The Sommerfeld-Goubau Theory for the Transient Response of Towers

Abstract

Towers in overhead power lines should be accurately modelled as to enable representing the wave effects when endangered by lightning impulse currents, for discharges striking the tower or the shield wires, or for flashover occurring between the phase conductors and the tower. Several tower models have been developed over the years and, recently, the authors have proposed a new approach based on the Sommerfeld-Goubau wave formalism. The new approach allows to accurately explain the main physical phenomenon associated with the transient behaviour of towers, attempting to clarify some of the assumptions advocated by researchers in this field in a simple way.