Selection of Lightning Arrestor (LA) depends upon the equipments to be protected.

For
protection of sub-station equipments and transformers, Station Type LAs heavier in
construction with higher discharge capabilities are used, while for protecting large
transformers and intermediate sub stations, Line type LAs are used, and for small pole
mounted transformers and distribution lines, Distribution type LAs are used.
Actually there is not much difference between these types, its just a matter of their
capacities and constructional details.
LAs are nothing but porcelain clad non-linear resistances having gap unit and resistor unit,
connected in series. The resistor elements offer non-linear resistance for normal power
frequency voltages, since the resistance offered is very high. During normal voltages LA
does not conduct, but when a surge wave travelling along the O/H line strikes the arrestor,
the gap breaks down and since the resistance offered is low, the surge is diverted to the
ground or earth.
Here it is important to note that selection of LA voltage rating is influenced by the type or
method of earthing system employed, because the Coefficient of earthing plays an important
role in selecting the voltage ratings of the LA.
In fact the Rated Voltage of the LA is maximum RMS voltage between the Line Terminal and
the Earth Terminal, as designated by the manufacturers.
For the 22kV supply system voltage, the 18 kV Lightning Arrestors are adequately rated,
because the lightning arrestors are connected in single phase, for each phase (ie., between
line and ground for each phase) so the voltage rating for LA becomes 22/3 kV which is
about 13 kV, so the 18kV LAs are suitable for 22kV system. When we say 22kV system, it
implies the line to line voltage is 22kV and not the phase voltage.
First determine whether the LAs are station class or distribution class. One has to specify
this to supplier, as the kA rating of LA varies with Distribution class or Station class.
Standard Ratings are 11 & 33 KV Class; Railways are using 25KV Class at their SSPs, this
is the nearest Rating.
It is related to KVpeak instead of KVrms, and will be (22*2/3)=17.96KV
But the LA rating calculations are based on highest system voltage (for 22 KV, it is 24KV)
and a factor for earthing system, which is given in IS.
The type (station class or distribution class ) ratings depends on the intended use.
Even for station class LA (which are self healing), you can have leakage current indicator
surge counter.

As per IEC, Ur Rated voltage of an arrester (IEC) is the Maximum permissible r.m.s.
valueof power-frequency voltage between its terminals at which it is designed to operate
correctly under temporary over-voltage conditions as established in the operating duty tests.
The factors to be considered for the selection of LA are
1. The system voltage between phase and neutral (for 22kV system it is 22/3 =12.70kV)
2. The % of regulation (if the % of regulation is 10% this voltage will go up to 12.70 x 1.1 =
13.97kV)
3. The ground fault factor for delta system and impedance grounded system the ground
fault factor is 1.73. (The TOV = 13.97 x 1.73 = 24.1kV)
4. Fault clearing time. Depending on the fault clearing time, the over voltage withstanding
capacity of different type arresters will vary (in this case it varies from 18kV to 24kV for a
maximum fault clearing time of 10 sec.)
Following

points,

apart

from

considered

those

mentioned

above,

need

to

be

for out door LA ( Referred is on Switchyard):

1) What is the level of Lightning at that place which depends on the cloud density and height
of the cloud. Normally, a survey done like at sea level the lightning level is different than at
plate level (600 Mtr. above sea level) This variation is between 10kV to 25kV and should be
considered with respect to fault clearing time of the surges or transients.
2) Grounding is very important and should be an independent point, as much as possible,
ultimately connected to a network.
3) Do the existing arrestors burst during rain, or is there a leakage problem in normal
running ?
4) Since the construction and installation of LA is electro mechanical, there could be a shift or
drift in positioning, and even though the selected 18 kV arrestor is good for the reason, over
a period it may burst without reasons.
5) The end caps, though initially sealed, may lead to ingress of water during heavy rain due
to corrosion of the sealing of metal contact on Ceramic.