Investigations on the inception of connecting leaders at lightning rods as a consequence of real lightning leaders under special consideration of pre-discharges

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Lightning protection in general has changed only a little since its introduction. It is intended attracting the lightning by a lightning rod and subsequently conduct the lightning current to ground. An effective and correctly positioned lightning rod is the first step of an effective lightning protection system. Intense laboratory testing and field measurements have established the main concepts for successful lightning protection. National (DIN EN 62305) and international (IEC 62305) standards specify application of successful external lightning protection systems. However, in the past decades new lightning protection concepts, as well as active lightning rods, were presented. This new technology is rumored to have several dvantages compared to the conventional lightning rods. In spite of this progress, lightning experts all over the world are not convinced of the improved lightning rods and their concepts. More and more of these rods are installed, even in Germany, although there is no standardization (exception: French standard NFC 17-102). Above all there is no scientific evidence for the successful operation of these new devices. Theoretical analyses und simulations both prove and disprove these new protection concepts. There is urgent need to investigate the inception of real lightning connecting leaders under natural conditions in to better evaluate the behavior of new lightning protection concepts. The aim of this investigation is to deliver measurement data from the inception of real connecting leaders, which is actually difficult to achieve. Hereby it should be possible to survey theoretical concepts and simulations, which are concerned with the inception of connecting leaders. In addition, conclusions can be drawn, how actual implementations of lightning protecting systems will affect their ffectiveness.