Statistical analysis of the lightning performance of high voltage OHLs using dynamic simulation of lightning leaders movements

In this paper a simulation ground is designed to track the lightning path from cloud to the striking point on high voltage overhead line (OHL) structures. By using this simulation method, the strikes to towers, phase wires, ground wires and earth is counted. The method also reveals the property of strokes attaching the phase wires like their path, their peak current and their distance from earth in final jump. The simulation environment consists of two towers, ground wires, phase wires and earth comprising a full span. The downward lightning leader is simulated based on field observations by stepping line charges coming down. The inception of upward leader is tested in each step movement to find the target striking point. Using this method, lightning performance of an OHL is investigated and the number of strikes as well as highest lightning current attaching the phase wires is extracted. The results, yield by proposed method, are also compared with the existing methods of OHL lightning performance analysis. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.