1

Abstract--A methodology to determine the outage rate by

lightning strokes in overhead transmission lines, applicable to
any configuration of overhead line and voltage level is shown;
which comes influenced by two aspects: the first of them, the
outage rate by direct strokes which correspond to shielding
failures and backflashover, additionally it is showed in the surges
by this type of strokes by using programs ATPDraw and PSCAD.
The second aspect exposes Rusck formulae and the methodology
of Voislav to determine the Maximum voltages induced in the
line, although the IEC60071-2: 1997 establishes that these surges
can despise for voltages of services superior to 72.5 kV. A
particular case for the study is considered: the 230 kV
transmission line Valcor - Guanta II, of PDVSA.
Index Terms--Backflashover, Lightning Performance,
Lightning Protection, Overhead Electric Power Transmission,
Shielding failure.
I. INTRODUCTION
NE of the main causes of faults and failures in
overhead lines are caused by impact of the lightning
flash, the calculation of these overvoltages is made
with much uncertainty given the random nature of the
lightning. The study of transients by lightning is based on
statistical methods and their final mission is to determine the
outage rate by km and year. The present article has the
purpose of show a methodology to determine the outage rate
by lightning in overhead transmission lines. This outage rate
comes influenced by the direct strokes and the induced
voltages. A particular case for the study considers the line of
transmission 230 kV Valcor - Guanta II of PDVSA.
II. DIRECT STROKES
The outage rate by direct strokes is the result of the
contribution of the outage rate by shielding failure plus the
originated by backflashover. Next is the methodology
followed for the calculation of the outage rate by direct
lightning.
A. Shielding Failure
The methodology used is based on the 27 steps proposed
by EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) [1] and comes

1
V. M Martnez is with Petrleos de Venezuela S.A (PDVSA),
Exploration and Production (EyP) East Division, San Tom District, San
Tom, Anzoategui State of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (e-mail:
martinezvs@pdvsa.com)
2
E. A Uzctegui and P. R Jimnez are with PDVSA, EyP East Division,
Maturn, Monagas State of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (e-mail:
uzcateguiee@pdvsa.com and jimenezps@pdvsa.com) respectfully
expressed by (1).
( ) Pmax Pmin
X
T Nsf
S
=
2
. 012 . 0
(1)
Where Pmin and Pmax are the probabilities of exceeding
the maximum and minimum currents respectfully, the values
of current between these ends can cause shielding failure. T is
the number of thunderstorm day (keraunic level) (days/yr.)
and Xs represents the unprotected area.
B. Backflashover
The calculation of the backflashover rate was made by
means of four procedures: the proposed by the EPRI and
using the programs FLASH 1.7, ATPDraw and PSCAD. In
the present section is shown only the propose methodology by
EPRI [1], where 39 steps for the calculation of the outage rate
by backflashover (BFR) and comes expressed by (2).
) ( * 6 . 0 *
cn L
I P N BFR = (2)
Where BFR defines the number of backflashover and comes
expressed in faults by 100 km to the year, NL establishes the
total number of flash strokes collected by the line, Icn is the
critical current stroke that originates flashover and P (Icn) is
the probability of exceeding that current.
C. Use of the ATPDraw Program
The components of the ATPDraw program allow
representing a line in transient state accurately, in general the
most precise model consists of representing the overhead line
with frequency dependent distributed parameters model.
The elements to represent the overhead line in the
calculation of surges by direct lightning stroke are the
following:
Overhead line: The model selected to represent the
overhead line is the JMARTI, which generates a model of
travelling wave frequency dependent distributed parameters.
Sections whose length is one span represent the line. Since
the Maximum surge happens in the point of impact of stroke,
it is only necessary to represent the towers near this point.
Line Ending: It is not necessary to represent all the line
lengths, a model is use to avoids reflections of waves in both
ends of the line, this can be represented adding in both
extreme sections of 3 km of line with its respective matrix of
characteristic impedances.
Tower: The structures are represented by means of an array
of impedance, which include grounding resistance effect. In
the tower where the flashover is studied is included the
impedances from the top of the tower to each one of the
crossarm and another one from the crossarm to the base of the
tower taking account the travel time that of voltage wave in
Study of Lightning Overvoltages in Valcor-
Guanta II 230kV Overhead Transmission Line
V. M. Martnez
1
, E. A. Uzctegui, and P. R. Jimnez
2
O
1-4244-0288-3/06/$20.00 2006 IEEE
2006 IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition Latin America, Venezuela
2
propagating from the top of the tower to each one of the
crossarm. To avoid reflections of wave due to the division of
these impedances, both have the same value, which
corresponds to the intrinsic impedance of the tower, with the
difference of the distances that each one of the sections.
Industrial frequency voltage: Is important consider the
effect from the operation voltage. Since the Maximum surge
not only depends of the stroke current, but also of the
operation voltage at time of lightning stroke impact.
Lightning stroke current: is represented by a current source,
in form of double exponential impulse with front time of 2 s
and the time to half-value of 50 s.
Insulation Flashover: is represented by voltage controlled
switches, where the voltage of the insulator chain is
compared with the critical flashover voltage (CFO). If the
voltage in terminals of the insulator exceeds the CFO, the
switch close its contacts simulating the arc flash. This value
of current that originates flashover is the critical current (Ic).
After obtaining this current the simulation stop, finally
calculates the probability of will be exceeded and the outage
rate that this originates. In figure 1, is the model used in the
ATPDraw to determine the minimum stroke current that
originates flashover.
Fig. 1, Model used in the ATPDraw program to determine the minimum stroke
current that originates flashover.
D. Use of the Program Flash 1.7.
The program FLASH 1.7 was designed like instrument to
prove two methods of the IEEE [2], which are based on the
algorithms of the EPRI, with the 27 steps to determine the
outage rate by shielding failure and the 39 steps necessary to
determine the outage rate by Backflashover. The results of
the rates of exits are shown in a screen as it is in figure 2.
Fig. 2, Screen with results of the calculations with program Flash 1.7.
E. Use of the Program PSCAD
This program is used to example way with a student version,
limited fifteen (15) nodes; therefore, it is only possible to
represent a single-phase model, where the elements to
represent the overhead line are chosen under the same
criterion like the ATPDraw. The difference in the PSCAD
model, is the array to automatic determination of the critical
stroke current, it is explained next. In Fig. 3; the automatic
flow control of the current is show, using a "Multi Run". The
voltage of the insulators present in the model is compared in
such a way that if some of the voltages is equal or superior to
the CFO the switches close simulating the flashover, stopping
the simulation, obtaining therefore the value of the minimum
stroke current that originates backflashover.
Fig. 3. Control of the stroke current with Multi Run device on program
PSCAD.
Next in Figure 4; is showed the model used in program
PSCAD to determine the minimum stroke current that
originates the flashover and after obtaining with this current
the probability of being exceeded and the outage.
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Fig. 4. Model used in program PSCAD to determine the minimum stroke
current that originates backflashover.
III. INDUCED OVERVOLTAGES
Before making the calculation to determine the surges due
to lightning flash nearby lines, it is necessary to determine the
range for which the strokes hit to the line or hits to ground.
Applying the Electrogeometric Model the distance of impact
to ground is obtained. In fig. 5, is showed the attraction
window to determine the direct stroke or induced voltage
flashover.
Fig. 4. Overhead Line Lightning Attraction Window
The calculation of the distances calculates according to the
shown equations:
( )
2 2
h S S y = |
If h S > |
S y = If h S < |
(3)
(4)
A. Formulation of Rusck
The methodology followed for the formulation of Rusck, is
the proposal by IEEE 1410-1997 [3]. Where the Maximum
induced voltage comes expressed by the equations:
prV V = '
R Z
Z
h
h
pr
CT
C CT
C
CT
2
1
+
=

