Design and construction of a system for detection of lightning discharges on power transmission lines

One of the main concerns of the electric energy generation and distribution operators is the occurrence of atmospheric discharge on the transmission line system. Lightning strikes give rise to transients that can cause damage, affecting the quality of the electric energy and in many cases bringing down the system. This paper describes the conception and experimental results of an electronic system which detects the presence, intensity and location of an atmospheric discharge on a tower or span of a transmission line. A Rogowski coil, simple electronic components, microcontrollers and transceivers build up the proposed system.