Multi-Factor Analysis of Lightning Risk Evaluation for Distribution Lines

Current differential lightning protection of distribution network only evaluates lightning strike probability of lines, which neglects the hazard assessment of blackouts. In this study, the lightning fault risk was evaluated comprehensively based on the line attributions and operation data. By using factor analysis, 8 types of data collected from the network database were integrated into a 4 factors model. The comprehensive risk of each line was evaluated, and the characteristics of which were extracted by using K-means method, and all of the distribution lines were classified, based on which the differential protection methods were proposed for lines in each cluster.