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Chapter On LP Feb. 2009-Titled PDF
Chapter On LP Feb. 2009-Titled PDF
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construction of air terminals, cable material helpful to installer and inspector
conductors, fittings, connectors, and member personnel.
fasteners used in quality lightning
protection systems. UL has inspection
personnel who visit production facilities
on a regular basis to verify compliance
for continued use of their approved
merchandise labels.
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protection systems have a remarkable
record of protecting people from
physical danger, structural damage to
buildings, and internal system equipment
failure. The value received begins with
proper design, continues through quality
installation practices, and must include
inspection and certification. The
ultimate goal is safe haven, security of
investment, and elimination of potential
system downtime in opposition to one of
nature’s most destructive events.
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lower current carrying capability and
damage. Elements of this passive mechanical strength than similar sized
grounding system always serve a similar copper products, listed and labeled
function, but the total design is specific materials for lightning protection include
for each particular structure. larger physical size parts. For example to
be considered equivalent, a minimum
Lightning protection components are size air terminal would be ½” diameter
made from materials that are resistant to in aluminum, versus 3/8” diameter in
corrosion and they must be protected copper.
from accelerated deterioration. Many
system components will be exposed to Water running off copper will oxidize
the atmosphere and climate. aluminum and galvanized surfaces, so
Combinations of materials that form coordination of system design must
electrolytic couples in the presence of include galvanic considerations for
moisture shall not be used. Current potential mounting problems. Qualified
carrying system components must be bimetallic fittings are used to coordinate
highly conductive. Prevailing site soil system components for required
conditions will impact in-ground system transitions from aluminum to copper.
components. The system life and These may include listed products for
maintenance/replacement cycle is the purpose, or in some cases stainless
dependent on material choice and the steel components. Aluminum can never
local environment. System materials come in contact with the earth or soil.
must be coordinated with the structural Aluminum should never contact alkaline
materials in use – including flashings, based paint surfaces or be embedded
copings, ventilator housings, various directly in concrete.
roofing systems – to maintain the
moisture envelope for the intended life If any product is subject to unusual
of the building. mechanical damage or displacement, it
may be protected with a molding or
covering, but care must be exercised to
allow strike terminations and other roof
mounted components to serve their
function in accepting attachments.
Lightning protection components may be
concealed within the construction below
the roof level during construction or
when accessible. The speed of lightning
current and splitting the flow among
multiple paths will not permit
components to heat to any instantaneous
ignition temperature hazardous to typical
Copper, copper alloys (including brass building materials. Incorporating the
and bronze), and aluminum are the system into the construction allows
basic system component materials. They interconnection of structural metal
serve the best combination of function framing and internal grounded systems,
for current carrying and weathering. and provides protection against
Since aluminum materials have slightly
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displacement and maintenance issues protection may serve as strike
which are beneficial in extending the life terminations. In most cases, however,
of a system. small specific purpose air terminals
constitute the majority of strike
Materials suitable for use in lightning termination systems. These unobtrusive
protection systems are listed, labeled, components are preferred for ease of
and tested according to UL Standard 96. mounting and aesthetic reasons, and can
Consideration for conductor design be coordinated into a most effective
includes maximizing surface area to configuration for all typical building
carry lightning and flexibility of the constructions.
configuration to make bends and turns
required in installation practices. Air
terminal bases efficiently accomplish the
transfer of a strike from termination
device to cable conductor and securely
mount to various building surfaces under
severe weather conditions. Splicing
fittings must maintain contact with
conductor lengths adequate to
accomplish current transfer and weather The atmosphere surrounding us is
the exposed environment. Grounding electrically charged, but free air
electrodes must provide the proper earth maintains a relatively balanced ion
contact to disperse the charge and satisfy distribution. When we raise a building
requirements for life cycle suitability in into the air, a tree or even a person to a
various soil compositions. Bonding lesser extent, we change that electrical
devices are sized to provide adequate balance. The electrical field
interconnection of systems to create accumulates to change points in the
potential equalization throughout the geometry of ground mounted objects.
structure. Items like ridges and particularly ridge
ends, edges of flat roofed buildings and
Strike Termination even more the corners become points of
accumulation for ions that increase
Strike termination devices serve the susceptibility to lightning attachments.
