PROTECTION AGAINST

LIGHTNING
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 General Principles
✓ Characterization of the Lightning Wave & Lightning Electromagnetic Impulse (LEMP)
✓ Sources of Damage vs Types of Damage vs Types of Loss to a structure.
✓ Lightning Protection Level (LPL).
✓ Lightning Protection System (LPS) Design Methodology.

Risk Assessment Calculation

✓ Risk and Risk Components.
✓ Main Consideration Parameters (For Strike Risk Software).
✓ Manual Calculations Steps.

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

✓ Air Termination System & Roof Equipment Protection
✓ Down Conductors System.
✓ Earth termination System.

Session Internal Lightning Protection (Out of Scope)

Content
 References

IEC-EN 62305-1:2010: General principles

IEC-EN 62305-2:2010: Risk management
IEC-EN 62305-3:2010: Physical damage to structures and life hazard
IEC-EN 62305-4:2010: Electrical and electronic systems within structures

FURSE- A Guide to BS EN 62305 3rd edition Protection Against Lightning.

1.
General Principles
Characterization of the Lightning Wave

Lightning Waves (Surges)

Transient wave appearing as overvoltage and/or overcurrent caused by lightning
electromagnetic impulse (LEMP).

The over voltages created by lightning strokes are characterized by a 1.2/50 μs

voltage wave.

General Principles
 Characterization of the Lightning Wave

Lightning Waves (Surges)

Also, 2 types of current wave are considered
a) 10/350 μs wave: to characterize the current waves from a direct lightning stroke.
b) 8/20 μs wave: to characterize the current waves from an indirect lightning stroke.

General Principles
Lightning Electromagnetic Impulse (LEMP)

Lightning Electromagnetic Impulse (LEMP)

All electromagnetic effects of lightning current via resistive and inductive coupling
which creates surges and electromagnetic fields.

Indirect lightning strike Cloud to cloud discharge

resistive coupling inductive coupling
General Principles
Sources of Damage

The following situations shall be taken into account, depending on the

position of the point of strike relative to the structure considered:

S1: Flashes to the structure;

S2: Flashes near the structure;
S3: Flashes to the lines connected to the structure;
S4: Flashes near the lines connected to the structure.

General Principles
Sources of Damage

S1: Flashes to the structure.

General Principles
Sources of Damage

S2: Flashes near the structure.

General Principles
Sources of Damage

S3: Flashes to the lines connected to the structure.

General Principles
Sources of Damage

S4: Flashes near the lines connected to the structure

General Principles
Type of Damage

If the structure is subjected to any one of the previous sources of damage

illustrated, the lightning can cause three basic type of damage:

➢ D1: injury to living beings by electric shock.

➢ D2: physical damage (fire, explosion, mechanical destruction, chemical release)

due to lightning current effects, including sparking.

➢ D3: failure of internal systems due to LEMP.

General Principles
Types of Loss due to Damage

The following types of loss, which may appear as consequence of

damages relevant to structure, are considered:

➢ L1: loss of human life (including permanent injury).

➢ L2: loss of service to the public.

➢ L3: loss of cultural heritage.

➢ L4: loss of economic value.

General Principles
Sources of Damage vs
Types of Damage vs Types of Loss

General Principles
Lightning Protection system (LPS)
Design Methodology
Risk
Assessment Class of LPS
Calculation

Air Termination System

External Lightning
Down Conductor System
Protection
(Structure) Earth Termination System

Internal Lightning
Protection LPZs, SPDs and SPDs Coordination
(Equipment)

General Principles
2.
Risk Assessment
Calculation
Risk and Risk Components

The risk R is the value of a probable average annual loss. For each type of loss
which may appear in a structure or in a service, the relevant risk shall be evaluated.
The risks to be evaluated in a structure may be as follows:
➢ R1: risk of loss of human life.
➢ R2: risk of loss of service to the public.
➢ R3: risk of loss of cultural heritage.
➢ R4: risk of loss of economic value

