Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Occurrences in Peninsular Malaysia and Its Use in Improvement of Distribution Line Lightning Performances Ir. Noradlina Abdullah Power System Group TNB Research Sdn. Bhd. Selangor, Malaysia noradlina.abdullah@tnbr.com.my Norhasliza Mohd Hatta Power System Group TNB Research Sdn. Bhd. Selangor, Malaysia norhasliza.hatta@tnbr.com.my Abstract— This paper presents updates on the cloud-to-ground lightning occurrences observed by a lightning location system (LLS) network in Malaysia from 2008 to 2011. The current LLS consist of seven sensors, a central processor, a database management and real-time lightning activities display terminals. Analysis of lightning data provided by the LLS and the use of lightning data collected for distribution overhead lines network reliability improvement will be presented. Keywords-Cloud-to-ground lightning; lightning detection network I. INTRODUCTION A lightning location system network in Malaysia was implemented and commissioned since 1994 [1]. The network is managed and operated by TNB Research Sdn Bhd (TNBR), a research arm of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) which is one of power utilities in Malaysia. Cloud-to-ground lightning data collected is used to monitor real time lightning activities within Peninsular Malaysia in order to reduce the impact of lightning on the supply reliability and quality [2-4]. II. NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION The earlier network commissioned in 1994 comprises of 8 remote sensors, a DOS-based central processor APA 280-T and a lightning location display. The communication between the sensors and the central processor is over dedicated lines leased by the local telecommunications operator. This earlier network has been described in [2-3]. A. Network Upgrading Work After 15 years of operations, the network was upgraded to include sensors with better location accuracy and sensitivity. In May 2009, two new LS7001 sensors replaced existing IMPACT ESP sensors to enhance the network location accuracy and detection efficiency. The sensor locations are given in Fig. 1. The network central processor was recently upgraded to newer version of CP7000 and AP5000 for Database Management system to further enhanced the network reliability. Figure 1. Sensors Locations With the new sensors addition, the current network is expected to provide 95% detection efficiency and up to 500m location accuracy for Peninsular Malaysia coverage area. III. LIGHTNING DATA ANALYSIS For the period from 2008 to 2011, nearly 3.7 million lightning flashes were detected in the Peninsular Malaysia. The yearly flash counts are given in Table 1. TABLE 1. YEARLY LIGHTNING FLASH COUNTS Year Total flash Negative flash 2008 1,228,170 1,043,955 2009 978,254 782,603 2010 684,594 561,367 2011 774,268 665,870 Total 3,665,286 3,053795 2012 IEEE International Conference on Power and Energy (PECon), 2-5 December 2012, Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia 978-1-4673-5019-8/12/$31.00 ©2012 IEEE 819