This working group focuses on lightning flashover calculation methods for transmission lines, and on methods for improving flashover rates. Our two main products are IEEE Std. 1243-1997, IEEE Guide for Improving the Lightning Performance of Transmission Lines, and the IEEE Flash software that performs flashover rate calculations. We generally meet at each Winter and Summer Power Meeting, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday morning.
The current main focus areas include:
This working group does not emphasize Electromagnetic Transient Program (EMTP/ATP) models for lightning studies. Our emphasis is more on the physical phenomena, the balance of factors affecting the flashover rate, improvement methods, and validation of calculation results. However, working group members have contributed to the work of EMTP/ATP modeling task forces under the General Systems Subcommittee.
"Flash" is a computer program maintained by the Working Group, for estimating the lightning performance of transmission lines. It automates the calculation procedures outlined in two Working Group papers:
A DOS Basic version of Flash 1.7 is included on floppy disk with IEEE Std. 1243-1997, which may be ordered from IEEE.
Flash 1.81 has been converted to C for better maintenance and platform portability, with a Microsoft Excel front end for Windows only. There are some important bug fixes and new input options for Flash 1.81, described in the latest Release Notes. One of the most important limitations in Flash is that it does not include line arresters.
Flash 1.81 is copyright by IEEE and may not be redistributed or repackaged under any circumstances. Please report any problems or comments to t.mcdermott@ieee.org.