Step and Touch Voltage Distributions at GSM Base Station during Direct Lightning Stroke

One of the tasks of earthing system is to ensure safety for people during various fault conditions. The objective of this paper is to provide knowledge about the actual step and touch voltage distributions in and around a freestanding base station for mobile communications during direct lightning strike into the communication tower. The final purpose is to limit the danger for people that can be present in the vicinity. Scalar potential at the earth surface as well as step and touch voltage distributions were calculated based on field theory approach.