International comparison of software for calculation of lightning impulse parameters based on a new processing algorithm

A new algorithm has been proposed to calculate the parameters of full lightning voltage impulses. The new algorithm enables the application of the test voltage factor (also referred to as k-factor in some literatures) for calculation of the equivalent test voltage of impulses with superimposed oscillations/overshoots. The new algorithm at the same time provides a robust procedure for obtaining time parameters of the impulses from not only smooth waveforms but also waveforms with varying degrees of distortions in the front part of the impulses. These distortions include oscillations on the impulse front and overshoots in the peak region. A critical part of the new algorithm is a 4-parameter fitting procedure to obtain the base curve, which is used for calculation of the test voltage curve. Another important part of the algorithm is applying a filtering procedure in the calculation of the test voltage curve. The new algorithm was tested in different laboratories using different programming languages and different techniques for realising the fitting and filtering routines. The paper reports the results obtained from the participating laboratories using the proposed algorithm. The results obtained by the participating laboratories using existing software based on the requirement of IEC 60060-1: 1989 were also compared. It is anticipated that the results can serve as a part of the basis for a new procedure for determination of lightning impulse parameters in the revised IEC 60060-1.