Evaluation of lightning surge characteristics induced in subscriber line at telecommunication center end in a tropical area

Lightning surges induced on subscriber lines in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which is located in a tropical region, were observed at telecommunication centers. More than 100 surges per line were observed during a three-month period. Peak values, observed using a lightning surge counter, show that lightning surge current occurrences normalized by the number of thunderstorm days and number of subscriber lines closely agreed with data observed in temperate areas, e.g., Japan. Surge waveforms appearing at several points ranging from underground cable ducts to exchange equipment were observed using a wave memory system. The results show that lightning surge currents on the cables were larger than those on a wire, but the correlation between them was weak. Common and differential mode surge waveforms observed using the wave memory system were almost the same. These results will be useful in designing protection circuits for equipment used in tropical areas.