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LIGHTNING PROTECTION
PRINCIPLES
Dr. Asanka Rodrigo
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa
Necessity of a Lightning Protection System
The purpose of a lightning protection system is to
protect buildings and structures from lightning strikes and
possible fire, or from the consequences of the load-
independent active lightning current.
Buildings and Structures
Substation
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Introduction to Protection Methods
and Risks
The science of lightning protection is
best attributed to Benjamin
Franklin.
The story of his kite flying experiment
The first mention of the traditional
lightning rod was published by
Franklin in 1750 in Gentlemans
Magasine[sic] and then later in his
treatises on the subject published in
1751.
In this he recommends the use of lightning
rods to ... Secure houses, etc, from
lightning
Lightning Protection System (LPS)
The design of a lightning protection system
needs to:
1. Intercept lightning flash (i.e. create a
preferred point of strike)
2. Conduct the lightning current to earth
3. Dissipate current into the earth
4. Create an equipotential bond to
prevent hazardous potential
differences between LPS, structure and
internal elements/ circuit
Lightning protection system must:
Not cause thermal or mechanical damage to the structure
Not cause sparking which may cause fire or explosion
Limit step and touch voltages to control the risk of injury to occupants
Limit damage to internal electrical and electronic systems
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Damage due to Lightning
This is sub-divided into:
Damage to a structure
including all incoming electrical overhead and
buried lines connected to the structure
Damage to a service
service in this instance being part of
telecommunication, data, power, water, gas and
fuel distribution networks.
Damages:
1. Sources of damage (S) and
2. Types of damage (D) .
Sources of Damage
S1 Lightning flash to the structure
S2 Lightning flash near the structure
S3 Lightning flash to the services
S4 Lightning flash near to the services
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Types of Damage
D1 Injury of living beings (humans and animals) due
to touch and step potential
D2 Physical damage (fire, explosion, mechanical
destruction, chemical release)
D3 Failure of internal electrical/electronic systems
due to lightning electromagnetic impulse
Types of Loss
L1 Loss of human life
L2 Loss of essential service to the public
L3 Loss of cultural heritage
L4 Economic loss (structure and its contents,
service and loss of activity)
Damage and Loss in Structures
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Lightning Protection Zone (LPZ)
Lightning Protection Zone (LPZ)
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External LPS Design Considerations
An external LPS consists of:
1. Air termination system
Air rods
Catenary (or suspended) conductors
Meshed conductor network
2. Down conductor system
3. Earth termination system
Type A arrangement
Type B arrangement
Foundation earth electrodes
Position of Air Termination System
The three basic methods recommended
for determining the position of the air
termination systems:
1. The rolling sphere method
2. The protective angle method
3. The mesh method
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(1) Rolling Sphere Method
The Rolling Sphere method is a
simple means of identifying areas
that need protection, taking into
account the possibility of side
strikes to the structures.
The distance of the last step is
termed the striking distance and is
determined by the amplitude of the
lightning current.
This striking distance can be
represented by a sphere with a
radius equal to the striking
distance.
Striking Distance (Last Step)
It can be clearly seen that the corners are exposed to a
quarter of the circular path of the sphere.
This means that if the last step falls within this part of the
circular path it will terminate on the corner of the building.
Corners of structures
are vulnerable to
lightning strikes
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Application of Rolling Sphere Method
Lightning Protection Levels
In order to define lightning as a source of interference,
lightning protection levels I to IV are defined;
Max values:Design of products such as LP components
Min values:Design LP systems (eg:radius of rollingsphere)
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Maximum Values of Rolling Sphere Radius
There are different radii of the rolling sphere that
correspond to the relevant Class of LPS
(2) Protective Angle Method
The protective angle method is a mathematical
simplification of the rolling sphere method
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Application of Protection using
Angle Method
Unlike the rolling sphere, the protective angle method is
not used to determine which parts of a structure require
protection.
It is used to show the effectiveness of the designed
protection system.
Determination of Protective Angle
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(3) Mesh Method
A meshed air-termination system can be used universally
regardless of the height of the structure and shape of the roof.
This method is suitable where plain surfaces require
protection if the following conditions are met:
Air termination conductors must be
positioned at roof edges, on roof
overhangs and on the ridges of roofs
with a pitch in excess of 1 in 10
(5.7)
No metal installation protrudes
above the air termination system
LPS Design Values
Maximum values of rolling sphere radius, mesh size and
protective angle
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Air Termination System
Air rods (or finials)
Free standing masts or linked with conductors
to form a mesh on the roof.
Catenary (or suspended) conductors,
Supported by free standing masts or linked
with conductors to form a mesh on the roof.
Meshed conductor network
Lie in direct contact with the roof or be
suspended above it (in the event that it is of
paramount importance that the roof is not
exposed to a direct lightning discharge).
Types of External LPS
Isolated
Non-isolated
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Positioning of Air Termination Systems
Down Conductor System
The lightning current is shared between the down
conductors
The greater the number of down conductors, the lesser
the current that flows down each
Typical values of the
distance between
down conductors
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Natural Components
It is encouraged to use of fortuitous metal
parts on or within the structure, to be
incorporated into the LPS
If the reinforcing bars are connected for
equipotential bonding or EMC purposes then wire
lashing is deemed to be suitable.
Internal reinforcing bars are required to be
connected to external down conductors or
earthingnetwork
If the reinforcing bars (or structural steel
frames) are to be used as down conductors
then electrical continuity should be
ascertained from the air termination system
to the earthingsystem.
Earth Termination System
Effective EarthingSystem
Providing a low impedance network to dissipate the fast-rising lightning
impulse
Minimization of touch and step potential hazards
Three basic earth electrode arrangements are used.
Type A arrangement
Type B arrangement
Foundation earth
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Touch and Step Potential
Intermeshed Earth-Termination System
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The New Standards
IEC 62305:2006, BS EN 62305
Substation Lightning Protection
Lightning protection should be carried for open terminal
substations to prevent the followings:
Damage to Substation Equipment
Loss of Power to Public
Equipment in a substation may be exposed to lightning in
two ways.
By voltage and current waves travelling along the exposed lines
leading to the station.
By direct lightning strokes to the station.
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Lightning Protection
Outdoor substations and switchyards are shielded against
direct lightning strokes by:
i) Earth Wires (Shield Wires)
ii) Masts
iii) Earth wires and Masts
BOUNDARY
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Comparison of shielding according to
various methods
Shielding wires
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Shielding
Provided by
Two Equal
Height
Masts