Abstract:The line arrester is an effective means to prevent the transmission line from lightning trip-out. With the use of line arresters with higher voltage class, the protection failure of line arrester caused by the installation mode appears. Taking the failure of line arrester in a 500 kV transmission line under the counterattack of large lightning current as a research case, the simulation model is established by using the electromagnetic transient analysis software ATPEMTP, the voltage of insulator string and line arrester under shielding failure and counterattack is respectively qualified, and the reasons for protection failure of line arrester under the condition of counterattack is obtained. An improvement plan for the installation mode of 500 kV line arrester is proposed, and the voltage waveforms of insulator string and line arrester caused by lightning current under thei mprovement plan are compared, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed improvement plan. The research results have an important reference value for the use of line arresters with 500 kV and higher voltage class.