Abstract:In the region with the altitude of 4300 m,the researches on the characteristic tests of switching impulse discharge, lightning impulse discharge and power frequency discharge of line - tower air gaps are carried out on the simulation tower head of 500 kV tangent tower,and the discharge characteristics curves under different voltages are obtained. Based on the experimental data of tower head air gaps at altitude of 0 m and 4300 m,the discharge voltages of tower head air gap at the different altitudes are obtained,and the altitude correction coefficients for discharge voltages of tower head air gap at altitude of 4000 ~ 5000 m are also obtained through interpolation method. Finally,the minimum air gap required by 500 kV transmission lines at altitude of 4000 m and above is given and the applicable altitude correction method is recommended.