Geometrical and physical parameters affecting distant electric fields radiated by lightning return strokes

Abstract

In this paper detailed numerical results are presented for the estimation of the electric field generated by the first return stroke, in order to reproduce the main characteristics of field waveforms measured at distances beyond 50 km. The effect of parameters such as the lightning channel geometry, distance from the source, return-stroke current speed, its attenuation along the channel is discussed by comparing numerical and experimental results.