Summary

In this paper, the authors would like to discuss the existence of the leader discharge and thermal ionisation by lightning voltages, which has been controversial by this type of voltages. The argumentations are based on the measurement results by positive lightning voltages and long rod-plane electrode configurations. During the measurements by lightning voltages, the authors observed a canal-like discharge, which does not necessarily lead to a flashover. At least optically, it shows a big similarity to the stable leader discharge by switching overvoltages. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to compare the observed leader-like canal by lightning to the stable leader by switching voltages in three aspects: 1) linear charge density and propagation velocity, 2) potential gradient, and 3) Ud-s-characteristic. In all of the three aspects, the canal exhibits similar properties as the leader. Consequently, the thermal ionisation can be expected by lightning as well as by switching voltages.

Additional informations

Publication type ISH Collection
Reference ISH2015_420
Publication year 2015
Publisher ISH
File size 3 MB
Price for non member Free
Price for member Free

Authors

Han Ya'nan, Saadati Hassan, Ma Qiyan, Weigen Chen

An analysis of lightning breakdown process and the analogies to switching breakdown process
An analysis of lightning breakdown process and the analogies to switching breakdown process