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Analysis for determining location of arrestors on overhead distribution lines

rockman7892

rockman7892

Electrical
Apr 7, 2008
1,165
Is anyone aware of an analytical or modeling approach for evaluating location of arrestors on overhead distribution lines? Most approaches I've seen have been ones that utilities have adopted over years or more general "rules of thumb" but was curious if there was an analytical approach using an EMTP program or other method that could be used to provide more of an application specific approach given location and conditions?

If there isn't a recognized analytical approach is there a particular industry standard (IEEE or other) that most follow for the application of arrestors on distribution lines. Location, intervals, at equipment locations, grounding methods, etc...

Thanks for the help.
 
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I have see some papers analyzing representative configurations as the basis for localized utility practices. The appropriate amount of surge arrestors is highly dependent upon the frequency of lighting in the area.

Running an EMTP analysis at every pole to determine if it should have an arrestor seems like would cost more for the engineering labor than the cost of the arrestors.
 
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Arresters are for protecting insulation, so place them where you have expensive insulation to protect. Transformers, underground cables, and locations with repeated problems. What's wrong with tules of thumb? Nothing much to model electrically. You could also track the reliability indices and relate them to lightning.
 
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Dominion Power places arrastors on underbuilt distribution​

Application of Station Class Arresters on Underbuilt Distribution Lines; INMR, July 19, 2024 indicates 2 km spacing of station class arrestors is effective in protecting underbuilt distribution from the top higher voltage layer. The paper indicates this was done to mitigate the damage observed to customer premise equipment when an event connects the two voltage levels (line down, tree limb, etc).​

​

 
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stevenal said:
Arresters are for protecting insulation, so place them where you have expensive insulation to protect. Transformers, underground cables, and locations with repeated problems. What's wrong with tules of thumb? Nothing much to model electrically. You could also track the reliability indices and relate them to lightning.
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Are arrestors only for protecting insulation in this application? If so why is it that I typically see arrestors located at reclosers that do not have insulation?
 
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bacon4life said:
I have see some papers analyzing representative configurations as the basis for localized utility practices. The appropriate amount of surge arrestors is highly dependent upon the frequency of lighting in the area.

Running an EMTP analysis at every pole to determine if it should have an arrestor seems like would cost more for the engineering labor than the cost of the arrestors.
Click to expand...
I'm curious at a high level what this analysis would involve. Would you have to look at voltage transient at each pole and evaluate along with pole grounding and arrestor rating?
 
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rockman7892 said:
Are arrestors only for protecting insulation in this application? If so why is it that I typically see arrestors located at reclosers that do not have insulation?
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Reclosers have insulation. The new ones use solid dielectric, old ones use oil. Also insulation across the gap when open, such as vacuum.
 
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My utility locates arrestors on substation equipment (transformers) and on underground terminations. I don’t believe we use them anywhere else - granted, we get very little lightning.
 
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