Optimal position for driven rod of combined vertical and horizontal grounding electrodes under lightning

The property of grounding electrodes under lightning is important issue for lightning protection. This paper focuses on the optimal position for driven rod of combined vertical and horizontal grounding electrodes under lightning. The optimal positions where the vertical driven rod is connected to the horizontal electrode with different length are suggested based on field testing and numerical simulation. The results indicate that two factors influence the optimal location together, namely the coupling electromagnetic effect between the grounding conductors, and the effective length of the grounding conductor. As for a cross grounding electrodes, if the horizontal grounding electrode is relatively short the driven rods should be installed at the terminal because the former factor plays the leading role.