Simultaneous recording of CN tower lightning current and channel luminosity

Lightning study offers an interesting research for protection against lightning hazards. CN Tower, being struck by lightning dozens of times yearly, represents a great opportunity for studying tall-structure lightning. The paper presents some recent results related to several flashes that struck the tower during the summer of 2013. The focus of this study is to classify lightning flash components and determine their characteristics. The implementation of high-speed current and video recording systems provides the needed details regarding different flash components, such as return strokes, initial continuous current, continuing currents and M-components. The use of the highspeed camera and the lightning current acquisition instrumentation system has been pivotal to the success of this experimentally-based investigation.