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Selection of Surge Protective Devices for Low-Voltage Systems Connected to

Overhead Line

Article in IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery · August 2010

DOI: 10.1109/TPWRD.2010.2047410 · Source: IEEE Xplore

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TPWRD-00805-2008 1

Selection of Surge Protective Devices for Low-

Voltage Systems Connected to Overhead Line
Viktor Milardic, Member, IEEE, Ivo Uglesic, Senior Member, IEEE, and Ivica Pavic, Member, IEEE

devices that are based on a metal-oxide (MO) varistor, in

Abstract--This paper presents a procedure of choosing an general, are not suitable for tests with current waves of a
appropriate surge protective device for low-voltage systems longer duration. In order to explain this fact, let us assume that
connected to an overhead line. For a typical surge protection
the 10/350 s current wave is a long duration wave, and that
application an appropriate EMTP model is devised. The energy
overload is calculated for a surge protective device following a the 8/20 s current wave is a short duration wave. The
simulation of the lightning effect. This way it is possible to difference between the two current waves is shown in Fig. 1.
determine the required class for the surge protective device in When the current wave 10/350 s passes through a spark
question. The procedure has been tested on some typical overhead gap, the voltage drop on the spark gap appears relatively low
low-voltage networks. The results of such calculations, as well as (arc voltage). Now, the integration of the product of
very good service experiences, demonstrate that the use of Class
II surge protective devices seems to be appropriate for service instantaneous current, voltage and time values yield a much
entrances in buildings that have no lightning protection systems. lower amount of energy that needs to be absorbed by the spark
gap. This is the reason why the spark gap is suitable for tests
Index Terms--Overhead low-voltage distribution line, with long duration waves.
probability of energy overloading, procedure, protected building, When the current wave 10/350 s passes through a MO
surge protective device classes. varistor, the voltage drop on the MO varistor appears
relatively high compared to the one appearing on a spark gap.
I. INTRODUCTION
The integration of the product of instantaneous current,

T HE occurrence of numerous damages to low-voltage (LV)

equipment due to incidents of voltage surges, especially in
suburban areas, suggests that there is a great need for
voltage and time values yields a large amount of energy that
needs to be absorbed by the MO disc. The MO disc is able to
absorb only a limited amount of energy in order to remain
installation of appropriate surge protective devices (SPD) in stable (it heats up), since it is supplied from a voltage source.
LV systems. In general, there exist three types of SPD The energy absorbed by the MO varistor is proportional to
according to [1]: SPDs of Classes I, II and III. Relevant the surface below the curves shown in Fig.1. Clearly,
laboratory test procedures for each of the said three classes conducting tests using a current wave 10/350 s requires much
have been provided and they will be adhered to. The SPDs of higher energy levels for SPDs which are based on a MO
Class I are tested using current waves 8/20 s, 10/350 s and varistor. That is why SPDs, which are based on a MO varistor
voltage wave 1,2/50 s; the SPDs of Class II are tested using and of usual cross sectional area of the disc, can thermally
current waves 8/20 s and voltage wave 1,2/50 s; finally, the withstand current waves 10/350 s with relatively low
SPDs of Class III are tested using the combined wave 1,2/50 / amplitudes only (up to approx. 7 kA). The newly developed
8/20 s (open circuit / short circuit of a generator). There MO varistors (ZnO disks) with the surface area of 2265 mm2
exists a discrepancy between IEC standards 61643-1 [1], can thermally withstand the current waves 10/350 s with
61643-12 [2] and IEEE standard C62.45 [3] as far as the amplitude of 14 kA [10] and with surface area of 4300 mm2
introduction of current wave 10/350 s for testing of Class I with amplitude of 25 kA [11].
SPD. The paper [4] calls for a unification of the current waves
for testing of SPDs in the abovementioned documents. Other
papers [5]-[9] have also concluded that a simulation using
current wave 10/350 s should be regarded as an extremity
with a very low probability scenario.

