Ever wondered how lightning strikes can result in tremendous destruction and loss of lives? The electrical energy released by lightning discharges ranges from several thousand to over 200,000 amps. Surprisingly, it is enough to power 500,000 100-watt bulbs. Thus, it has the capability to harm the occupants of a building and ruin the equipment stored in workplaces. Moreover, those who overlook the significance of these systems may encounter great financial distress.
To protect their property or residence from the severe effects of lightning, owners utilize lightning protection in the UK with the aid of professional lightning protection companies. It works by drawing the lightning strike to a special conductor such as steel. Then, it safely distributes the currents to the surface of the ground. Additionally, it mainly protects the structure from fire, mechanical damage, and people from injuries.
How Does a Lightning Protection System Work?
Millions of structures are subjected to the harm caused by lightning strikes every year worldwide. This has resulted in a need to include high-end lightning protection systems in all architectural designs, especially in commercial areas.
An effective grounding network creates a low-resistance link for electric currents to flow through. This way offers a low-impedance path for potential lightning strikes to travel to the ground through grounding electrodes, connecting conductors, and air terminals. The whole system is then tested to verify that all components are operating optimally. Moreover, you can better understand how the system performs with the aid of a test.
Expert technicians and engineers with an in-depth understanding of these systems conduct all installation-related tasks. They have the equipment needed for installation and further testing procedures. Thus, you must consider a few factors, such as experience, credibility, customer feedback, etc., while selecting a lightning protection company.
5 Components of a Lightning Protection System
Lightning is an inevitable natural occurrence. Therefore, when developing the protection system, it is essential to analyze the characteristics and qualities of lightning. There are several prerequisites for each application, and it determines the kind of system needed. However, five crucial components are always used in a lightning protection system. These are:
Strike Termination
Strike termination devices include air terminals, metal masts, permanent metal parts of structures, and ground wires. It is mounted on the roof of a building to discharge the electric charges. So, it is responsible for redirecting the lightning into the conductor subsystem in a controllable manner.
Following the standards, they must be installed at the highest points of the structure. Also, they should always be placed at regular intervals, not to exceed 20 to 25 feet along ridges and roof perimeters and at roof corners. In addition, it must be noted that tall buildings require strike termination devices on the field of the roof as well.
Conductor
Conductors connect the various parts of the roof network of a lightning protection system while also providing several routes for the thunder strike to move. They are durable multi-strand cables made of braided or wrapped wires made of aluminum, copper, or tinned copper. For some applications, solid metal rods and flat metal strips are also utilized.
The lightning conductor and rods must be routed as directly as possible from the roof to the ground without doing uphill climbs or having severe bends. Their primary function is to provide lightning with a low resistance path so that it can smash to the ground without damaging the property.
Further, installing them directly in contact with wood and other flammable materials is safe.
Bonding Connections
The parts of a structure that might be electrically energized during a lightning event are connected to the system using a variety of bonding connectors. The fittings are perfectly suitable regardless of the diverse sizes and shapes.
All metallic components are connected to the system using these connections. For instance, you must determine that the roof drains, ladders, barriers, gutters, soil vents, door tracks, and other parts of the building are attached to the system.
These links allow the lightning current to pass through the structure without interruption. Also, it prevents arcing or side flashing, which can cause huge damage to the structure. Some common examples include:
- Bonding plates
- Bonding lugs
- Pipe clamps
Moreover, it is important to ensure that the electrical potential of metallic bodies rises and falls evenly on all sections of the property during lightning.
Grounding System
Lightning grounding systems are usually drilled 10 feet vertically into the earth. There must be a separate ground termination point for each down conductor. The dimensions and build of a structure's boundary demarcate the position of the termination. Special accommodations are required for shallow or rocky terrain or projects like tanks, towers, or watercraft.
Additionally, they are often made of copper or copper-clad steel, as the usage of the aluminum inside the ground is not permitted. A loop of lightning conductor cable around the building's perimeter or buried copper plates can be used as an alternative.
All other building ground systems, such as those used for phones, electricity, and electronic communications, must be linked to the lightning protection grounds.
Surge Protection
The defense offered against the damage caused to electrical devices and systems from high voltage peaks brought on by lightning strikes is called surge protection. The surge protection devices are used to save electrical installation from electrical power surges known as transient overvoltages. Moreover, they prevent excess current from passing through electronic equipment by diverting them into grounding wire. Your gadgets will also be guarded against power surges, brownouts, and spikes that can happen during thunderstorms and lightning.
In many cases, it may need to be particularly designed for the electrical devices inside a structure. Lightning arrestors, plug-in surge protectors, and transient voltage surge suppressors (TVSS) on secondary panels can be used. Hiring lightning protection companies to develop a full surge protection system for your workplace or house is essential. This is because the setup might consist of complicated electronic devices that an expert can only handle.
Final Thoughts
Each component of a lightning protection system plays a significant function in guaranteeing the safety of a property. It consists of an easy-to-install configuration to secure various facilities, including commercial, governmental, and industrial corporations. It is intended to divert the lightning strike in a sophisticated manner to the ground termination network, shielding the structure's fabric and the lives of everyone inside.
South West Lightning Protection offers lightning protection in the UK made of advanced technological components. Also, we are considered one of the best lightning protection companies with outstanding expertise and extensive experience in this field.
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