Modeling of lightning return stroke current with inclusion of distributed channel resistance and inductance

This paper describes the development of a new model for determining lightning return stroke current. An RLC circuit model was formulated to represent the lightning channel and was used to produce the return stroke current at ground matching median recorded values, while keeping reference to the current waveshape in the DU model. The proposed model was shown to be capable of matching the peak current, maximum di/dt, and front duration.