In lightning strike analysis, the current path is typically from the source to what destination?

In lightning strike analysis, the current path is typically from the source to what destination?

• A. Grounded point
• B. Cloud
• C. Person
• D. Equipment

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that lightning current seeks a return path to earth to complete the electrical circuit. In a discharge to ground, the current travels from the charged region in the cloud down the lightning channel to a grounded point on or connected to the earth. The earth acts as a large, low-impedance sink, so the current can spread into the ground and the circuit closes there. Grounded points can be actual earth electrodes, down conductors, or any structure bonded to the earth, which is why the destination is a grounded point. The other possibilities aren’t the end point of the typical current path: the cloud is the source, not where the current ends; a person or piece of equipment can be struck if they provide a path to ground, but the main current flow in analysis is toward earth through a grounding path.

The main idea is that lightning current seeks a return path to earth to complete the electrical circuit. In a discharge to ground, the current travels from the charged region in the cloud down the lightning channel to a grounded point on or connected to the earth. The earth acts as a large, low-impedance sink, so the current can spread into the ground and the circuit closes there. Grounded points can be actual earth electrodes, down conductors, or any structure bonded to the earth, which is why the destination is a grounded point.

The other possibilities aren’t the end point of the typical current path: the cloud is the source, not where the current ends; a person or piece of equipment can be struck if they provide a path to ground, but the main current flow in analysis is toward earth through a grounding path.