A probabilistic analysis of spark paths in point/plane air gaps

Analysis of data derived from sparks in point/plane gaps ranging from 45 to 400 mm has shown the similarity of the probability functions determining the shape of the spark paths. This is true, regardless of gap width, when each path is divided into equal steps, here 2% of the gap width. The probability functions were used to develop improved simulations of the spark paths. The simulations had been seen previously to give visually similar tracks, but in this work improved simulations are shown to give similar values for the small amount by which the spark paths are, on average, displaced when the pointed electrode is tilted. The same agreement was found for the degree of scatter of the spark paths about the mean. It is anticipated that the simulations can be generalized to a variety of geometries and scaled up, to simulate and predict lightning strike probabilities.