Risk Assessment Calculation

Risk and Risk Components

Each risk, R, is the sum of its risk components. When calculating a risk, the risk
components may be grouped according to the source of damage and the type of
damage.
RX Source of damage. Type of damage
RA Flashes to the structure (S1) D1
RB Flashes to the structure (S1) D2
RC Flashes to the structure (S1) D3
RM Flashes near the structure (S2) D3
RU Flashes to a service connected to the structure (S3) D1
RV Flashes to a service connected to the structure (S3) D2
RW Flashes to a service connected to the structure (S3) D3
RZ Flashes near a service connected to the structure (S4) D3
Risk Assessment Calculation
Risk and Risk Components

Risk Assessment Calculation

Risk and Risk Components

Risk Assessment Calculation

 Risk and Risk Components

(* (* (* (*
R1 = RA + RB + RC + RM + RU + RV + RW + RZ

R2 = RB + RC+ RM+ RV + RW+ RZ

R3 = RB + RV

(*) Only for structures with risk of explosion and for hospitals with life-saving
electrical equipment or other structures when failure of internal systems
immediately endangers human life.
Types of loss RT
As per IEC 62305-2 , the typical Loss of human life or permanent injuries 1x10-5
values of tolerable risk RT are Loss of service to the public 1x10-3
Loss of cultural heritage 1x10-4

Risk Assessment Calculation

 Risk and Risk Components

Identify the structure For each loss, identify and calculate the risk
to be protected components Rx (RA RB RC RM RU RV RW RZ)
that makes up risk Rn

Calculate
Identify the types of loss relevant to the Rn = ΣRx
structure to be protected Rn
R1: risk of loss of human life
R2: risk of loss of services to the public Install further protective
R3: risk of loss of cultural heritage NO
Rn ≤ RT measures in order to
reduce Rn

YES
Identify the tolerable level
of risk for each loss RT
Structure is sufficiently protected
against this type of loss
Risk Assessment Calculation
Manual Calculations Steps:
Calculation of the risk components factors

RX Source of damage. Type of damage

RA = ND × PA × LA S1 D1
RB = ND × PB × LB S1 D2
RC = ND × PC × LC S1 D3
RM = NM × PM× LM S2 D3
RU = (NL + NDJ )× PU × LU S3 D1
RV = (NL + NDJ ) × PV × LV S3 D2
RW = (NL + NDJ )× PW × LW S3 D3
RZ = NI × PC × LC S4 D3

Risk Assessment Calculation

 Manual Calculations Steps:
Calculation of the risk components factors
Probability that a flash near the structure will cause
Average annual number of dangerous
events due to flashes PM failure of internal systems
ND to the structure Probability that a flash to a line will cause
NM near the structure PU injury to living beings by electric shock

NL to a line entering the structure PV physical damage

NI near a line entering the structure PW failure of internal systems

NDJ to the adjacent structure Probability that a flash near a line will cause
Probability that a flash to the structure PZ failure of internal systems
will cause
Loss due to
PA injury to living beings by electric shock
LA = LU injury to living beings by electric shock
PB physical damage
LB = LV physical damage
PC failure of internal systems
LC = LM = LW = LZ failure of internal systems
Risk Assessment Calculation
 Manual Calculations Steps:
Calculation of Average annual number of dangerous events
ND = NG x AD x CD x 10-6 AD = LxW+6H(L+W)+9πH2
NDJ = NG × ADJ × CDJ x CT x 10-6 ADJ = LJ +6HJ (LJ+WJ)+9πHJ2
NM= NG x AM x 10-6 AM= 2 x 500 x (L+W) + π(500)2
NL= NG x AL x CI x CE x CT x 10-6 AL= 40 LL
NI = NG x AI x CI x CE x CT x 10-6 AI = 4000 LL
NG is the number of lightning flashes per km2 per year NG ≈ 0.1 TD
TD is the thunderstorm days per year (from World Thunderstorm days map).
AD is the collection area of the structure (m2)
ADJ is the collection area of the adjacent structure (m2)
AM is the collection area of flashes striking near the structure (m2)
AL is the collection area of flashes striking the line (m2)
AI is the collection area of flashes to ground near the line (m2)
L,W,H, LJ , WJ ,HJ are the structure & the adjacent structure dimensions respectively (m)
LL is the length of the line section (1000 m is to be assumed when the length is unknown.
Risk Assessment Calculation
Manual Calculations Steps:
Calculation of Average annual number of dangerous events
CD is the location factor of the structure.
CDJ is the location factor of the adjacent structure.

