Simulation and analysis of ZnO block characteristics using MATLAB

Lightning arresters are vital protective components in power system. Ageing of the arrester is an important issue under research. Simulation of the arrester and analysis using the simulation tool plays an important role in validating the experimental results. The leakage current that flows through the arrester blocks due to continuous electric stress on the arrester, ambient temperature, pollution on the surface of the arrester etc., causes heating of the arrester blocks. The increase in temperature of the arrester blocks causes the blocks to age. In order to understand the various mechanism of ageing it becomes necessary conduct experiments on the arrester subjecting it to various conditions and analyzing. It has been observed by many researchers that the resistive component of the leakage current and in particular the third harmonic component of the resistive component of the total leakage current is responsible for heating of the blocks[1]–[9]. In the present paper ZnO block of the surge arrester is simulated using MATLAB. V-I characteristics with resistive component of the total leakage current at different temperatures obtained. The resistive and capacitive components of the total current at different temperatures obtained. Also the harmonic components of the resistive component of the total leakage current obtained and analyzed. From the analysis of results of simulations it is observed that they conform with the experimental results of the earlier researchers.