Regression models for outages due to wind and lightning on overhead distribution feeders

Different environmental factors including weather, trees, animals cause a large number of outages in distribution systems. Wind and lighting continue to be the major weather related causes of outages on overhead power distribution lines. This paper present a method based on regression models to study and analyze outages due to wind and lightning on overhead distribution feeders in different districts in Kansas from 2005 to 2009. Performance of the four models to estimate outages are compared to identify the best model. The models are applied to lightning data gathered within 200 m on either side of the lines and within 400 m on either side of the lines to compare their performance to select the appropriate distance for data gathering.