Simulation of Lightning Characteristics using Pspice Software

The performance of the Power systems depend on the reliability of its components such as Transformers, transmission lines, circuit breakers etc. The component reliability is affected by factors such as it’s over voltage withstanding capability and surge current tolerance. The origin of such factors comes from a natural phenomenon, lightning and are called the Lightning impulses. These impulses are momentary and are of several kilovolts to few hundreds of kilo volts. These impulses are to be replicated in the laboratory for the testing of the power system equipments. This Paper presents the simulation results of the Lightning characteristics using Pspice software. The simulation circuit can be used to find out the desired front time, tail time and peak voltage for different charging voltages. This would save expense and time by not actually performing test impulse attempts.