A Survey of Measurements and Analyses of Preliminary Breakdown Pulses in Lightning Flashes

Lightning represents a major hazard to humans, buildings, electrical and electronic installations. To date, the majority of investigations have concentrated on the Return Stroke (RS) phase of the lightning flash. Nonetheless, a significant gap persists in the comprehension of RS antecedents, particularly Preliminary Breakdown (PB) pulses, which manifest as a succession of transient signals occurring prior to the initiation of the first RS. Analyzing these initial pulse sequences yields critical insight into the processes that trigger electrical breakdown within thunderclouds. Accordingly, the acquisition of comprehensive measurement datasets and the development of robust models capable of characterizing PB may support the prediction of lightning flash progression and the formulation of more effective protection strategies. Within this framework, this study is intended to provide a survey of existing literature concerning PB data, examining aspects such as measurement instrumentation, recorded signals, data attributes, identification techniques, and statistical findings.