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In experiment on magnetic dipole interacting with laser-produced plasma a generation of intense field aligned current (FAC) system was observed for the first time in a laboratory. Detailed measurements of total value and local current density, of magnetic field at the poles and in the equatorial magnetopause, and particular features of electron motion in the current channels revealed its similarity to the Region-1 current system in the Earth magnetosphere. Such currents were found to exist only if they can closer via conductive cover of the dipole.Comparison of conductive and dielectric cases revealed specific magnetic features produced by FAC and their connection with electric potential generated in the equatorial part of magnetopause. To interpret data we consider a model of electric potential generation in the boundary layer which agrees with experiment and with measurements of the Earth' transpolar potential in the absence of interplanetary magnetic field as well. Results could be of importance for investigation of the Mercury as a magnetic disturbance due to FAC could be especially large because of small size of the Hermean magnetosphere.

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