Analysis of Electrical Surges in Ajaokuta Power System Network, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study investigates the electrical surge effects and remedy in Ajaokuta Power System Network located in Kogi State in the North Central of Nigeria, to identify various causes of lightning strokes and highlight various associated effects and to determine surge intensity and magnitude, collection of surge data on distribution and transmission network. The approaches adopted is to develop a preliminary data collection that will address the identified data gap and to review comprehensively the electrical surge related losses and address the potential impact of electrical surge protective devices in mitigating these losses. Experimental investigations will be carried out and collation of available data associated with electrical surges and their impacts. The result of the data recording based on existing power system network revealed that the vast majority of the lightning strikes were less than 30kA. In the three years of monitoring six residences with 15 lightning surge events, only two lightning strikes were severe enough to cause damage at current values of 1.27kA and 1.09kA in 2013 and 2015 respectively. In this thesis causes of over voltages in Ajaokuta power system network are internal and external. Instances of extended high voltages are rare, but when they occurred significant damages are done. Therefore to maintain high-quality power, wiring, grounding, bonding and installation of surge protective devices are necessary to prevent over voltages from this power system network.