What direction does current flow in lightning?

Most CG lightning is negative, meaning that a negative charge is transferred to ground and electrons travel downward along the lightning channel (conventionally the current flows from the ground to the cloud).

How does a lightning arrester work?

Though the real big difference is simple: an arrester is charged and “operates” when working, while the rod simply attracts and diverts incoming lightning. When potentially dangerous lightning strikes, the arrester activates and diverts the lightning to ground, where it will disperse harmlessly.

Why does lighting hit the ground?

A cloud-to-ground lightning strike starts as a channel of negative charges called a stepped leader makes its path towards the ground. This entire process occurs so quickly (in less than one second) that lightning appears to travel from the cloud to the ground, when the opposite is true.

At what location the lightning arrester is mounted?

Lightning arrester usually located near the Transformer in the substation. In a high voltage system, the surge diverter can be used to defend the transformers, lines, circuit breakers, generators, bus bars, circuit breakers, etc.

How do you know when the electrical current is flowing in the electrical circuit?

Switches are like gates that control the flow of electricity in a circuit. When a switch is open, it creates a gap in the circuit and current will not flow. When it is closed, it completes the circuit, and current flows through it.

What happens when a lightning strike hits the ground?

When lightning strikes the ground or an object on the ground, the discharge occurs in and along the ground surface (not deep into the ground). This creates a dangerous and potentially deadly ground current near the lightning strike. Ground current is responsible for killing many farm animals on a yearly basis.

What is the electric current in a lightning bolt?

Electric Current through a Lightning Bolt. The electric current in a lightning bolt is measured in amperes (A). An ampere is defined as the constant current which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite length, with negligible cross sections, and placed one meter apart in a vacuum, will produce between these conductors…

What is ground current and why is it dangerous?

This is known as the ground current. Anyone outside near a lightning strike is potentially a victim of ground current. In addition, ground current can travels in garage floors with conductive materials.

What is the effect of lightning on the output voltage?

The lightning will produce a time varying magnetic field that will couple into the loop. This will add an L dI/dt term to the output voltage. Even if L is small, the lightning peak dI/dt can be very large. The problem with induced voltages in the measuring circuit can be avoided if a coaxial shunt design is used.