Computation of transient overvoltages in low-voltage installations during direct strikes to different lightning protection systems

This paper presents a numerical electromagnetic analysis of loop-termination voltages inside an outer lightning protection system (LPS) resulting from direct lightning strikes. The method of moments is combined with the transmission line model, and employed to model the whole structure in three dimensions and the lightning channel, respectively. Three distinct standard LPS classes and a nonstandard LPS are modeled, namely, LPS1, LPS2, and LPS4, and LPS0, respectively. All cases are simulated using the negative subsequent stroke current at lightning protection level 11 according to IEC 62305-1. Three distinct current waveforms are selected in order to simulate the variety of different current rises. Three single-phase parallel vertical loops are simulated inside the struck LPS. The results reveal that reducing the LPS mesh width improves its shielding performance, where this may be a basic method to damp the lightning-induced voltages with little dependency on the strike location, and without any appreciable effect of the LPS material. The variation of the lightning-current front shows that the loop-termination voltages are altered within a factor of about 2. Existence and interconnection of extra protective earthing, e.g., via information technology cables, and the value and type of the loop-termination impedance also have significant influence on such voltages.