A Study on the Analysis of Malfunction Cases and Improvement Measures for Transmission Line Surge Arresters

This study investigates the performance and malfunction causes of surge arresters used in 154 kV transmission lines through experimental tests and electric field analysis. The performance of the surge arresters was evaluated through insulation resistance, leakage current, and reference voltage measurements. All test results indicated that the surge arresters met the standard performance requirements, with no internal damage or short circuits observed. Additionally, electric field analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics revealed strong electric fields at the ends of the surge arresters and adjacent arcing horns, suggesting that malfunctions may occur due to factors such as installation structure, insulation distance adjustments, and the arrangement of gap angles. The study concludes that while the surge arresters were found to be in good condition, certain installation and configuration issues could contribute to malfunctioning, underscoring the importance of proper maintenance and design optimization in preventing operational failures.