and ground exceed the dielectric strength of air,
streamers will appear and propagate towards the ground. The last jump of these
streamers to the ground results in upward streamers to move to attach itself to
the downwards-moving streamers. The attachments result results in the process
of charges neutralization of the positive and negative charge. This is known as
return strike. It causes large currents to flow to the ground.

Direct strike.

Ground flash activities of lightning involve direct and indirect strike. If the intend
facilities or building or even structure for protection are struck by lightning, which
could end with structure damage others, this is direct strike.

Indirect strike.

If the damage to building and equipment due to surge propagation is because of

inductive and capacitive affects. This is termed as indirect strike.

Switching Voltage.

With the steady increase in transmission voltages needed to fulfill the required
increase in transmitted power, switching surges have become the governing
factor in the design of insulation of EHV and UHV systems. In the meantime,
lightning overvoltage come as a secondary factor in these networks. There is a
great variety of events that would initiate a switching surge in a power network.
The switching operations of greatest tolerance to insulation design can be
classified as follows:

a. Energization of a line
 b. Load rejection

c. Switching on and off of equipment

d. Fault initiation and clearing

Q3.b) Lightning strike at mid span of a transmission line ground wire at point a as
shown in figure Q3(b). This wave travels in both direction of the transmission and
reflection coefficients, β and α at points b and d.

Point b is to be considered:

α = (Zg2 || ZT1- Zg1 )/(Zg2 || ZT1- Zg1 )

β=1- α

α = ((Zg2 × ZT1)/(Zg2 × ZT1 ) - Zg1 )/((Zg2 × ZT1)/(Zg2 × ZT1 ) - Zg1 )

= (Zg2 × ZT1 - Zg1 (Zg2 + ZT1))/(Zg2 × ZT1 - Zg1 (Zg2 - ZT1))

Point d:

α = (R1 - ZT1)/(R1 - ZT1) β does not exist

A lightning surge of magnitude 10kA with the voltage wave shape of 1.2/50 µs
strike a ground conductor and midspan of a transmission line. If the channel
surge impedance is 1500kΩ and the ground wire impedance is 600Ω. Determine
at the point of strike:

i. The equivalent circuit and equivalent impedance.

j. The peak current and

k. The peak voltage

Based on the equivalent circuit:

(Zg1× Zg1 )/(2Zg1) = 600/2=300

 Based on the circuit:

I_peak=(1500 )/(1500- 300 ) ×10=0.833 ×10=8.33kA

The peak voltage:

V_surge=Z_eq× I_peak=300 ×8.33kA=2499kV=2.5 MW

Question 4:
Q4.a) Figure Q4(a) page final exam -4- show a schematic diagram of a tilted
transmission line tower and an impulse current waveshape , i(t). Consider the top
is struck by the lighting current i(t) and voltage rises to u(t).

Show that

u(t)=ZgZt/(Zg+2Zt).i(t)

Where Zg is the impedance of ground wire

Zt is the surge impedance of the tower
U(t) is the impulse surge function
T is time of surge propagation from tower top to the cross-arm
i(t) is the current wave function
Tt is time of surge propagation from tower top to the tower footing.
 TA is time of surge propagation from tower cross-arm to the tower
footing.
Rt is tower footing resistance.

Answer:

Zq = Zg||Zg||Zt=Zg/2||Zt
Zg/2||Zt
= 𝑍𝑔
+𝑍𝑡
2

Zg/2 xZt
= 𝑍𝑔
+𝑍
2

U(t) = i(t).Zg
= i(t).[ (Zg/2 x Zt)/(Zg/2 +zt)]
= i(t).[( ZgZt)/(Zg+2Zt)]

Q4.b) Show whether the following equation is right or wrong (write the detailed
derivation in order to prove it)

UTT (t)=u(t)-αT (1+β)[u(t-2TT)-( αT β)u(t-4TT)+( αT β)2.u(t-6Tt)….]

Where UTT(t) is the potential distribution on the top of tower.

UTA(t) is the potential distribution on the tower cross-arm.
Alpha (α) is the coefficient of reflection.
Beta(β) is the coefficient of the reflection on the tower top side.
Answer:

Utt = Ut(t) + αUt(1+β)(t-2TT) + α2 βU(t-4 TT) + α2 β2U(t-4 TT) + α3 β2Ut(t-6 TT)

+ α3 β3Ut(t-6 TT)

= Ut(t) + α(1+ β)ut(t-2TT) + α2 β3U(1+β)U(t-4TT)+ α3 β2U(1+β)U(t-6TT)

=Ut(t)+ α(1+ β)[Ut(t-2TT)+ α βU(t-4TT)+ (α β)2U(t-6TT)…..]

