10/350 µs Lightning Impulse Current Behavior of a Conductive Fabric

Abstract

Lightweight Portable Lightning Protection Shelters require the use of new materials capable of supporting the high current densities associated with lightning currents. In this paper, 30 x 30 cm2 conductive fabrics samples are subjected to 10/350 µs lightning current impulses. This experimental work, performed at the HV lab of Uppsala University, is aimed at understanding the transversal pattern of scratches or striations observed in conductive fabrics in previous experiments performed at the HV lab of Universidad Nacional de Colombia with 8/20 µs lightning impulse currents. Striations were recorded with both a still camera and a fast-recording camera, while the samples current was measured. Additionally, the withstand current density of the tested conductive fabrics was obtained.