Lightning return stroke model with height-variable discharge time constant

• A new lightning return stroke model is proposed in which the lightning channel, previously charged by the leader, is exponentially discharged with the discharge time constant being a general function of height. The new model is both more general and more physically reasonable than the Diendorfer-Uman model (Diendorfer and Uman, 1990) and its modification by Thottappillil et al. (1991). In the new model a single height-variable discharge time constant is used instead of the two height-invariant discharge time constants used for natural lightning in the Diendorfer-Uman model. As an illustration of the use of the new model, the measured electric fields for three triggered lightning return strokes about 5-km distant are compared with the fields calculated from the model, using simultaneously measured channel base current and return stroke speed as inputs to the model.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Annan elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Lightning

Electromagnetic Compatibility

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)