Ionization Behaviors in Various Soils Subjected to Impulse Currents

This parer presents the soil ionization phenomena and parameters associated to characterize the transient performances of grounding system under lightning impulse Currents. Ionization properties in occurring some soil media were experimentally investigated. The cylindrical test cell was employed in order to facilitate the analysis of soil breakdown field intensity and ionized radius. The soil breakdown field intensity, dependence of impedance on the amplitude of impulse current, V-I curves and transient impedances were discussed based on the voltage and current oscillograms. It was found that the ionization process and dynamic behaviors were strongly dependent on the types of soil and two current peaks were not observed in highly water-saturated soils. The results presented in this paper will provide useful information on the improvement of transient performance of a grounding system subjected to lightning impulse Current considering the soil ionization.