A current generator of the artificial lightning for full-scale tests of engineering objects

A powerful lightning current generator, which forms both individually its pulse (A), intermediate (B), long (C or C*), and repeated pulse (D) components of the negative (positive) polarity and their joint combinations in various unions, is described. Circuit and structural solutions are described that ensure (across a common active-inductive load) component A with an amplitude of no less than 200 kA and duration of up to 500 μs, component B with an average current of no less than 2 kA and duration of up to 5 ms, component C with an amplitude of no less than 800 A and duration of up to 1000 ms, component C* with an average current of 400 A and duration of up to 50 ms, and component D with an amplitude of no less than 100 kA and duration of up to 0.5 ms.