Abstract: The response characteristics of typical substation under flashover damage were investigated. The characteristics and vulnerability of a typical 500 kV pivotal substation were analyzed in this paper. The classification method of substation damage grade was proposed, and the damage effect evaluation index was defined on the basis of analyzing the function, structure and operation characteristics of substation. The electromagnetic transient simulation software PSCAD was used to establish the simulation model of substation. The simulations of substation damage caused by electrical equipment damage were conducted. It provided a foundation and basis for substation target vulnerability assessment, attack damage effectiveness evaluation and scheme planning of anti-power system flashover damage warhead.