The triggering advance of a lightning rod is a key concept, particularly for Early Streamer Emitter Lightning Rods (ESE) as Ellips Or Paraton@ir ®. This refers to the ability of a ESE to begin the process of capturing a lightning bolt before a conventional lightning simple rod can. Here are some important details about it:
Definition :
The triggering advance is the time difference between when an ESE emits a trigger (an advanced spark) to capture a lightning flash and when a traditional lightning simple rod (like a Franklin simple rod) would do so under the same conditions.
Functioning :
A ESE senses increasing electric fields during a thunderstorm and responds by emitting a flash, creating an upward leader faster than a simple lightning rod spike. This early initiation allows the ESE to intercept and channel the lightning discharge before it reaches other potential strike points.
Importance for Protection:
The triggering advance increases the likelihood that a ESE will capture a lightning bolt compared to a traditional lightning simple rod tip. This is particularly important for protecting tall structures or those in high lightning risk areas.
Radius of Protection:
Thanks to this triggering advance, ESE offer a wider protection radius, meaning they can protect larger areas and taller structures than traditional lightning rods.
Laboratory measurement:
The triggering advance is generally measured in a high voltage laboratory according to specific conditions defined in lightning protection standards for ESE, such as NF C 17-102 in France or UNE 21186 in Spain .
Implications for Protection System Design:
This characteristic influences the design and positioning of ESE in a lightning protection system, allowing more effective coverage and better protection of structures against direct lightning impacts.
In summary, triggering advance is an essential feature of early streamer emitter lightning rods, contributing to their superior effectiveness in lightning protection compared to traditional lightning rod systems.