Application of Artificial Thunderstorm Cell for Investigation of Effect of Incomplete Upward Discharges on Functioning of Concentrated Model Elements of Overhead Transmission Line Monitoring Systems

Abstract

The results of a study using an artificial thunderstorm cell of the possible influence of incomplete ascending discharges from concentrated model elements of overhead line monitoring systems on their functioning in the electric field of a thundercloud and/or lightning are presented. It is shown that ascending incomplete discharges (streamers and/or leaders) are formed from the model elements of the overhead line monitoring system (sensors, receiving and transmitting devices of a concentrated type), which can affect the functioning of such devices, including due to the fact that frequencies close to the operating frequencies of the elements of the overhead line monitoring system are present in the spectrum of their currents. It is established that the spectral characteristics of incomplete streamer and leader discharges formed from model elements of sensors and of receiving and transmitting devices of the monitoring system under the influence of an artificial lightning cell include frequency ranges close to the frequency ranges of analog-to-digital converters of sensors and data transmission devices over a high-frequency channel of concentrated monitoring systems. The essential role of the streamer corona on the formation of the ultrahigh-frequency component of the current pulse of incomplete discharges is revealed. The obtained results can help to ensure lightning protection of monitoring systems in a real thunderstorm situation.