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Voltages induced by lightning on electric power distribution lines: Field data and analysis results for the period July 1984-1986

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5321848
Measurements have been made during 1984 and 1985 at the NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida using a newly-developed spherical antenna of the time-domain horizontal and vertical electric fields from lightning return strokes. Statistics are presented for the fields of 42 return strokes. The peak horizontal field was about 0.03 of the peak critical field; the horizontal field had a mean risetime and a falltime to half value about 0.3 ..mu..s prior to the peak in the vertical field. Voltage has also been measured at one end of an unenergized power distribution line about 500 m in length and 10 m in height. Tables of measured peak voltages are given. By way of a newly-written computer program, the line voltage has been calculated using the measured fields as inputs. Agreement between the voltage measurement and theory is generally good. The lightning horizontal electric field can significantly contribute to the induced line voltage. The horizontal fields become larger as the earth conductivity decreases. 16 figs., 3 tabs.
Research Organization:
Florida Univ., Gainesville (USA). Dept. of Electrical Engineering
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5321848
Report Number(s):
ORNL/Sub-84-89650/1; ON: DE88007841
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English