(5)
(6)
(
(
(
(
(

|
.
|

\
|

+ =
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
c
v
c
v
y
Ih Z
V
O
O = = 30
4
1
0
0
c

t
O
Z
(7)
(8)
Where; V represents the induced voltage with the presence
of the overhead ground wire cable (OHGW), V the voltage
induced without the presence of OHGW, depends on the
stroke current (I), the height of the line (h), speed of the light
in free space (c) and speed of return (v). pr is a factor which
depends on the height of the OHGW (hct), height of the phase
wire (hc), mutual impedance between OHGW and phase (Zct-
c), self impedance of the OHGW (Zct) and of the grounding
resistance (R).
B. Voislav Methodology
Voislav [4], after mathematical developments and results
obtained experimentally, establishes an empirical equation to
determine the maximum induced voltage. The equation (9)
represents the maximum induced voltage, which depends on
the perpendicular distance between the line and the stroke; in
addition to constants in function of the front time and half
time of lightning.
( ) ( ) D k D k k I k D U
u max
5
5 1 0 0
ln ln exp + + =
(9)
IV. TOTAL OUTAGE RATE COMPOSITE LINE PERFORMANCE
The lightning performance of an is influenced by the
individual performance of each tower [2], The individual
results may then be combined to determine the composite
performance by the equation:
_
_
=
Ln
TnLn
T
(10)
Where, T is the total outage rate, Ln is the length of section
of the of line and Tn outage rate for the section n of the line.
V. RESULTS
In the present section is showed the results of the
application of the methodologies previously explained,
particular case in the 230 kV transmission line Valcor -
Guanta II, PDVSA.
In table I, are showed the results of the effective shielding
angle (degrees), probability of shielding failure (PSF) and
SFR, applying EPRI.
TABLE I
SHIELDING FAILURE RATE BY EPRI METHOD
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Table II shows the results of the Backflashover outage rate
BFR, applying EPRI.
TABLE II
BACKFLASHOVER ACCORDING TO EPRI
In the fig. 5 can be observed the waveform of the voltage
in the insulator chain before backflashover, using the
ATPDraw program.
Fig. 5. Insulator Voltage before backflashover using ATPDraw.
In the fig. 6 can be observed the waveform of the voltage in
the insulator chain during backflashover.
Fig. 6. Insulator Voltage during backflashover using ATPDraw.
The Table III shows the backflashover outage rates for each
structure type present in the system. Calculations using
ATPDraw.
TABLE III
BACKFLASHOVER USING ATPDRAW
In the Table IV is shown the results of shielding angle
calculations and backflashover outage rates using FLASH 1.7.
TABLE IV
OUTAGE RATE USING FLASH 1.7
If the results of the backflashover outage rates are
compared between the program FLASH 1.7 and the obtained
by EPRI Method, we can find a difference of 90% although
they are based on the same procedure. This difference must to
errors in the equations that the program FLASH 1.7 makes at
the time of determining the effective height of the shield wire
and when the critical flashover to 2s, very important factors
at the time of determining the lightning performance.
In the fig. 7; is shown the waveform of the voltage in the
insulator chain before backflashover, using the PSCAD
program.
Fig. 7. Insulator Voltage during backflashover using PSCAD.
The critical current is of 116 kA, where the probability of
being exceeded is 0,031; the total outage rate calculated is
2.28 fault/100km/yr.
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Next are shown the results of the maximum induced
overvoltages.
Figure 8 show the influence if the perpendicular distance
between line and stroke (y) for the used models and each one
of the towers considered in study with and without shield
wire. As is desired to evaluate the most unfavorable case is
used a lightning current magnitude of 200 kA, since the
probability of exceeding this one current is almost null.
V
m
a
x