II. SURGE PROTECTION AND SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICES

Unlike SPDs that are based on a spark gap, the protective

Manuscript received October 26, 2008. The authors are with the Faculty of
Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Unska 3 10000
Zagreb, Croatia (e-mail: [email protected], [email protected], Figure 1: Current waves 10/350 s and 8/20 s, 20 kA
[email protected]).
TPWRD-00805-2008 2

Table I shows the allocation of SPDs into relevant surge to leave out the first stage (SPD of Class I), as illustrated in
categories, as well as the associated task of a particular surge Fig. 3. Instead, an SPD of Class II should be installed in its
category. It is clear that every line that is entered into a place, thus the surge protection would be configured within
building (whether a communication or electrical line) in the two stages, as is the practice in the USA for power distribution
area where a lightning strike is possible needs to be protected [4]. The anticipated drawback of such a configuration would
by an appropriately located SPD of Class I. For a building that be a possible overload of an SPD of Class II at the service
is supplied by an overhead LV network, the case is illustrated entrance.
in Fig. 2. It is necessary to install a SPD of Class I (lightning Overvoltage categories

current arrester) in front of the consumer watt-hour meter. The IV III II I

distribution panel is a typical installation location for a SPD of

Class II. kWh Device
The SPD of Class II can safely discharge the current waves 230/400 V

8/20 s with amplitudes in the order of tens kA, as well as to

decrease the remaining voltage of the SPD Class I. The SPD of
SPD Class II SPD Class III
Class III is usually located between the distribution panel and
the end consumer, or within the power socket. Some more Figure 3: Two stages surge protection

sensitive consumers have their own surge protection installed

inside the housing. The following chapter describes the energy overload analysis
TABLE I procedure of an SPD of Class II at the service entrance. This is
ALLOCATION OF SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICES [12] an attempt to provide an answer to the fundamental question of
how to utilize an SPD of Class I (lightning current arrester)?
This would also require testing with a current wave 10/350 s.
IEEE C62.45 [3] does not envisage tests with such current
wave. The purpose of the following analysis is to check the
installation of SPDs of Class II at the service entrance by
taking into account a relatively low probability (relative
frequency) of energy overloading during its lifespan (once
every hundred or once every two hundred years). The
Overvoltage categories
procedure is based on a premise that a very low number of
IV III II I
SPD faults caused by energy overloads can be acceptable,
while, simultaneously, taking into account the probability of
kWh Device occurrence of the lightning current waves with defined
230/400 V
amplitude and duration.

SPD Class I SPD Class II SPD Class III

III. SELECTING SURGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE IN LV SYSTEMS
Figure 2: Surge protection according to IEC standards This paper deals with buildings that have no lightning
protection system, and therefore only direct lightning stroke to
The configuration that is described above presents an almost an overhead LV network is considered herein. Usually, the
ideal surge protection. To protect the most valuable lightning strikes the ground in the vicinity of a building or an
installations, it is advisable to adhere to this IEC concept. overhead LV network, and the induced overvoltages on the
However, to protect the simpler installations (e.g. family overhead LV (or telecommunication) network travel towards
homes), it is necessary to simplify the above configuration due the buildings and may damage electric and electronic
to the following. First of all, such a form of surge protection equipment. Induced overvoltages cannot cause such high
for simpler installations is not commonly used. Very often energy load of SPD as caused by a direct lightning stroke.
such buildings have no surge protection whatsoever. Second of Induced overvoltages cannot energy overload SPD of Class II
all, as a consequence of the above mentioned, such surge at the service entrance, and they are, therefore, not significant
protection has a prohibitive price tag. in the context of the paper. As an example, induced
The combined SPD Class I, which also includes an SPD overvoltages and currents that travel to the beginning and to
Class II, represents a possible simplification to the surge the end of a LV overhead network were calculated. Induced
protection configuration. Such combined SPD of Class I currents (for a very high subsequent return stroke of 45 kA and
retains the attributes of Class I, together with the capacity to front steepness 100 kA/ s) in three phases of LV line are
conduct relatively high current waves of 10/350 s, but also shown in Fig. 4. Clearly, the amplitude, the front of wave and
the attributes of an SPD Class II – a low remaining voltage. wave tail duration of the induced current do not reach the test
Although this configuration seems optimal at first, its major wave for Class II SPD (for example 10 kA, 8/20 s). This
drawback is its high price. shows that induced overvoltages in an LV overhead network
The other possible solution for a simplified configuration is
TPWRD-00805-2008 3

cannot be a barrier to use of Class II SPD at the service adopted for buildings connected to the LV network.
entrance. When a lightning strikes the highest conductor of a post
400
Induced currents (Fig. 6) in the LV network, the flashover happens to other
375

350
Phase A
Phase B
conductors as well. The electrical arc can be modeled in
325
Phase C
different ways. Most frequently, a typical voltage/time
300

