TESTING OF GROUND CONDUCTORS WITH ARTIFICIALLY GENERATED LIGHTNING CURRENT

Alternative conductors for lightning protection applications favorable for use in mobile systems have been tested to demonstrate high levels of protection against maximal lightning events. The method of determi ning the survivability of the down conductors was to expose each type of conductor to maximal lightning events generated by a large Marx cap acitor bank. Each type of conductor was tested until mechanical failur e occurred or until it survived four exposures to the lightning event. A test to determine the effect of physical damage on conductor perfor mance was also conducted. A theory attributing interstrand or intracon ductor magnetic forces, rather than ohmic heating, as the primary caus e of conductor failure is proposed. Results indicate that two types of tested conductor exist which can pro,ide protection against maximal l ightning events, yet have properties that lend themselves to mobile ap plication.