Lightning protection: History and modern approaches

A review of lightning protection concepts introduced by Benjamin Franklin (18th century) and James Clerk Maxwell (19th century) will be given. Modern approaches to lightning protection of various structures and systems will be discussed. In particular, the widely used electrogeometrical model (one version of which is the Rolling Sphere Method) and the topological shielding will be presented. The behavior of grounding systems under direct lightning strike conditions will be discussed. Bonding requirements, needed to avoid side flashes (in air, in the soil, or along the ground surface), will be reviewed. Additionally, a critical review of non-conventional approaches to lightning protection will be given.