On the Enhancement of the Flashovers on Overhead Distribution Lines Considering the Corona Discharge

Nowadays the protection of overhead distribution lines from atmospheric events, such as lightning strikes, is crucial and represents one of the most discussed topic in the research on lightning. When we deal with distribution lines, the lightning performance, which involves both direct and indirect events, usually neglects the well-known corona discharge that can occur on the conductors. This aspect can be usually accepted, but, as will be discussed in this paper, it cannot be omitted when we deal with overhead distribution lines with high Critical Flash-over value (CFO) and small diameters. The work focuses also on different configurations regarding different line diameters and air conditions.