Discharge characteristics of different lightning air terminals under composite voltages

Different types of lightning air terminals have been designed over the years. Concern regarding the effect of different types of air terminals, especially the early streamer emission (ESE)-type, remains controversial. This paper describes the discharge characteristics of different types of air terminals, two of which are quite similar to the ESE-type dynasphere, and concludes that the tested non-standard air terminals have discharge characteristics similar to those of Franklin rods and that their lightning protection performance should be similar.