2012 International Conference on Lightning Protection (ICLPj, Vienna, Austria

Surge Arresters Models For

Fast Transients
Georgios D. Peppas, Ioannis A. Naxakis, Christos T. Vitsas, Eleytheria C. Pyrgioti
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Patras
Patras, Greece

Abstract
In this paper is presented the performance of metaloxide
surge arresters, during fast transients. The simulations
were carried out with the EMTP-ATP program. The
equivalent circuits were those proposed by the IEEE and
Pinceti Giannettoni. The residual voltages of various
rated voltages lightning arresters and for lightning
currents with different peak values and front times were
estimated. The results also been compared with the
manufacturer's data.

Introduction
By creating a model to determine the behavior of a
metaloxide surge arrester to lightning strikes it is
important to take into account their dynamic behavior.
The waveform of the residual voltage has a strong
dependence from the front time oflightning current,
increases as the front time of the current is reduced and
reaches the peak before the peak of lightning current.
A lot of contributions have been carried out to propose
or improve models to simulate the dynamic surge
arrester performance and comparing with those deriving
from of manufacturers' data.

Models for Fast Transient

(1) IEEE Models

The nonlinear V-I characteristic of a

lightning arrester is presented as two parts
of nonlinear resistors Ao and A1.

The R-L filter presents small impedance

for currents with slow front times and the
two nonlinear resistors are connected in
parallel. For currents with fast front times
the impedance is high and this results in
more current to pass through the nonlinear
resistor Ao.

The induction Lo represents the inductance

associated with the magnetic fields in the
vicinity of the lightning arrester.

The resistance Ro is used to stabilize the

mathematical processing when the model
is analyzed on the computer.

The capacitance C represents the capacity

between the two edges of the lightning
arrester

Click icon to add picture

IEEE Model

Models for Fast Transient

(2) Pinceti-Giannettoni model

The Capacitor C has been eliminated

because its influence is negligible for
the model's behavior

The Resistor R (about ohm) to avoid

problems in numerical simulation.

The operating principles of the model

are similar to the model of the IEEE
and based in two rules:

1. The identification Ao and Al is via the

current-voltage
characteristic
presented above in the model of the
IEEE and refers to the maximum
residual voltage measured during a
test with impulse current 10kA.
2. The determination of the inductances
can be done by using the following
equations:

Click icon to add picture

SIMULATION PROCEDURE USING THE EMTPATP PROGRAM

(1)Simulation with IEEE model
()We carried out a simulation of the behavior of the
lightning arrester when it is hit by lightning currents of
various intensities.
()For the determination of the values of non-linear
resistance we used datasheets from a lightning
arresters manufactory.
()We also compared the results of the simulations with
those of the manufacturer.

Model Parameter

d is the estimated value of

height
of
the
lightning
arrester in meters.

n is the number of parallel

columns of metal oxide of the
lightning arrester.

The Results of The Simulations in EMTP

The Results of The Simulations in EMTP

The Graph (Figure 4)
shows that as the front
time
is
reduced,
the
maximum value of the
residual voltage of the
lightning arrester increases
and the peak of the
maximum residual voltage
preceded the peak of the
lightning current.

Relative Error

The IEEE model

gives
satisfactory
results and small errors
for 20kA and 40kA
lightning
currents,
which are the most
dangerous
for
the
equipments.

Optimization of IEEE model parameters

Having carried out many simulations and tests on
different samples and different values of lightning current
we conclude that the model of the IEEE optimized
significantly if we change the value in the R-L filter. In
particular, the IEEE group calculates the value of
inductance according using
while is proposed to
calculate the inductance by .

The Results of The

Optimization in EMTP
Error between the residual voltage
of the manufacturer and the
simulations for a list of various
values of the rated voltage of the
sample are reduced especially for
impulse currents of 5kA and IOkA.
This is a small optimization of IEEE
model, for this type of arresters.
The IEEE model is satisfactory for
lightning currents 20kA and 40kA.
For smaller currents, this model
gives overestimation of residual
voltages, that results to more safe
calculations.

SIMULATION PROCEDURE USING THE EMTPATP PROGRAM

(1)Simulation with Pinceti-Giannettoni model
()We carried out a simulation of the behavior of the
lightning arrester when it is hit by lightning currents of
various intensities.
()For the determination of the values of non-linear
resistance we used datasheets from a lightning
arresters manufactory.
()We also compared the results of the simulations with
those of the manufacturer.

Model Parameter

The Results of The Simulations in EMTP

The Results of The Simulations in EMTP

As it is expected this
model gives very good
results for a lightning
current 10 kA, as the
model's parameters have
been
determined
by
arrester's
characteristics
obtained by manufacturer's
data for 10kA.

Conclusions
The residual voltage of the lightning arrester for a given
lightning current is increased as front time of the current
decreases. For currents with a front time less than 8s the
residual voltage reaches its maximum before the maximum
current.
From reading the results we can derive that it is very difficult to
propose a model for all rated voltages of the arresters and for
various lightning currents. The IEEE model gives satisfactory
results and small errors for 20kA and 40kA lightning currents,
which are the most dangerous for the equipments.