Time domain modeling of catenary lightning protection systems how to design effective lightning protection systems

Although we cannot say with certainty whether or not the Least Impedance - Maximum Probability approach for designing effective lightning protection systems is new for the scientific community, we do know that for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 780 [1]) even the idea is new. We discuss (1) the objectives and the minimum design requirements for modem lightning protection systems, (2) the fundamental basis for the design guideline, and (3) how widely accepted practices compromise the effectiveness of existing LPSs. The proposed design guideline is based on Paper # 19-TC5-10, "The Least Impedance/Time - Maximum Probability Theory of Lightning Protection" and Paper #32-TC9-9, "The Verification and Validation of the Least Time - Maximum Probability Theories of Lightning Propagation and Lightning Protection.