What Triggers Lightening

[owly]

I don't know if this is the "right" forum for this, but I encountered a Wired Magazine article on lightening that makes interesting. Equipment designed for space observations but doesn't work through cloud cover, was able to make excellent 3d observations of the clouds that spawned lightening.


Detailed Footage Finally Reveals What Triggers Lightning

The first detailed observations of lightning's emergence inside a cloud have exposed how electric fields grow strong enough to let bolts fly.


Lightening is a serious and even a grave threat in some areas. This will not offer any solutions to the problem, only some insights. My favorite idea for prevention of lightening damage is a mast that terminates in a metal conductor plate in direct contact with the ocean. A metal mast is a big conductor, and the energy from lightening in my experience wants to go straight. You can protect a well by the simple expedient of having a sharp bend in the underground wire...... it is almost like there is inertia involved.

[Frankly]

Originally Posted by owly

it is almost like there is inertia involved.

The electrical analog to inertia is inductance. When you bend a wire you increase the self inducitance of the wire. The inductance is increased, ie the impedance is increased, the voltage drop is increased, and the elevated voltage can arc over to adjacent surfaces.

There are probably some other phenomena going on but that explanation always satisfies my simple mind.

Maybe Dr. Thomson will chime in.

Frankly

[Jim Cate]

What Triggers Lightening?

Expensive new electronics in your uninsured yacht...

Jim

[Viking Sailor]

Jim,


Are you saying that we should only have old and cheap electronics on board?


So much for my last refit!!!


Paul

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Viking Sailor

Jim,


Are you saying that we should only have old and cheap electronics on board?


So much for my last refit!!!


Paul

Paul, if you keep your old electronics then you are welcome to raft up. If you have shiny new stuff, please anchor at some distance from Insatiable II!

Jim