SUMMARY
In this article is analyzed an urban distribution network of 23 kV typical of the central zone of Mexico. The objective is to determine the maximum spacing of surge arresters on the line that allows reducing the outages of the distribution circuit due to direct and indirect lightning. Based on the electrical, geographical, environmental and ceraunic characteristics of the zone, short circuit magnitude and surges caused by routine switching, the arrester is always selected with the primary target of determining its spacing on the line to work it properly. The research was carried out with the help of the software called Alternative Transients Program (ATP) where the calculation of line parameters is performed using the model of KC Lee, traveling wave and capacitor switching surges are also simulated. The motivation for this work is mainly to have a theoretical and technical support (currently limited) to determine the spacing of surge arrester in the considered distribution network and thus increase the quality of electricity supply of the zone.