Performance Analysis of Light Arrester (LA) Protecting Power Transformer at Distribution Substation MH284 Buha Manado

Abstract

North Sulawesi (Manado) is located in the equatorial region with a tropical climate and high humidity, causing the density of lightning strikes in this area to be quite large yearly.  Lightning strikes can cause overvoltage, which can endanger the insulator on the line as well as other electrical equipment if allowed to flow into the system and channel to the load. Therefore, a protection system is needed to handle these disturbances. One of them is by installing a Light Arrester (LA).  Light Arrester is safety equipment from overvoltage disturbances by surges lightning or surges switching . The arrester works at a specific voltage above the operating voltage to dispose of the electric charge from surges lightning or surges switching. Under normal conditions, the light arrester acts as insulation. However, if there is any available surges lightning or surges switching , the arrester acts as a conductor that functions to pass high currents to the ground. The failure rate of arrester protection is highly dependent on the Basic Insulation Level (TID) of the equipment, the working voltage of the lightning arrester, and the location of the light arrester placement itself.