Influence of corona on strike probability of grounded electrodes by high voltage discharges

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the influence of corona formation processes at the tips of grounded rod electrodes on the probability of those rods being “struck” by high-voltage discharges. Experiments simulating the final stage of the attachment process were carried out with a composite voltage comprising a simultaneously applied impulse and DC potential of different levels to grounded rod electrodes simulating lightning rods, featuring either a spherical or pointed (conical) tip. The experiments show that corona does not influence the probability of the electrode being struck until a critical electric field (EF) strength is reached.