Spatial distribution of high current lightning discharges in Hokuriku area in winter

Abstract

The electric field waveforms associated with lightning discharges that were observed simultaneously with faults of power transmission lines in winter are analyzed. Also, electric field waveforms associated with high current lightning discharges in winter around the coastline of the Sea of Japan are analyzed for comparison. All of the negative lightning discharges simultaneously observed with transmission line faults produced different field waveforms from those produced by normal cloud-to-ground strokes. Positive high-current lightning discharges, however, produce field waveforms which look more like those produced by normal cloud-to-ground strokes. These high-current lightning discharges distribute differently around the coastline depending on their polarities. © 2007 The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan.