Influence of Lumped Grounding Electrode Geometry on Its Impulse Resistance at High Electric Field Strength in Soil: A Comparative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24160/0013-5380-2026-4-12-17Keywords:
lightning protection, lumped grounding electrode, impulse grounding resistance, soil ionization, spark discharge, impulse voltage generatorAbstract
The article presents the results of a comparative experimental study of the effect the lumped grounding electrode geometry has on its impulse resistance for the regularities linking the electrode shape with the dynamics of the nonlinear transient during impulse breakdown. The studies were carried out under the conditions of intensely ionized soil having high resistivity. Three types of electrodes with equal surface area were tested under field conditions: a horizontal rod, a horizontal pipe, and a hemispherical electrode. The impact was produced by high-voltage impulses with an amplitude of up to 300 kV. Using the method of synchronous oscillographic recording of voltage and current, time dependencies of impulse resistance were obtained. It has been determined that the electrode geometry has a systematic effect on both the absolute value of the minimum impulse resistance and the coefficient of its reduction relative to the stationary value. The rod electrode provides the lowest absolute impulse resistance at all values of the impulse applied, thereby confirming its practical advantages as a means for lightning protection of power industry facilities. The hemispherical electrode demonstrates the maximum relative ionization efficiency, indicating the highest resistance reduction dynamics for this geometry. The data obtained serve as a basis for refining mathematical models describing a nonlinear current spreading pattern, which take into account the influence of geometry on the spatial development of spark channels in soil.
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