Lightning Protection

Lightning strokes are most effective in electrical engineering. Charge

formation in cloud produces the lightning stroke. Substation equipment
and auxiliaries also can be get damaged by the lightning strokes. There
are conventional and non-conventional methods to reduce the effect of
lightning stroke on the substation. Some of the methods are Direct Stroke
Lightning Protection, Rolling Sphere Method by Simple Rod, Fixed Angle
Method, Early Streamer Method.

INTRODUCTION
Direct stroke on the transmission line or the substation will cause major damage
to the substation equipment. The characteristics of this will be depend on range to
region.The stroke happens in two stages,

(i) return stroke,

(ii) ionization of air encompassing the center and the advancement of stepped
leaders.

So, to overcome this cause we have to provide protection. The protection is done
by providing lightning mast at different intervals & connecting Earth wire tower to
tower. The methods which are explained here are Rolling sphere method by
simple rod, Fixed angle method and Early streamer method.

There are some methods for direct stroke lightning protection on 66kV and 220kV
substation .

1) Empirical design method This method includes two methods.

i) Empirical curves
 ii) fixed angles (this method is widely used for 66kV voltage level substation)

2) The electrogeometrical method (EGM) This method incudes Rolling sphere

method.

Meanwhile, for the EGM, the ‘Protection zone of a lightning protection system
may be defined as the area of space inside which an termination provides
protection against a direct stroke by attracting the stroke to itself.

2.ROLLING SPHERE METHOD BY ROD

It is one type of EGM model method. This method builds on basic principal and
theories of Whitehead. An imaginary sphere of radius S rolls over the surface of
substation which rolls up on the LM, LCLM, earth wire and shield wire which
provides lightning shielding.

The equipment is below the curved surface of sphere then said to be protected
and the portion which remains unprotected is remains below the curved surface.
Twin moose conductor is used over here. Now we apply this method on substation
having 220kV voltage, calculation is shown below,

Calculation of one section is shown.

For finding the equivalent

radius Rcx ln{(2 x h )/ Rc} - (Vc / E0 ) = 0

where,

h = height of tower from GL

Eo= Limiting corona

Vc = Rated lightening impulse withstand voltage Gradient

By solving this equation

Rc = 0.121 m

In the case of twin conductor the radius is given by,

R0 = (r x l)0.5

So, R0 = 0.0235 m

Now the radius of corona is in case of twin conductor, R'c = R0 + Rc

So, R'c= 0.145 m

The surge impedance if corona is ,

Zc = 60 x { ln (((2 x h ) / R'c) x ((2 x h ) / r ))}0.5

Where, r = Radious of conductor (in m)

So, Zc= 238.168 m

 Fig-2: principal of rolling sphere

Is = (2.2 x BIL )/ Zc

Where,

BIL = Rated lightening impulse withstand voltage ( For 220kV BIL is 1050 kV/m & For 66kV BIL
is 450 kV/m )

Is = 9.699 kA

Now, the allowable strike distance is….

S = 8 x k x Is

Where,

k = Strikes on shield wire (value for mast is 1.2 & for earthig wire is 1)

S = 29.898 m

H = Height of equipment is H = 12.495m

A = Height of object to be protected A = 20.00m

D = Elevation difference between Height of equipment & Object to be Protected D = 7.500m

E = Elevation Difference between Origin of the rolling sphere & equipment E = 22.398m

L = Horizontal difference between Origin of the rolling sphere & equipment L = 19.804m
X = Maximum allowable Horizontal separation of the shield wires ensuring protection of object
at height A

X = 39.609m

Here the value of X has not to be more than the diameter the imaginary sphere(S).

Same calculations can be done for the remaining sections of the sub-station.

In this method of protection we have used earth wire and 3No’s lightning masts. Under green
curve the whole portion is protected by the masts and earth wires

3. FIXED ANGLE METHOD

This method comes in the empirical design method. This method was mainly used
by designers as a easy boundary of protection against stroke. The fixed-angle
design method uses parallel angles to determine the number, position, and height
of shielding wires or LM. Figure illustrates the method for shielding wires.

