Resumen

GALVAN, A.; SALCIDO, J.J.  y  DE LA TORRE, O.H.. Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Anticipated Upward Connecting Leader Criterion for Air Terminals used in Lightning Protection. Inf. tecnol. [online]. 2005, vol.16, n.2, pp.81-90. ISSN 0718-0764.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-07642005000200013.

The aim of this work was the determination of the effectiveness of the anticipated upward connecting leader criteria for air terminals used in direct-hit lightning protection systems. A computer program was used to analyze the effectiveness of the electrostatic physical phenomena generated at the tip of the air terminal caused by the closeness of the downward stepped leader. An hypothetical condition of launching a section of an anticipated upward connecting leader was considered. The results showed that the increase in the effectiveness of the air terminal when using the anticipated upward connecting leader is important only for small lightning flash charges. This represents a marginal advantage for lightning protection applications.

Palabras clave : lightning protection system; air terminals; anticipated leader criterion; streamers.