In recent years, the 10kV distribution line lightning accident of Guangdong individual areas of frequent, serious harm to the reliability of power supply and power distribution network, affecting the people's production, living electricity, even caused human casualties, the accident area bring economic loss is not small.Therefore, we should harm of lightning is clear enough cognition, so this paper describes the principle of lightning discharge 10kV overhead distribution lines, formation and development process of the formation process of lightning, thunder and lightning current voltage, and gives the main calculation methods of lightning parameters, the lightning protection level, the lightning trip-out rate, induction the thunder and lightning. Characteristics and failure on the basis of 10kV overhead line, combined with the characteristics of 10kV distribution lines, lightning protection measures to seriously study the 10kV distribution line, has important practical significance to ensure the safe operation of 10kV distribution line.