system function of accepting the direct A proper system of strike termination
lightning attachments. They represent devices accounts for these realities by
the umbrella against penetration of using air terminals in a configured
lightning to non-conductive building pattern designed to use the building’s
materials to guard against fire or points of natural ionic accumulation to
explosion. Any metallic body 3/16” pull lightning into the protection system.
thick or more projecting above a The taller the structure and the more
structure will accept a lightning strike severe the planar changes (like a vertical
without burning through. Therefore, in wall to a horizontal flat roof) the greater
some cases construction elements may the opportunity for attachment at these
be incorporated as strike terminations. critical junctions. Designing a system of
Tall masts or overhead ground wires air terminals projecting only 10 inches
similar to power transmission line above these structural points of emphasis
and along ridges and edges has been
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proven, in more than a century of protection of properly designed system
practice, to provide interception of some elements. This geometric model for
95% of recorded lightning flashes, protecting total structures is based on the
including the most violent. Some lower last step in the lightning attachment
potential lightning strokes could process, and again covers well over 90%
theoretically attach on flat planes away of conceivable strikes. On more critical
from strike terminations designed to the structures, like those containing
Standards, but the consequences are explosives or flammable liquids and
within acceptable limits for ordinary vapors, the model is reduced to a 100
construction. Considering the lower feet (30 meters) radius sphere that covers
energy level required for a bypass, the in excess of 98% of recorded lightning
other structural grounding components strikes.
included in a complete lightning
protection system, and the random
probability for connection with a system
component anyway, this method of
building protection is considered most
efficient.
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Conductors maximum surface area per unit weight of
conductor to accommodate lightning
The conductor system component of which travels quickly on the surface.
complete lightning protection includes This construction also allows for easier
main sized cables, the structural steel of bending and forming of the conductor
a building, and bonding or system along, around and over building
interconnection wires to internal construction elements. Exposed
grounded building systems. The main conductors are fastened at maximum
conductors perform the current carrying three feet intervals to maintain the
function from the strike termination system in place against wind and
devices to the grounding system. Main weather. All strike termination devices
cables are highly conductive copper or must be connected to the conductors
aluminum that perform well in an with a minimum of two paths to the
external environment. Lightning seeks a grounding system. Strike termination
path toward ground, so even with very devices covering various areas of a
conductive materials, the routing of structure must be interconnected to form
cables needs to be maintained in a a single system either by roof
horizontal or downward coursing. This conductors, at down conductors, or by
is similar in concept to the gravity flow interconnection of grounding system
of water on sloped flat areas to roof elements for different roof levels or
drains or in gutter to downspout systems. projections. Lightning cable conductors
Cables need to be routed using long may be concealed below or within
smooth bends of no less than 90 degrees. construction – in attics and wall spaces,
Lightning will place significant or in concrete pours – because the speed
mechanical force on cables, and sharp of lightning lowers the potential for
bends or corners can be damaged or heating of the conductors to the spark
lightning can arc over in the worst cases. ignition temperature of building
This mechanical force can be compared materials to well below damaging levels.
to sending pressurized water through a
fire hose – the conductor will try to Downleads or down conductors are the
straighten itself creating a damage elements of the main conductor system
concern for splice fittings, fasteners, or that generally bring the lightning from
the conductor itself. the roof level system to the grounding
system. This may include cable
conductor, or qualified continuous steel
framework of 3/16” thickness or
greater, or a combination. Reinforcing
steel or rebar is not acceptable as a
substitute for cable conductor, but each
cable downlead must be bonded to the
structural framing at the top and bottom
Copper and aluminum main cable of each vertical run. All strike
conductors for lightning protection are termination devices must have a
designed to a smooth weave or rope-lay minimum of two paths to ground to split
standard using smaller gauge individual the lightning along multiple paths, so the
wires. This construction allows a smallest building must have two
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downleads minimum. Downleads for lightning side-effect intrusion. Although
large buildings may be calculated at 100 cable conductors are required for
feet average intervals for the perimeter downleads in poured concrete
footprint of the building, although construction, the required bonding of the
system components for special building rebar helps create a similar network of
design elements may necessitate protection in high rise construction
additional down conductors to meet projects.
multiple path requirements. It is
important to calculate the footprint of the Grounding
protected perimeter to get the proper
distribution for downleads for ridged Properly made ground connections are
roofs which include strike terminations essential to the effective functioning of a
only on the apex. lightning protection system, as they
serve to distribute lightning into earth
ground. This does not mean that the
resistance of the ground connection must
be low, but rather that the distribution of
metal in the earth, or upon its surface in
extreme cases, shall be such as to permit
the dissipation of a lightning discharge
without causing damage.
