Design of lightning protection system
External lightning protection system LPS
2.1 Air-termination systems
2.1.1 General
The probability of a lightning stroke penetrating the space to be protected is
considerably
decreased by the presence of a properly designed air-termination system. .
The air-termination systems can be composed of any combination of the following
elements:
1) rods;
2) stretched wires;
3) meshed conductors.
2.1.2 Positioning
The arrangement of the air-termination system is adequate if.the requirements of
Table 1
have been fulfilled. In designing the air-termination system; the following methods
can be
used independently or in any combination:
a) protective angle;
6). rolling sphere;
c) mesh size.
2.1.3 Construction
For isolated LPS the distance between the air-termination system and any
metal installation
within the space to be protected shall be greater than the safety distance
according to Subclause 3.2.
In the case of an LPS not isolated from thespace to be protected, the air-termination
system
may be installed directly on theroof or with small spacing, providing that damage
will not be
caused by the effect of the lightning current.
2.1.4 Naturalcomponents
The following parts of a structure may be considered as natural air-termination
components :
a) metal sheets covering the space to be protected providing that:
- the electrical continuity between the various parts is made durable;
- the thickness of themetal sheetis not lessthan thevalue t given in Table 2 ifit
isnecessary
to take precautions against puncture or toconsider hot spot problems;
- the thickness of the metal sheet is not less than 0.5 mm if it is not important
toprevent
puncture of the sheeting or to consider ignition of any combustible materials
underneath;
they are notclad in insulating material;
- non-metallic materials on or above the metal sheet can beexcluded from thespace
to be
protected;
b) metal componentsof roof construction (trusses, interconnected reinforcing steel,
etc.),underneath non-metallic roofing, providing that this latter partcan bexcluded
from the spaceto be
protected;
c) metal parts such as gutters, ornamentations, railings, etc., whose cross-section is
notless than
that specified for standard air-termination components;
d ) metal pipes and tanks, providing that they are constructed of material not less
than 2.5 mm
thick, and that a dangerous or otherwise unacceptable situation will not be created
if they .
become punctured
e) metal -pipes and tanks in general, providing that they are constructed of material
whose
thickness is not less than the appropriate value oft given inTable 2 and that the
temperature
rise of the innersurface at the point ofstrike does not constitute a danger.
2.2 Down-conductor systems
2.2.1 General
In order to reduce the possibility of occurrence of dangerous sparking, the downconductors
are tobe arranged in such a way that from pointof strike to earth:
a) several parallel current paths exist;
b) the length of the current paths is kept to a minimum.
The down-conductors shall be so arranged that they become, as far as
possible, the direct
continuation of the air-termination conductors.
2.2.2 Positioning for isolated LPS
If the air-termination consists of rods on separate masts (or one mast), at
least one downconductor is needed for each mast. In the case of masts.
made of metal or interconnected
reinforcing steel, no additional down-conductor isnecessary.
If the air-termination consists of separate horizontal conductors (or one
conductor), at least
one down-conductor is needed at each conductor end.
If the air-termination forms a network of conductors, at least one downconductor is needed
for each supporting structure. .
2.2.3 Positioning for not-isolated LPS
Down-conductors are distributed around the perimeter of the space to be protected
in such a
way that the average value of the distance between them is not more than the
values indicated in
Table 3. At least two down-conductorsare necessary in all cases.
Notes 1. - The average value of thedistance between down-conductorsis correlated with
the safety distance in Subclause 3.2. If these values are greater than those specified in
Table 3, the safety distances should be considerably increased.
2. - An equal spacing of the down-conductorsis preferred around the perimeter. A downconductor should be near
to each comer of the structure where this is possible. .
..
Down-conductors shall be interconnected by means of horizontal ring
conductors near ground
level and by further rings at -20m intervals vertically. .
2.2.4 Construction
For isolated LPS, the distance between the down-conductor system and the metal
installations
of the space to be protected shall be greater than the safety distance according to
Subclause 3.2.
Down-conductors of LPS not isolated from the space to be protected may be
installed as
follows:
ifthewallis made of non-combustible material thedown-conductorsmaybepositioned
onthe
surface or in thewall;
if the wall is made of flammable material, the down-conductors can be positioned
on the
surfaceof the walls, provided that their temperature rise due to the passage of
lightningcurrent
is notdangerous for the material qf the wall;
-- if the wall is made of flammable material and the temperature rise of
down-conductors is
dangerous, the down-conductorsshall be placed in such a way that the
distance between them
and thespace to be protected is always greater than O. 1 m. Mounting
brackets made of metal
may be in contact with the wall.
2.2.6 Test joint
At the connection of the earth-termination a test joint should -be fitted on
each down conductor, except in the case of natural down-conductors.
The joint should be capable of being opened with the aid of a tool for
measuring purposes, but
normally it should be closed
2.3 Earth-termination systems
2.3.1 General
In order to disperse the lightning current into the earth without causing dangerous
overvoltages, the shape and dimensions of the earth-termination system are more
important than a
specific value of the resistance of the earth electrode. However ,in general, a low
earth resistance
is recommended.
From the viewpoint of lightning protection, a single integrated structure earthtermination
system is preferable and is suitable for all purposes (i.e. lightning protection, lowvoltage power
systems, telecommunication systems).
Earth-termination systems which must be separated for other reasons should be
connected to
the integrated one by equipotential bonding in accordance with Sub-clause 3.1.
Notes 1. - The conditions of separation and bonding of other earth-termination
systems are normally determined by the appropriate national authorities.
2. - Serious corrosion problems can occur when earthing systems utilizing different
materials are connected to
each other.
2.3.2 Earth electrodes
The followingtypes of earth electrodes shall be used: one or more ring electrodes,
vertical (or
inclied) electrodes; radial electrodes, or a foundation earthelectrode.
