ENERGY-ABSORPTION OF SURGE ARRESTERS ON POWER DISTRIBUTION LINES DUE TO DIRECT LIGHTNING STROKES - EFFECTS OF AN OVERHEAD GROUND WIRE AND INSTALLATION POSITION OF SURGE ARRESTERS

We describe the characteristics of energy absorption of surge arrester s on power distribution lines due to direct lightning strokes. Using t he EMTP, the effect of an overhead ground wire and the influence of th e installation position of a surge arrester on the energy absorption a re investigated quantitatively. The analysis shows that: (1) an overhe ad ground wire is more effective to prevent damage to surge arresters than increasing the withstand capabilities of surge arresters by a fac tor of two, (2) the energy absorption without an overhead ground wire is about 3 similar to 5 times larger than that with one, and (3) in th e case of direct lightning strokes to an overhead ground wire, the ene rgy absorption of surge arresters installed at the termination of a li ne is approximately 2.3 times larger at maximum than that of arresters installed in the midst of a line.