Analysis of striking distances of lightning strokes to vertical towers

• Published in: IET generation, transmission & distribution Vol. 1; no. 6; pp. 879 - 886
• Main Authors: CHOWDHURI, P, TAJALI, G. R, YUAN, X
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Stevenage Institution of engineering and technology 2007; The Institution of Engineering & Technology
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Charge simulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Lightning; Mathematical models; Operation. Load control. Reliability; Polarity; Power networks and lines; Stacks; Stepped leaders; Strikes; Towers; Parameter variation; Lightning discharge; System simulation; Load distribution; Lightning
• ISSN: 1751-8687; 1751-8695
• DOI: 10.1049/iet-gtd:20070039

The two criteria (E-criterion and V-criterion) concept is proposed for estimating the striking distance of a stepped leader to a vertical tower. The tower was modelled as a stack of ring charges by a charge simulation method. It was found that the radial striking distance to a vertical tower varied with the lateral distance of the descending stepped-leader tip from the struck object. The lateral striking distance is defined as the farthest lateral distance of the stepped-leader tip from the vertical tower that produces a strike. The stepped-leader parameters, such as the height, charge distribution, and polarity affect the striking distance to the tower. Because of the stochastic nature of these parameters, the statistical variations of these parameters must be known. The tower height and radius also affect the striking distance to the tower.