Conducted Current Test

When lightning discharges attach correctly to the intended air termination systems, the charge in the leader channel must be neutralized by the earth potential. This process is called the first return stroke, where current amplitudes of typically 30kA, but in some cases up to 200kA, develop in the down conductor system. The connection components along the length of the down conductor system will experience the impact of resistive heating, electro-dynamical forces, charge erosion and other effects associated with the conduction of first return stroke currents.

To verify the ability of the connection components, an impulse current test must be conducted according to either EN 50164-1 or IEC 61400-24.

Preceding the impulse current test, the test samples must be conditioned depending on the actual application and the requirements in the standard. During the conducted current test, current pulses simulating the first return stroke are injected with amplitudes typically up to 100kA or 200kA (10/350µs).

The conducted current test is documented with a test report containing pictures and test results.