Electric Field Immunity Test

When a lightning flash strikes a nearby object or inter/intra cloud lightning appears, the generated electric field from the flash might disturb electronics on the structure to be protected. To verify the protection level of electronics against such an impact, an electric field immunity test is conducted.

The tests are specified with the costumer, and depend on a risk assessment and the object to be protected. Typically flashovers of 1m or more are generated with peak currents in excess of 10kA, and the field from such a discharge then affects the electronics in the installation. In some situations it is suggested only to apply the spark discharges in parallel spark gaps some meters from the structure, and let the structure be exposed to the radiated electromagnetic field. Alternatively the 1m sparks are applied directly onto the grounded structure, such that the structure - besides the radiated electromagnetic field - also experiences the conduction of the transient current in the MHz range.

The applied voltage waveforms in the Electric field immunity test are described in IEC 61400-24 and the test is documented with a test report containing pictures and test results.