Fixed angle method for shielding wire

Area protected by fixed angle method is shown by cross lines. The layout of 66kv
substation is shown here in which we used 1 Lightning Mast and earth wire tower
on pick of tower.
  layout of 66kV substation

Now equations for solving this problem is shown here,

For earth wire , measure the height of tower (in m) and the height of equipment
(in m), then H the difference between them (in m) is calculated for inner side and
outer side radius of protection is Rx..

To reduce shielding angles designers uses fixed angle method as the structure
height increases to maintain a low failure rate.

For inner side the degree of protection is 45°(α) and for outer side 60°(β). The
equation is,

tanθ = Rx/H
  fixed angle method for masts

For lightning mast the degree of protection is always 45°.

tan45° =Rx/H

So, the solution is above design is calculated and the protected

 protected layout of 66kV substation

Where the purple line shows the area protected by this method. But the limitation
of this method is that it can be suitable only for 66kV or below 66kV substation
above 66kv it will not reliable so, by rolling sphere method we have calculate the
220kv substation layout by rolling sphere method by simple rod.

4.EARLY STREAMER METHOD

This is not method but it is one type of equipment which is place over a simple
lightning rod which is called as early streamer emission air terminal (OPR).

The OPR efficiency (ΔT):

Lightning is one of the most spectacular meteorological phenomena. Generated

by the interaction of clouds elements (water and ice), it can kill, injure and
damage. The unique efficiency of the OPR Early streamer emission is based on the
difference (ΔT), measured in a laboratory, in between the emission time of the
OPR and the one from a simple rod. The OPR ESE air terminal is composed of a
striking point connected to a down conductor to conduct the lightning to the
ground.

Complete autonomy:

During a storm the ambient electric field may rise from 600 V to 10-20 kV/m.
When the electric field reach this level representing a minimum risk for a lightning,
the OPR begins to get activated and generates high voltage pulses helping to
create and propagating an upward leader.
After a strike on the OPR, the lightning current is driven to ground by the down
conductor to the earth termination system.

 without using OPR

 using OPR
 Radius of protection:

The radius of protection (Rp) of the OPR is calculated according to the NF C 17-102
(edition 2011). It depends on the OPR efficiency (ΔT) expressed in micro seconds.
The maximum value for ΔT is 60 μs. The risk assessment shall be calculated
according to the NF IEC 62305-2 and will define the protection level (LPL I, II, III or
IV) which will be used in the determination of the OPR radius of protection.

Now, Rp(h) : Protection radius at a given height (h)

Rp(h) = √ 2rh - h2 + Δ(2r + Δ) (for h ≥ 5 m) For h < 5 m,

refer to the table below

h : Height of the OPR tip above the surface(s) to be protected

r(m) : Standardized striking distance

∆(m) = 106 .ΔT (OPR efficiency)
According to the customers demand this can be designed but the cost of
this equipment is too much high but the surety of the protection is also too
much high as the cost and the plus point of this is the number of this will be
so less as compared to simple lightning rod.

5. HEP (VISHNUGAD PIPALKOTI 444 MW)

( RIVER ALAKNANDA IN DISTRICT CHAMOLI, UTTRAKHAND)

Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (4x111 MW) is a run-of-the-river

scheme. It envisages construction of a 65 M high concrete diversion dam
harnessing a gross head of 237 M on river Alaknanda (a major tributary of river
Ganga). The project is located in district Chamoli in the state of Uttarakhand, 225
km from Rishikesh on NH58.

1. PROJECT BENEFITS

• Capacity addition of 444 MW in the Northern Region, reducing peaking power

shortage in the region.

• Annual Design Energy of 1674 MU (90% dependable year).

• Integrated Development of Chamoli / Garhwal region in the areas of

employment, communication, education, health, tourism, development of Flora &
Fauna etc.

• Out of 13% free power to the home state Uttarakhand, 1% shall be utilized for
contribution towards local area development.

