Lightning Strike Damages to an MV Installation: Diagnostics and Vulnerabilities Identification

Finding and understanding the exact course of a lightning incident on an electrical network is essential but can prove to be a particularly complex and challenging task. This paper presents an innovative global approach to diagnose and identify vulnerabilities of an electric distribution network including an overhead MV line and a substation under lightning stress. A new methodology based on lightning detection network data, field measurements and detailed simulations is proposed. IThe paper demonstrates that a realistic computer model that duplicates the distribution line its towers, grounding systems including the real soil characteristics are crucial to determine the origin of the substation damages and propose mitigation measures.