Modified Lightning Traveling Current Source Return Stroke Model

Abstract

The classical lightning traveling current source (TCS) return stroke model without current reflections is considered. The TCS model is modified to take into account the current component caused by the transferred line charge density along the channel core below the return stroke wave-front. For the TCS model without current reflections this modification has yielded the final results similar to those of the Bruce-Golde model (BG). In the modified TCS model (MTCS) the distribution of the channel current is uniform i.e. there is no line charge along the core below the return stroke wave-front. Nevertheless, the physical picture of the discharge differs significantly from that of the BG model. For the TCS model with the current reflections from the ground and from the upper end of the lightning channel the modification is more complex. In this case the transferred line charge density along the channel core can be calculated from the equation of continuity.