CT is the correction factor for HV/LV transformer.

Risk Assessment Calculation

Manual Calculations Steps:
Calculation of Average annual number of dangerous events
CI is the line installation factor.

CE is the environmental factor .

Risk Assessment Calculation

Manual Calculations Steps:
Calculation of Average annual number of dangerous events

World Thunderstorm days map

Risk Assessment Calculation
Manual Calculations Steps:
Calculation of Probability PA that a flash to the structure will cause
injury to living beings by electric shock

PA = PTA x PB
PTA depends on additional
protection measures
against touch and step
voltages,

PB depends on the lightning

protection level (LPL)

Risk Assessment Calculation

 Manual Calculations Steps:
Calculation of Probability that a flash to the structure
probability Pu that a flash to a line will cause injury to living beings by electric shock
PU = PTU x PEB x PLD x CLD
probability Pv that a flash to a line will cause physical damage
PV = PEB x PLD x CLD

Risk Assessment Calculation

Manual Calculations Steps:
Calculation of Probability that a flash to the structure

Risk Assessment Calculation

 Manual Calculations Steps:
Assessment of amount of loss L1

LA = LU = rt x LT x (nz / nt) x (tz / 8760)

LB = LV = rp x rf x hz x Lf x (nz / nt ) x (tz / 8760)

nz is the number of persons in

the zone impulse.

nt is the total number of persons

in the structure.

tz is the time in hours per year

for which the persons are
present in the zone.
Risk Assessment Calculation
Manual Calculations Steps:
Assessment of amount of loss L1

Risk Assessment Calculation

Manual Calculations Steps:
Assessment of amount of loss L1

Risk Assessment Calculation

 Risk and Risk Components

Identify the structure For each loss, identify and calculate the risk
to be protected components Rx (RA RB RC RM RU RV RW RZ)
that makes up risk Rn

Calculate
Identify the types of loss relevant to the Rn = ΣRx
structure to be protected Rn
R1: risk of loss of human life
R2: risk of loss of services to the public Install further protective
R3: risk of loss of cultural heritage NO
Rn ≤ RT measures in order to
reduce Rn

YES
Identify the tolerable level
of risk for each loss RT
Structure is sufficiently protected
against this type of loss
Risk Assessment Calculation
3.
External Lightning
Protection (Structure)
External Lightning Protection (Structure)

➢ Application of an external LPS:

The external LPS is intended to resist direct lightning flashes to the structure,
including flashes to the side of the structure, and conduct the lightning current from
the point of strike to ground. The external LPS is also intended to disperse this current
into the earth without causing thermal or mechanical damage, or dangerous sparking
which may cause fire or explosions.

➢ Extrenal Lightning Protection System:

✓ Air termination system;
✓ Down conductor system and
✓ An earth termination system.
Typically these parts are outside the structure.

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Air Termination System

Air-termination components installed on a structure shall be located at corners,

exposed points and edges (especially on the upper level of any facades) in
accordance with one or more of the following methods.
✓ The rolling sphere method (vertical air termination)
✓ The mesh method (horizontal air termination)
✓ The protection angle method (vertical air termination)

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Air Termination System
The values for the protection angle, rolling sphere radius and mesh size for each
class of LPS are given in the table.
Protection method
LPL Class of
LPS Rolling sphere Mesh size wm Protection angle
radius r (m) (m) α°
I I 20 5x5 See the figure or
the simplified
II II 30 10x10 table shown in
the concerned
III III 45 15x15
slides.
IV IV 60 20x20

✓ The rolling sphere method is suitable in all cases.

