In this dissertation, we present a study on the transient and steady-state behaviors of
grounding systems when subjected to surges with the waveform of a lightning discharge.
The analyses of grounding systems were made using data obtained through experiments
conducted in the field and numerical simulations based on the finite-difference method
applied to solve Maxwell’s equations in the time domain. In numerical simulations, the
experimental setup (rods, cables, resistor and injected signal) and the electromagnetic
parameters (conductivity, permittivity and magnetic permeability) of soil and vacuum
were modeled numerically. There was good agreement between the measured signals
during the experimental tests and their respective signals obtained numerically. This
agreement between measured and simulated transient signals was obtained by taking
certain technical precautions when designing the experimental setup. Such technical
precautions, which are usually not explicitly mentioned in technical literature, are properly
addressed and discussed in this dissertation.
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