Study of lightning backflashover performance for 132 kV transmission line using ATP-EMTP

Abstract

Lightning has been a major concern to the power system researchers as it may cause damage to the connected electrical equipment especially to the transmission line. One of the event that will cause lightning overvoltage and most likely to occur is backflashover. For that reason, a study has been carried out where values of critical flashover voltage (CFO) on a transmission line and probability for backflashover occur are observed. Alternative Transient Program – Electromagnetic Transient Program, ATP – EMTP software was used to model the transmission line components such as insulator gap, tower and footing resistance followed by doing the backflashover simulation and analysis. The effects of line parameters such as tower grounding resistance, tower height and lightning current amplitude were also identified. Overhead line is modeled by applying J.Marti and the lightning current was simulated by using Heidler model. For the 132 kV transmission tower, it has been modeled according to the multistory tower proposed by Masaru Ishii. The right selection of line parameters may reduce CFO thus can improve the transmission line performance. Findings of this research can be useful guideline towards high voltage transmission line design and planning.