Investigation into the Protection Effectiveness of Segmented Diverter Strips (Button Strips) and Solid Diverter Strips

This paper presents the influence of parameters such as the steepness of voltage, the electrode configuration, the spacing of the diverter strips, the length of the diverter strips and the aging effect of the insulating panel for the protection effectiveness of segmented diverter strips (button strips) and solid diverter strips which are normally used as lightning protection system of aircraft radomes and fairings. Differences of the protection effectiveness between segmented and solid diverter strips and between the different types of segmented diverter strips are described. Derived from these results proposals are given in order to improve the current testing procedure for aircraft radomes as defined in the AE4L report [1]. Especially the use of at least one additional slow fronted waveform is necessary.