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network laid on the surface of the rock pipe caps, etc. Grounding electrodes
surrounding the building to which the should be installed below the frost line
down conductors are connected. The where possible. The materials used for
resistance between such an arrangement grounding electrodes must be suitable to
and earth may be high, but at the same any alkaline or acid composition of soils
time, the potential distribution about the for long life.
building is substantially the same as
though it were resting on conducting soil
and the resulting protective effect is also
substantially the same. The lightning
protection grounding electrode system
serves to take the lightning into whatever
soil strata exists, and route it away from
the structure.
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protection system. It is always possible protection of service lines. Where all
to have varying resistance values for these systems are bonded to a continuous
grounding electrodes even on the same metallic water line system, only one
structure. connection is required between the
lightning protection grounding and the
water line. System interconnection may
be made at multiple points near structure
entrances for systems, or one hard
connection at a ground bar may be used.
Bringing all building grounded systems
to the same potential at grade is the first
step toward protecting internal
components and people from lightning.
It begins the bonding process against
side flashes from system components to
Since splitting the lightning along internal building systems.
multiple paths begins at the strike
termination point and follows through Potential Equalization (Bonding)
the conductor system to ground,
different resistance values of electrodes The major current carrying components
can upset this function. An in-ground of the lightning protection system were
loop solves this potential problem and described in their earliest form by
provides an extensive wire network to Benjamin Franklin. Modern techniques
enhance the grounding system. A for component manufacture and designs
ground loop is required for every incorporating the system on and in a
structure exceeding 60 feet in height. If structure have changed the system look,
an interconnecting loop cannot be but the philosophy behind strike
installed in the earth, then it may be termination, conduction, and grounding
placed within the construction to fulfill remains similar – accept the lightning
this requirement. This ground level loop and send it to ground. The most
also accommodates connection with dramatic changes involved in lightning
other building grounded systems. protection system design come from
adaptations in how we build and outfit
All grounding media in or on a structure the modern building, or what we might
shall be interconnected to provide a call the “indoor plumbing factor”. The
common ground potential using main modern building counts metallic piping
sized lightning conductor. This includes like plumbing, sewer, and gas systems,
the lightning protection grounding along with circuitry for electrical and
electrode system, electric, communication systems, which all
communication, and antenna system provide internal paths for lightning to
grounds along with metallic piping damage components and bring people
systems entering the structure like water, closer to danger.
gas and LPG lines, metal conduits, etc.
Interconnection to gas lines shall be At the inception of a lightning strike to a
made on the customer side of the meter system, there may be an immediate rise
to avoid defeating any cathodic to 1,000,000 volts at prominent
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components traveling to 0 volts at earth grounded systems creating significant
ground. Any other independently havoc.
grounded building system in close
proximity to lightning protection A complete lightning protection system
components would be at 0 volts, so the addresses this issue through bonding or
natural tendency is for some or all the the interconnection of metallic building
lightning to leave our current carrying systems with the lightning system to
system and flash over to the alternate create a common ground potential.
ground path. If the distance between When grounded systems are bonded
potential paths is short enough the arc together there is no reason for the
over or side flash may occur through air lightning to leave our designed current
or building materials, either of which carrying path because the arbitrary arc
creates the potential for fire or over points don’t exist. It is required to
explosion. interconnect every grounded building
system and continuous metallic piping
Sideflash system with the lightning protection
V An electric field can develop grounding electrode system near grade
between the conductor and level. Low profile structures may only
nearby objects, at different
electrical potential. need interconnection of systems near the
I E Vo Once the field value exceeds roof level when they are in close
a breakdown value, Ebr,
sideflash, or arcing, can proximity to lightning protection system
r
occur. components. As structures get taller, it
Air breakdown:
becomes a requirement to interconnect
Ebr ~ 1 MV/m
Vo the top of the vertical extension of each
internal grounded system with the
Since internal grounded building lightning protection roof system.
