Risk analysis of lightning-caused body currents by modeling a human being using lumped elements

Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 260, pp. 113327

Abstract

When lightning strikes, step and touch voltages can cause potentially fatal heart currents. However, these currents vary significantly depending on the current path and external conditions. This study first investigates the influence of different current paths on heart current. Based on these results, an equivalent electrical circuit model is derived and extended to include properties relevant to high-voltage scenarios. For risk assessment purposes, the threshold is defined in terms of charge, which is described using a time-dependent charge function. Using the equivalent circuit model, step and touch voltages are simulated for humans present both inside and outside a building. The simulations reveal that the risk is significantly higher outside the building and, in the examined scenarios, is very likely to lead to potentially fatal heart currents. Inside the building, by contrast, the risk is low due to substantially improved potential control.

Authors 1

1. Daniel Beetz corresponding Aachen

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Applied Science Aachen, Jülich, Germany