Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
In Article " Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems – Part Two ", I indicated the lightning
protection design process involves a number of design steps as in Fig.1.
Also, In above Article, I indicated that the risk assessment study can be done by (4) different methods as
follows:
Methods Of Calculations
For Risk Assessment Articles
Study
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Two
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
First: Manual Method Part Three
(Equations And Tables Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Method) as per IEC Part Four
62305-2 Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Five
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Six
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Seven
First: Manual Method
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
(Equations And Tables
Part Eight
Method) as per NFPA 780
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Nine
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Ten
Second: Software Method
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
For Performing The Risk
Part Eleven
Assessment Study
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Twelve
Third: Excel Sheets
Method For Performing
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
The Risk Assessment
Part thirteen
Study
Fourth: Online
Calculators Method Used Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
for Need for Lightning Part Fourteen
Protection calculations
Today, I will I will continue explaining other steps of Lightning Protection Design procedure.
1- Within Europe:
Various standards series have been issued by (2) National Committees which are:
1. The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC).
2. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
The CENELEC has released the EN 50164 series of standards. The EN 50164 series are
component standards to which the manufacturers and suppliers of lightning protection
components should test their products to verify design and quality.
Notes:
The standards generally have an IEC prefix to their number (CEI for French
versions). IEC standards are produced in English and French languages.
IEC and CENELEC generally work in parallel, and CENELEC members vote to adopt
new IEC standards as CENELEC standards. The committees of CENELEC may choose to
make some alterations to the IEC version.
Additionally, CENELEC produce their own standards to which IEC have no
counterpart. CENELEC documents are produced in English, French and German and an
approved CENELEC standard will have an EN prefix (or NE in the French language
versions).
For example:
IEC 62305-1 (IEC version) is parallel to EN 62305-1 (CENELEC adopted copy of the above)
And both are parallel to BS EN 62305-1 (British National Standard adoption ofthe above)
2- Within USA:
Note:
For heavy fault conditions, Conductor Size should be calculated in accordance with IEEE
Std 80.
Note:
Aluminum Copper
lower cost More expensive than Aluminum
Note:
As aluminum and copper are not compatible, a bimetallic joint should be used
to interconnect these two materials.
Bimetallic Connector
4- Use of Dissimilar Metals
Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact with each
other in the presence of an electrolyte. In this situation, one metal becomes the anode
and the other the cathode. The anode will tend to go into solution and therefore
corrode. The electrolyte can be water with impurities from the air, other surfaces or
from the metal itself
The following Table shows the potential difference between dissimilar metals.
Combinations of metals with potential differences above 0.5 V should be rejected to
avoid excessive corrosion.
For example:
One method of reducing the effects of corrosion is to use plating of one or both
of the metals to reduce the electrochemical potential difference. Commonly, tin plated
copper conductors are used for this purpose. Tin plating also has the advantage of
stopping the appearance of green verdigris coating and reducing the chance of theft (as
the conductor no longer looks like copper). Tin plated copper should be used for
connections to:
1. Lead,
2. Grey cast iron,
3. Steel (stainless steel connections do not need to be tinned),
4. Aluminum,
5. Cadmium.
The following Table shows the material of structure and its LPS compatible material:
The temperature rise criterion is based on the level of flammability for the structure
walls; we have two cases as follows:
In this case, we have two sub-cases according to considering the temperature rise (when
lightning currents flow) is a hazard or not, this is can be known from table as follows:
The below Table states the maximum temperature rise ΔT in K of the various
conductors for each class of lightning protection system. These values mean that,
generally, it is even permissible to install down conductors underneath heat insulation
because these temperature rises present no fire risk to the insulation materials. This
ensures that the fire retardation measure is also provided.
So, the two sub-cases for case#2: If the wall is made of highly flammable
material, are:
In this case, the down conductors can be installed directly on the surface of the
wall.
