Spectrographic characterisation of high-current arcs for a lightning direct-effects laboratory

Clark, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1090-2361, Mitchard, Daniel, Stone, Christopher and Haddad, Abderrahmane ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4153-6146 2015. Spectrographic characterisation of high-current arcs for a lightning direct-effects laboratory. Presented at: ISH2015 - 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, 23-28 August 2015. Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering: ISH,

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Abstract

An understanding of the interaction of high-current arcs with aerospace-grade aluminium and Carbon-Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) materials is desirable for a full evaluation of lightning protection schemes for aircraft components and assemblies. An important part of this assessment is a measure of the energy content of the lightning arc which is difficult to realise with traditional voltage and current transducers, particularly where direct connection of transducers to the test object is not possible. An analysis of the light emitted by a lightning current arc or localised sparking event may provide a more robust and reliable measure of the event energy, without the need for direct electrical measurement. Spectroscopic techniques also permit a quantification of the material emitted in the interaction of lightning current with the test object, giving a valuable insight into the material degradation processes involved in a lightning strike event. This paper presents details of optical diagnostic systems developed at the Morgan-Botti Lightning Laboratory, Cardiff University, for the purpose of performing spectral analysis and time-domain intensity measurements of light emitted in controlled lightning arcs up to 200kA, with an analytical window covering the Ultraviolet, Visible and Near-Infrared ranges. Optical measurement data acquired in the process of initial system proving tests is combined with and calibrated against direct measurements of arc current using a magnetic current transducer. A detailed spectroscopic analysis of the arc emission spectrum is also conducted over a range of current magnitude injected into an aluminium test panel.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Status:	Published
Schools:	Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
Publisher:	ISH
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2024 08:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/76517

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