275 characteristic, with its correlation between the voltage peak

250

225 value for a specific wave shape and the time required for a
200
flashover, is used. According to [13], for a plain analysis, the
(A)

175

150

125
electric arc, resulting from the flashing over the insulator, does
100
not need to be modeled in detail. The voltage/time
75

50 characteristic for a typical overhead LV network with Al/St

25

0 conductors was used.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-25

-50
Usually, in the overhead LV network the SPDs of Class II
time (mikro s)
are located in a transformer substation (TS) cabinet and at the
Figure 4: Induced currents in all three phases at the beginning and at the end
end of the network. Recently, the SPDs of Class II have also
of an LV network (resistive load is matched to surge impedance).
been located on the first post of the LV network, in front of the
A. Procedure TS. It has also been assumed that the SPDs of Class II were
In this paper the procedure of choosing the SPDs in LV installed at the service entrance of a building. In order to
networks is presented. For each typical surge protection model a SPD in EMTP, it is essential to obtain its voltage-
application an appropriate EMTP model is devised. The current characteristic. Since voltage-current characteristics of
acceptable probability of energy overload for SPDs of Class II LV SPDs are usually not offered in manufacturers’ catalogues,
is then adopted. An appropriate lightning current is chosen they can be obtained in the laboratory. An example of a
according to the adopted probability. The lightning stroke voltage-current characteristic of a LV SPD, partly made in the
simulation is performed, and the energy load of the SPD is laboratory, is shown in Table II. The same characteristic was
calculated. The relative frequency of energy overload is thus used to model the SPD. The ATPDraw model of an LV
obtained, which is then associated with the adopted network is illustrated in Fig. 7.
probability. Based on above, a conclusion is drawn whether
SPD of Class II is adequate. The block diagram describing
A
such procedure is shown in Fig. 5.

B
Number of lightning strokes Acceptable risk of SPD class II
per square km annually energy overloading (RTi)

C
Family houses Family houses Other simple Complex ........
without LPS with LPS buildings buildings

Model of low- Model of LPS and ........ ........ PEN

voltage network of earthing road

Simulation (changing Simulation (changing

lightning location and connection point to
houses connection) Low-voltage line)

Street
Relative frequency Relative frequency
of energy overload of energy overload
Lighting
(fri=fr1) (f ri=f r1+f r2)

Figure 6: Top part of an LV wooden post

NO
(RTi, f ri)

SPD class I
There are the following earthings in the considered LV
YES
network: Earthing of TS, earthing of the first pole (on this pole
SPD class II
the SPDs are installed) and earthing of the PEN conductor
Figure 5: Choice of adequate SPD for buildings placed every 200 m. TS earthing consists of three connected
rings made out of galvanized steel. The rest of the earthings
For example, the acceptable risk of fault, due to energy are made out of one ring. As a consequence, the earthing
overload for a SPD of Class II at the service entrance of a resistance of the TS is much lower than all the other earthing
family home without lightning protection system (LPS), of RTi resistance in the LV network.
= 10-2 (once in a hundred years) is suggested.
TABLE II
B. Model of an LV network REMAINING VOLTAGE AT CURRENT WAVE 8/20 S, SPD OF CLASS II
An LV network with aluminum/steel (Al/St) conductors Uc = 280 V , In = 10 kA, Imax = 20 kA, Up = 1.1 kV
(and self carrying cable bundle) was modeled taking into 1.03 kA 1.53 kA 2.03 kA 2.5 kA 4.5 kA 5.05 kA 5.75 kA 6.45 kA
account the frequency dependence. The same model was 750 V 800 V 840 V 880 V 980 V 1020 V 1030 V 1050 V
TPWRD-00805-2008 4

LV network

MOSA

l 9/189

MOSA TS MOSA
............
............

