# Autonomous Lightning Strike Detection and Counting System Using Rogowski Coil Current Measurement

## TL;DR

This paper introduces an autonomous system that detects and counts lightning strikes on power lines using a non-invasive current measurement technique.

## Contribution

The novel system uses a Rogowski coil and active integrator for accurate lightning strike detection and classification.

## Key findings

- The system accurately reconstructs lightning current waveforms using a Rogowski coil and integrator circuit.
- Laboratory tests confirmed the system's ability to detect and classify lightning strikes by amplitude.
- The system is a cost-effective solution for long-term lightning monitoring in remote areas.

## Abstract

Lightning strikes are a leading cause of outages on overhead transmission lines, significantly compromising power system reliability. Consequently, monitoring lightning activity is critical to mitigate its impact on lines with high outage rates. This study presents an autonomous lightning strike counter system utilizing a split-core Rogowski coil for non-invasive current measurement on transmission towers. The system combines the Rogowski coil with an active integrator circuit to reconstruct the incident current waveform from the coil voltage signal. A microcontroller-based processing unit records strike occurrences and classifies them by amplitude using predefined thresholds. Laboratory tests were carried out to evaluate the performance of the Rogowski coil and integrator circuit, validating the system accuracy in detecting current pulses associated with lightning strikes. Underway field tests will assess the sensor’s reliability during long-term autonomous operation on 345-kV transmission towers. The results demonstrate that the proposed system represents a practical and cost-effective solution for lightning monitoring in remote areas, contributing to enhanced data collection for engineering studies and improved reliability of electrical infrastructure.