Comparison of Polish Versus American Lightning Records

Abstract
A complete extension of [26] assembles 50 curves of the percentage frequencies against the crest values of the lightning currents. These curves are collected from 35 publications and from numerous letters exchanged with research workers. However, only about 30 curves could be presented in this paper. We chose all available American curves and two curves from the Polish most precise records. Polish curve 1' is presented as relatively precise. The oldest American results are spoiled by enormous errors. Four sources of errors had been stated in [26], and two others have been presently added. Old current values are frequently too small by a factor of about 2. Nevertheless, some American curves are not far from the Polish curves. Corrections have been applied to the most important American curves. Afterwards a comparison of curves for the rates of the rise of lightning currents obtained in Poland, in the U.S.A., and in some other countries have been presented. Values about 100 kA/¿s are not rare in Poland. Several causes of great errors in former values which were too small have been explained. Some controversies and doubts have been dealt with. Some newer results conform with the Polish curve.

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