compen

Rts Re Re Re kWh Re

MG

Re

Figure 7: ATPDraw Model of a LV network (400/231 V) with Al/St conductors

According to [14], the most frequently used expression for

C. Probability of occurrence and distribution of lightning
distribution of peak values for negative polarity lightning
currents striking the LV network
strokes is:
The probability of lightning striking the LV network 1
depends on the density of lightning striking the ground, i.e. on PI 2 ,6
(p.u.) (3)
the keraunic level of the network area. I
1
To determine the number of lightning strokes to the LV 31
network, it is possible to use an expression from [14], which is Where:
normally used for high voltage lines: PI probability that lightning current is greater than I
I lightning current, (kA)
N L 0.004 T 1,35 ( b 4 h1,09 ) (1) If in expression (3) the value 1/16.46 = 0.06075 is
Where: substituted for PI , it leads to:
1
NL - number of lightning strokes to the power line of 100
1 PI 2 ,6
km in length per year I 31 = 88.87 kA (4)
T - keraunic level (number of days with thunder per year) PI
h - average height of the grounding conductor (m), (in case According to (4), only 6.075% of all lightning currents will
of an LV network it is the height of the tallest conductor) be of amplitudes equal to or greater than 88.87 kA. It can be
b - horizontal distance between the grounding conductors anticipated that a single lightning strike to 1 km of an LV
(in case of an LV network this equals zero). network, during the period of 100 years, will have amplitude
equal to or greater than 88.87 kA. Therefore, the probability of
If a keraunic level (for example T=35 days) is adopted, it is a lightning stroke at 1 km of an LV network with amplitude is
possible to calculate the expected number of lightning strokes equal to or is greater than 88.87 kA is 0.01.
per unit length of the LV network. With an average height of Similarly, a calculation can be carried out to analyze the
7.1 m, above the ground for the tallest conductor in the LV front of a wave and the wave tail duration of a lightning
network, an expression can be obtained: current. This is why a simulation of the lightning stroke on the
1 LV network shall be performed using the lightning current
NL 16,46 (2) wave 9/189 s, whose amplitude equals 88.87 kA.
km 100 year
Therefore, for the length of 1 km of an LV network 16.46 D. Explanation of the simulation
lightning strokes in 100 years can be expected. In the probability theory, it is well known that the relative
It is well known that more than 90% of lightning strokes frequency of an event approaches the probability of that event
have a negative polarity [15], whereas lightning with a positive when the number of tests approaches infinity. Since it is
polarity is common for high buildings (i.e. buildings at difficult to carry out a large number of simulations in practice,
mountain summits, high rises, etc.). it is necessary to use the event relative frequency. Since there
TPWRD-00805-2008 5

