Lightning Impulse Current Tests on some Electroconductive Fabrics

TL;DR

This study tests various electroconductive fabrics with lightning impulse currents to evaluate their potential as lightweight lightning protection materials for personal shelters.

Contribution

It provides experimental data on the lightning impulse resistance of different electroconductive fabrics, highlighting their suitability for lightning protection applications.

Findings

Conductive fabrics withstand multiple lightning impulse tests.

Morphological changes observed on fabric surfaces after testing.

Some fabrics show promise for use in personal lightning protection shelters.

Abstract

On the search of lightweight lightning protection materials that can be used as part of lightning protection systems, we investigate some types of electroconductive fabrics by applying several lightning impulse currents in laboratory. Samples of four commercially available electroconductive textiles were analyzed, two rip-stop, a plain-weave, a nonwoven, and additionally a carbon-impregnated polymeric film. Under laboratory conditions, each sample was subjected to several lengthwise subsequent lightning-like currents of 8/20 us standard waveform, recording both voltage and current signals. Optical and scanning electron microscope observations were performed after tests, revealing some patterns or morphological changes on the fabric surface. Despite these changes, the investigated conductive textiles withstand the several lightning impulse currents applied. Results suggest that some conductive fabrics could be used in personal mobile shelters, to protect human beings against the earth potential rise caused by a close lightning discharge.