Lightning current test on radar system

Abstract

With the extended use of very sensitive electronic components, in modern systems, the danger represented by a lightning stroke becomes something not to be neglected. The Long Range Radar requires protection not only against direct strike, but also against the indirect effects. The formulation of the military standard MIL-STD-464A Severe Strike confirms this need. The peak currents of the discharges are between 50 and 200 kA, for the A pulse, 2 kA for the B pulse and 200 to 800 Amps for the C pulse. For a radar system placed high on a ship, the chosen approach is the fictitious Rolling Sphere Technique in order to confirm the protection offered by the design. Experiments have been carried out using a test setup that could duplicate the three discharge components.