Back Flashover Phenomenon Analysis in Power

Transmission Substation for Insulation Coordination

Saeedollah Talaei Mobarakei
East Azarbayjan Power Generation
Management Co.
Tabrize, Iran
saeedollahtalaei@gmail.com

Taghi Sami
Azerbaijan Higher Education &
Research Complex
Tabrize, Iran
Taghi_sami@yahoo.com

Babak Porkar
Ministry of Energy_ Tavanir
Tehran, Iran
bporkar@yahoo.com

Abstract Back Flashover (BFO) is one of the several

phenomenon which decreases power transmission lines
reliability. It occurs as a result of direct lightning stroke to the
tower structure or guard wires and injects wave currents with
high amplitude and very high steepness to the phase conductors,
injection of these wave currents produce voltages with high
amplitude and very high steepness, which in turn cause phase to
ground faults in power transmission lines. In order to treat with
this phenomenon, it is necessary to analysis its mechanism and
effective parameters on its occurring probability. In this paper,
the mechanism of phenomenon has been analyzed and effective
parameters on its probability of occurring are evaluated. Then
several methods in order to decrease this probability are
suggested. Finally, related simulations with insulation
coordination of a 765 kV transmission substation also have been
done and the results have been presented.

these years, 135 current waveforms of lightning strokes on 60

transmission towers recorded and using observed waveforms
the parameters of lightning current waveforms defined [5][6].

Keywords- Over Voltage; Back Flashover;

Coordination, GIS Substation, EMTP Soft ware

Direct stroke of lightning to a transmission tower produces

a voltage surge on the tower structure which its waveform is
according to V1 on Fig. 1-a. Considering capacitance and
inductance coupling between guard wires, tower structure and
phase conductors, another surge voltage with same waveform
and lower amplitude induces on the phase conductors. It has
been named V2 on Fig. 1-a. The coupling factor between V1
and V2 may be variable from 15% to 25%. The voltage applied
to the line insulator is equal to instantaneous difference
between V1 and V2 and its waveform is according to V in Fig.
1-b. In Fig. 1-b, D illustrates insulation strength of line
insulator and when these curves meet each other at t1 an
electrical arc starts from tower structure toward phase
conductor. Then the major part of electrical charges transmits
to phase conductors throe the arcing pass and increase its
voltage from V2 to V1 suddenly. So the surge voltage created
on phase conductor as a result of BFO will be according to
bolded curve on Fig. 1-c [1].

I.

Insulation

INTRODUCTION

Power transmission lines are the widest part of a power

system from physical point of view and the lightning is the
most important natural phenomenon to disturb their normal
operation. In order to prevent direct lightning stroke to the
phase conductors it is usual to use guard wires. These wires
almost protect phase conductors from direct lightning stroke,
but lightning stroke to these wires, may lead to back flashover
(BFO) phenomenon which in turn will cause phase to ground
fault on the line. If it happens near the substations, the lightning
arresters installed in the substation entrance may dont be able
to discharge produced over voltages to the ground. Entrance of
these surge voltages to the substation considering their
amplitude and high steepness may lead substation devices to
explosion [1].
Lightning as one of several phenomenon to disturb power
transmission lines normal operation, has been considered since
1950 and up to now a lot of researches have been done on this
field. BFO for the first time considered in 1961 when Anderson
used Monte Carlo methods in order to determine back
flashover rate (BFR) [2]. Later some other methods also
created. But finally in 1982, with the recognition of the revised
stroke current distribution, Anderson [3] produced a new
estimating method using a constant 2-s front. This method
with minor modifications was adopted by IEEE working group
and published as IEEE method [4]. One of the latest researches
in this field has been done in 1994 to 2004 in Japan. During

This paper has analyzed the mechanism of BFO and found

out the most effective parameters on BFR. Then considering
these effective parameters two methods have been suggested in
order to decrease BFR. Also simulations related with insulation
coordination of a GIS type substation considering back
flashover phenomenon has been done and the results presented.
In these simulations the basic insulation levels (BIL) of
substation devices and the effectiveness of lightning arresters
have been evaluated. Finally some methods have been
suggested in order to increase the protection level of system.
II.

MATHEMATIC MODELING OF BFO

Figure 1. Mechanism of BFO.

978-1-4577-1829-8/12/$26.00 2012 IEEE

Direct stroke of lightning to the tower top will produce a

surge voltage on the tower structure. The amplitude of this
voltage on a point at tower structure which is opposite to phase
A conductor is according to (1). For other phases the
equations will be similar to (1):
(1)

V
=K K I
TA
SP TA

SP

= 1

2T

(1 )[(1
T
t

(2)

S )

6T
+ (1 S ) + ( ) 2 (1 S ) + ...]
R T
R T
t
t
f
f

BFR = 0.6N L

KTA = Re +T ZT
Tf
Zg
R =
Z g + 2R0

(4)

Z g 2 Ri
Z g + 2 Ri

(5)

Z g Ri

(6)

Z g + 2R i

K TT = R e + T Z T

IC

f ( I | t f )f (t f )dI dt f

(14)

Where NL is number of lightning to stroke to the

transmission line [7].
III.

