2017 International Symposium on Lightning Protection (XIV SIPDA), Natal, Brazil, 2nd – 6th October 2017.

Assessment of Lightning Overvoltages on Lines with

Different Voltages Sharing the Same Structures
Luana Batista Moraes, Gustavo Paiva Lopes, Guilherme Martinez Figueiredo Ferraz, Renato
Airton Violin, Estácio Tavares Wanderley Neto Massoni Capelini, Rogério Salustiano
Federal University of Itajubá HVEX
Itajubá, Brazil Itajubá, Brazil
luana@lat-efei.org.br/ ferraz@hvex.com.br

Alexandre Piantini Joana Maira Campos

University of São Paulo Energisa
São Paulo, Brazil Cuiabá, Brazil
piantini@iee.usp.br joana.campos@energisa.com.br

Abstract—The objective of this paper is to evaluate the
lightning overvoltages that appear on a conventional 69 kV line, a
compact overhead distribution line (spacer cable system) rated
11.4 kV and a low voltage line rated 220 V sharing the same tower.
The simulations were performed using the software ATP
(Alternative Transient Program) considering lightning strikes at
the top of the tower, the mid span of the ground wire and one of
the phases of the high voltage line.
This research concerns a 69 kV line that connects Julius Arp
and Conselheiro Paulino substations, as shown in Fig. 1. Both
substations are owned by the ENERGISA Group and located at
the city of Nova Friburgo – RJ, Brazil. This line shares its towers
with a medium voltage (11.4 kV) and a low voltage (220/127 V)
distribution line, as shown in Fig. 2.
0.15 m

2.0 m 2.0 m 1.8 m

Keywords— electromagnetic coupling; lightning; lines sharing
the same tower; overvoltages.

I. INTRODUCTION
2.0 m
The practice of carrying more than one circuit with different
Spacer Cable System
rated voltages on the same tower has been used as a solution for
the lack of space especially in emerging countries. Although this
24.0 m

0.35 m
solution can be considered very profitable and effective,
overvoltages may rise on the distribution line caused by the
0.3 m
0.175 m

electromagnetic coupling among these circuits.

Fig. 1 shows three circuits sharing the same tower. 0.5 m
0.2 m
7.0 m

Low Voltage Line

5.87 m

Multiplexed Cable

Figure 2 - High voltage tower.

This study analyses the effects of the overvoltages induced

Figure 1 - High voltage tower located at Nova Friburgo, Brazil.
on the medium and low voltage lines when lightning strikes the
top of the tower, the mid span of the ground wire and one phase
of the high voltage line. It is proposed the installation of surge
arresters on the low voltage line to increase the safety to
customer’s assets. This research is sponsored by the Brazilian
distribution utility ENERGISA as part of the Brazilian
Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) Research and
Development Program.

978-1-5090-6053-5/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE 244

 Distribution Transformer
MV Surge Arrester

LP2 LS1 LP1 CT RP1 RS1 RP2

Figure 3 – Line modelled at ATPDraw (out of scale).

CHG is the stray capacitance from the high voltage side of the
II. NETWORK DESCRIPTION transformer to ground;
In the analyzed grid, the high, medium and low voltage lines CLG is the stray capacitance from the low voltage side of the
share the same tower for approximately 3.8 km. The average transformer to ground;
distance between two subsequent towers is equal to 70 m and
the distance between the high voltage tower and the medium CHL is the stray capacitance between windings;
voltage pole is 35 m. S is the apparent power of the transformer.
The line segment in which there is the sharing among the
different voltage levels presents the aspect presented in Fig. 3, C. Surge Arresters
which was modeled in detail in the ATPDraw. The surge arrester installed on the high voltage side of the
Established models were used to simulate the main distribution transformer was modeled as an exponential current-
components of the transmission and distribution systems for dependent resistor (Type 92), with the characteristics indicated
fast front transients. The details of the models are described on in Table 2 and Table 3 [2].
the following:
Table 2 -High voltage surge arrester characteristics.
A. Groundings
Nominal Discharge Current (In) 10 kA
The average value of ground resistivity is 1000 Ωm. Based Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage 8.4 kVrms
on the value of resistivity and on the grounding project, a 20 Ω
resistor was adopted for the simulation of the grounding for
Table 3 - V x I Characteristic of the medium voltage surge arrester.
towers and poles.
Surge Current (kA) Residual Voltage (kV)
B. Distribution Transformer 1.5 27.0
The distribution transformer was modelled according to its 3.0 29.5
stray capacitances between windings and from winding to 5.0 31.5
ground. Typical values for 112.5 kVA transformers are indicated 10.0 36.0
in Table 1, which represents stray capacitances per phase.
20.0 41.5
40.0 53.0
Table 1 – Distribution transformer electrical characteristics. [1]
UH/UL S CHG CHL CLG D. Towers
(kV) (kVA) (pF) (pF) (pF)
The towers were represented by lossless distributed-
11.4/0.22 112.5 266 500 800
parameter transmission line, characterized by a surge
impedance and a travel time.
In Table 1: Surge impedance represents the response of the tower when
UH is the voltage on the high voltage side of the transformer; a transmission line is struck by lightning and its value depends
on the height of the tower and the tower base radius according
to the expression 1 [2]:
UL is the voltage on the low voltage side of the transformer; h
Z=60 ቀln ቀ2ξ2 ቁ -1ቁ (1)
r