Plates and small earth lattice mats (mesh) are optional but shall be avoided when
possibledue
to thepossibility of corrosion, especially at the joints.
a number of properly distributed conductors is preferred to a single long
earth conductor. The
minimum lengths ofearth electrodes corresponding to protection levels
are given for various soil
resistivities in Figure 2.
2.3.3 Earthing arrangements in general conditions
For earth-termination systems, two basic types of earth electrode arrangements
apply;
2.3.3.1 Type A arrangement
This type of arrangement is composed of radial or vertical earth electrodes. Each
down conductor shall be connected to at least one separate earth electrode
composed of either a
radiating or vertical (or inclined) electrode..
The minimum numberof earth electrodes shall be two.
In low resistivity soils, the minimum lengths stated in Figure 2 may be
disregarded provided
that an earth resistance of less than 10 ohm is achieved.
2.4 Clamping and joints
2.4.1 Clamping
Air-terminations and down-conductorsshall be firmly fixed so that electrodynamic or
accidental mechanical forces (forinstance vibrations, slipping of slabs of snow, etc.)
willnot cause
conductors to break or loosen
2.4.2 Joints
The number of joints along the conductors shall be kept to a minimum. Jointsshall
be made
secure by such means as brazing, welding, crimping, screwing or bolting.
2.5 Materials-and dimensions
2.5.1 Materials
The materials used shall withstand the electric and electromagnetic
effects of the lightning
current and predictable accidental stresses without being damaged.
Material and sizes shall be chosen bearing in mind thepossibility of
corrosion either of the
structure to beprotected or of the LPS.
Components of LPS may be manufactured from the materials listed in Table 4,
provided they
have sufficient electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. Other metals may be
used if they
possess equivalent mechanical, electrical and chemical (corrosion) performances.
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2.5.2 Dimensions .
Minimum dimensions are given in Table 5.
Notes 1. - The values may be increased to overcome mechanical or corrosion problems.
2. - Further dimensions are under consideration.
Proximity of installations to LPS
In order to avoid dangerous sparking when equipotential bonding cannot be
achieved, the
separation distance, S, between the LPS and metal installations as well as that
between extraneous
conductive parts and lines shall be increased above the safety distance, d:
Design, maintenance and inspection of LPS
Design
The efficiency of LPS decreases from protection level I to protection level
IV.
Notes 1. - The efficiency of LPS for each protection level is under consideration.
2. - The appropriate protection level should be selected on the basis of the requirements of
the national authorities.
3.
- Criteria for the selection of protection levels are under consideration.
Classes of LPS and radius of the rolling sphere
The protection of buildings against lightning is described in the
IEC 62305-1 (EN 62305-1) standard.
any arrangement of objects to be investigated. A scale model
(e.g. on a scale of 1:100) of the object to be protected, which
includes the external contours and, where applicable, the airtermination systems, is required to carry
out the rolling sphere
method
The rolling sphere is now rolled around the object under examination and the contact points which
represent potential
points of strike are marked in each case. The rolling sphere is
then rolled over the object in all directions. All contact points
are marked again. All possible points of strike are thus shown
The following formula can be used to calculate the penetration
depth p of the rolling sphere when the rolling sphere rolls on
rails, for example. This can be achieved by using two spanned
wires, for example.
The height of the air-termination rods h must always be
greater than the value of the penetration depth p determined,
and hence greater than the sag of the rolling sphere. This additional height of the air-termination rod
ensures that the rolling
sphere does not touch the object to be protected.
Mesh method
A meshed air-termination system can be used universally
regardless of the height of the building and shape of the roof.
A meshed air-termination network with a mesh size according
to the class of LPS is arranged on the roofing (Table 5.1.1.3).
Protective angle method
The protective angle method is derived from the electric-geometric lightning model. The protective
angle is determined by
the radius of the rolling sphere. The protective angle, which is
comparable with the radius of the rolling sphere, is given when
a slope intersects the rolling sphere in such a way that the
resulting areas have the same size (Figure 5.1.1.11).
This method must be used for buildings with symmetrical dimensions (e.g. steep roof) or roof-mounted
structures (e.g. antennas, ventilation pipes).
Air-termination conductors, air-termination rods, masts and
wires should be arranged in such a way that all parts of the
structure to be protected are situated within the protected volume of the air-termination
system.
The protected volume can be cone-shaped or tent-shaped,
if a cable, for example, is spanned over it (Figures. 5.1.1.13
to 5.1.1.15).
If air-termination rods are installed on the surface of the roof
to protect roof-mounted structures, the protective angle can
be different. In Figure 5.1.1.16, the reference plane for protective angle 1 is the roof surface. The
protective angle 2
has the ground as its reference plane and therefore the angle
2 according to Figure 5.1.1.12 and Table 5.1.1.4 is less
than 1.
Down conductors
The down conductor is the electrically conductive connection
between the air-termination system and the earth-termination
system. The function of a down conductor is to conduct the
intercepted lightning current to the earth-termination system
without damaging the building e.g. due to intolerable temperature rises.
To avoid damage caused during the lightning current discharge
to the earth-termination system, the down conductors must be
mounted to ensure that from the point of strike to the earth,
Several parallel current paths exist,
The length of the current paths is kept as short as possible
(straight, vertical, no loops),
Determination of the number of down
conductors
The number of down conductors depends on the perimeter of
the external edges of the roof (perimeter of the projection onto
the ground surface). The down conductors must be arranged
to ensure that, starting at the corners of the structure, they are
distributed as uniformly as possible to the perimeter.
The IEC 62305-3 (EN 62305-3) standard specifies typical distances between down conductors and ring
conductors for each
class of LPS (Table 5.2.1.1).
