Various Benefits for Line Surge Arrester Application Advantages of Externally Gapped Line Arresters

摘要

The application of Line Surge Arresters (LSA's) s is well known for its cost-effective performance improvement in the electricity supply industry. Although their reduction of outages from lightning activity and poor grounding make their application vital, there is frequent resistance to make their usage commonplace. LSA's are generally installed as a retrofit application, where conventional mitigation-measures have not shown significant improvement. Besides the lightning performance improvement, various benefits can be derived from the use of LSA's. Some users apply this technology for safety concerns such as preventing population and injury damage, switching surge control to optimize structures, reducing clearances, line uprating and compaction, and live-line working. Even though the implementation of Externally Gapped Line Arresters (EGLA's) can achieve outstanding results by minimizing investment, this smart protection device shows a mild growth, except for some specific countries. Users generally underestimate the advantages and benefits of the EGLA solution, while most of them face issues with Non-Gapped Line Arresters (NGLA's). The EGLA application not only significantly improves the performance and operation of the power system, but also enhances the design and lowers the cost of construction and maintenance. The benefits and costs savings become even more important if properly considered and integrated in the design stage of the transmission lines. Unlike with substations, line designers and engineers do not consider the application of line arresters as systematic in optimizing their transmission line systems. Surge Arresters are among the most reliable components on the grid. When designed, dimensioned and installed properly on transmission lines they must be as reliable as the insulator and power line hardware. This paper intends to present Siemens knowledge, experience, feedback and latest innovations for compact and cost-efficient lightning-proof transmission lines.