Are Standardized Lightning Current Waveforms Suitable for Aircraft and Wind Turbine Blades Made of Composite Materials?

The use of sensitive electronics in avionics and wind generation systems, as well as the introduction of lower-conductivity composite materials make it important to ensure adequate lightning testing of airplanes and wind turbines. Evidence exists suggesting that standardized testing lightning waveforms produce damages that differ from those observed in actual strike events. The applicability of the present standard current waveforms for lightning testing is assessed in this paper and it is argued that waveforms based on upward flashes may be better suited as a basis for testing than the currently used tests, which are based on downward lightning and on airborne measured current bursts. Upward lightning data obtained at the Säntis Tower in Switzerland are also presented to support the need to revisit current waveforms used in standardized aircraft testing.