Preliminary investigation into the interaction between lightning current and resin

An introductory experiment is undertaken which investigates the interaction of the resin of a Pinus Elliottii (Slash Pine) and an impulse response. A resonance is seen in the resulting current waveforms with maximum current amplitudes of around 440A for an impulse charged to 18kV peak voltage. The resin is found to have a high breakdown strength and no heat or damage is observed when the current passes through the test sample. While laboratory generated impulses cannot confirm what is seen in the field when a natural lightning attachment occurs to a tree, it could give a better indication of what could be expected. More tests are needed to confirm the preliminary results seen.