Probabilistic Evaluation of Multi-Chamber Arresters Protection Performance for Reduction of Lighting Failures in Overhead Distribution Lines

A sophisticated and accurate probabilistic computational procedure for the calculation of lightning failures and evaluation of MCA performance for reduction of failures is implemented in this paper. Calculation of induced overvoltage caused by indirect lightning is implemented based on the Agarwal method with consideration of lossy ground. The Monte Carlo method with backward scenario reduction is implemented to take into account the uncertainty of lightning flash parameters including peak current and front time with the distance of the striking point from the distribution line with applying a proper model for simulation of MCA in ATP-EMTP software. A link is developed between MATLAB and ATP-EMTP software to simulate the numerous generated scenarios and analyze the output results. Different conditions including the insulation strength of the line, the earth conductivity, and the shielding factor of the adjacent objects to the line are also taken into account in calculations. The results are presented in a proper way to make them useful for the determination of lightning-related failure rates and also accurate evaluation of the effectiveness of MCA installation in different conditions of distribution feeders.