Reliability of lightning resistant overhead power distribution lines

Abstract

An assessment of the 32 year historical reliability of the 13.8 kV electrical distribution system at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee has yielded several conclusions useful In the planning of Industrial power Systems. The system configuration at ORNL has essentially remained unchanged in the last 32 years which allows a meaningful comparison of reliability trends for the plant`s eight overhead distribution lines, two of which were built in the 1960`s with lightning resistant construction techniques. Meticulous records indicating the cause, duration, and location of 135 electric outages in the plant`s distribution system have allowed a reliability assessment to be performed. The assessment clearly shows how differences in voltage construction class, length, age, and maximum elevation above a reference elevation influence the reliability of overhead power distribution lines. Comparisons are also made between the ORNL historical data and predicted failure rates from ANSI and IEEE industry surveys.