DISTRIBUTION OF LIGHTNING PEAK STROKE CURRENTS IN ONTARIO USING AN LLP SYSTEM

The intensity of peak currents due to lightning is a key factor in tra nsmission line outages. Lightning peak currents are typically estimate d with the use of remote sensing techniques. The Lightning Location an d Protection (LLP) system installed in Ontario is employed specificall y for this purpose. This system records the remote peak magnetic field s radiated by cloud-to-ground lightning flashes. The peak stroke curre nt distribution is determined by using these fields, a lightning locat ing algorithm, and a suitable propagation model. A more efficient ligh tning location algorithm and an improved propagation model are both in vestigated and applied to data collected in Ontario, Canada. These res ults are used to examine double-corridor outages on transmission lines .