Analysis of a novel method of current sharing in a resistive lightning protection terminal

Abstract

A new method, which simulates the lighting channel as a series network of R-C circuits, has been proposed by the authors. It successfully calculates the return stroke current with various added resistance values at the base of the lightning channel. The calculation shows that the peak current and current risetime along the channel are strongly influenced by the added resistance element at ground level. However, the larger voltage across this resistance element may cause the flashover along its surface and result in failure of current limiting. This paper describes the analysis and simulation of a novel method of current sharing following the termination of a lightning stroke onto a resistive lightning protection terminal. Such a system of resistance elements is essential to ensure that surface flashover does not occur across lightning rods and current limiting is successful.