Lightning Strike?
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
indirect lightning
A metal roof and body will protect the contents of a vehicle (humans, electronics) from direct or indirect lightning (see a video of a VW Golf deliberately hit by lightning: http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/car-lightning). Does anyone know if Chevrolet does anything to protect the electronics inside the fiberglass body of the Corvette from damage when lightning strikes in the vicinity of a Corvette, but not directly?
Lecture on inductive coupling (indirect lightning-induced damage):
http://www.ece.uidaho.edu/ee/power/E...ECE528-L15.pdf
Lecture on inductive coupling (indirect lightning-induced damage):
http://www.ece.uidaho.edu/ee/power/E...ECE528-L15.pdf
Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,815
Likes: 2,240
From: Sammamish, WA
"Am I safe during a thunderstorm if I'm in a car?" You are safer than many objects around you. A very close or direct hit you will be toast. I have been very close to a big strike. It was an explosion. Good luck with your #22 wire carrying several million volts to ground. Later! Frank
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 65
From: Tree City
People don't realize it, but wearing a ball cap out in a lightning storm can be very dangerous, too. The little bead on the top is usually made of aluminum and it can also attract lightning.......... If you are in a car in a lightning storm, chances are that lightning will strike a taller object before it strikes your car since you are so low to the ground. But since it does have so much metal, it still is a possibility.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
I've always thought the windshield frame + halo in a coupe, or steel frame for the canvas in a vert, would protect us from a (very rare) possibility of a lightning strike.
But in a Q&A about lightning in today's Chicago Tribune, it says:
"Am I safe during a thunderstorm if I'm in a car?"
"That depends on whether your car has a metal roof. A car's metal roof and sides protect occupants from lightning by directing the electricity through the car's frame and into the ground. You're not protected if you're in a convertible or on a motorcycle. Rubber tires don't offer protection."
We know the newspapers always get it right...
I'm guessing that GM has done some testing, but not sure if they release the results.
Anyone know for sure?
But in a Q&A about lightning in today's Chicago Tribune, it says:
"Am I safe during a thunderstorm if I'm in a car?"
"That depends on whether your car has a metal roof. A car's metal roof and sides protect occupants from lightning by directing the electricity through the car's frame and into the ground. You're not protected if you're in a convertible or on a motorcycle. Rubber tires don't offer protection."
We know the newspapers always get it right...
I'm guessing that GM has done some testing, but not sure if they release the results.
Anyone know for sure?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
In unison and with a blank stare: "The Press are always right. We must all believe what they tell us. They are the smart ones and would never mislead us..."
And no meteorite could possibly get through the clear top...it's Lexan and that is what bullet proof glass is made of....
And no meteorite could possibly get through the clear top...it's Lexan and that is what bullet proof glass is made of....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
And the answer is ? .........................
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 886
Likes: 1
From: austin tx
How hot is lightning - Wikipedia -
a bolt of lightning can travel at speeds of 220,000 km/h (140,000 mph), and can reach temperatures approaching 30,000 °C (54,000 °F), hot enough to fuse silica sand into glass channels known as fulgurites, which are normally hollow and can extend some distance into the ground.
OP has astraphobia.
Lightning goes up - not down.
I have been struck twice by lightning - I now have ESP
a bolt of lightning can travel at speeds of 220,000 km/h (140,000 mph), and can reach temperatures approaching 30,000 °C (54,000 °F), hot enough to fuse silica sand into glass channels known as fulgurites, which are normally hollow and can extend some distance into the ground.
OP has astraphobia.
Lightning goes up - not down.
I have been struck twice by lightning - I now have ESP
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 13
Mike
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,829
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The metal windshield frame and roof halo in the case of coupes and the convertible top bows provide some Faraday cage protection. When I was in the Army one of the things we were told is the metal bows holding the rear canvas in place on deuce and halfs provided some lightening protection due to the Faraday effect. You probably won't be hurt any worse in a Vette than you would be in any other car. They aren't perfect protection but they are better than standing alongside the car when in a storm. When the hair on top of your head starts to stand on end as a storm approaches it is a good idea to get away from tress and either get in a building, car or get down on the ground. You definitely don't want to be the tallest thing standing in an open field.
Bill
Bill