Q4.c) Figure Q4(b) shows a partly distribution system of electrical power network
where an overhead line is connected to a set of three underground cables
connected each other in series at point A,B and C respectively . At those
respective points a resistor R is connected to the ground. The line is struck by
lightning at point OH, 100 away from the underground cable UG1. The from of
the lighting current is,

I(t)= 3.0×1010t ,0<t<2.0 us

= 6.0×104 - 3.0×108t ,2<t<101us
=0 ,t>101us
Each underground cable is 300m in length where Zoh, Za, Zb, and Zc is equal to
450Ω, R=80Ω. Assume Z of lightning channel impedance is infinity. Traveling
waves have the following velocities;

a) On the overhead the following velocities;

b) On the underground cable 2.68

Answer:

Î = 3.0 x 10^10 x 2.0 x10^-6

= 6.0 x 10^4
Î = 6.0 x 10^4-3.0x10^8x2x10^6
 = 60000-600=59400 t=2.0us t=101us
I =o
Vsurg =59400 x (450/2)= 1.34MV

Time of travelling
At overhead line conductor
oH-UG1 = 100/2.98x10^8
= 33.6x10^-8
= 0.34 use = T

UG1= UG2= UG3

= 300/2.68 x10^8
= 111.9x10^-8
=1.12us

T= 1.12us , hence 0.34/1.12= 3.294

α = 450-450/450+450=0
β= 1+ α=1
α2=67.9-450/67.9+450
450x80/450+80
= -0.738 = 67.9
Β2 = 1+α2 =0.262
α3 = -0.738, β3= 0.262
α4 = 80-450/80+450 = -370/530 =-0.698

Ut at bus B after 3us lighting strike the overheadline =β1β2β3u(t-T∆𝑇)

Vb = β1β2β3ut(t-T∆T)
= 1 x 0.262x0.262Ut(t- T∆T) = 0.069Ut (t- T∆T)
 The Zeq at lighting point of strike
= 450/2 =225Ω
I’=60kA
Vsurge= 225 x59.4
= 13.34MV
=1 p.u
So the first peak voltage at point B after 3usc the lighting strike the overhead
conductor
0.069 x13.34=0.9210MV

The time it happen is T∆T + 2.0

= 7 x 0.34 + 2.0
= 4.38usec

Question 5:
Q5.a.) Discuss the following:
i. Backflashover of a lightning strike
ii. The causes of switching surge
iii. Front time and tail time of lightning impulse voltage

Answer:

i. When a direct lightning stroke occurs on a tower, the tower has to carry
huge impulse current. If the tower footing resistance is considerable, the
potential of the tower rises to a large value, steeply with respect to the line
and consequently a flashover may take place along the insulator strings.
This is known as “back flashover”.

ii. The origin of switching surges in power system;

 De-energizing of transmission lines, cable, shunt capacitor, banks
  Disconnection of unloaded transformer, reactors
 Energization or reclosing of lines and reactive loads
 Sudden switching off of loads
 Short circuit and fault clearance
 Resonance phenomenon like ferro-resonance, arcing ground

iii. Front time – time taken for the lightning impulse waveshape to rise from
start to peak.
Tail time – time taken for the lightning impulse waveshape to decay to 50% of its peak

Q5b.) Prove the reflection coefficient, α = (Z2 – Z1)/(Z2 + Z1) and the transmission
coefficient, β = (2)Z2/(Z2 + Z1) for an incident lightning surge on a transmission
line where Z1 is the surge impedance of line 1 and Z2 is the surge impedance of
line 2.

Answer:

E + Er = Et and I + Ir = It ...... (1)

E = Z1.I, E = Z2.It, Er = -Z1.Ir ...... (2)

Insert (2) into (1),

E/Z1 – Er/Zr = Et/Z2 = (E + Er)/Z2 ...... (3)

Q5c.) A lightning current with a rate of 25 kA/µs reaches a peak value in 1.6µs has
struck a ground wire at mid-span (at the middle of two transmission towers). If
the ground wire surge impedance is given as Zg = 250Ω, calculate the generated
voltage at the point of strike. State and justify all assumptions made
Answer:

I = 25 x 1.6 = 40 kA

V(surge) = I.Zeq
= I (Zg/Zg)
= I (Zg/2)
= 40kA x 125
= 5 MV

Zg = 250Ω, Zt = 100Ω

Zeq = (Zg/2)/Zt = Zt(Zg/2)/(Zt + Zg/2) = 55.56Ω

V(surge) = I.Zeq
= 40kA x 55.56
= 2.22 MV

Question 6:
Q6 a) Figure Q3 (a) show a schematic diagram of a tilted transmission line tower and
an impulse current waveshape , i(t). Consider the top is struck by the lighting
current i(t)

Show that
u(t)=ZgZt/(Zg+2Zt).i(t)
Where
Zg is the impedance of ground wire
Zt is the surge impedance of the tower
U(t) is the impulse surge function
T is time of surge propagation from tower top to the cross-arm
 i(t) is the current wave function
Tt is time of surge propagation from tower top to the tower footing.
TA is time of surge propagation from tower cross-arm to the tower
footing
Rt is tower footing resistance.

