Improved Lightning Protection on 132 kV Transmission Line Due to Indirect Stroke Using Line Meta-Oxide Surge Arresters

This research demonstrate an innovative improvement on Lightning protection to curb the catastrophic effect of Lightning on 132 kV Transmission line which have adverse effect on power companies and also causes a great inconvenience to energy users. Indirect lightning stroke on transmission lines results in back-flashover, a phenomenon which occurs when the lightning induced voltage exceeds the insulation gap thereby flashing the line. The use of overhead sky wire for protection against lightning, though could withstand the stroke, but lacks the capability of quickly damping the lightning overvoltage along the line especially for regions with high grounding resistance. Using PSCAD-EMTDC 4.5 to model and simulate the line with improved protection having Line Meta-Oxide surge arrester installed along the line, the lightning performance was found improved and the back-flashover from lightning overvoltage reduced to its barest minimum before getting to the substation which reduces line trip out and equipment damage leading to a more reliable and secured network.