Protective zone for shield wire

bx= 1.2 h ( 1 – hx/ 0.8 h ) if hx< 2/3 h

bx= 0.6 h ( 1 – hx / h ) if hx> 2/3h

where,
h =Height of tower peak
hx=Object Height for Protection
bx=Zone of Side Stroke Protection for object height upto h x
ho = h – ( S / 4 )
where,

S =Spaci ng between two s hi el d wi res

ho=Oject Height protected within two Shield Wires

Protection Zone Calculations

S.No. Case reference Shield wire Spacing object Protection Whether Zon
stringing between height for height protection e of
height shield wire protection achieved achieved? sid
within e
shied wire stro
ke
prot
ecti
on
h s hx ho ho>hx bx
1 Shied wire within 17.30 12.00 8.56 14.30 yes 7.9
switchyard 2
2 Shied wire within 17.30 10.40 8.56 14.70 yes 7.9
switchyard 2
3 Shied wire within 17.30 10.40 13.80 14.70 yes 2.1
switchyard 0
4 Shied wire within 17.30 31.20 8.56 9.50 yes 7.9
switchyard 2

6. DHUKWAN SHP

Introduction
Govt of UP has entrusted implementation of 24 MW Dhukwan Small HydroProject
to THDCIL. Project is located near village Sukhwan-Dhukwan in
TehsilBabina, in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh on river
Betwa. Implementationagreement was signed between GOUP and THDCIL
on 2ndSep’09.
Dhukwan HEP is a surface power house comprising of three generating
units each rated at 8MW and the total capacity will be of 24MW capacity.
The station will generate power at 11kv and it will be stepped up to 132kv
through 10MVA step up generator transformers. The 3 phase generator
transformers shall be connected to 11kv panel through 11kv XLPE cables.
  Dhukwan(project)

Purpose
The purpose of lightning protection for the surface power house is to
examine the need and to protect the building against direct lightning current
strokes flows and then calculate the system requirement. When the lightning
current flows in a conductor, a potential differences exists between it and
the frames connected to earth that are located in the vicinity, the latter can
cause destructive falsh over.
The system consist of:
1. Capture device-lightning protection system.
2. Down conductors designed to convey the lightning current to earth.
3. Isolating links between the down comer and connection to earth.
CALCULATIONS

In accordance with the standard reffered above, it is first estabilished the need for
lightning protection based on the data provided in the standard. Then calculate
the required down comers.

Input data

SI.No. Descriptions Data

Area of building
1 Length of the power house(L) 72.12m
2 Width of the power house(W) 27m
3 Height of the power house(H) 16m
Lightning stock flushing density
4 Number of thunderstorm(N) 20days/year
5 Lightning flash density(Ng) 1.1kmsq per year
6 Application(A) 0.3
7 Type of constructions(B) 0.8
8 Consequential effects(C) 1.0
9 Degree of isolation (D) 0.4
10 Type of country(E) 0.3
11 Maximum acceptable overall risk 0.00001

Collection area (Ac) = (L × W)+2(L × H) +2(W × H)+(π × H2)

= (72.12×27)+2(72.12×16)+2(27×16)+(π×162)

Ac = 5923.327meter2

The probable number of strikes(risk) to the structure per year

P = Ac × Ng ×10-6
P = 5923.327 × 1.1 ×10-6

P = 0.00651566 No’s/year

Overall Multiplying factor(M) = A×B×C×D×E

M = 0.3×0.8×1.0×0.3

M=0.0288

Overall risk factor(XC) = M × P

= 0.0288×0.00651566

= 0.000187651

Base structure (Ab) = L × W

Ab = 72.12 × 27

Ab = 1947.24meter2

Perimeter of structure(Ps) = 2×(L+W)

= 2×(72.12+27)

Ps = 198.24 meters

Lightning protection is required or not

If calculated overall risk factor calculated > Maximum Acceptable Overall Risk
Factor than only lightning protection.
Here Calculated Overall Risk Factor is 0.000187651> Max Acceptable Overall Risk
Factor is 0.0000001.

Therefore,Lightning Protection is required

7.CONCLUSION

1) Fixed angle method is only suitable for 66kV substation; for above
66kV we have to apply EGM method and early streamer method.
2) By applying advanced method of protection total cost of substation
will become less
3) Based on the calculation requirement Lightning protection Drawing(Drg no-
HA-SSIPL/THDC/DHUKWAN/1500-09) is to be referred for installation of
lightning protection for the power house.