Simulation Test Study on Influence of Grounding Resistance on Lightning Capability of Triggering Lightning Tower

The Triggering Lightning Tower is erected along the corridor of the transmission line. There are great differences in soil resistivity between different geographical locations, which leads to different grounding resistances of the Triggering Lightning Tower and further affects the lightning performance. In order to study the relationship between the triggered lighting ability of the triggering lightning tower with grounding resistance, the 1:12.5 scale model tower is designed in this paper, numerous discharge experiments with standard switching impulse has been conducted on the testing triggering lightning tower model scaled in the ratio of 1:12.5 respectively, the discharge process was observed. The results represent that: under a gap condition of 1m in length, a negative correlation between the grounding resistance and the triggered lighting ability: the correlation is higher when the grounding resistance is lower. The experimental results lead to the conclusion that the lightning protection measures would be influenced by the grounding performance of triggering lighting tower, and it was proved qualitatively that the ability of triggered lighting would be better with the grounding resistance decreased. The conclusions drawn from test results have provided reference for experimental study of grounding and site selection of triggering lightning tower.