The Grounded-Electrode Height Effect on the Characteristics of the Main Stage of the Artificial Thunderstorm Cell Discharge

The grounded-rod-electrode height effect on the characteristics of the main stage of a negative-polarity artificial-thunderstorm cell (ATC) discharge is considered. It is shown that the parameters of the current pulse of the main stage depend on the nature of the discharge formation in the ATC–ground gap. It is found that, with an increase in the height of the grounded electrode, the amplitude and steepness of the current pulse of the main stage decrease, especially when modeling high-rise objects. It is found that, when double strike discharges are formed, the parameters of the first main stage current pulse depend on the height of the point object in a similar way. The revealed dependences of the main stage current pulses on the grounded-object height are associated with a significant influence on it of upward and counter positive leaders. These dependences correspond to observations for natural lightning and should be taken into account when assessing the consequences of lightning strikes on ground objects of different heights.