The energization of long transmission lines can cause high overvoltage stresses not only along the transmission line, but also in the rest of the network. The traditional method of limiting switching overvoltages to acceptable levels is the use of circuit breakers equipped with pre-insertion resistors. The present paper describes a study comparing this traditional method with two other alternatives for the limitation of switching overvoltages during line energization in an actual 500 kV transmission system: the use of metal oxide surge arresters at both line closing of circuit breaker poles. Digital simulations were made with PSCAD/EMTDC software and the degree of shunt compensation is considered as an independent parameter. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.