2012 International Conference on Lightning Protection (ICLP), Vienna, Austria

Influence of Non Flat Terrain on Lightning Induced

Voltages in Distribution Networks

Edison Soto, Camilo Younes
Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computation
National University of Colombia
Manizales, Colombia
easotor@unal.edu.co, cyounesv@unal.edu.co

Ernesto Prez
Department of Mechatronics
National University of Colombia
Medelln, Colombia
eperezg@unal.edu.co.


Abstract This paper presents the effect of the terrain in
lightning induced voltages in distribution networks. For this, we
have calculated the electromagnetic fields over two different non
flat terrains configurations, by means of the Finite difference
time domain (FDTD) method in a two dimensional (2D)
cylindrical coordinate system. We have simulated a typical
distribution network placed over these terrains and we have
calculated the lightning induced voltages in these lines by means
of the Agrawal Coupling Model. It can be seen important
differences between the lightning induced voltages produced on
mountain zones respect to the traditional calculation considering
the terrain as flat.
Keywords: Non flat terrain, lightning induced voltage, FDTD-
2D method, Agrawal Coupling model
I. INTRODUCTION
Lightning induced transients affects distribution networks
due to its low insulation level and the high frequency of the
indirect lightning strokes compared with direct strikes [1].
The lightning induced overvoltage causes insulation flashover,
failures in power system components and frequently outage of
distribution lines. So, it is necessary to perform a suitable
modeling of the lightning induced voltage phenomenal. The
induced voltages studies has been carried out considering flat
terrain, however it is an ideal scenario, due to in many places
the lines are surrounded by mountains, it is the case of the
Andean and the Alpes Region. Despite it could be a good
approach in many cases, it is important to know the effect of
inclined terrains on the lightning induced voltages calculations
[2].
In this paper we will focus on the calculation of lightning
induced voltages on distribution networks placed above two
different non flat terrain configurations, with the aim to
establish the influence of the terrain in the lightning induced
voltages compared with the traditional calculation considering
that terrain is flat. The electromagnetic field will be obtained
by means of the Finite Difference Time Domain method in
2D, the terrain will be approximated by inclined plains and the
induced voltages will be calculated by means of the Agrawal
coupling model.
II. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS PRODUCED BY LIGHTNING
OVER FLAT TERRAIN
The conventional equations to calculate the electromagnetic
field produced by a lightning channel has proposed by Uman
in 1975 [3]. These consider the lightning channel as a vertical
finite antenna over a perfectly conducting ground plane. These
are integral equations that use the return stroke current along
the channel. An approximation of Cooray-Rubinstein could
modify these expressions and include the soil resistivity.
However, these formulas are only valid for flat terrains and it
cannot be used to solve the current problem. In this paper, in
order to include non-flat terrains, the Maxwell equations are
solved by means of the Finite Difference Time Domain
method (FDTD), with the aim to include the vertical lightning
channel and the terrain geometry on that is placed the line.
We will use the FDTD method in 2D with rotational
symmetry as it is used by Yang [4].
In order to validate the electromagnetic field obtained by
FDTD code, it was compared the electric field calculated by
the FDTD methodology, and the integral equations developed
by Uman [1]. For this comparison, it is used the following
parameters of a subsequent return stroke channel [5]. It is used
a TL model to represent the return stroke current along the
channel [6][7], a height channel of 8 km, a return stroke
velocity of 120 m/s. The space step is set as r = z =
S m and the time step needs to satisfy the Courant Stability
Condition. In order to limit the computational space it is used
LIAO absorbing boundary condition [8]. The electric field
calculated at a distance of 300 m over a perfectly conducting
flat terrain is shown in Figure 1. It could be seen, as expected,
that the FDTD represents the same way the lightning
electromagnetic fields calculated by Uman equations.


Figure 1. Vertical electric field for a distance of 300 m over a
perfectly conducting flat terrain

III. METHODOLOGY FOR CALCULATING LIGHTNING
INDUCED VOLTAGES
A. Lightning induced voltages over flat ground
In order to consider the lightning electromagnetic field
effect on distribution lines, it can be used the general and
rigorous approach based on Maxwell equations by means of
the antenna theory, or the transmission line approximation
with distributed sources, that is simpler [9][5]. Nowadays, the
Agrawal et al coupling model is the most adequate to describe
the coupling between lightning return stroke fields and
overhead lines [10]. This model is expressed by two
transmission line equations in terms of scattered voltage, and
uses only, as induction source, the horizontal electric field
component.
The Agrawal et al coupling model will be used along this
paper in order to calculate the lightning induced voltages on
distribution networks. This model is implemented in the
Yaluk Draw software [11][12], developed by the authors, a
software that allows to calculate the lightning performance of
overhead distribution networks, that it is based in a previous
software called Yaluk linked with ATP by means of foreign
MODELS [11] and has been done thanks to the collaboration
of the research group of Power Systems of the University of
Bologna.
With the aim of validate the lightning induced voltages
methodology presented here, it will be done a simulation of a
distribution network over a flat terrain at a distance of 300 m
from a lightning channel with the same parameters described
in [5]. The distribution line is 10 m high, 1000 m long
matched at both terminals, over a perfectly conducting ground.
(Figure 2). It will be done a comparison between the
lightning induced voltages calculated with the electric fields
obtained by Uman formula, and the induced voltage obtained

Figure 2. Simulated distribution line over flat terrain.

by the FDTD methodology at beggining of line. The results
are shown in Figure 4. There are a good agreement between
the two methodologies.