are many variables when modeling the overhead network phase C, and finally to PEN conductor immediately after a
(location of the lightning stroke, parameters of lightning stroke stroke. In an LV network with a self carrying cable bundle
or location of the building connection relative to the location (Table IV) the probability of arcing to phase B, C and PEN
of a lightning stroke) some of those variables had to be kept conductor is equal.
constant. Subsequently, all simulations were carried out with Designations A, B and C in Table III to Table VI showed an
the same lightning current 88.87 kA, 9/189 s. Both network energy-overloaded SPD of Class II which was located at the
and connection parameters were also kept constant. The service entrance of the connected building and in such
location of the lightning stroke, as well as the location of the particular phase. Designations (1), (2) and (3) showed the
building connection was left variable. number of energy-overloaded SPDs of Class II in the TS for
The energy absorbed by the SPD using a MO disc is the given lightning stroke and building connection locations.
determined by the following expression: The dash -(-) showed no energy-overloaded SPD of Class II at
the service entrance nor in the TS.
E u( t ) i( t ) dt (5)
The accepted energy overloading criterion for all SPDs was
It is a well-known fact that the SPD limits the voltage; 1.5 kJ (a conservative value). There were SPDs of Class II
therefore u(t) in the above expression changes very slightly. with nominal current 20 kA and maximum current 65 kA (even
The current i(t) changes from less than 1 mA to several tens of 150 kA). Roughly, it can be assumed that an SPD of Class II
kA. This is the reason why the integration must be performed can discharge its nominal current 20 times, while it can
for as long as a significant current flows through the SPD, or discharge its maximum current at least once [16]. When a
for as long as the voltage drop on the SPD is greater that its current wave 8/20 s with amplitude of 65 kA is impressed
continuous operating voltage. into an SPD of Class II, the dissipated energy of more than 2
In transient processes varying in time, it is practically kJ is obtained. In [10] it is noted that the current wave 14.1
impossible to use the above expression for energy calculations. kA, 10/350 s, impressed into the newly developed MOV,
For such purpose, the EMTP uses the numerical integration produces energy of 4.8 kJ. Also, a current wave of 24 kA
based on the trapezoid rule (6). produces energy of 8.0 kJ.
j n
uj uj 1 ij ij 1 When taking into account the possibility of multiple
E t (6) lightning strokes, the level of the dissipated energy was
j 1
2 2
assumed to be 75% of 2 kJ, i.e. 1.5 kJ. Thus, the criterion for
If the energy absorbed by the SPD requires to be an overloaded SPD (based on a MO disc) is accepted, and
numerically calculated, it is necessary to perform the which defines this device as energy-overloaded whilst the
calculation for as long as a significant current flows through lightning stroke at the LV network produces absorbed energy
the SPD. The whole transient state needs to be observed until greater than 1.5 kJ.
it is fully attenuated. In case of a lightning strike into a 1 km After summing up all the cases in Table III, the following
long LV network, this would take approx. 2.5 ms, in some relation was obtained. Out of 363 possible cases, the energy
cases, even longer. overloading of an SPD of Class II, placed at the service
If the time of calculation is then divided by the calculation step entrance of a building, was noted in 66 cases, which represents
(increment) ( t = 0.01 s), it yields to 250000 calculation a relative frequency of energy overload of approx. 18.2%.
steps. Such a calculation would take approx. 1.5 minutes on After summing up all the cases in Table IV, the relative
present-day PCs. frequency of energy overload is approx. 14.0%. Considering
This is the reason why the calculation with both the building the adopted probability for the occurrence of lightning current
connection distance and the lightning stroke distance of 100 m amplitude, and also considering the adopted, worst-case
was performed first. A calculation, changing lightning stroke configuration with only one building connection, this
position and building connection at every post spacing (33 m), constituted an encouraging result and lead to the conclusion
was also performed but the results were almost the same. that the SPD of Class II is appropriate for installation at the
E. Results of simulation service entrance.
Apart from energy loading of the SPD of Class II at the service
The results of energy load simulations for an SPD installed
entrance, the calculations performed in the above simulations
at the service entrance of a building are presented in this
also included energy loads of an SPD of Class II installed at
chapter. These are the results for a model of an LV network
the post TS. In most cases, it was accepted that an SPD
with Al/St conductors and with a self carrying cable bundle.
installed at the post TS was of Class II (MO). The adopted
As illustrated in Table III to Table VI, the lightning stroke
criterion for energy overloading is the same as for the SPD at
location varies from the TS to the end of the LV line in steps
the service entrance. Therefore, if the energy absorbed by an
of 100 m. The location of a building connection also varies
SPD, at the moment of the lightning strike to the LV network,
from the beginning to the end of the LV network. The
is greater than 1.5 kJ, such SPD is energy overloaded. The
lightning always strikes the highest conductor (phase A), in
results from Tables III are unexpected. Almost every stroke to
accordance with the electro-geometrical model. In a great
the LV network resulted in an energy-overload for one, two or
majority of cases, there will be an arcing to phase B, then to
TPWRD-00805-2008 6

three SPDs of Class II that were installed at the TS. The increased to 5 (Table V), the relative frequency of energy
relative frequency of the energy overload for the SPD of Class overload of the SPD of Class II at the service entrance (in LV
II installed at the TS equaled to 72.2% (262/363). The relative network with Al/St conductors) is greater than 24.2% whereas
frequency of energy overload for the SPD of Class II at the TS at the TS, is lower than 9.6%. Similarly, when TS earthing
in Table IV is 30.9%. On the other hand, the capacitors resistance is increased to 10 (Table VI), the relative
required for compensation of reactive power in the TS did not frequency of energy overload at the service entrance equals
decrease the energy load of the SPD installed at the TS. The 32.5% and at the TS 8.8%.
results in Table III and Table IV are for typical earthing It needs to be stressed out that SPDs of Class II were also
resistances for the LV network in question (TS 2 , all other located on the first post of the LV network, in front of the TS.
earthing resistances 10 ). The results for the increased TS Such SPDs absorbed portion of energy and have decreased the
earthing resistance to 5 are shown in Table V whereas Table energy loading of SPDs class II at the TS.
VI shows results for the increased TS earthing resistance to 10 Most of the overloading of SPDs at service entrance and at TS
. It needs to be mentioned that TS earthing resistances are are characterized by absorbed energy just above 1.5 kJ. That
atypically high for the TS in comparison to all other earthings means, according to [10] and [11], SPDs based on MO disk
in the LV network. When the TS earthing resistance is have good prospects for installation at the service entrances.

