Improved Lightning-Current Measurements on a Protective Wire

A test procedure has been devised to increase the accuracy with which lightning currents on a protective wire can be determined from raw current measurements. The procedure was conceived specifically for determining lightning currents on a steel cable used to protect the space shuttle launch pad against direct lightning strikes. The cable is hung between (a) a mast on top of the launch pad and (b) two grounding points about 1,000 ft (≈300 m) away from the mast.