Corona charge produced by thundercloud fields in grounded rods

Abstract

Electrostatic fields below the thundercloud lead to the formation of glow charge from grounded objects. The charge accumulated after certain time can initiate or inhibit the called streamer formation and consequently the inception and development of upward leaders. By means of a two dimensional numerical model that takes into account the particles behavior is observed that glow charge can smooth the electric field on top of the grounded rod and consequently hinder the inception of streamers and upward leaders from the grounded rod. It is concluded that to be able to initiate unstable upward leaders from the shielded grounded rod a sudden change of electric field is necessary. A two dimensional numerical model that solves the continuity equations for positive and negative ions and electrons coupled with Poisson equation was implemented. Comparison for different magnitudes of electric field and characteristics of rod are included as well.