Answer:

Ut=ZeqId,
Zeq= Zg||Zg||Zr
1 1 1
1/Zeq= 𝑍𝑔 + 𝑍𝑔 + 𝑍𝑇

=ZT+ZT+Zg/(ZgZT)

Zeq= ZgZT/ 2ZT+Zg -----proof

Q6b) Show whether the following equation is right or wrong (write the detailed
derivation in order to prove it)

UTT (t)=u(t)-αT (1+β)[u(t-2TT)-( αT β)u(t-4TT)+( αT β)2.u(t-6Tt)….]

Where
UTT(t) is the potential distribution on the top of tower.
UTA(t) is the potential distribution on the tower cross-arm.
Alpha (α) is the coefficient of reflection.
Beta(β) is the coefficient of the reflection on the tower top side.

Figure 3 (b) shows two tower (1and2) of a transmission line ,which are joined by
overhead ground wires. The line is struck by lighting at point y, 100m away from
point 2. The form of the lighting current is,
 I(t)= 3.0×10^10t ,0<t<2.0 us
= 6.0×10^4-3.0×10^8t , 2<t<101us
=0 ,t>101us

Each tower is 30m tall and stands on a square base with a 8m side. Zg=450,
R=80, assume Z of lighting channel=1500 ohm.

Traveling waves have the following velocities;

a) On the conductors , 2.98 x 10^8 m/s
b) On the tower, 2.68 x 10^8 m/s.

Calculate the first peak of the voltage at tower 1 and the time when it occurs.

Answer:

Utb (with time consideration)

= M1 + M2+ M3+M4+M5+M6
= U(t) + αU(t)+ αβu(t)+α^2βu(t)+ α^2β^2u(t)+α^3β^2U(t)

UTB (with time consider)

=U(t-∆T)+αu(t-(2T-∇T))+αβU(t-(2T+∆T))+α^2βU(t-(4TT-∆T))+α^2β^2U(t-
(4TT+∆T))
Replace α with -αT

UTT =V1+V2+V3+V4

without time consideration

= U(t) + αUt(1+β) + α^2βU(t)(1+β)+ α^3β^2U(t)(1+β)
With time
UTT = U(t) + α(1+β)U(t-2Tt)+ α^2β(1+β)Ut(t-4Tt)+ α^3β2(1+β)U(t)(t-6TT)
= U(t) + α(1+β)[Ut(t-2TT)+αβU(t-4TT)+α^2β^2Ut(t-6TT)
 Replace α by αT

To determine Zt using the formula from Allen Grenwood

Zb = 30 ln [ 2(h^2+r^2)/r^2]
h=30 , r= 4
hence Zb=142.2
α 1= (Zg|| Zt –Zg)/ (Zt+Zg) =( 109.7-450)/ (109.7+450) = -0.60 ,
Zg||Zt= (480 x 142.2)/ (480+142.2) =109.7

β = 1+α =0.4
αe = R-Zt/R+Zt = 80-142.2/80+142.2= -0.28
αT = (Zg|| Zt –Zg)/ (Zg||Zg +Zt) = 225-142.2/ 225+142.2
βT =1+α= 1+0.255=1.255

Question 7:

Q7a.

Briefly discuss the difference between direct and indirect lightning strike on a
power transmission line.

Answer:

Direct strike is a discharge process directly between cloud and transmission line
conductor. Lightning will strike on the highest object at an area. Transmission line
tower is exposed to the direct lightning strike. Direct strike is a discharge process
directly between cloud and tower or conductor. The lightning leader attachment
directly to the lines causing the charges in the lightning channel to disperse into
the system creating a suddenly build-up of voltage. Induced voltage will
propagate into the line, some will be reflected and some will be transmitted to the
other parts of the line.
 Indirect or induced strike is a discharge process to the surrounding area which
rose up the conductor potential. The lightning leader attaches itself to some other
physical entity but because of the electrostatic or electromagnetic induction
generated during the attachment processes, surge is created in the transmission
line network.

Q7b.

Prove the reflection coefficient, α and the transmission coefficient, β for an

incident lightning surge on the transmission line as follows:

i. α = (Z2-Z1)/(Z2+Z1)

ii. β = 2Z2/(Z2+Z1)

Answer:

No discontinuity of potential and current at junction J,

E + ER = ET and I + IR = IT … (1)

E = Z1I E T = Z 2 IT ER = -ZR … (2)

Substitute (2) into (1),

E/Z1 – ER/ZR = ET/Z2 = (E+ER)/Z2 … (3)

Reflected coefficient, α → ER/E = (Z2-Z1)/(Z2+Z1)

Transmission coefficient, β → ET/E = 2Z2/(Z2+Z1)

Question 8:

Q8

A lightning surge of magnitude 10 kA with the voltage wave shape of 1.2/50 µs

strike a ground conductor at midspan of a transmission line. If the channel surge
impedance is 1500 Ω and the ground wire surge impedance is 600 Ω, determine
at the point of strike :

i. The equivalent circuit.

ii. The peak current.

iii. The peak voltage.

Answer:

i. Zeq = (ZS//ZE//ZE) = 250 Ω

ii. Peak current (using current division), I1 = 10 kA × 1500/1800 = 8.33 kA

iii. Peak voltage, V1 = I1 ZE/2 = 8.33 × 600/2 = 2.5 MV