Improved distribution feeder topology against lightning

Energy supply is a significant resource for economic and social development. Power systems statistics shows that the lightning phenomenon is one of the most important causes of power systems outage. In this context, the paper present a study of the performance of a 23kV distribution line related to the occurrence of direct lightning in a particular point of the system, with focus in a comparative analysis of different feeders and poles configurations. The analysis is based on the calculation of flashover and backflashover using ATP-Draw version of the EMTP. The differences of the performance between the horizontal and the vertical feeder configurations with grounding system are demonstrated through the comparison of the maximum lightning current withstand by the feeder. Non-linear grounding resistance and variability of the resistivity of the soil were considered. Simulation results show that the configuration with guard-wire can improve the immunity up to 100% related to the maximum lightning current that the feeder withstand.