In this case, the down conductors must be mounted (by using Standoff
brackets for example) to ensure that the separation distance between the down-
conductor and the wall is greater than 0.1 m. The mounting elements may touch the
wall.
Standoff brackets
Notes:
Table#2
The above Table provides the thickness requirements for natural air terminations.
Where combustible materials are not present, and water ingress can be tolerated from a
puncture due to lightning, then thinner material is permitted for air-terminations. If the
materials do not meet these requirements, then they must be protected by the lightning
protection system.
Metal pipes and tanks on roofs can be used, provided they meet the requirements
ofTables#1 and 2. Refer to the standard for requirements of tanks and piping that
contain combustible or explosive mixtures. It is not desirable to use vessels and pipe
work which contains gas or liquids under high pressure or flammable gas or liquids.
The requirements for natural air-terminations differ from natural down-
conductors. Down-conductors and air-terminations need to withstand the ohmic heating
and electromechanical/magnetic forces, but air-terminations also need to withstand the
heat of the lightning plasma arc.
The following parts of a structure can be used as “natural components” of the
lightning protection system:
1. Metal Installations
2. Facade Elements, Mounting Channels and the Metal Substructures of
Facades
3. Metal downpipes
4. Rebar in Reinforced Concrete
5. Rebar in Precast Concrete
6. Rebar in Prestressed Concrete
Facade Elements as Down Conductors
For more information about using Natural Components as down conductors, please review
the Article " Conventional Lightning Protection System Components – Part Four ".
In the next Article, I will explain Step#4: Sizing of Air Termination System Components. Please, keep
following.
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems – Part Sixteen
In Article " Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems – Part Two ", I indicated the lightning
protection design process involves a number of design steps as in Fig.1.
Also, In above Article, I indicated that the risk assessment study can be done by (4) different methods
as follows:
Methods Of Calculations
For Risk Assessment Articles
Study
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Two
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
First: Manual Method Part Three
(Equations And Tables Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Method) as per IEC Part Four
62305-2 Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Five
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Six
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Seven
First: Manual Method
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
(Equations And Tables
Part Eight
Method) as per NFPA 780
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Nine
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Ten
Second: Software Method
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
For Performing The Risk
Part Eleven
Assessment Study
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
Part Twelve
Third: Excel Sheets
Method For Performing
Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
The Risk Assessment
Part thirteen
Study
Fourth: Online
Calculators Method Used Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems –
for Need for Lightning Part Fourteen
Protection calculations
Today, I will I will continue explaining other steps of Lightning Protection Design procedure.
1- Introduction
As we stated before in Article " Conventional Lightning Protection System Components – Part One " that:
The Conventional Lightning Protection System consists of two main parts (as in below
figure):
External and Internal Lightning Protection System Parts
Usually called “Air Termination Subsystem “, the purpose of the strike termination
subsystem is to intercept the lightning event and course it harmlessly into the conductor
subsystem. Thus it is vitally important to use a correctly designed air termination system.
When designing the external lightning protection system of a structure, we distinguish
between two types of air-termination system:
1. Non-isolated system,
2. Isolated system.
Also, The strike termination subsystem can take many forms specified by the various
engineering standards available, as follows:
For more information about Air Termination Subsystem, please review Article
" Conventional Lightning Protection System Components – Part One " mentioned in
above.
2- Sizing of Air Terminals
Table#1
Notes to Table#1:
a
Mechanical and electrical characteristics as well as corrosion resistance
properties shall meet the requirements of the future IEC 62561 series.
b
50 mm2 (8 mm diameter) may be reduced to 25 mm2 in certain applications
where mechanical strength is not an essential requirement. Consideration should in this
case, be given to reducing the spacing between the fasteners.
c
Applicable for air-termination rods and earth lead-in rods. For air-termination
rods where mechanical stress such as wind loading is not critical, a 9,5 mm diameter, 1
m long rod may be used.
d
If thermal and mechanical considerations are important then these values should
be increased to 75 mm².
