High-Speed Imaging of Arc Behavior in Lightning Strike Tests

User Benefits

- The HPV-X3 records at up to 20 Mfps, enabling the observation of ultra-fast phenomena. - Compared with the previous model, the HPV-X3 provides three times the resolution, enabling clearer observation of lightning current propagation.

Introduction

Aircraft materials can suffer localized thermal and mechanical damage when struck by lightning during flight. Because such damage can reduce operational efficiency, lightning damage mitigation is required. Understanding the underlying damage mechanisms is therefore critical. One method used to simulate actual lightning phenomena is the arc-entry test. In an arc-entry test, a simulated lightning current is delivered to the specimen through a fine aluminum wire attached to an insulating sphere at the electrode tip. Because a lightning strike proceeds from initiation to extinction in an extremely short time, high-speed recording is required to capture the process. In this paper, high-speed imaging of the lightning tests was performed using the HPV-X3, allowing observation of the simulated lightning current’s propagation from an aluminum wire to the specimen.

March 17, 2026 GMT