245
 Where: Table 5 - Line post insulator characteristics. [4]
Dry 485 kV
h is the tower height (meters). Power frequency withstand voltage
Wet 405 kV
r is the tower base radius (meters). Lighting impulse withstand Voltage Positive 740 kV
It was considered a cylinder shape to model the tower 1.2/50µs Negative 815 kV
according to Fig. 2. Leakage distance 4200 mm
Material Silicone
E. Insulator
Dry arc distance 1380 mm
A line post insulator (Fig. 4) and a medium voltage spacer
CFO - positive 915 kV
(Fig. 5) are used on the high voltage and the medium voltage
line respectively.
Spacer and insulator characteristics are shown in Table 4 On the low voltage line where the cables are multiplexed, it
and Table 5. was used a limit of 1200 V to define whether the line will
present flashover in the simulations. This value corresponds to
the withstand voltage level for a low voltage cable.
In order to represent the insulation of the spacer and the low
voltage line on the simulations, a capacitor was used in parallel
with a voltage-controlled switch which closes when the
overvoltage on the phase reaches the CFO, representing the
effect of an insulator flashover. Table 6 shows the capacitance
values used in the simulation to model the line insulation.
Table 6 - Insulation capacitance. [5], [6]
Line Capacitance per phase (pF)
Figure 4 - Line post insulator for 145 kV class. Measurement unit in
High Voltage 10
millimeters. [3]
Medium Voltage 7
Low Voltage 7

F. Lightning Current Model

The lightning stroke is represented as an ideal current source
(infinite parallel impedance) with a slope-ramp waveform,
defined by the peak current magnitude, the time-to crest and the
tail time [7]. The currents magnitude are described on the item
III.
G. Subtransmission and distribution line
The LCC module (Bergeron methodology) from ATPDraw
was used to model the lines with shared towers, according to the
information depicted in Table 7:
Figure 5 – Medium voltage spacer for 15 kV class. Measurement unit in
millimeters. [4]
Table 7 - Electrical characteristics of the conductors. [8-10]
Conductors Rex (cm) Rin (cm) RDC (Ω/km)
Table 4 - Spacer characteristics. [3]
Rated voltage 15 kV Ground Wire at 69 kV 0.735 0 0.491
Basic insulation level 110 kV Phase at 69 kV 0.915 0.337 0.17
Power frequency withstand voltage, Messenger at 11.4 kV 0.475 0 3.73
34 kV @ 1 min.
wet. Phase at 11.4 kV 0.645 0 0.253
Leakage distance 300 mm Neutral at 220 V 0.675 0 0.632
Material Polyethylene Phase at 220 V 0.643 0 0.3414
Phase Value
Critical flashover voltage-positive
A and C 149.1 kV Where:
(CFO)
B 246.3 kV
Rex is the external radius of the conductor;
Rin is the internal radius of the conductor;
RDC is the DC resistance at 20°C of the conductor.

