About lighting strikes and sources

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the simulation of lightning strikes in programs like ATP, specifically questioning the use of current sources instead of voltage sources. Participants explore the underlying electrical principles and reasoning behind this choice.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why lightning strikes are simulated with current sources rather than voltage sources, seeking clarification on the electrical principles involved.
  • Another participant explains that when simulating lightning strikes, a small resistor (representing the object struck) in series with a large resistor (representing air) connected to a voltage source results in current that does not significantly depend on resistance, but rather on voltage.
  • A participant reiterates the question about simulating lightning with a voltage source, suggesting that a high voltage and small resistance would produce high current, and seeks feedback on their reasoning.
  • It is proposed that lightning is represented by a current source because, once the breakdown voltage of air is exceeded, the measured current approaches the short circuit current across various path resistances, indicating a high impedance source.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the impedance of the object in the current path influences the voltage generated across it, which adjusts to maintain constant current.
  • A participant expresses appreciation for the clarification provided by another, indicating that the explanation was helpful.
  • One participant requests more specificity regarding the explanation of current sources in the context of lightning strikes.
  • A link to additional resources is shared, which is acknowledged positively by another participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and agreement on the reasons for using current sources in lightning simulations, with some seeking further clarification and others providing explanations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the preference for current versus voltage sources.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference concepts such as breakdown voltage, short circuit current, and impedance, but the discussion does not resolve the complexities or assumptions involved in these electrical principles.

bottecchia
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Hello everyone.

I would like to know why we simulate in programs like atp lighting strikes with current sources and not with voltage sources.

Could anyone help?

Thank you :)
 
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No idea about lightning strike simulations, but from the electrics side:
If you put a small resistor (whatever gets hit by lightning) in series with a large resistor (all the air) and attach it to a voltage source (cloud-ground), the current through the resistors doesn't depend significantly on the resistance value, but voltage does.
 
so why we cannot simulate the lightning strike with a voltage source?

we will have a small resistance and a high voltage so we will produce a high current between the cloud and the ground.

does anyone know what is wrong in my thoughts?
 
bottecchia said:
so why we cannot simulate the lightning strike with a voltage source?

we will have a small resistance and a high voltage so we will produce a high current between the cloud and the ground.

does anyone know what is wrong in my thoughts?

It's represented by the equivalent of a current source because once we exceed the breakdown voltage of air to the grounding point the measured current is almost equal to the short circuit current for a wide range of path resistances (a high impedance source). The impedance of the object in the path of current flow determines the amount of voltage generated across that object as the voltage will rise to the level needed to maintain constant current.
 
nsaspook said:
It's represented by the equivalent of a current source because once we exceed the breakdown voltage of air to the grounding point the measured current is almost equal to the short circuit current for a wide range of path resistances (a high impedance source). The impedance of the object in the path of current flow determines the amount of voltage generated across that object as the voltage will rise to the level needed to maintain constant current.

wow... thank you man you are my hero... :)
 
Could you be more specific?

nsaspook said:
It's represented by the equivalent of a current source because once we exceed the breakdown voltage of air to the grounding point the measured current is almost equal to the short circuit current for a wide range of path resistances (a high impedance source). The impedance of the object in the path of current flow determines the amount of voltage generated across that object as the voltage will rise to the level needed to maintain constant current.
 
mitre said:
Could you be more specific?

This mighty help.
http://www.dehn-usa.com/manager/file.asp?tableName=tblPublications&idField=publicationId&namePrefix=smImg&idValue=38
 
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thanks nsaspook

nice informative link

Dave
 

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