Lightning Performance of TVA'S 500-kV 161-kV Transmission Lines

Lightning performance data and detailed design features for many of the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) 500-and 161-kV transmission lines are given. Only lines of homogenous construction for at least 90 percent of their length were selected with performance data given for a 14-year period. The lines were also selected to meet the additional criteria of having a pprformance record of over 100-kilometer years, thus presenting a sample with considerable experience. Analysis of the lightning outage rate as a function of different design features is presented in graphical and tabular form. From the data, conclusions are drawn on the sensitivity of the lightning outage rate to changes in transmission line design.