On the concepts used in return stroke models applied in engineering practice

In this paper, we investigate the similarities between two basic concepts used in engineering return stroke models. In one type, the current propagation (CP) models, the return stroke channel merely acts as a medium for the current propagation with the driving source being at the ground. In the other type, the current generation (CG) models, the current sources (corona current) are assumed to be distributed along the return stroke channel. Our analysis shows that popular CP models, such as transmission line (TL), the modified transmission-line exponential (MTLE) model , and the modified transmission-line linear (MTLL) can be converted to CG models leaving the temporal and spatial variation of the return stroke current the same. In this alternative representation, the equivalent corona currents of the TL, MTLE, and MTLL models are bipolar, indicating initial deposition and subsequent removal of positive charge from the channel. This knowledge is applied to construct a simple CG model which generates electromagnetic fields identical to those obtained with the TL model at short times, but free from the difficulties associated with the latter at longer times.