Protection of electronics against lightning

Description of research

An electromagnetic pulse due to a nearby lightning stroke generates a high intensity magnetic field. Thin metal layers as applied in composite structures cannot shield such a magnetic field. Electronic equipment inside such structures will suffer from high-induced voltages and damage and interference will occur. If a lightning stroke hits the composite structure directly the material will be damaged due to the heat generated in the composite material.

A direct lightning stroke is even more complex. The current path for the fast transient and the long tail, with the largest portion of the energy, is different, and different protection measures have to be developed.

Research questions:

-	Determine the risk of a lightning strike

-	What is the threat level for surface ships in a littoral environment (current models are not applicable for naval environments.

-	Can we modify existing models used for the effect of lightning for infrastructures for effects onboard of naval vessels? What are the effects on electronics, cables. Is another approach needed?

-	What is the effect of thin shielding layers such as gauze, shieldex, paint, carbon fiber. Many simulations have been performed using first order effects into account. We need not only the shielding effectiveness but (especially) the effect on induced voltage on interfaces.

-	Better models are needed to determine the current path, for the high frequency effect as well as for the high-energy low frequency effect.

Advisor(s)

Prof. Dr. Frank Leferink

Duration

1-11-2007 - 1-12-2011

Project

BLIKSEM: Protection of electronics against lightning

Sponsor

Strategic Research Orientation

DSN - Dependable Systems and Networks

Links to relevant web pages:

-	http://www.el.utwente.nl/te/personnel/leferink.htm

-	http://www.el.utwente.nl/te/personnel/blaj.htm

-	http://www.el.utwente.nl/te/index.htm

Publications;

1.	M. A. Blaj, F.B.J. Leferink, and F. K. Buesink, 2008: Lightning current tests on radar systems, EMC Europe Proceedings, September 2008;

2.	M. A. Blaj and F.B.J. Leferink, 2009: Lightning protection of ships in Maritime and Costal Environment, Fourth International Symposium on Lightning Physics and Effects, Vienna, May 2009;

3.	M. A. Blaj, G. Damstra, F.B.J. Leferink, and F. K. Buesink, 2009: Lightning protecting materials used on radar systems, 2009 International Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity (ICOLSE), September 2009;

4.	M. A. Blaj, and F.B.J. Leferink, 2009: A model for lightning in littoral areas, 2009 International Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity (ICOLSE), September 2009.

Alex Blaj