TABLE III
ENERGY OVERLOAD FOR SPD OF CLASS II AT THE SERVICE ENTRANCE AND THE TS - AL/ST CONDUCTORS (TS = 2 )
Distance from TS of Lightning Strike to Low-Voltage Network (Strike to Phase A)
0m 100 m 200 m 300 m 400 m 500 m 600 m 700 m 800m 900 m 1000 m
0m A (1) - (1) - (1) - (1) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (1)
100 m A (1) A, B, C (1) - (3) - (3) - (2) - (2) - (2) - (2) - (2) - (2) A (3)
Connection from TS

200 m A (1) A (3) A, B, C (1) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (2) - (2) - (2) - (3) A (3)
Distance of Building

300 m A (1) - (3) - (3) A, B, C (2) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (3) A (3)
400 m A (1) - (3) - (3) A (2) A, B, C (1) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (3) A (3)
500 m A (1) - (3) - (3) - (2) - (2) A, B, C (2) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (3) A (3)
600 m A (1) - (3) - (3) - (2) - (2) A (1) A, B, C (1) A (3) A (3) A (3) A, B, C (3)
700 m A (1) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (2) - (2) - (1) A, B, C (2) A (3) A (3) A, B, C (3)
800 m A (1) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (2) - (2) - (2) - (1) A, B, C (1) A, B (2) A, B, C (3)
900 m A (1) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (2) - (2) - (2) - (1) - (2) A, C (2) A, B, C (3)
1000 m - (1) - (3) - (3) - (3) - (2) - (2) - (2) - (1) - (2) - (1) A, B, C (3)

TABLE IV
ENERGY OVERLOAD FOR SPD OF CLASS II AT THE SERVICE ENTRANCE AND THE TS - SELF CARRYING CABLE BUNDLE (TS = 2 )
Distance from TS of Lightning Strike to Low-Voltage Network (Strike to Phase A of SCCB)
0m 100 m 200 m 300 m 400 m 500 m 600 m 700 m 800m 900m 1000 m
0m A (1) - (1) A (1) - (-) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (1)
100 m A (1) A (1) - (1) - (2) - (1) - (-) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (1)
Connection from TS

200 m A (1) - (3) A (1) - (2) - (1) - (2) - (-) - (2) - (-) - (-) A (1)
Distance of Building

300 m A (1) - (3) A (1) A, B, C (1) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (1)
400 m A (1) - (3) - (1) - (2) A (1) - (2) - (-) - (2) - (-) - (-) A (1)
500 m A (1) - (3) - (1) - (2) - (1) A, B, C (1) A (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (1)
600 m A (1) - (3) - (1) - (2) - (1) - (-) A (-) - (2) A (-) - (2) A, B, C (1)
700 m A (1) - (3) - (1) - (2) - (1) - (-) - (-) A (-) - (-) - (2) A, B, C (1)
800 m A (1) - (3) - (1) - (2) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (-) A (2) A, B, C (1)
900 m A (1) - (3) - (1) - (2) - (1) - (-) - (1) - (-) A (-) A (-) A, B, C (1)
1000 m - (1) - (3) - (1) - (2) - (1) - (-) - (1) - (-) A (-) - (-) A, B, C (1)

TABLE V
ENERGY OVERLOAD FOR SPD OF CLASS II AT THE SERVICE ENTRANCE AND THE TS - AL/ST CONDUCTORS (TS = 5 )
Distance from TS of Lightning Strike to Low-Volatage Network (Strike to Phase A)
0m 100 m 200 m 300 m 400 m 500 m 600 m 700 m 800 m 900 m 1000 m
0m A (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-)
100 m A (1) A, C (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (-)
Connection from TS

200 m A (1) A, B (1) A, B, C (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (-)
Distance of Building

300 m A (1) A (1) A (-) A, B, C (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A, C (-)
400 m A (1) A (1) A (-) A, B (-) A, B, C (1) A (-) A (-) A (-) A (-) A (-) A (-)
500 m A (1) A (1) - (-) A (-) A (-) A, B, C (1) A (-) A (-) - (-) - (-) A, B (1)
600 m A (1) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (-) A, B, C (1) A, B (-) A, B (-) A, B (-) A, B, C (1)
700 m A (1) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A, B, C (1) A (-) A (-) A, B, C (1)
800 m A (1) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (-) A, B, C (1) A, B (-) A, B, C (1)
900 m A (1) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A, C (1) A, B, C (1)
1000 m A (1) - (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A, B, C (1)
TPWRD-00805-2008 7