systems permeate a structure, this Finally, in high rise construction,
potential exists at roof level, on or in building grounded systems are
building walls, and even potentially interconnected at grade level, roof level,
below grade. Lightning spreads out and at intermediate levels to provide
from system grounding electrodes near sufficient potential equalization between
the earth’s surface and can return on long conductor runs to avoid arc over.
metallic pipes or other grounds back into Internal arcing between grounded
the building. Alternate paths from systems is also a function of how many
interior grounded circuitry are not paths we have from the roof lightning
designed to carry lightning current (a fire protection system to the grounding
hazard), and junctions in metallic pipes system. The more paths the more we
are not designed as current carrying split the lightning into lower voltage
devices leading to heat deformation or segments, the less potential for arc over
shock problems. Equipment within through any medium to alternate
structures, from a sink connected to both systems. Incorporating a steel
the water and sewer lines to a personal superstructure into the lightning
computer connected to both the electric protection system provides columns and
power and phone or antenna circuits, beams and intermediate connections to
become additional points for lightning maximize splitting the lightning and
current to arc between independently thus minimize difference of potential
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problems internally. Standards require
the interconnection of cable downleads Surge Protection
to reinforcing steel in poured columns at
the top and bottom of each run creating a Lightning protection systems are
similar effect, although this mechanical designed first and foremost as fire
structural system is not deemed suitable protection systems – to stop the building
for carrying lightning current by itself. from burning down and losing the
The reinforcing steel, grounded internal people and equipment inside. Bringing
systems and lightning protection must metallic services into a structure
also be interconnected at 200 feet provides paths for lightning to follow
vertical intervals to maintain potential from the outside environment to create
equalization. hazards within. We bond or
interconnect grounds and pipes to the
Bonding together of grounded systems lightning protection system to avoid a
is typically accomplished with smaller portion of this problem. The next step is
fittings and cables or wire runs on roof to provide protection on circuits
areas of structures. Interconnection for associated with electrical,
potential equalization is simply not the communication, and/or data lines that
same as providing current carrying can transmit lightning into a structure.
capability. However in many cases it is The severest problems are associated
easier to use full size system components with utility service lines that are
because designs place them close to extensive systems, either pole mounted
desired bonding points. When we bond or buried, that can transmit additional
within construction or below grade it is strikes to the building. A complete
more typical to use full size components lightning protection system according to
mainly for a more robust mechanical the Standards includes surge protection
strength against construction realities. devices at every entrance of building
At grade level it may be common service conductors, whether they are
practice in some jurisdictions to make utility or possibly structure-mounted like
connection of all grounded building an antenna system.
systems to the metallic water line. One
connection between the lightning
protection system and the water system
would then create the grade level
potential equalization without running to
each individual ground or pipe. A
ground bar could be added at any level
to create a single connection point
between all building grounded systems.
Extension of the lightning protection
system to include alternate grounded
system treatment for any structure is a
critical element based on the individual
design of the building for the occupancy Surge protection devices for building
and processes specific to its intended entrances are designed to “ride” the line,
use. sense overvoltage problems, and send
excessive energy directly to ground.
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SPDs designed for lightning surges must against destruction of the building.
react quickly to the onset of the sharply Internal to every modern structure, we
rising waveform and be able to sustain have a variety of devices that operate at
the ground connection through the low voltages including circuit boards
severe overvoltage incident, then reset to truly not designed to operate at the 150%
their monitoring role. Most devices let-through level of entrance only SPDs.
have two or more internal elements to How Surge Occurs
accomplish the task, and react at
Current flow through an
something around 150% of the standard V
impedance leads to a voltage.
operating voltage of the system. SPD An electric field (E) will
develop.
elements can be thought of as self-
A magnetic field (B) will
sacrificial and may burn out over time I B develop.
protecting against a multitude of small Coupling (capacitive &
inductive) can occur through
surges (like standard switching surges these fields.
