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U.S. Department of Energy
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Measured fields and earth potentials at 10 and 20 meters from the base of triggered lightning channels

Conference ·
OSTI ID:10134326
Vertical electric fields, azimuthal magnetic fields, and earth voltages developed over a 0.5-m radial step distance have been measured at 10 and 20 m from the ground attachment point of triggered lightning. The magnetic fields are found to follow Ampere`s law closely, in both amplitude and waveform. The relationship between maximum vertical electric field change due to a descending dart leader and the peak of its associated return-stroke current is linear. Recorded earth step voltages have the same waveforms as the incident return-stroke currents and, for distances between 10 and 20 m from the strike point, their amplitudes exhibit a 1/r dependence. Statistics are given on the observed occurrence of radial surface ground arcs emanating from the earth attachment point as a function of peak incident return-stroke current.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
10134326
Report Number(s):
SAND--93-2735C; CONF-940980--1; ON: DE94008453; BR: GB0103012
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English