LIGHTNIN

G
What is
lightning?
Ø LIGHTNING REFERS TO ONE
OF THE SEVERAL FORMS
OF VISIBLE ELECTRICAL
DISCHARGE PRODUCED BY
THUNDERSTORMS.

Ø IT IS ESSENTIALLY A
Lightning types
The primary forms of lightning
discharges are :
v cloud to ground (CG)
v Ground to Cloud (GC)
v cloud to cloud (CC)
v inTRA-cloud (IC)
v cloud-to-air (CA)
v ball lightning (RARE
 Ground-to-Cloud
Lightning
Ground-to-Cloud lightning
(sometimes called Upward-moving
lightning) is a discharge between
cloud and ground initiated by an
GROUND TO CLOU
CLOUD TO GROUN
SUPER BOLT
INTRA CLOUD
CLOUD
INTRA CLOUD
CLOUD TO CLOUD
TO AIR
CLOUD TO AIR
BALL LIGHTNING
LIGHTNING
LIGHTNING
ENERGY
1. The average lightning
stroke has a peak
current about 30,000
2. On the other hand,
amps.
super bolts do occur,
occasionally reaching
3. some discharges,
especially those that are
totally within the cloud, are
4. only The electrical potentials
several thousand amps.
involved in lightning
diSCharges can range up to
5. The air in the core
of a lightning bolt has
been estimated to be
heated to as much as
54,000°F (30,000°C).
6. LIGHTNING
optical output is
equivalent to some
100 million light
Lightning effects
v EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT OF
LIGHTNING VICTIMS ARE
CHILDREN AND YOUNG
MEN (AGES 10-35)
v surprisingly large percentage of
USUALLY ENGAGED IN
the deaths and injuries occur in
RECREATION OR OUTSIDE
either the first or last few
 THE SURFACE OF THE
GROUND AT THE BASE OF
THE TALL OBJECT AND
REMAINS LETHAL FOR A
MINIMUM OF A 60 FOOT
v BEYOND 60 FEET MAY NOT
RADIUS.
BE LETHAL BUT CAN
SAFE
WHAT TO
DO
Keep people and pets away
from all metal, particularly:
üelectrical appliances
üelectrical outlets
üheating ducts & vents
üthe laundry room
ü the top level
bathroom
ü metal radiators

ü electric toothbrushes

ü electric razors
ü computer
ü phone lines
ü ceiling fans
ü plumbing
ü the kitchen
ü metal door
ü wood stove
WHAT TO
DO
1. Avoid being the tallest object
by projecting above the
§ surrounding
standing inlandscape,
an open field
§ sports
Examples: field
§ stadium or golf course
§ riding horseback
§ hill top
§ mountain top
2. IF YOU ARE NEAR A
CAR, CLOSE WINDOWS,
MOVE TO THE CENTER OF
3. If no buildings or metal
A HARDTOP VEHICLE, DO
vehicles are available, your best
NOT TOUCH ANY METAL.
protection is a cave, ditch,
4. IF YOU ARE IN A
GROUP AND IN THE OPEN,
SPREAD OUT, KEEPING
5. Avoid STANDING
PEOPLE SEVERAL YARDS
NEAR flammable materials in
APART.
open containers. If open, close
6. Avoid all refueling
AND gas stations
COMPLETELT. Never fill a
vehicle's gas tank during a
storm.
7. Avoid open metal

• vehicles such
a motorcycleas:
• a bicycle
• a golf cart
• a lawn mower
• a tractor
• a farm equipment
• a convertible automobile
8. Avoid standing underneath
or beside,
o a tree
o road sign
o telephone pole
o electrical pole
o light pole
o flag pole
o radio tower
o
 Electrical
safety while
 WHAT CAN
SAFETY INSTITUTE SUGGESTS

YOU DO?
THAT WHEN YOU FIRST SEE
LIGHTNING OR HEAR
THUNDER, SUSPEND OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES AND SEEK
2. If you are caught in the open,
SHELTER.
crouch down with your feet
together and cover your ears to
 A good lighting safety rule
§ If you hear it, fear it.
is:
§ If you see it, flee it
A. THIS MEANS THAT IF
YOU HEAR THUNDER,
B. THE WHILE IT MIGHT
LIGHTNING IS
BE 10 MILES
CLOSE ENOUGHAWAY
TO
C. Unplug appliances
before a storm nears –
never during. 
D. UNPLUG THE PHONE
LINE FROM THE
COMPUTER BECAUSE
THE MAJORITY OF
E. If you see a flash of
lightning, no matter how far
away, it's time to take
shelter.
 LIGHTNING
STRIKES ON

BUILDING
 LIGHTNING
STRIKES ON

INDUSTRY
LIGHTNING
STRIKES ON
GHTNING
LIGHTNING
STRIKE ON
LIGHTNING
STRIKES ON

HOUSES
IN CLOUD LIGHTNING
T LIGHTNING
Lightning strikes on

air planes
MORE THAN 300,000 AM
 LIGHTNING
STRIKES ON

HUMAN
 THE
ADVANTAGE
OF