Lightning Grounding Grid Model Considering Both the Frequency-Dependent Behavior and Ionization Phenomenon

A grounding grid is essential to the lightning protection of power systems. This paper presents a modified partial element equivalent circuit method for predicting the transient behavior of the grounding grid. The frequency-dependent parameters of the grounding grid are obtained first by using the image method. Both modified nodal formulation and vector fitting techniques are applied to derive an extended equivalent network for time-domain simulation. In this method, the soil ionization effect is considered using a nonlinear resistance. The proposed method is verified with experimental results available in the literature. Finally, lightning transients in the grounding grid of a radio base station is presented. The ionization and propagation effects on grounding grid performance are discussed.