Lightning and Lightning Protection

Todd H. Hubing
Michelin Professor of Vehicular Electronics Clemson University

Course Topics

Lightning Formation Lightning Safety Lightning Protection

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Dielectric Breakdown

-V+

2007 Lightning Lecture

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Dielectric Breakdown

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2007 Lightning Lecture

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Dielectric Breakdown

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2007 Lightning Lecture

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Dielectric Breakdown

-V+

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Dielectric Breakdown
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Dielectric Breakdown
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PLASMA
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Lightning Formation

Warm Humid Air

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Lightning Formation

Water Droplets

Warm Humid Air

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Lightning Formation

Ice Crystals

Water Droplets

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Charge Separation
+ + Ice Crystals -Water Droplets + + ++ + + + + + + + + +

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Charge Separation
+ + + + ++ + + + + + + ++ +

--

+ + + + + ++ + +++ + + + + + +
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Charge Separation

- -

+ + + + + ++ + +++ + + + + + +
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Stepped Leaders

- -

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ + +++ + + + + + +
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Streamers

- -

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ + +++ + + + + + +
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Attachment

- -

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ + +++ + + + + + +
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Return Stroke

- -

+ +

+ +

+ +

+ + ++ + +++ + + + + + +
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Mean Number of Thunderstorm Days in the United States

5 20

30 40 50 40 50 50 70

20 40

10

20

40

90

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Lightning Statistics

Peak currents are generally 10 kA to 20 kA, but may exceed 100 kA. First strokes generally have more current than subsequent strokes.

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Lightning Statistics

Approximately 2000 thunderstorms are in progress in the world at any given time. Commercial aircraft are struck by lightning every 5,000-10,000 flying hours (on average).

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Boeing 747 over Narita Airport

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Lightning Statistics

Lightning kills approximately 100 people in the U.S. every year.

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Lightning Dangers

Electrical Shock Burns Secondary Effects

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Where is the safest place to be in a thunderstorm?

a) at home, taking a shower b) in your car, talking on your cell phone.

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Where is the safest place to be in a thunderstorm?

a) on a golf course b) standing under a power line c) standing under a tree

d) in a Boeing 777 flying through the storm

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Youre in a canoe in the middle of a large lake when a thunderstorm approaches. What should you do?
a) row towards shore b) prop your paddle up in one end of the canoe and crouch down in the other c) swim towards shore

d) turn the canoe over and get under it

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Part II: Lightning Protection

Todd H. Hubing
Michelin Professor of Vehicular Electronics Clemson University

Lightning Protection

Protection from currents Protection from arcs

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Lightning Protection

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Lightning Protection

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Lightning Rods

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Lightning Rods

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Lightning Rods

Cone of protection

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Lightning Protection

PHONE LINE

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Lightning Protection

PHONE LINE

ELECTRIC LINE
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Lightning Protection

PHONE LINE

ELECTRIC LINE
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Lightning Protection

PHONE LINE

ELECTRIC LINE
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Lightning Protection

PHONE LINE

ELECTRIC LINE
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Lightning Protection

PHONE LINE

ELECTRIC LINE
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Building Ground
All wires and pipes that connect the inside of the building to the outside should have a common ground.

PHONE LINE ELECTRIC LINE PLUMBING

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Building Ground
All wires and pipes that connect the inside of the building to the outside should have a common ground. Note: This doesnt include the lightning rod ground, since this does not enter the building.

PHONE LINE ELECTRIC LINE PLUMBING

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Building Ground
All wires and pipes that connect the inside of the building to the outside should have a common ground.

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Inductance
Lightning currents will prefer a low inductance (straight) path.

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Lightning Protection for Aircraft

Relying of Faraday Cage to protect everything inside.

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Lightning Protection for Boats

Provide a safe current path to the water.

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Primary Lightning Protection

Protection where a cable penetrates the building

PHONE LINE

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Arc Suppressors

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Gas Discharge Tubes

10s of volts to 1000s of volts High Energy Low Capacitance (< 1 pF) Fail open Crowbar device
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Thyristors

0.5 volts to 10s of volts Medium Energy Higher Capacitance (10s of pF) Fail open or short Crowbar device
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Varistors

0.5 volts to 10s of volts Low Energy Higher Capacitance (10s of pF) Usually fail short Voltage limiting device
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Diodes

0.5 volts to ~10 volts Lowest Energy High Capacitance (10s of pF) Usually fail short Voltage limiting device
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Course Summary

Lightning Formation Lightning Safety Lightning Protection

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