APPLICATION OF LINE SURGE ARRESTERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE 110 kV STON – KOMOLAC TRANSMISSION LINE FROM ATMOSPHERIC DISCHARGES

Abstract

The reliability of the operation of a transmission network largely infl uences the reliability of the power system and the security of the electricity supply to consumers. During the past 10 years, there have been a large number of outages of the 110 kV Ston – Komolac Transmission Line due to its specifi c location in a zone where the intensity of atmospheric discharge is high, which has thereby signifi cantly reduced the reliability and security of the operation of that section of the transmission network. As the most technically and economically desirable solution for improving the protection of the transmission line from atmospheric discharges, it was decided to equip the transmission line with line surge arresters. Their installation signifi cantly reduced the number and duration of forced outages and increased the reliability of the transmission network in the greater Dubrovnik region. Equipping the transmission line with line surge arresters was the basis for a pilot project of monitoring the operation of the transmission line during atmospheric discharges. The experiences and results regarding the effi ciency of the protection of the 110 kV Ston – Komolac Transmission Line from atmospheric discharges will provide the basis for further applications on transmission lines of higher voltage levels.