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Related Concept Videos

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When analyzing a single line-to-ground fault from phase A to ground at a three-phase bus, it is important to consider the fault impedance. This impedance is zero for a bolted fault, equal to the arc impedance for an arcing fault, and represents the total fault impedance for a transmission-line insulator flashover. To derive sequence and phase currents, fault conditions are translated from the phase domain to the sequence domain.
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Method for Recording Broadband High Resolution Emission Spectra of Laboratory Lightning Arcs
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Channel branching and zigzagging in negative cloud-to-ground lightning.

Rubin Jiang1,2, Xiushu Qie3,4,5, Hongbo Zhang1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Middle Atmosphere and Global Environment Observation (LAGEO), Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China.

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Lightning discharge channels branch and zigzag due to clustered space leaders connecting to the main channel. Irregular angles between these leaders cause the tortuous path of lightning.

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Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric physics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Plasma physics

Background:

  • The propagation mechanism of lightning discharge channels, particularly their branching and zig-zag patterns, remains a fundamental question in atmospheric science.
  • Understanding these phenomena is crucial for accurate lightning detection, protection, and modeling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the detailed process of leader development in negative cloud-to-ground lightning discharges.
  • To elucidate the physical mechanisms behind the observed channel branching and tortuosity.

Main Methods:

  • High-speed optical observation of two negative cloud-to-ground lightning discharges at 180,000 frames per second.
  • Analysis of leader development, focusing on the stepping process and the formation of space leaders.
  • Statistical analysis of leader step length, distance to the channel, and angular variations.

Main Results:

  • Clustered space leaders form in parallel ahead of the main channel tip during each step.
  • Leader branching results from multiple, simultaneous or successive connections of these space leaders to the root channel tip.
  • Channel tortuosity originates from irregular angles between space leaders and the leader tip's advancing direction.
  • Statistical data: mean step length 4.4 m (1.3–8.6 m), mean space leader distance 3.6 m (2.1–6.9 m), >50% steps within ±30° of the advancing direction.

Conclusions:

  • The stepping process, involving clustered space leaders, directly dictates lightning channel branching and tortuosity.
  • High-speed imaging provides unprecedented detail into the leader development dynamics.
  • Findings contribute to a deeper understanding of electrical discharge phenomena in the atmosphere.