from power transmission) or a few
massive surges like direct lightning Vo
attachments. Therefore it is important to
have SPDs accessible for view or to There are also inductive effects possible
have indicator lights or other identifiers to internal wiring and equipment with
to know your protection continues as even a well designed lightning
designed. Since service entrances for protection system. The current of a
various systems operate at different massive direct lightning strike to a
voltages, SPD components must be structure creates a magnetic field
individually sized for each system and extending from the conductors, so any
are generally packaged individually to alternate circuit proximate may
address specific functions, but if services experience some added voltage through
enter a utility room for distribution induction. Although the lightning
throughout the building in a common protection Standards and the National
area an SPD may be designed to serve Electrical Code only discuss surge
several functions in one housing. Since protection on internal equipment as
adding ground path length only serves to optional, this may be a critical protection
slow the reaction time of SPD need for the owner. Protection of
components, the SPD device should be audio/video components,
connected as directly to the grounding communications systems, computer
system as possible always with equipment and/or process machinery
minimum lead length. may be of great importance to the
quality of the establishment, continuity
Properly installed surge protection of business without interruption, and the
devices at all entrances on circuit physical protection of equipment users.
conductor feeders protect a massive SPDs installed at utilization equipment
entrance of lightning to the structure should provide protection for all circuits
saving wiring from burning and feeding the device to provide a common
generally protecting items such as large ground point. Since systems of
motors, light fixtures, and other robust utilization equipment are generally
utilization equipment. This is the specific for the facility, an individualized
specific Standards requirement – protect assessment will normally be needed to
determine cost effective solutions.
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weathering and abuse. The grounding
electrode system may be protected from
atmospheric conditions of weathering,
but is subject to potential degradation
from soil compositions and moisture. A
proper initial installation might be
expected to provide protection forever or
at least for the reasonable useful life of a
When surge protection devices send particular building.
energy to the ground system this
instantaneous connection of all wiring There are additional realities of
systems functions to provide potential construction, our use of buildings, and
equalization for those metallic systems, even unknowns in local conditions that
just as bonding between the lightning require consideration of maintenance
protection system components and for the lightning protection system. A
alternate building system grounds passive grounding system like lightning
provides common interconnection. protection is not easily assessed by
Advances in technology continue to laymen – you can’t flip a switch or turn
change the environment of structures on a faucet to see if it is in working
where we live, work, and enjoy condition.
entertainment. The application of SPDs
along with the current carrying
components and interconnection of
grounded building systems provides the
complete package for a full lightning
protection system to protect structure,
people, and equipment within.
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also possible that a neighboring process A complete testing inspection would
stack will emit a substance carried by the include the visual checks along with
wind toward your system components continuity testing to verify system
that works to degrade materials at a effectiveness from roof to grade, and
much faster than expected rate. Any and ground testing to validate the concealed
all of these items call for periodic underground electrodes function. A
inspection and maintenance to assure the quality assurance program designed for
system is functional when placed under maintenance of your lightning protection
lightning strike conditions, but it system will eliminate surprises that
certainly could be ignored with serious could lead to disastrous consequences.
unintended consequences.
The implementation of a lightning
A program of inspection and possible protection system includes some art,
maintenance should be implemented to science, craftsmanship, and
assure continued effectiveness of the technological intuition. This is a
system on the structure. A visual specialized industry with its own
inspection can be accomplished yearly Standards designed purpose specific to
using a checklist and modest training deal with nature’s great random
from your lightning protection provider destroyer. As in any endeavor the
to account for any minor repairs like background, training, and certification of
loose fittings, improper anchoring, the individuals involved in the design,
damage to exposed cables, replacement installation, and inspection of a complete
of removed hardware, or damage to lightning protection system determines
surge protection devices. This could be the ultimate quality. The Lightning
done by a regular building maintenance Protection Institute focuses our efforts
technician or even the building owner to educate professionals, owners, users,
with some guidance. If a lightning and the general public on safe and
protection professional is not used for effective lightning protection and
every yearly inspection, then at five year provides quality resources through our
intervals it would be important to have a membership to accomplish this
“testing” inspection by bringing in a important service for the entire
knowledgeable individual – inspector or construction industry.
installer – for a more thorough
examination.
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