(
k
V
)
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
185 235 285 335 385 435 485 535
y (m)
Voislav B+6
Rusck B+6
Voislav H+12
Rusck H+12
B+6 S Wire
H+12 S Wire
Fig. 8. Influence of the perpendicular distance (y) between line and stroke.
In figure 9; is observed the linear relation that has the stroke
discharge current and the induced voltage. This study is made
for a distance (y) of 100 meters. Once obtained the results of
the induced voltages, it is observed that worse case the
Maximum voltage reaches a value of 1378,47 kV and this
voltage is inferior to the CFO (2107,4 kV); in addition the
probability of exceeding a current 200 kA is almost null
(0.007), can be affirmed that the voltages induced in the line
have null probability to cause outages and consequently it
does not affect the total lightning performance. Finally
applying (10), the total outage rate in the present line is of
2,97 fault/100km/yr.
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
1 11 21 31 41 51 61
I (kA)
V
m
a
x

(
k
V
)
Voislav B+6
Rusck B+6
Voislav H+12
Rusck H+12
H+12 S Wire
B+6 S Wire
0
Fig. 9. Influence of stroke discharge current.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
The total outage rates by lighting of the 230kV Valcor -
Guanta transmission line is of 2,97 outages/100km/yr. The
limit of design accepted by EDELCA (State Energy Power
Corporation) for 230 kV lines is 3 fault/100km/yr; therefore, it
is possible to be concluded that the present line is designed
suitably against lightning.
VII. REFERENCES
[1] EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute). Transmission Line Reference
Book 345 kV and Above, Chapter 12 Lightning Performance of
Transmission Lines, 2nd Edition, Palo Alto, California, (1982).
[2] IEEE (1997). Guide for improving the Lightning Performance of
Transmission Lines, IEEE Standard, Std 1243-1997.
[3] IEEE (1997). Guide for improving the Lightning Performance of
Electric Power Overhead Distribution Lines, IEEE Standard, Std 1410-
1997.
[4] Jankov, V. (1997). Estimation of the maximal voltage induced on
overhead line due to the nearby lightning. IEEE Trans. on Power
Delivery. Volume 12, Number 1.
VIII. BIOGRAPHIES
Vctor Martinez Vctor Martnez Electrical
Engineer mentions Power, graduated in the
Universidad Nacional Experimental de las Fuerzas
Armadas (UNEFA-Venezuela). From 2005
Employee Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA)
with experience in the planning of Electrical Power
systems studies of electromagnetic transients,
actually working in the area of Protection Systems.
Ezomar A. Uzctegui V. was born in Guanare,
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, on November
10, 1972. He graduated from the Electrical
Engineering School of the Universidad de Oriente
(UDO) in 1996, Venezuela. He works in the
Planning and Management Department of Electrical
Services in PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA S. A.
(PDVSA) Exploration and Production Division
from 2003. Past experience included abroad
Consultants and Project Engineering Firm. His
special fields of interest included Power Systems Analysis and Studies, and
Lightning Performance of Distribution Overhead Lines.
Pedro Jimnez was born in Puerto La Cruz city,
Venezuela country, on February 1, 1973. He
graduated electrical engineer with honors from the
UDO University on 1996 and Maintenance
Management MSc on 2006.
He has 10 years of experiences with Petrleos de
Venezuela, S.A., working engineering and
electrical simulations, and professor UDO
University since 1996. He has published in some
national and international congresses related to
power systems analysis.