Investigation on Shielding Failure of a Novel 400-kV Double-Circuit Composite Tower

In this paper, the lightning shielding performance of a newly-designed 400 kV double-circuit composite tower is investigated. Based on a revised EGM method, traditional shielding failure regions, located at both sides of a traditional tower is no longer a big issue for the fully composite tower, due to its unusual ‘Y’ configuration. Instead, a new unprotected region exists in the tower center. The maximum lightning current that can lead to shielding failure and the shielding failure rate (SFR) of the new tower are calculated. To verify results from the revised EGM method, a scale model test is conducted. Spatial shielding failure probability around the tower is calculated based on ratio of discharge paths recorded in the test. Moreover, based on test results, the maximum shielding failure lightning currents are obtained. Analysis and results derived from the revised EGM method and scale model test have a small deviation, verifying the feasibility of these two methods in the lighting performance evaluation of the fully composite tower. Both methods confirm that the unusual negative shielding angle of —60 in the newly composite pylon provides good lightning shielding performance. The feasibility of the novel composite tower is verified.