B. Lightning induced voltages over non flat ground
When the electromagnetics fields are calculated over non
flat terrains, the horizontal and vertical electric fields
calculated on the FDTD grid need to be modified to adapt to
distribution line location. If the line is paralell to the ground,
we need to obtain the parallel electric field to the line E
t
and
the average perpendicular electric field E
p
at beginning and
end line (Figure 3). The reason for calculating the average
perpendicular electric field E
p
is due to a great variability on
the electric field below the line unlike the flat ground case.
On the countrary if the line is not paralell to the ground, it is
neccesary to obtain the terrain profile that the line cross with
the aim to calculate the line parameters for each height. Again
we calculate the parallel electric field to the line

, and the
average perpendicular electric field

, at beginning and at
end line.

Figure 3. Methodology for calculating electric fields for a line
paralell to the terrain.



Zc Zc 10 m
8 km
300 m
1 km
10 m
Et Ep
Ep
Channel

Figure 4. Lightning induced voltage at line beginning of Figure 2.



Figure 5. Configuration A. Line parallel to a terrain with negative
inclination

IV. STUDY CASES: NON FLAT TERRAINS GEOMETRY
With the aim to establish the influence of non flat terrain on
lightning induced voltages over distribution networks we have
chosen two non flat terrain configurations. The lightning
parameters are the same as described in Section II. The
terrain has several inclination angles chosen so that the
terrains have the best fit to the FDTD grid.

A. Line parallell to a terrain with negative inclination
The terrain consists of inclined plane with a slope given by
angle (See Figure 5). The lightning impacts the top of the
inclined plain, but due to symmetry of the FDTD-2D method,
it is equivalent to a lightning channel that impacts the top of a
conical mountain. A distribution line is placed parallel to the
terrain, 10 high, to a distance of 300 m from lightning channel

Figure 6. Induced Voltage at beginning of line of Figure 5, when
varying the inclination angle .

over a PEC terrain (shading area). The induced voltage
produced at line beginning, when the angle of inclination of
the terrain is varied is shown in Figure 6. It can be seen the
rise voltage when the inclination angle is greater such as the
electromagnetic field increases when it is varied the terrain
angle. In Figure 6 it is shown an enhancement of the induced
voltages at the beginning of the line, on almost three times
compared with the flat terrain. It is also seen a steeped
waveform with a double polarity signal.
The Figure 6 shows the lightning induced voltage produced
at end of line of the Figure 5. It can be noticed a decrease in
the induced voltage, due to the slope of the electromagnetic
fields for each angle. The changes in the polarity of the
voltage are explained due to a polarity change in the
electromagnetic field in the end of line.

B. Line parallel to a terrain with positive inclination
This terrain configuration corresponds to a lightning
channel that strikes at the bottom of an inclined plane (Figure
8), or in 3D view the strike is at the bottom of a mountain like
an inverted cone. Although it is improbable that a downward-
progressing leader would attach to the bottom of a depression,
the simulation is important to verify conceptually the
influence of the terrain on the lightning electric and magnetic
fields and on lightning induced voltages. Again, the line is
parallel to the terrain, 10 high, to a distance of 300 m from
lightning channel.
The results obtained for the induced voltages at line
beginning are shown in Figure 9. It can be seen the increment
in the induced voltage when the inclination angle is greater.


10 m
Channel
1 km
3
0
0

m

Figure 7. Induced Voltage at end of a line in configuration A shown
in the Figure 5.

.

Figure 8. Configuration B. Line parallel to a terrain with positive
inclination.

CONCLUSIONS
In this paper it was presented the calculation of lightning
induced voltages for a lightning striking in the top and the
bottom of a mountain suing a FDTD approach.
It could be concluded that a 2D FDTD scheme could be
used for calculation of lightning electromagnetic field, if a
cylindrical symmetry is achieved, using a vertical lightning
channel. For other type of configurations, it could be used a
3D approach.
The lightning induced voltages on distribution networks for
a line parallel to a mountain are greater that for the case of flat
ground, especially for higher inclination angles.
It should be highlighted that for an accurate calculation of
the induced voltages, it is convenient to include the terrain
variations, which could make vary the computations.



Figure 9. Induced Voltage at beginning of line of Figure 8, when it
is varied the inclination angle

REFERENCES
[1] A. Borghetti, C. A. Nucci and M. Paolone. An Improved Procedure for
the Assessment of Overhead Line Indirect Lightning Performance and
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flat terrain and its effect on the lightning induced voltages on
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[8] T. Yu, Z. Qian, and C. Lu, "A Modified Liao ' s Absorbing Boundary
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[9] M. Paolone, "Modeling of Lightning-Induced Voltages". Phd Thesis.
2001.
[10] A. K. Agrawal and J. Price, H, Transient Response of Multiconductor
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IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, vol. 22, 1980.

[11] E. Prez, "Modelling and experimentation of lightning induced voltajes
in distribution networks" National University of Colombia, 2010. ISBN:
978-958-8280-30-1
[12] E. Prez and E. Soto, "Yaluk Draw." Registered Software. 2010.
[13] E. Soto and E. Prez. Lightning Induced Voltages on an Distribution
Network over an Inclined Terrain. Lightning Protection (XI SIPDA),
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7 October. Fortaleza Brazil.
[14] K.S. Yee, "Numerical Solution of Initial Boundary Value Problems
Involving Maxwell's Equations in Isotropic Media," IEEE Transactions
on Antennas and Propagation, vol. Ap-14, 1966.

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