Notes to Table#2:
The parts of a structure should be considered and may be used as natural air termination
components and part of an LPS, these parts are:
The electrical continuity between the various parts is made durable (e.g. by
means of brazing, welding, crimping, seaming, screwing or bolting),
The thickness of the metal sheet is not less than the value t’ given in Table#
3 (from IEC 62305-3) if it is not important to prevent puncture of the sheeting or to
consider ignition of any readily combustible materials underneath,
The thickness of the metal sheet is not less than the value t given in Table# 3 if it
is necessary to take precautions against puncture or to consider hot spot problems,
They are not clad with insulating material.
Table# 3
Notes:
Where hot spot or ignition problems may arise, it should be verified that the
temperature rise of the inner surface at the point of strike does not constitute a danger.
Hot spot or ignition problems can be disregarded when the metal sheets lies inside an
LPZ0B or higher.
A similar Table to Table#3 but as per BS EN 62305 is provided in below.
c) Metal parts such as ornamentation, railings, pipes, coverings of parapets, etc., with
cross sections not less than that specified for standard air-termination components.
d) Metal pipes and tanks on the roof, provided that they are constructed of material
with thicknesses and cross-sections in accordance with Table #1.
If the conditions for thickness are not fulfilled, the pipes and tanks shall be
included into the structure to be protected.
Piping carrying readily-combustible or explosive mixtures shall not be considered
as an air termination natural component if the gasket in the flange couplings is not
metallic or if the flange-sides are not otherwise properly bonded.
A thin coating of protective paint or about 1 mm asphalt or 0,5 mm PVC is not
regarded as an insulator.
It is not desirable to use vessels and pipe work which contains gas or liquids under
high pressure or flammable gas or liquids.
Where combustible materials are not present, and water ingress can be tolerated
from a puncture due to lightning, then thinner material is permitted for air-terminations.
The three basic methods recommended for determining the position of the
air termination system components are:
Notes:
Different design methods can be applied to different regions of a
single lightning protection system, provided the zones afforded by each
method overlap to protect the entire structure. I.e. we can use the (3)
methods together in designing one complete LPS for given structure.
Generally most of the standards consider the three methods as
equivalent, although there are limits on the application of the protection
angle and mesh methods as in below table:
The Protection Angle The protection angle method can only be used
Method (PAM) with limited vertical distances (limited height).
The mesh method is more suitable for the
The Mesh Method protection of flat/plane surfaces.
Protection Method
Air-Termination
Rolling Mesh Protection
Sphere Method Angle
Rod √√√ √√
Meshed conductors – (on
√(1)
structure surface)
Meshed conductors –
√√ √√
(elevated from structure)
Catenary wires √√ √√
Note (1): Mesh method is appropriate for the evaluation of the protection
of the bound flat surface. Rolling sphere and protection angle methods
can be used to determine protection of adjacent areas.
According to IEC 62305-3, Based on the class of the lightning protection system, the below table
indicate Maximum values with each class for:
Class Of LPS
Rolling Sphere Radius
(Lightning Mesh Size (M) Protection Angle
(M)
Protection Level)
I 20 5x5
II 30 10 x 10 See below figure
III 45 15 x 15
IV 60 20 x 20
Protection Angle with corresponding height and Class of LPS
Notes:
Lightning protection
Class of LPS
level (LPL)
I I (highest protection)
II II
III III
IV IV (lowest protection)
For example if the risk assessment determines that a lightning protection system with lightning
protection class II is required to reduce the risk to below the tolerable level, then the design of
the lightning protection system will need to be in accordance with the requirements of lightning
protection level II (or higher). The greater the level of lightning protection (LPL I being the
greatest), the larger the resulting material requirement for the lightning protection system.
From the above Table and Figure, the following table can be used for Positioning of air
termination according to the level of protection
Where: