Lightning Surge Evaluation Protection for a Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Station Due to Direct Strikes on an Overhead Distribution System

Abstract

The rapid expansion of electric vehicle (EV) usage underscores the need for robust and resilient charging infrastructure, particularly in residential environments. As electronics-based systems, these installations are highly susceptible to transient overvoltages from direct lightning strikes, which may lead to equipment failures—especially in overhead medium-voltage distribution systems. This study assesses the impact of such surges on a residential electric vehicle charging station (EVC) that operates as a mode 3 AC electric vehicle supply equipment, through detailed simulations using the alternative transient program. The modeling incorporates realistic high-frequency characteristics, including a synthesized impedance model of a tested EVC. The analysis investigates the influence of lightning intensity, grounding conditions, protection strategies, and spatial relationships between discharge and EVC locations. The results demonstrate that appropriate SPD placement significantly reduces voltage stress on the EVC, providing its lightning protection. Furthermore, the calculated values of energy dissipation and diverted current through the SPD proved to be compatible with the performance characteristics of a commercially available device previously tested under laboratory conditions. This general approach reinforces the importance of surge protection in enhancing system reliability and ensuring compliance with IEC 61851-1 in residential EV charging infrastructure exposed to lightning transients.