A model for calculating the temperature of aluminium particles ejected from overhead low-voltage lines owing to a short-circuit

Abstract

Wildfires, which are uncontrolled fires spreading readily over vast areas, are usually the result of human negligence, arson or lightning. There are cases of fires close to electrical distribution lines for which the network has been blamed. In the present paper, the risk of a wildfire breaking out owing to the temperature of molten metal particles that are possibly created on bare conductors of low-voltage networks in short-circuit faults (unless they are interrupted by the protection systems) is examined. Thus, a mathematical model is proposed for the estimated temperature rise of those molten metal particles ejected from bare conductors of low-voltage overhead lines. Moreover, this model can be applied to medium- or high-voltage networks. The model takes into account the weather conditions and particles’ height above the ground. Further, an arithmetic example for an incandescent particle ejected from aluminium conductors of a low-voltage network is given. According to this example, there is no risk of dead leaves or wood catching fire owing to this particle.