Shielding failure rate calculation by means of downward and upward lightning leader movement models: Effect of environmental conditions

In this paper the effects of environmental conditions on shielding failure rate (SFR) of transmission lines are investigated. The study utilizes a previously published work in which leader progression model for lightning upward and downward leaders are used to calculate the SFR. Taking into account the effects of reduced air density and humidity on the parameters of upward leader model and wind pressure on the movement of lightning leaders and wires, SFR and maximum lightning stroke current causing shielding failure are computed. The electric field in all simulations is calculated by means of charge simulation method. The results of simulation show that the effects of relative air density and height of installation are quite higher than that of the wind pressure and humidity while the humidity has the lowest impact on the SFR of investigated transmission line.