(3)

TA

Re =

Considering all stroke currents bigger than critical current

and also all possible times to crest BFR, we have:

4T

T =

CFO: Critical Flashover voltage of nonstandard lightning current

wave form, kV

Where:
K

Ri: impulse or high-current footing resistance, ohms

A. Reduction of footing resistance of towers

Surge impedance of current path included tower structure
and footing resistance is the most effective parameter on BFR.
Discharging speed of electrical charges to the ground decreases
as this impedance increase and consequently it causes the
amplitude of surge voltage created on the tower structure
increases. This surge voltage travels along the tower structure
toward footing resistance, at the point where the tower
structure connects to the earthing system part of surge transmits
to the ground and the rest reflects toward tower top [7]. The
reflected part of surge is as below:

(7)

TT
Tf

e rt =

Also voltages on insulators will be expressed as (8) to (10):

V IA = (KTA C A K TT )K SP I +V LN sin t

(8)

V IB = (K TB C B K TT )K SP I +V LN sin(t 120 )
D

V IC = (K TC C C K TT )K SP I +V LN sin(t + 120D )

(9)
(10)

The critical currents are according to (11) to (13):

I CA =

CFO NS V LN sin t
( K T A C A K T T )K S P

(11)

I CB =

CFO NS V LN sin(t 120 D )

( K TB C B K T T ) K SP

(12)

I CC =

CFO NS V LN sin(t + 120 D )

( K T C C C K T T ) K SP

(13)

The definitions of variables are:

tf : time to crest of stroke current, s
C: coupling factor
ZT: surge impedance of tower, ohms
Zg: surge impedance of ground wires, ohms
TT: tower travel time, s
TA: tower travel time to any location on the tower A, s
TS: travel time of a span, s
I: stroke current, kA
IR: current through footing of struck tower, kA
R0: measured or low-current footing resistance, ohms

SUGGESTED METHODS IN ORDER TO REDUCE BFO

z oe z oh 2
et
z oe + z oh 2

(15)

Where et is the surge voltage created as a result of lightning

stroke to the tower structure, Zoe surge impedance of tower
earthing system and Zoh2 is the surge impedance of lower part
of tower structure i.e. from lowest arm to the ground surface.
The surge voltage ert reflects toward tower top and
depending to its polarity adds to or subtracted from tower top
voltage. According to (11), if (z oe z oh 2 > 1) then ert will
positive and adds to the tower top voltage and as a result
increases BFR, but if ( z oe z oh 2 < 1) then ert will be negative
and subtracted from tower top voltage and as a result decreases
BFR [7].
B. Using Multi Circuit Lines with Horizental Phase
Coducters Arrengment
For a double circuit line having horizontal phase
configuration, outer phases of lower circuit are usually most
probable phases to flashover. When flashover happens on these
phases then they act like underbuilt shield wires and decrease
BFR for upper circuit strongly. Therefore on a multi circuit line
installing an important circuit on the top of the one or more,
less important circuit could be a clue to decrease BFR for the
upper circuit.
C. C. Using Multi Circuit Lines with Horizental Phase
Coducters Arrengment
For a double circuit line having horizontal phase
configuration, outer phases of lower circuit are usually most
probable phases to flashover. When flashover happens on these

phases then they act like under built shield wires and decrease
BFR for upper circuit strongly. Therefore on a multi circuit line
installing an important circuit on the top of the one or more,
less important circuit could be a clue to decrease BFR for the
upper circuit [7].

As a case of study, three spans of a 765 kV line has been

simulated and analyzed under BFO situation, where the
lightning current amplitude is 200 kA. This line is a single
circuit one and its phase configuration is horizontal. Fig. 2
illustrates its physical dimensions.

Evaluating BIL of 1800 kV and 1950 kV for

substation and power transformer, respectively, are
enough to protect the whole system or not.
Evaluating protection level of substation devices and
power transformer against a strong lightning stroke to
third tower top.
Evaluating the effectiveness of suggested methods in
order to reducing BFR.
Fig. 4 shows the voltage differences on the second tower
insulators. According to this curves as the voltage difference
applied to phase C insulator meets the insulation strength level
of insulator, BFO happens on this phase.

Figure 2. Line physical dimensions

Figure 4. Voltage differences on the insulators of second tower

The lightning impulse insulation strength level of line

insulators is 2500 kV and the line is terminated to a GIS type
substation. Fig. 3 illustrates system devices arrangement.

