Regional variation of negative lightning flash density and charge transfer in southern Kyushu

Abstract

For the effective insulation design of a power line, accurate evaluation of the return-stroke current parameters is indispensable. A charge transfer is one of the most important parameters when the damage to a power line due to the energy of the lightning is discussed. The charge transfer associated with a lightning flash or individual strokes can be estimated by using electric field change obtained with a slow antenna. The authors observe the electric field in southern Kyushu for the purpose of efficient acquisition of return-stroke current parameters. In this paper, negative lightning characteristics in southern Kyushu are discussed based on the observed electric field waveforms and the data obtained by the LLS (lightning Location System).