1
\$\begingroup\$

if the thin wire is use for protection from lightning strike in high tension tower, then tell me that how a thin wire can withstand a high voltage lightning strike.It must be melt when light strike on it before it protect other cable or tower from lightning strike.

\$\endgroup\$
3
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ That wire is thicker than it looks. It might be much thinner than the power transmission wires (which are thick for different reasons), but it's still heavy enough to carry the current from a lightning strike. \$\endgroup\$
    – Dave Tweed
    Commented Mar 30, 2016 at 11:50
  • \$\begingroup\$ See Engineering.SE: Why doesn't a lightning strike destroy the lightning rod? \$\endgroup\$
    – Lokanath
    Commented Mar 30, 2016 at 11:51
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ See my answer at engineering.stackexchange.com/a/1790/624 for a analysis of why lighting won't destroy a particular size copper conductor. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 30, 2016 at 14:38

1 Answer 1

1
\$\begingroup\$

High voltage will not melt a cable.

High current will - but only if applied for long enough.

A lightning strike can result in tens of thousand amps but only for very short duration in the order of 30 µs.

See Lightning on Wikipedia.

\$\endgroup\$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.