Tropical Lightning Peak Current Measurement at West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Lightning strikes can cause damage to building structures, damage to equipment and human victims. To prevent the danger of lightning strikes, it is necessary to study the characteristics of lightning, known as lightning parameters. One of the lightning parameters is lightning peak current. Direct measurement of lightning peak current has been carried out in West Java such as Bandung, Bogor, Depok, Bekasi, and Cirebon using tall tower and high structure since 1993. The measurement system consists of magnetic tape and lightning event counter. This system was installed at the bottom of lightning protection system. A method to obtain the lightning data massively and easily is presented. Based on 35 measurement results, it was obtained 16 $\mathbf{kA}$ for 50% probability of lightning events in West Java. This statistic is expected to help engineer to design lightning protection system using local data in West Java.