Application studies of line arresters in partially shielded 138-kV transmission lines

The application of arresters on transmission lines has been one of the most effective alternatives for the reduction of lightning flashover rates. This paper reviews previous methods for evaluating lightning performance of lines with arresters. Improved calculations of line outage rates are developed to include power frequency voltage and arrester failure-rate evaluations, based on field experience. The transmission lines are modeled in detail in the electromagnetic transients program (EMTP)/(ATP) and the outage rates are calculated with the Monte Carlo method. Probability energy stresses on arresters are evaluated for strokes on conductors and shield wires as a function of tower footing resistance (TFR).