TABLE VI
ENERGY OVERLOAD FOR SPD OF CLASS II AT THE SERVICE ENTRANCE AND THE TS - AL/ST CONDUCTORS (TS = 10 )
Distance from TS of Lightning Strike to Low-Volatage Network (Strike to Phase A)
0m 100 m 200 m 300 m 400 m 500 m 600 m 700 m 800 m 900 m 1000 m
0m A (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-)
100 m A, B (3) A (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (-)
Connection from TS

200 m A, B, C (3) A, B (-) A, B, C (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (-)
Distance of Building

300 m A, B, C (3) A (-) A, B (-) A, B, C (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A, C (-)
400 m A, B, C (3) A, B (-) A, B (-) A, B (-) A, B, C (1) A (-) A (-) A (-) A (-) A (-) A, B, C (-)
500 m A, B (3) A (-) A (-) A (-) A (-) A, B, C (-) A (-) A (-) A (-) A (-) A, B, C (-)
600 m A, B, C (3) - (-) A, B (-) A (-) A, B (-) A, B (-) A, B, C (1) A, B (1) A, B (-) A, B (-) A, B, C (-)
700 m A (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (-) A, B, C (-) A, B (-) A, B (-) A, B, C (-)
800 m A, B, C (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) A (-) A (-) A (-) A (-) A (1) A, B (-) A, B, C (-)
900 m A (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A, B (1) A, B, C (-)
1000 m A (1) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) A, B, C (1)

the lightning current were selected. The LV network was

F. Experience
modeled with its main components. The EMTP simulations of
There exist some practical experiences with a network lightning strokes were carried out, changing the stroke
similar to one simulated in the above example. Thirty TS that locations and the locations of the building connections. The
were exposed to lightning with installed SPDs of Class II on energy overloading criterion of the SPD of class II was
the LV side were observed. The examination of the said 30 TS considered in the LV network as well as at the service entrance
still showed a number of failed SPDs of Class II (failure point. First of all, the relative frequencies of the overloading of
represents tripping of the heat-dependant member, thus the SPD were calculated and were afterwards compared to the
disconnecting the SPD from the LV network). A considerable adopted risk of failure (overloading), and a conclusion was
number of such failures can be attributed to energy drawn that the SPD of class II was suitable for this application.
overloading. All of the failed SPDs of Class II were old- The conducted simulations in the network, protected by the
fashioned with nominal current 5 kA (8/20 s). In addition, SPD of class II, have proved that overloading occurs equally
during the above examination, it was detected that in some TS in the TS as well as at the service entrance point of the
only a single SPD failed, whereas in some two, but no TS was connected building.
found where all three SPDs failed. A similar effect was noticed The presented procedure can be carried out for any such
in the simulations, in some cases there was only one typical construction of the overhead line LV network, and can
overloaded SPD of Class II, in some other cases two or three help to decide whether an SPD of class I or of class II is
overloaded SPDs. suitable to be applied.
Since our experience with the SPDs of Class II that were It is concluded that a two-stage surge protection of
installed on a post TS (and in LV networks) is rather good, the buildings, without lightning protection system, connected to
criterion for choosing the SPD for the service entrance can be the LV overhead network, would be appropriate.
based on the comparison of its relative frequency of energy
overloading with the relative frequency of TS. V. REFERENCES
Throughout the world, there are hundreds of thousands [1] IEC 61643-1 (2005-03) Ed. 2.0: Surge protective devices connected
kilometers of overhead medium voltage 10(20) kV lines on to low-voltage power distribution systems - Part 1: Requirements and
wooden posts, without the shielding wire. Flashover tests.
[2] IEC 61643-12 (2002-02) Edition 1.0: Low-voltage surge protective
characteristics of those lines are higher than flashover
devices - Part 12: Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage
characteristics of LV lines on wooden posts. Our own power distribution systems - Selection and application principles
experience, as well as that experience through the world with [3] C62.45-2002: IEEE Recommended Practice on Surge Testing for
MO surge arresters (tested with surge wave 8/20 s) in such Equipment Connected to Low-Voltage (1000 V and Less) AC Power
Circuits.
lines is rather excellent. Namely, in a distribution region (the [4] B. Glushakow, D. Neri: A Call to Standardize the Waveforms Used
same as the one for the examined LV network) on 10 kV lines, to Test SPDs, 27th International Conference on Lightning Protection,
of which about 80% are on wooden posts, 1500 MO surge Avignon, 13-16 September 2004.
[5] A. Mansoor, F. D. Martzloff: The Effect of Neutral Earthing
arresters were installed. In the last 5 years, during the Practices on Lightning Current Dispersion in a Low-Voltage
supervision, only two failures were registered. This also Installation, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 13, No.
suggests that the SPDs based on a MO disk are suitable for 3, July 1998.
[6] A. Rakotomalala, Ph. Auriol, A. Rousseau: Lightning Distribution
service entrance installation. through Earthing Systems, IEEE International Symposium on
Electromagnetic Compatibility, Lyon, 22-26 Aug. 1994.
IV. CONCLUSION [7] F. D. Martzloff, A. Mansoor: The Role and Stress of Surge-
Protective Devices in Sharing Lightning Current, EMC Europe
A procedure of choosing the SPD to be applied in a typical 2002, September 2002.
overhead LV network was presented. [8] G. L. Goedde, L. A. Kojovic, J. J. Woodworth: Surge Arrester
According to the probability of lightning stroke occurrence Characteristics that Provide Reliable Overvoltage Protection in
Distribution and Low-voltage Systems, Power Engineering Society
in an overhead conductor, a peak value and a wave shape of Summer Meeting, 2000., IEEE, Vol. 4, 16-20 July 2000.
TPWRD-00805-2008 8

