Lightning Induced Voltages on Power Lines: Experiment

Abstract

We present correlated measurements of the voltage induced on a power line by nearby lightning and the vertical electric field intensity from that lightning. Data are given for more than 100 first strokes and more than 200 subsequent strokes with the lightning ground strike point located by triangulation using a network of television cameras and by thunder ranging. Voltages were measured at one end of a 460 m unenergized distribution line which was open-circuited at both ends. A neutral wire was located beneath the line and was grounded at both ends. The time-domain voltaqe and vertical electric field waveforms were detected and recorded on a system having a frequency response from less than 1 Hz to over 1 MHz. Only about half of the vol tage waveforms resemble the "classical induced positive surges" described in the literature. The magnitude and polarity of the peak induced voltage is a strong function of the location of the lightning ground strike point.