246
 III. RESULTS
The network shown in Fig. 3 was modelled in ATPDraw
and the voltages across the insulators of this system were
analyzed considering two lightning current waveforms: The
first one, with magnitude of 80 kA and waveform 15/107 μs,
for lightning striking the top of the pole and mid span. The other
one, with magnitude of 34 kA and waveform 5/40 μs, was
applied to simulate a lightning striking the phase of the high
voltage line. The former was chosen considering a conservative
approach by choosing a current with low probability of
occurrence (about 5%) but a high peak value, which Figure 7 - Induced overvoltage on the low voltage line when lightning strikes
corresponds to higher induced overvoltages. The later was the top of the tower.
chosen considering the shielding angle of the overhead ground
wire, which is 45 degrees, resulting in 34 kA, which represents B. Stroke at the mid span
50% of probability of occurrence. [11] Table 9 presents the peak values of the overvoltages across
In order to quantify the maximum overvoltage that would the insulators of the distribution line when lightning strikes the
be induced at the low voltage line if no flashover occurs, the mid span of the overhead ground wire.
low voltage insulation model was disabled during the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show the overvoltages induced on the
simulation. Therefore the results show representative medium and low voltage line respectively at the structure RP2.
overvoltages disregarding the disruptive effect.
Table 9 – Peak values of the overvoltages on the medium and low
A. Stroke at the top of the tower voltage line insulators when lightning strikes the mid span of the
Table 8 presents the overvoltages across the insulators of ground wire.
the distribution lines when lightning strikes the top of the tower. Structure LP2 LS1 LP1 CT RP1 RS1 RP2
Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the overvoltage induced on the Medium
voltage line 27 29 26 34 19 35 28
medium and low voltage line respectively at the structure RP2. (kV)
Low voltage
55 54.3 53 51 48.5 51 53
line (kV)
Table 8 - Peak values of the overvoltages on the medium and low
voltage line when lightning strikes the top of the tower.
Structure LP2 LS1 LP1 CT RP1 RS1 RP2
Medium
voltage line 26 27 22 35 19 27 25
(kV)
Low voltage
50.5 49.7 46.5 43 46.4 49.6 50.5
line (kV)

Figure 8 - Induced overvoltage on the medium voltage line when lightning

strikes the mid span of the overhead ground wire.

Figure 6 – Induced overvoltage on the medium voltage line when lightning

strikes the top of the tower.

Figure 9 - Induced overvoltage on the low voltage line when lightning strikes
the mid span of the overhead ground wire.

247
 In both cases when lightning strikes the top of the tower and Whereas the overvoltage induced on the low voltage line
the mid span of the overhead ground wire the voltage induced has exceeded the voltage withstand limit according. As a result,
on the medium voltage line is lower than the one induced on the the voltage induced on the low voltage line will cause a
low voltage line due to the effect of the surge arrester installed flashover on the multiplexed cable insulation. It is important to
on the high voltage side of the transformer. emphasize that in a real situation the voltage induced on the low
voltage line will not reach the magnitude shown in the
C. Stroke at high voltage phase
simulation. Once the magnitude of the voltage reaches the low
Table 10 presents the peak values of the overvoltages across voltage line withstand limit, a flashover will occur across the
the insulators of the distribution lines when lightning strikes the insulation.
phase “A” of the high voltage line.
Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show the overvoltage induced on the D. Instalation of Surge Arresters on the Low Voltage Line
medium and low voltage line respectively at the structure CT. The case where lightning strikes the mid span of the
overhead ground wire was simulated again, but now the low
voltage line was equipped with surge arresters on each tower
Table 10 - Peak values of the overvoltages on the medium and low and pole considered in the simulation. The results are shown in
voltage line insulators when lightning strikes one of the phases of the Table 11.
high voltage line.
Structure LP2 LS1 LP1 CT RP1 RS1 RP2
Medium Table 11 - Peak values of the overvoltages across the cable insulation
voltage line 49 75 55 94 20 95 45 of the low voltage line considering the installation of low voltage
(kV) surge arresters.
Low voltage Structure LP2 LS1 LP1 CT RP1 RS1 RP2
32 35 27.5 35 20 42 25
line (kV)
Low voltage
0.80 0.82 0.80 0.90 0.90 0.86 0.84
line (kV)

Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show the overvoltage induced on the low

Figure 10 - Induced overvoltage on the medium voltage line when lightning
strikes one of the phases of the high voltage line.
voltage line and the energy absorbed by the surge arrester
respectively at the structure CT.
Table 12 and Table 13 present, respectively, the electrical
characteristics and the V x I characteristics of the low voltage
surge arrester used in the low voltage line.
Fig. 12 shows that after the installation of the low voltage
surge arrester the peak of the overvoltage induced on the low
voltage line was reduced to 800 V, which is below the limit
considered in the simulations. The energy absorbed by the low
voltage surge arrester during the transient remained below the
energy absorption capability indicated in Table 12.

Figure 11 - Induced overvoltage on the low voltage line when lightning strikes
one of the phases of the high voltage line.
Figure 12 - Voltage induced on the low voltage line after the installation of the
low voltage surge arrester.
Based on Tables 8 to 10 and on the medium and low voltage
line critical flashover voltage, it can be concluded that the
voltages induced on the medium voltage line will not cause
insulation flashover, since the values are below the spacer’s
CFO.

