Lightning protection of a smart grid sensor

This paper presents the design procedures implemented in a power line sensor in order to make it compatible with the electromagnetic environment, especially to the stresses imposed by lightning flashes. The paper includes the sensor description and simulation results of lightning surges coupled to the device by its external interfaces. It is shown that the protection of the radiofrequency circuitry requires the installation of a high-pass filter at the antenna port and that the protection of the voltage-measuring circuit can be accomplished by using a voltage divider combined with low-pass filter. By its turn, the protection of the current-measuring circuit is achieved by the installation of surge protective components.