Fig. 5 illustrates voltages on the substation bushing and

lightning stroke point. The biggest voltage belongs to phase C
and is about 1400 kV. Therefore considering BIL of substation
(1800 kV) under this situation the system is protected against
BFO. In order to evaluate the first lightning arrester ability to
protect whole the system lonely, the lightning arrester
connected to power transformer HV terminals has been
canceled and the voltages have been recorded again. Fig. 6
illustrates voltages on the power transformer HV terminals
under this situation.

IV.

CASE STUDY

Figure 3. System devices arrangement

Simulation has been done on EMTP soft ware and its

purposes are:

Evaluating protection level of substation devices and

power transformer against a strong lightning stroke to
second tower top.
Evaluating zinc oxide (Zno) type lightning arrester
installed on substation entrance ability in order to
protect whole the system without second Zno type
lightning arrester installed on power transformer high
voltage terminals.

Figure 5. Voltages on the substation bushings and lightning stroke point

According to Fig. 6, the voltage on phase C reaches the

maximum value of 2200 kV which is higher than power
transformer BIL. At the same time voltage of phase C on the
substation bushing reaches the maximum value of 1900kV
which is also higher than BIL of substation. Therefore both

lightning arresters are necessary and one of them cannot protect

the system completely.

Figure 7. Increasing footing resistance of second phase from 15 ohms to 16

ohms causes double phase flashover

Figure 6. Voltages on power transformer HV terminals when the lightning

arrester connected

In order to analyze the lightning current crest value effect on BFR it

has been decreased from 200 kA to 160 kA in 10 kA steps. However the
lightning arrester installed on power transformer HV terminals has been
canceled. The voltages of power transformer HV terminals and substation
bushing in each step have been recorded and presented on Table 1. The

results show that if the crest value of lightning stroke current be

160 kA, the lightning arrester connected to the substation
bushings are enough to protect whole the system lonely.
TABLE I.
THE EFFECT OF LIGHTNING CURRENT CREST VALUE
VARIATION ONE BFR WHILE THE LIGHTNING ARRESTER
CONNECTED TO POWER TRANSFORMER HV TERMINALS

Maximum value
of Lightning
current
200kA
190kA
180kA
170kA
160kA

Maximum voltage on
transformer HV
terminals
2212kV
2143kV
2063kV
1964kV
1846kV

Maximum voltage
on Substation
bushings
1938kV
1902kV
1862kV
1814kV
1749kV

Footing resistance of towers is one the most effective

parameters on BFR. Up to now a fixed 15 ohms resistor has
been used as footing resistance of towers. In order to evaluate
its effectiveness this parameter has been varied and the results
recorded. Increasing footing resistance of second tower from
15 ohms to 16 ohms develops single phase flashover to double
phase flashover. It means that BFO occurs both on C and B
phases (Fig. 7). Increasing footing resistance of second tower
to 47 ohms will cause all the phases to flashover. This value is
too high for footing resistance of a tower and it means that the
probability for three phase flashover is too small. Therefore on
multi circuit lines, the probability of BFO for upper circuit will
be too small, because when BFO happens on the lower circuit
its phase conductors act as under built shield wires and
decrease BFR for the upper circuit strongly [7].

The BIL of transmission line is usually higher than that of

other parts of power system, if a lightning stroke to a line far
from substation BFR will be small. But as the lightning stroke
point gets closer to the substation, the BFR also increases. In
order to analyze this parameter effect on BFR, the lightning
current has been applied to the third tower and the results have
been recorded. Lightning stroke to the third tower leads to
flashover on phase C insulator. Under this situation the voltage
on substation bushings and power transformer HV terminals
will be 2250 kV and 2100 kV respectively. Therefore under
this situation the system is not safe and some special methods
should be use to increase system safety.
Firstly, the footing resistance of third tower has been
decreased, the recorded results show that if this resistance be
less than 5 ohms then the substation will be safe but power
transformer is still unsafe. If the footing resistance of third
tower decrease below 0.3 ohms power transformer also will be
safe. But this amount for footing resistance of a tower is almost
inaccessible. Therefore footing resistance of second tower
should decrease too. According to the simulation results whole
the system will be safe if footing resistance of third and second
towers be less than 1 ohm and 2 ohms, respectively. If these
amounts also be inaccessible considering physical
configuration of the ground on the area, earthing systems of
these towers may be connected to the substation earthing
system.
V.

CONCLUSION

This paper has analyzed back flashover phenomenon on

power transmission lines and suggested some methods in order
to reduce its probability. As a case of study, three spans of a
765 kV transmission line has been selected and simulated
under BFO situation on EMTP soft ware. According to the
results, guard wires installed on the transmission lines are not
able to protect system against lightning stroke to the lines
completely and some other methods should be used in order to
protect power system against over voltages created by BFO.
Recorded results showed that the under study substation is not
safe against lightning stroke to the last tower of line, therefore
third and second towers footing resistances should be
decreased to some acceptable amounts. If these amounts are
not accessible for any reason other suggestions such as towers
surge impedance reduction should be used.

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