Optimization of the LPS configuration for minimization of the radiated electromagnetic field

The protection of electric and electronic systems against the induced effects of lightning strikes is a great concern for the EMC engineers. In this paper, a single-objective optimization approach is proposed as a tool to obtain the best arrangement of down-conductors and horizontal equipotential rings of a lightning protection system (LPS) that gives rise to the lower electromagnetic field in certain regions of the LPS protected volume. The concept of "safe area" is introduced and used as measure of the optimization procedure. The magnetic flux density is evaluated by means of a time-domain simulation. Various applications regarding LPS configurations, directly struck by lightning, are presented and discussed.