248

Figure 13 - Energy absorbed by the low voltage surge arrester at the structure
CT.
Table 12 – Electrical characteristics of the surge arrester. [12]
Nominal Discharge Current (In) 5 kA
Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage 280 Vrms
Voltage Protection Level at In 1100 V
Energy Absorption Capability 1800 J
Table 13 - V x I Characteristic of the low voltage surge arrester. [12]
Surge Current (A) Residual Voltage (V)
0.001 396
5380 915
25390 1328
IV. CONCLUSIONS
This paper has presented the voltages across the insulation
of 11.4 kV and 220 V line when lightning strikes the top of the
tower, the mid span of the overhead ground wire and the phase
of the high voltage line. Two lightning current waveforms have
been considered in the simulations: 15/107 μs and 5/40 μs, with
amplitudes of 80 kA and 34 kA, respectively. The results
obtained from the simulations showed that, under these
conditions, the overvoltages induced on the medium voltage
line do not cause flashover across the insulators or damage the
high voltage side of the transformer, as their amplitudes are
lower than the basic insulation level of the line (110 kV).
On the other hand, the voltages induced on the low voltage
line exceeded the withstand voltage level and definitely causes
flashovers across the cable insulation. The solution will be the
installation of low voltage surge arresters on each tower and
pole of the sharing part of the line. The results show that the
overvoltage levels are limited to 900 V, which is below the
cable withstand voltage. The energy absorbed by the arresters
249
is within their limit, which means that the arrester considered in
this paper fulfills the requirements as solution for this issue.
As a future work, extra simulations will be carried out
considering different lightning stroke scenarios and more
accurate models for the surge arresters and distribution
transformers, as well as for the different types of line insulation
[13], [14]. In addition, further analysis will be done regarding
costumers and maintenance staff safety.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are grateful for the support and trust placed
by ENERGISA in making its resources, networks and
technicians available to carry out the activities of this research
and development plan.
REFERENCES
[1] L. Gustavo, “Transformers electrical parameters”. Unpublished.
[2] Surge arrester electrical characteristics :: PDV65-Optima. 2017. Hubbell
Power Systems Inc.. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.hubbellpowersystems.com/arresters/dist/normal. [Accessed 9
June 2017].
[3] Isoelectric Brasil, “Horizontal line post insulator type ISI-BIG-A22+21-
BG SBP”. Drawing number B018429B. 2005.
[4] PLP Brasil, “15 kV spacer” (in portuguese). Drawing number 3C-17777.
2015.
[5] L. Gustavo, “Insulators electrical parameters”. Unpublished.
[6] Ali F. Imece, Daniel W. Durbak, Hamid Elahi, Sharma Kolluri, Andre
Lux, Doug Mader, Thomas E. McDemott, Atef Morched, Abdul M.
Mousa, Ramasamy Natarajan, Luis Rugeles, and Eva Tarasiewicz,
“Modeling guidelines for fast front transients”, IEEE Transactions on
Power Delivery, v. 11, n.1, pp. 493-506, January 1996.
[7] J. A. Velasco, “Power system transients: parameter determination”, CRC
Press, New York, USA, pp 60, 2009.
[8] Nexans, “aluminum cables with steel core ” (in portuguese). 2016.
[9] Furukawa, “Opgw centrum – CM2.081.147.S24”.
[10] Energisa, “Standards and material specifications of distribution – NDU-
010”. 2013.
[11] K. Berger, R. B. Anderson and H Kroninger, “Parameters of lightning
flash” CIGRE Electra: International conference on large high voltage
electric system, nº 41, pp 27-32, 1975.
[12] ABB. Low Voltage Surge Arrester. [ONLINE] Available at:
https://library.e.abb.com/public/ac5001276babb7a748257d47004bdb70/
LOVOS_catalogue_2127PL197-W1_09-2009-EN.pdf. [Accessed 2 June
2017].
[13] G. Lopes, “Disruptive effect statistical modeling for medium voltage
insulators” (in portuguese). Federal University of Itajubá, 2016.
[14] M. Shigihara, A. Piantini, M.C.E.S. Ramos, C.P. Braz, C. Mazzetti, and
A. Ancajima, "Evaluation of the performance of different methods for
estimating the parameters of the disruptive effect model - application to
15 kV insulators", IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical
Insulation, v. 23, n. 2, pp. 1030-1037, April 2016.