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Chapter 6
Lightning Protection
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Overview
Characteristics of Lightning
Principles of Protection
Precautions for Personnel
Precautions for Electronic Equipment
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Characteristics of Lightning
Static Electricity
Ultra-High Voltage Generation
The Discharge
Surface Dispersion
Basic Laws of Electricity
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Lightning
Static Electricity
Separation and storage of electrical charge
A spark is an extremely small lightning discharge


Ultra-High Voltage Generation
Surface of earth is normally negatively charged
Top of storm clouds are positively charged
Forces nearby earth to become positively charged
Develops a multimillion-volt potential
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The Discharge
Clouds send negative charged leaders down

Earth sends positive leaders up
From grounded sharp metal objects

Conducting path when leaders meet
Unidirectional (DC) current flow
Voltage potential 100 to 1,000 million volts
Current range 10,000 to 200,000 amperes
Duration from 1 microsecond to 1 second
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Anatomy of a Lightning Stroke
Electrons begin
zigzagging
downward in a
forked pattern.
This is the
stepped leader.

As the stepped leader
nears the ground, it
draws a streamer of
positive charge upward.

As the leader and
streamer come together,
a powerful electrical
current begins flowing.

Current begins
the return stroke,
an intense wave
of positive
charge traveling
upward about
60,000 miles per
second.
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Surface Dispersion
Surface dispersion
Main portion of lightning bolt penetrates earth
Spurs find far-reaching paths along surface

Surface dispersion is deadly
Stay out of the water
Keep away from trees
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Basic Laws or Electricity
Lightning creates magnetically induced
current in all metal items within its
influence
The longer the wire, greater the current
The closer the strike, greater the current

Any impedance to current flow results in
Build up of high voltage at that location
Resulting in arc-over to reach ground
Ignites flammable material
Vaporizes metal of insufficient cross-section
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Principles of Protection
Cone of Protection
Lightning Protection System
Power Boat Applications
Sail Boat Applications
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Cone of Protection
Lightning rod protects areas within its cone
60 degree cone is 99% effective
45 degree cone is 99.9% effective
Less current flow from sharp pointed tip
More current flow from blunt or ball tip
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Lightning Protection System
Air Terminal
Discharge Conductor
Water Terminal
Bonding
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Air Terminal
Also known as a Lightning Rod
Traditionally inch copper rod
With sharpened point
Six inches above object to be protected
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Discharge Conductor
Not less than #4 AWG
Uninsulated stranded copper wire

Straight from Air Terminal to Water Terminal
No sharp bends (bend radius of 1 foot)
Should be run outside of hull
Electrical wiring should be at right angles
#4
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Water Terminal
Also known as a Ground Plate
External to hull
Sailboats use metal keel
Area of one square foot
Not painted
No water film between plate and hull
Use bedding compound
Size: 18 x 6 x
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Bonding (Chapter 2)
Bonding is also for Lightning Protection
Purpose keep all metal surfaces at zero potential
To prevent electrical shock
To prevent stray current corrosion
To prevent induced potential from lightning strike

Bonding conductor
Cross section of #6 AWG
Strap not less than #20 gauge (0.032 inch thick)
Normally #6 bare copper wire
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Powerboat Application
Fiberglass antennas provide NO protection

Add lightning rod on other side for protection
e.g. grounded metal whip antenna

Ground the signal mast or Tuna Tower

Need a ground plate

Stay within the cone of protection
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Powerboat Application
Grounded metal whip provides protection
Grounded HF whip antenna with loading coil
No protection above loading coil
Unless loading coil bypassed with large conductor
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Sailboat Application
Metal masts are grounded (bonded)
Add discharge conductor to wood mast
Shrouds and stays grounded
Keel is ground plate
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Precautions for Personnel
Remain inside the boat
Trust lightning protection system

Stay Out of the Water
Surface dispersion

Avoid contact with metal surfaces
Induced voltage

Handle only one metal control at a time
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Precautions for Electronics
Before a lightning storm

After a lightning strike
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Before Lightning Storm
Put a loop in cables
Signal
Power

Disconnect ALL unnecessary equipment
before, NOT DURING a lightning storm
All entertainment equipment
Redundant communications and navigation
equipment
Disconnect power cables, if accessible
Disconnect and ground antennas

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Before Lightning Storm 2
If underway, keep operational
One VHF radio
One GPS / chart plotter
Radar, if so equipped

Handhelds stored below


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After Direct Lightning Strike
First, check crew CPR Required?
Next, check hull repair any new leaks
Then check navigation & safety equipment
Radios with test call, or with handheld
Magnetic compass
Verify with GPS
Deviation table may no longer be accurate

If fixed VHF Radio or GPS inoperative
Go to backup handheld unit
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Summary
Tremendous energy in lightning strike
Lightning protection
Based on cone of protection
Components
Air terminal
Discharge conductor (#4 AWG stranded)
Water terminal (1 sq ft)
Bond all metal above deck
Before lightning storm
Disconnect all unnecessary equipment
After lightning strike
First check people
Then hull
May have to go to backup electronics