Lightning Strikes Steinmetz's Curiosity

Like Benjamin Franklin, Charles Proteus Steinmetz was drawn to understanding and studying lightning. Lightning, he said, was an example of electrical transients because it reflects changes in electrical circuits of very short duration. The result of
Oct. 20, 2006

Like Benjamin Franklin, Charles Proteus Steinmetz was drawn to understanding and studying lightning. Lightning, he said, was an example of electrical transients because it reflects changes in electrical circuits of very short duration. The result of these studies was his theory of traveling waves. It opened the door to his creation at General Electric of methods to protect high-power transmission lines from lightning strikes. His last major project at GE was part of this research. He designed a generator that produced a discharge of 10,000 A and more than 100,000 V.

About the Author

Doris Kilbane

Doris Kilbane is a contributing editor to Supply Chain Technology News, Logistics Today, and Operations and Technology magazines, as well as a freelance writer for Automatic Identification Manufacturers (AIM) association and various business software and technology companies. Previously, she was the managing editor of Automatic I.D. News, now Frontline Solutions, for 10 years. Presently, she is also interim executive director for a volunteer program helping senior citizens called Faith in Action Medina County Caregivers.
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