✓ The protection angle method is suitable for simple shaped buildings.
✓ The mesh method is a suitable form for plane surfaces are to be protected.
External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Air Termination System

Rolling Sphere Method:

Air rods or free standing masts can be used to keep the rolling sphere away from the
structure to be protected. If correctly dimensioned, air rods will ensure that the sphere
does not come into contact with any part of the structure’s roof.

View on arrow B View on arrow A

External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Air Termination System

Rolling Sphere Method:

❖ The minimum values of lightning current amplitude for the different LPL are used
to derive the rolling sphere radius, that can expressed by r = 10 × I 0.65
Where: r = radius of rolling sphere (m)
I = minimum peak current (kA

LPL I II III IV

Minimum Current (KA) 3 5 10 16

Calculated radius of
rolling sphere (m) 20.42 28.46 44.67 60.63

Adopted radius
of rolling sphere (m) 20 30 45 60

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Air Termination System
Protective angle Method:

h1 physical height of an air-termination

rod
α1 The protection angle corresponds to
the air-termination height h1
α2 The protection angle corresponds to
the air-termination height h2

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Air Termination System
Protective angle Method:

Key
1 air-termination rod 2 protected structure
3 assumed reference plane α protection angle
External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Air Termination System
Protective angle Method:

Simple determination of the protective angle

External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Air Termination System
Protective angle Method:

Simple determination of the protective angle

External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Air Termination System
Protective angle Method:

Simple determination of the protective angle

External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Air Termination System
Mesh Method:
This is the method that is most commonly used. Four different air termination mesh
sizes are defined and correspond to the relevant Class of LPS.

LPL Class of Mesh size

LPS wm (m)
I I 5x5
II II 10 x 10
III III 15 x 15
IV IV 20 x 20

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Air Termination System
Mesh Method:

This method is suitable where plain surfaces require protection if the following
conditions are met:
✓ Air termination conductors must be positioned at roof edge.
✓ No metal installation protrudes above the air termination system.

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Air Termination System
Combination protection Method:

The protection angle method is most commonly used to supplement the mesh
method, providing protection to items protruding from the plane surface.

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Air Termination System
Mesh Method:
On structures taller than 60 m, flashes to the side may occur, especially to points,
corners and edges of surfaces.

An air-termination system shall

be installed to protect the upper
part of tall structures
(i.e. Typically the topmost 20 %
of the height of the structure)

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Roof Equipment Protection
(Rolling Sphere Method)

Roof equipment protection

External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Roof Equipment Protection
(Rolling Sphere Method)
Rolling Sphere Method:
When dimensioning the air-termination system for a structure, or a structure mounted
on the roof, the sag of the rolling sphere is decisive. the penetration distance ρ of the
rolling sphere below the level of the conductors in the space between the conductors
may be calculated: ρ = r – [r2 – (d / 2)2]1/2
where, r : Radius of the rolling sphere
d : Distance between two air-termination rods

The height of the air-termination rods h should always be greater than the value of the
penetration depth ρ determined, and hence greater than the sag of the rolling sphere.
This additional height of the air-termination rod ensures that the rolling sphere does
not touch the structure to be protected.

