Studying a spark discharge in the ground during reproduction of a negative lightning-current pulse using magnetic cumulation generators

Abstract

Using an energy source based on a single BMΓ-160 generator, a current pulse with an amplitude of 50 kA and a rise time of 2 μs has been formed in a grounding rod electrode with a length of 1 m in the ground with a resistivity of 160 Ω m. The maximum length of spark channels on the ground surface from the point of current injection is 3–4 m. An energy source based on two BMΓ-160 generators connected in series allows an increase in the current pulse amplitude to 90 kA, the rise-time duration being the same, 2 μs. In this experiment, the maximum length of spark channels on the ground surface from the point of current injection exceeds 8 m.