Electromagnetic Analysis – Application to
Lightning Surge Phenomena on Power Lines
Larisa Mariut, Elena Helerea, Fellow, IEEE
 and simulation of lightning electromagnetic pulse and induced
Abstract— The modeling and computation of electromagnetic
phenomena like lightning surge, switching and transient
overvoltage still remain a difficult task within power systems
both for design and exploitation purposes. owadays, the
measures for overhead line protection are reconsidered having in
view the electronic equipment sensitivity and the requirements of
many consumers regarding the increase of power quality. This
paper deals with the analysis of the effects of a direct lighting
surge on a three phase high voltage overhead power line. A model
of a 110 kV power line with single tower is developed. The model
was applied within an electromagnetic analysis considering the
effect of a direct surge on the power line during different line
protections: with and without surge arrester. The analysis was
performed within time domain simulations, both continuous and
discretize electrical methods are applied using the Matlab-
Simulink software tools. The results are useful for protection
design of overhead power lines, sensitive to direct transient
phenomena.
Index Terms— Lightning surge, overhead lines, electro-
magnetic analysis, modeling, simulations.
I. INTRODUCTION
C onsidering the area of power systems, a fundamental field
for several researches is the modeling and simulation by
comprehensive computations of electromagnetic
transients phenomena. Lightning is one of transient
phenomena which could produce the insulation flashes on the
transmission and distribution lines through direct or indirect
lightning surge which degrade the reliability of the power
system and the power quality [1]-[4]. Nowadays, new
measures of overhead line protection are considered having in
view the electronic equipment sensitivity and the requirements
of many consumers regarding the increase of energy quality.
The current research is focused on: experimental
determination of lightning characteristics and the explanation
of conditions for lightning appearance and on the modeling
This paper is supported by the Sectoral Operational Programme Human
Resources Development (SOP HRD), financed from the European Social
Fund and by the Romanian Government under the project number
POSDRU/159/1.5/S/134378.
Larisa Mariut is with the Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics
Department, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, 500036, Romania (e-
mail: elena-larisa.mariut@unitbv.ro), on leave from ICCO ENERG, Technical
Department, Brasov, Romania.
Elena Helerea is with the Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics
Department, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania (e-mail:
elena.helerea@unitbv.ro).
978-1-4799-6821-3/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE
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effects [5]-[8].
The significance of a lightning analysis within a power
system still remains a difficult task both for modeling and
calculation. The main purpose of most of the researches
performed is the calculation of lightning overvoltage
propagated in power substations and transmission lines, as
basis for insulation coordination design [8]-[13]. The most
difficult part of a lightning surge analysis it’s to take into
consideration all the uncertainties caused by the random
nature of a lightning.
Most of the researches underline that many of the lightning
related outages of low insulation lines are due to the lightning
that hits the ground in proximity of the line. For distribution
lines the indirect lightning strikes are more frequent events
than direct ones, having in view the existence of high
structures – towers, buildings, trees. The research literature
focuses specially on this type of lightning events [8].
For HV (High Voltage) overhead lines the events of direct
lightning surge could be considered, as a lightning directly to
any part of a network or electric installation.
The effects of the lightning disturbances are different
quantified, considering the victim: for overhead power lines
the transients generates temporary faults, for the underground
lines the transients implies permanents faults which determine
the reduction of the insulation lifetime. For better knowledge
of the effects of lightning phenomena on power lines, also, in
order to develop efficient methods for protection against the
lightning, new analysis methods and simulations should be
developed for overhead lines.
The aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of a direct
lightning surge on an overhead power line through the
simulation of the direct flash/ lightning surge on the HV
overhead power line. The electromagnetic analysis is
performed considering the effect of an electromagnetic
impulse generated by a cloud-to-ground lightning on the
overhead power line system.
II. MODEL DESCRIPTION
Induced lightning effects on overhead power lines are