[9] I. Uglesic, V. Milardic: Surge Protection of Low-Voltage Systems Ivo Uglešić was born in Croatia in 1952. He
Connected to Overhead Line, 28th International Conference on received Ph.D. degree from the University of Zagreb,
Lightning Protection, Kanazawa, 18-22 September 2006. Croatia in 1988. Presently, he is a Professor of the
[10] A. Stagoj, V. Murko, A. Pirih: High Energy Lightning Impulse Department of High Voltage and Power Systems at
Discharge Capability Metal Oxide Varistors, 28th International the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing
Conference on Lightning Protection, Kanazawa, 18-22 September Zagreb. He is a head of the High Voltage Laboratory
2006. of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and
[11] N. Tsukamoto, Y. Wakahata: Development of ZnO Disks with High Computing in Zagreb. His areas of interest include
Energy Withstand Capability for Low Voltage Surge Protective high voltage engineering and power transmission.
Devices, 28th International Conference on Lightning Protection, He is a member of Cigré WG C4 301.
Kanazawa, 18-22 September 2006.
[12] P. Hasse: Overvoltage protection of low voltage systems (in Ivica Pavić was born In Croatia in 1962. He
German), TÜV-Verlag GmbH, Köln, 1998. received the B.Eng., the M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees
[13] IEEE Working Group 15.08.09: Modeling and Analysis of System from the University of Zagreb in 1987, 1992 and
Transients Using Digital Programs, 1998. 1999 respectively. He has one year of working
[14] IEEE Working Group: A Simplified Method for Estimating experience in Rade Koncar - Electric Systems.
Lightning Performance of Transmission Lines, IEEE Transactions on Presently, he is a Professor of the Department of
Power Apparatus and System, Vol. 104, No. 4, April 1985. High Voltage and Power Systems at the Faculty of
[15] CIGRE, Working Group 01 (Lightning) of Study Committee 33: Electrical Engineering and Computing Zagreb. He
Guide to Procedures for Estimating the Lightning Performance of published over 30 scientific and professional papers
Transmission lines, Paris, October 1991. in domestic and international publications. He
[16] A. Rousseau, T. Perche: Coordination of Surge Arresters in the Low successfully organized and participated in several industry related projects,
Voltage Field, INTELEC '95 (17th International Telecommunications mainly in the area of Power Systems Planning and Analyses, especially in
Energy Conference), Soule, Bagneres de Bigorre, France, 29 Oct.-1 cooperation with Croatia Electric Utility and Croatian Railways.
Nov. 1995.

Viktor Milardić was born in 1971. He received the

B.Eng., the M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical
engineering with special emphasis on surge
protection from the University of Zagreb, Croatia in
1995, 2001 and 2005 respectively.
He has three years of working experience in the
Distribution of Electrical Energy. Currently he is
with the Department of High Voltage and Power
System of Faculty of Electrical Engineering and
Computing, University of Zagreb. His main topics of research are surge
protection, lightning protection, grounding, electromagnetic compatibility and
HV laboratory testing. He is coauthor of many scientific papers and practical
projects in abovementioned fields.
Mr. Milardić is a member of IEEE society and Croatian Committee of Cigré.

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