1. Lightning phenomenology

1.1 Lightning physics

Lightning is an aerial electrical discharge that allows electrically-charged clouds to transfer some of their charge to the ground, thus compensating for the fair-weather current that is permanently distributed between the electrosphere and the Earth.

Vertical thunderclouds are called cumulonimbus clouds. In cumulonimbus clouds, various electrification mechanisms lead to the separation of electrical charges, thanks to the movement of warm air. Positive charges carried by ice crystals find their way to the top, while water droplets at the base of the cloud are negatively charged. An island of positive charges is also created at the bottom of the cloud, in a region of negative temperatures between – 10 and – 20 °C

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Lightning phenomenology

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Lightning effects

Bibliography

(1) - KRIDER (E.P.) - The earth's electrical environment. - Dans Physics of lightning. Studies in geophysics, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, p. 30-40 (1986).
(2) - RAKOV (V.A.), UMAN (M.A.) - Lightning physics and effects. - Cambridge...

Websites

GAUVIN (D.) Storm chaser http://www.impact-orage.com/

Lightning protection recommendations and lightning handbook by ITU-T Study Group 5 http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/studygroups/com05/index.asp

Standards and norms

Protection against lightning – Part 1: General principles - CEI 62305-1 - 2010
Protection against lightning – Part 2: Risk management - CEI 62305-2 - 2010
Protection against lightning – Part 3 : Physical damages to structures and life hazard - CEI 62305-3 - 2010
Protection against lightning – Part 4 : Electrical and electronic systems within structures - CEI 62305-4 - 2010
Protection of...

Regulations

Arrêté du 15 janvier 2008 relatif à la protection contre la foudre de certaines installations classées, NOR : DEVP0770817A, JORF n° 0097 du 24 avril 2008 (version abrogated on August 6, 2011)