modeled considering the lightning surge as an electromagnetic
coupling problem: the evaluation of voltages and currents
induced by an external field on a conductor system. Currently,
due to the length and structure of the overhead lines, the
computing of generated overvoltage, based on antenna model
and rigorous approach based on Maxwell equations, are time
consuming. This is the reason why the model of transmission
line is applied with specific assumptions: response of the line
is quasi-TEM (transverse Electro Magnetic) and the transverse TABLE I
dimension of the line is much smaller than the minimum ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS – OVERHEAD POWER LINE MODEL
significant wavelength. The TEM mode is referring to the Entity Entity description Electrical parameters
electromagnetic waves that are travelling with the same phase label
2 Multiphase matching Z=0.005 
velocity. Meantime, the quasi-TEM mode, is referring to the impedance
mode when the wave will propagate with different speed in e 3 AC Source Un=110 kV; f=50 Hz
two mediums, considering that the quasi-TEM model is 4 Overhead power line l=80 km
simplified to a microstrip. R=0.0314 /km
L=1,057 mH/km
The line is represented by an infinite series of elementary
C=11.26 nF/km
sections which are progressively illuminated by the incident Tower
5 h=50 m
electromagnetic field, so the longitudinal propagation effects Surge Arrester Protection voltage max.110 kV AC,
6
are taken in account [4], [13]. with two columns
The paper presents the results of an electromagnetic 7 Load P=110 MW
f=50 Hz
analysis, performed directed through the modeling of a single
Urms=38.88 kV
lighting due to direct lightning surge on an overhead power Norton circuit In=40 kA
8
line and considering the cloud-to-ground lightning path. In this Z=400 
sense, was performed a Matlab simulation directed to the
overvoltage calculation and modeling. For analysis, a HV/
110 kV overhead power line, equipped with a tower with
insulator string and a consumer at the end of the line, is
B. Matlab model a three phase overhead line
considered.
The physical model was implemented within Matlab-
A. Equivalent model for a three phase overhead line Simulink (Fig. 2).
For the modeling of lightning surge within overhead power In the left side, the overhead power line is connected to
lines, the model proposed by CIGRE Working Group, C4.501 multiphase matching impedance, including mutual
[13], for the calculation of lightning surge due to a direct inductances of the line. The power line is assumed as a multi-
lightning strike on overhead power line, is considered. An transmission line equivalent as a multi-transmission line
adjustment with a single tower is establisehd for the entire model. The voltages and currents at both ends of the line,
length of the power line (Fig. 1). sending and receiving, can be used within frequency domain
or time domain analyses.
In order to quantify the effect of the AC steady state voltage
on the lightning surge, near the matching impedance of the
line was considered an AC voltage source, including the
ground connection.
The lightning current is represented by a Norton circuit: a
current source of 40 kA in parallel with an impedance. The
impedance of the lightning channel was considered of about
400, even if CIGRE, IEC/ IEEE standards assume higher
values.
The electromagnetic complete analysis of the three-phase
model of the power line will be the subject for further papers.
The tower was represented by four distributed parameter
Fig. 1. Physical model system for a lightning surge simulation-overhead lines and the Matlab model of this entity (Fig. 3) was
power line.
1-Ground; 2-Multiphase matching impedance; 3-AC Source; 4-Overhead
performed according to [13].
power line; 5-Tower with insulator string; 6-Surge-arrester; 7-Load; 8- The insulator string is modeled by a capacitor, parallel to a
Norton Circuit-Lightning surge source. resistor, and the switch models the flashover across the
insulator. The insulator was modeled by means of an off
The values for the electric parameters of the entities for a switch that converts from the off state to the on state, when the
three-phase overhead line of 110 kV are presented in Table I, voltage of insulator exceeds flashover voltage [13]. At that
according to [13]. moment, an short-circuit over the insulator appears and the
The amplitude of the voltage source is specified for a effect of the lightning overvoltage on insulator can be
sinusoidal waveform. Considering the physical model, in order quantified.
to develop the electromagnetic analysis of the lightning surge The tower electrical parameters for an overhead line of 110
transients, a Matlab model was performed. To assure the line kV are presented in Table II, considering also a tower footing
protection, the simulated model was designed including a impedance in series with the entire structure. The parameters
breaker block, with the switching time of about 1/50 s. were established considering the model proposed by [13].