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Roof Equipment Protection
(Rolling Sphere Method)
Rolling Sphere Method:

Simple table for

determination of sag of
the rolling sphere over
two air-termination
rods the protective
angle
the penetration distance
(ρ)

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Roof Equipment Protection
(Protective angle Method)

Roof equipment protection

External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Roof Equipment Protection
(Rolling Sphere Method or Protective angle Method)
Separation distance calculation:
𝑘𝑐
𝑠 = 𝑘𝑖 𝑥 𝑥𝑙
𝑘𝑚
where
ki depends on the selected class of LPS.
km depends on the electrical insulation material .
kc depends on the (partial) lightning current flowing on the air-termination and the
down conductor
𝑙 is the length, in metres, along the air-termination and the down-conductor from the
point where the separation distance is to be considered, to the nearest
equipotential bonding point or the earth termination

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Roof Equipment Protection
(Rolling Sphere Method or Protective angle Method)
Separation distance calculation:
Class of LPS ki
I 0.08
II 0.06 Values of coefficient ki
III and IV 0.04
Number of down kc
conductors n
1 1
2 0.66 Values of coefficient kc
3 and more 0.44
Material km
Air 1
Values of coefficient km
Concrete, bricks 0.5

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Down Conductors System

In order to reduce the probability of damage due to lightning current flowing in the
LPS, the down-conductors shall be arranged in such a way that from the point of
strike to earth:
a) several parallel current paths exist;
b) the length of the current paths is kept to a minimum.

Typical values of the preferred distance between down-conductors are given in the
following Table
Class of LPS Typical distances (m)
I 10
II 10
III 15
IV 20
External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Down Conductors System

Conductors for lightning protection systems

The following sizes are suitable for the majority of lightning protection systems:
Flat tape conductor:
25 x 3 mm bare tape, or 25 x 3 mm PVC covered tape
Stranded conductor
70 mm2 bare or PVC covered stranded conductor

Bare copper Tinned copper PVC covered LSOH covered

tape tape copper tape copper tape
External Lightning Protection (Structure)
Earth termination System

The earth termination system is vital for the dispersion of the lightning current safely
and effectively into the ground.
An overall earth termination system of 10 ohms or less is obligated by the standards.

For earth-termination systems, two basic types of earth electrode arrangements

apply.
a) Type A arrangement.
❑ This type of arrangement comprises horizontal or vertical earth electrodes
installed outside the structure to be protected connected to each down-
conductor or foundation earth electrodes not forming a closed loop.
❑ The earth electrodes shall be installed at a depth of upper end at least 0,5
m and distributed as uniformly as possible to minimize electrical coupling
effects in the earth.

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Earth termination System

b) Type B arrangement.

This type of arrangement comprises either a ring conductor external to the structure
to be protected, in contact with the soil for at least 80 % of its total length or a
foundation earth electrode forming a closed loop.

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

Earth termination System

Minimum length 𝑙1 of each earth electrode according to

the class of LPS
External Lightning Protection (Structure)
 Earth termination System

Notes:
1- For LPS class III & class IV 𝑙1 is independent of soil resistivity.
2- For LPS class I 𝑙1 is fixed for soil resistivity less than 500 Ω.m.
3- For LPS class II 𝑙1 is fixed for soil resistivity less than 800 Ω.m.
4- The minimum length of each earth electrode at the base of each down-conductor
for type A arrangement is
✓ 𝑙1 for horizontal electrodes.
✓ 0.5 𝑙1 for vertical (or inclined) electrodes.

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

 Earth termination System

Resistance to earth
Once the soil resistivity has been determined and an appropriate type earth electrode
system chosen, its resistance to earth can be predicted by using the typical formulae
listed below:
ρ 2𝐿2
For horizontal strip electrode (circular or rectangular section) 𝑅 = [𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 ( ) + 𝑄]
2ᴨ𝐿 𝑤ℎ
ρ 8𝐿
or for vertical rods 𝑅 = [𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 − 1]
2ᴨ𝐿 𝑑
Where:
R = Resistance in ohms ρ = Soil resistivity in ohm metres (Ωm)
L = Length of electrode in metres
w = Width of strip or diameter of circular electrode in metres
d = Diameter of rod electrode in metres h = Depth of electrode in metres
Q = Coefficients for different arrangements
= -1 for rectangular section, OR = -1.3 for circular section

External Lightning Protection (Structure)

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