AIR TERMINALS AND ACCESSORIES

> GUIDE FOR DESIGN AND INSTALLATION USING RODS AND MESHED CONDUCTORS > GUIDE FOR DESIGN AND INSTALLATION USING RODS AND MESHED CONDUCTORS

Lightning protection using rods and meshed conductors > ROLLING SPHERE METHOD > MESH METHOD > RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
is intended to share and dissipate the lightning current
This method is based on an electrogeometric model that assumes that the last step According to this method, conductors forming a mesh should be placed
through a network of down-conductors and earth
of the downward leader can propagate in any direction. The model represents this on the structure. The separation depends on the protection level: DENOMINATION REF. TABLE
terminations.
with a sphere (of different radius depending on the required protection level) whose
The elements of a lightning protection system using centre is the end of the lightning downward leader. This sphere is rolled along the Franklin air rod AT-008A 5
rods and meshed conductors are as follows: external surface of the structure to be protected, so that the points in contact with
the sphere are susceptible to get a lightning strike. Franklin air rod base AT-116B 17
Distance
> EXTERNAL LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM Protection between
w
According to the Standard IEC 62305-3, w Self-supporting Franklin air rod AT-104A 10
impact area level down-
• Simple rods and/or meshed conductors the rolling sphere radius depends on the conductors
Expansion unit AT-012G 108
protection level: I 5m 10 m
• Down-conductors
Roof conductor holder AT-041E 66
II 10 m 10 m
• Earth Termination System • Protection level I: D = 20 m
D III 15 m 15 m Clamp AT-039F 88
• Protection level II D = 30 m D
IV 20 m 20 m
• Protection level III D = 45 m Conductor AT-057D 123
> INTERNAL LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM D

• Protection level IV D = 60 m
• A suitable surge protection installation. INTERCEPTION
• Other measures minimizing the destructive effects of
lightning (equipotential bonding, screening etc.). 1 The mesh should be applied to For buildings higher than 60 m,
the edges, overhangs and roof a level IV mesh should also
area perimeter, following the cover the upper 20% of the
described methods. outer walls.
The installation of a lightning protection system using
rods and meshed conductors must follow the standards
4
IEC62305 on Lightning Protection:
1
The volume protected by the air terminals can be
determined using 3 methods: DOWN-CONDUCTORS DENOMINATION REF. TABLE

Clip AT-240E 46
> ANGLE METHOD 2 Down-conductors should 4 For longer conductors, it
provide several parallel paths to is recommended to install Rainwater pipe bond AT-025J 87
According to this method, the protection volume is given by distribute the lightning current. expansion joints every 20 m.
a line starting at the air terminal, the angle of which depends Clamp AT-039F 88
The length of the current paths
on the height and the protection level, according to the 2
to the earthing system should be Bimetallic connector AT-094F 103
following graph:
as short and direct as possible.
A guard tube should be installed Guard tube AT-060G 107
To minimize the risk of 5
dangerous sparks, down- for each down-conductor,
Joint protection AT-060G 107
conductors should be covering at least 2 m from
connected to the grounded the floor, in order to avoid
3 Conductor AT-057D 123
metal parts of the structure if mechanical damages.
the distance between them
is shorter than the safety 6 Each down-conductor must
5
separation distance as defined be connected to the earthing
in the regulations. system. Equipotential bonding is
recommended for all the down-
6 3 The conductors should be conductors at ground level every
Protection level fixed to the structure once 20 m.
every metre.

EARTHING DENOMINATION REF. TABLE

The recommended configuration Aluminium conductors or fittings Earth electrode AT-041H 135
7 10
Franklin rods should be placed on the higher and most for the earthing system is a ring must not be used directly with
Clamp AT-020F 90
vulnerable places (corners, overhangs, etc.), as shown in the bonding all down-conductors. the earth.
figure: A disconnecting sleeve should Direct connections between Ground enhancing product AT-010L 145
be installed in each down- copper and aluminium conductors
9 8 conductor for measuring earth Earth pit AT-010H 144
or copper and galvanized steel
resistance separated from other conductors are not recommended
conductive elements. in order to avoid corrosion. Bimetal Bonding bar AT-020H 148
10 8 It is recommended that the or stainless steel clamps should
Earth clamp AT-090H 158
earthing resistance is less be used for these connections.
than 10 Ω. Conductor AT-011D 120
9 Earth conductors should be buried
at a depth of at least 50 cm.

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