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Fig. 2. Three phase Matlab model system for simulation a lightning surge on the overhead power line.

C. Matlab model - single phase overhead power line

A model of a single phase overhead power line with
distributed parameters is implemented in Matlab (Fig. 4). For
accurate results, the line distributed parameters of the
overhead power line, were modeled by a single PI section, for
a single phase of the line.

TABLE II
ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS –TOWER MODEL
Entity Description
Uintrerup= 100kV
R Phase Parallel R-C Circuit R=1000M, C=1pF.
Zechiv=ZR+ZL, R=16, L=4μH
S Phase Uintrerup= 100kV
Parallel R-C Circuit: R=1000M, C=1pF.
Zechiv=ZR+ZL, R=17.4, L=4.4μH
T Phase Uintrerup= 100kV
Parallel R-C Circuit: R=1000M, C=1pF.
Zechiv=ZR+ZL, R=15.6, L=3.92μH
Zline Zechiv=ZR+ZL, R=33.4, L=8.4μH
Rtower =100 

Fig. 3. Matlab model system for the tower + insulator string.

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 Fig. 4. Matlab model of single phase overhead power line.

The surge arrester block implements a nonlinear resistor to order to underline the effect of a direct lightning surge on an
protect the power line during transient overvoltage. unprotected area of a power network.
Considering the current work, the model of the surge arrester A. Case A - Power line with surge arrester
was designed as a single column of metal-oxide discs
connected in parallel inside the same porcelain housing. The The simulations using this method were performed
protection voltage was considered with a single column at a considering both single and multiple PI sections line models,
reference current of 500A. as follows. Also, the time frame was imposed at max.0.05s.
The PI sections block was considered in order to avoid the All the results presented hereinafter e obtained during
delay that a uniformly distributed R-L-C line model performs. simulations.
An usual line model generates an infinite number of states and 1. Single PI section line
in this way the system will became non-linear. So, a good In this case, for simulation purposes, it was considered a
approximation of the line with a finite number of states can be single number of states for the power line, so the line was
obtained cascading several PI circuits, each representing a considered as a single circuit with similar parameters, based
small section of the line. For the analysis performed within on the line length. The results are presented according to Fig.
current research, the simulations were performed considering 5 – Fig. 8. During transient regime, considering a single PI
different PI sections: single and multiple - 10 PI sections. Section line, the available states were described according to
Table III.
III. ELECTROMAGNETIC ANALYSIS: SIMULATION AND
MODELLING TABLE III
AVAILABLE STATES – SINGLE PI SECTION LINE
The Matlab simulations were performed considering both Element Measurement Phase
Continuous integration method and Discrete method degree
simulation techniques (for 25e-6s). The solver was considered Multiphase matching impedance/ 5767.14 A -88.83°
RLC Branch
the ode23t/ trapezoidal. The order of accuracy for this solver Multiphase matching impedance 154982.72 V 0.07°
it’s quite low, but it is recommended within transient power Norton Circuit/ RL Branch 3999.98 A 179.84°
SimPower Systems Applications without numerical damping. PI Section Line 83947.12 V/ Input -3.05°
Voltage
In this sense, was considered the Powergui block, 23532.36 V/ Output -32.40°
necessary for simulation of any Simulink model containing Voltage
SimPowerSystems™ blocks. It is used to store the equivalent 2419.35 A -77.35°
Simulink circuit that represents the state-space equations of
the model. The Continuous Method, uses a variable step solver
from Simulink, meantime the Discretization of the electrical
system gives a solution at fixed time steps, in this case 25e-6s. 2. Multiple PI section line
Within this paper are presented only the results obtained In this case, the power line was approximated with 10 /
for continuous integration method, considering the similarly of finite number of states, cascading several PI circuit, each
the results. representing a small section of the line. The aim of multiple PI
Also, the simulations were performed both with and sections line is to underline the effect of travelling wave
without surge arrester block. Both cases were considered in during transient regime within power line.

