A system for experimental studies of lightning currents and overvoltages

This paper presents the main features of a system for measuring lightning currents and induced voltages on an instrumented tower and an experimental line, respectively. The tower height is 70 m, and the line, which has a non-conventional configuration, is 800 m long. The line has two conductors separated by 6 m, one with surge arresters and the other without protection. The voltages are measured simultaneously at four points along the line, so that the effect of the arresters can be evaluated for each lightning event. The system, which started to operate in May, 2017, has been set up in Santo Ângelo — RS, a city located in the southern region of Brazil and which is characterized by a ground flash density of about 12 flashes/km 2 /year.