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 The results from Table IV, describe the values during Case B - Power line without surge arrester
transient state. In this case, the simulations were performed considering the

Fig. 5. AC voltage source / single PI line section.

Fig.8. Load overvoltage waveform – direct lightning surge effect / single PI line
section.
At time 0.025 s the transient regime starts until 0.05 s, after it’s damped. During
0.025 – 0.05 s, the load is affected by multiple repetitive voltage peaks.

sketch design from Fig. 4, neglecting the influence of the

surge arrester.
The results presented in Table III, Table IV are the ones
obtained according to Matlab simulations, considering also
Fig. 5– Fig. 8.
TABLE IV
AVAILABLE STATES – MULTIPLE PI SECTION LINE
Element Measurement Phase degree
5767.14 A -88.83°
Multiphase matching impedance
48058.03 V 1.17°
Norton Circuit/ RL Branch 3999.98 A 179.84°
106937.42 V -0.42°
Section 1
3999.04 A -179.84°
96266.60V -0.42°
Section 2
Fig. 6. Surge arrester overvoltage waveform during direct lightning surge / 4001.75 A 85.01°
single PI line section. 85588.55V -0.42°
Section 3
At 0.025 s within transient regime, the voltage value of the surge arrester is 4004.16 A -85.01°
about 1.25 x105 V. 74904.06 V -0.42°
Section 4
4006.27 A -85.02°
64213.94 V -0.42°
Section 5
4008.08 A -85.02°
PI Section Line
53519 V -9.36°
Section 6
4009.59 A -77.35°
42820.03 V -11.63°
Section 7
4010.79 A -77.36°
32117.84 V -14.59°
Section 8
4011.70 A -77.38°
21413.23 V -18.58°
Section 9
4012.30 A -77.39°
10707.02 V -24.18°
Section 10
4012.60 A -77.40°

Fig.7. Transient regime – current measurement / single PI line section.
At 0.025 s within transient regime, the current value considering the
So, the results form Table III describe the values for voltage
and current for each element according to Fig. 4 and
considering a single PI section line, meantime, the results from
Table IV are referring to the values for the elements, when the
line length is divided in 10 equal sections (10 PI sections line),
in order to better understand the influence of the transient
regime on the power line. The aim of this case is to underline
the importance of a protective device within power systems/
substations, both for systems protection and for power lines. In

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this sense, were obtained the values for load and power line
overvoltages and the value of the current flowing through the
power line (Fig. 9 – Fig. 11).
Fig.9. Load overvoltage waveform – direct lightning surge effect / 10
PI line sections.
The transient regime starts at 0.0025 s and repetitive peaks are
observed during 0.02 s – 0.0055 s.
Fig.10. Overvoltage waveform on the power line– direct lightning
surge effect / single PI line section.
During 0.005 s – 0.05s, repetitive voltage pulses are observed, after
0.05s, the transient regime is damped.
At 0.025 s, when the transient regime starts, the current
waveform has a DC component, which than becomes a
sinusoidal (Fig. 11).
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The aim of this paper was to simulate a direct lightning
surge on a power line, with and without power line protection.
The influence of the tower was neglected, so the 3phase power
line was simulated as a single phase line. The main results
obtained based on the simulations performed are the line
voltage and load current during transient regime caused by the
direct lightning surge. During simulations the voltage across
the capacitors and the currents through inductances at the
initial state times were calculated. The ode23t solver, which is
a variable-step solver, was used by applying a cubic Hermite
interpolation to the values and slopes computed. The novelty
of the work presented above is the application of Matlab
Simulink as a tool for an electromagnetic analysis, within
lightning phenomena. In the case of a surge protection, the
overvoltage level on the load is significantly reduced
(1x105V), than in the case without protection (8x105V). The
obtained results will be used within future research focused on
the analysis of underground power lines behavior during
indirect lightning surge.
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Fig.11. Transient regime – current measurement / multiple PI line section.
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