Lightning Protection System Design

The first step in lightning protection system design is Risk Assessment. Axis has used the
guidelines of IEC 62305 Part 2 to design a Risk Assessment Software that allows you to assess
the risks and determine the Class of Lightning Protection System (LPS) for your structure. This
software uses parameters unique to your structure to help you determine the best and most
efficient protection system. In fact, our software also allows you to calculate the Seperation
Distance for your Lightning Arresters, Length of Earth Rods, Type of SPD, and more! Contact
us to get access to our Lightning Protection System Design Software.

Based on your Risk Assessment, you can now design the external and internal protection
systems for your building. The External protection system would include an Air Termination,
Down Conductor and an Earth Termination System. For internal protection, one would use
surge protection devices and equipotential bonding.

Air Termination

The positions of the Air Termination can be decided based on the rolling sphere method, the
protective angle method and the mesh method. The rolling sphere method can even be used
to define the zones of protection for structures with complex geometry. The radius for the
sphere is determined directly from the Class of LPS.

The Protective Angle method is used for simple structures but only up to a certain height as
determined by the class of LPS.
The Mesh Method is best used for flat surfaces where the air termination conductors are to
be placed at the roof edges and where no other metallic structure will be above the air
termination system.

Axis Air Termination Rods, made from high grade electrolytic Copper, provide the highest
conductivity that allows the flow of lightning strikes without any damage to the structure or
equipment.
Early Streamer Emission (ESE) Lightning Arrester

The ESE Lightning Arrester, also known as Active Lightning Arrester, provide an enhanced
Radius of Protection, reducing the number of Lightning Arresters and down conductors
needed for your building or solar project while still providing complete protection.

Down Conductors

Down conductors, connected to the Air termination system should take the most direct route
down the structure, with spacing between each one defined by the Class of LPS.Axis Copper
Clad Steel Down Conductors are specially developed to offer the high mechanical strength of
steel and the current carrying capacity of Copper.Since IEC 62305 also allows the use of rebars
inside concrete structures as down conductors under certain conditions, Axis offers specially
designed products to use this technology effectively.
Earth Termination

An Earth Electrode should provide low electrical resistance with the earth to allow for the
dissipation of currents. It should also be resistant to corrosion because it will be buried
underground for a long period of time.

Worldwide, one of the most popular Earth Electrodes are copper bonded earth rods, which
comply with IEC 62561 Part 2. Since electricity is a surface phenomenon, the copper layer
allows for a conductive path while the inner core of high strength steel provides the strength
required for driving the rod inside the ground. Axis Copper Bonded Earth Rods have been are
approved by Utilities across the world and continue to be popular due to their consistently
high quality.

Internal LPS

The two major components of internal LPS are Equipotential bonding and surge protection
devices (SPD’s). The purpose of Equipotential Bonding equipment is to bring all the metallic
parts and equipment in a structure to the same Voltage Potential, to avoid hazards to human
life or other damage. SPD’s protect electronic devices by breaking the circuit in case of an
equipment or system fault.

Surge protection devices play a vital role in voltage fluctuations or variations. These
fluctuations are the most common behaviours observed in any electrical system. Voltage
change can vary from small voltage fluctuations for a short duration to a complete blackout
for an extended period. When the voltage drops below the standard rate of tolerance for the
short term, it is known as sag. When the voltage increases above the standard rated tolerance
for the short span, it is known as swell. There are many fluctuations with shorter durations
than swell and sag. These very short fluctuations are called transients, impulse, spikes or a
notch. An increase in at least 10 per cent of voltage or current lasting for less than a few
microseconds is known as a Surge. The amount of electrical energy produced during a surge,
for a very short period would be significantly high as it can rise to a few thousand volts.
A surge protection device is a device that protects electrical devices from voltage spikes in
alternating current (AC) circuits. Surge protection devices are used to protect the electrical
installation made up of consumer unit, wiring and accessories, from electrical power surges
that are generally known as transient overvoltages. The surges occurring from transient
overvoltages can either result in instant failure or longer damage to the equipment. Different
SPDs are used to protect the electrical installation from incoming services such as telephone
lines and cable TV within the consumer unit.
Transient voltages are short duration surges of electricity that occur due to the sudden
release of energy that is previously stored or induced by other means. These overvoltages can
be occurring either naturally or can be man-made.
Man-made transient overvoltage occurs during the switching of motors and transformers. In
recent times, new technologies such as electric vehicles, air/ ground source heat pumps and
speed-controlled washing machines are showing more transients even in domestic
installations. Natural transient overvoltage occurs due to indirect lightning strikes. The
electrical installation and equipment associated with it can be damaged due to a direct
lightning strike on an adjacent overhead power transmission line or a telephone line leading
to the transient overvoltage to travel along the transmission lines
The function of a surge protective device is to protect electrical equipment from the damaging
effects of electrical surges. The rating of SPD decides the amount of protection provided by
the SPD. An SPD protects an electric circuit by limiting the voltage applied to the protected
circuit during the occurrence of a surge. The SPD channels the excess energy obtained from
the surge away from the protected circuit into the ground. A metal oxide varistor (MOV) is a
device that is used in an SPD that provides a path or excess energy. There are two main
characteristics of a MOV which make them most desirable for surge protection
• The resistance of a MOV decreases with an increased voltage
• MOVs are fast-acting varistors which can respond to surge in a few nanoseconds which
helps in suppressing the surge before it damages the equipment.
The voltage limiting capability of a MOV can be measured by clamping voltage. When a surge
occurs, the MOV limits the excess voltage to the clamping voltage level by diverting the
surplus energy to the ground. The peak current rating or impulse current rating is the
maximum current dissipated from one surge without failing the operation of an SPD.
A MOV provides a high resistance path under normal conditions. The resistance path limits
the currents flowing through the MOV and allows the current to flow through. The load in all
electrical devices is connected to power sources in all residential applications. The clamping
voltage rating of a MOV is greater than the standard supply voltage. When a surge happens,
the clamping voltage exceeds, the MOV switches from a high resistance path to a low
resistance path. The excess energy generated passes through the MOV to the ground
bypassing the load which is connected. Along with MOVs, SPDs also have inductors or other
filter elements to reduce the effects of the surge and incorporate other protective devices to
ensure the safe operation of SPDs.

Fig: Operation of MOV (Source: siemens)

There are three different categories of Surge Protection Devices:

Type 1 SPD installed at the main distribution board i.e. origin. In this type of arrangement, an
SPD is mounted between the service transformer’s secondary terminal and the service
transformer's main overcurrent protection device is called a surge arrester.
Type 1 SPD is characterized by a 10/350 µs current wave.

Type 2 SPD installed at sub-distribution boards. In this type of arrangement, the SPD is
mounted at the load side of the service’s main overcurrent protection device that is known as
a Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor (TVSS)
Type 2 SPD is characterized by an 8/20 µs current wave.
Type 3 SPD installed close to the protected load. This type of arrangement is a point of Use
SPD which includes MOVs as well as assemblies containing MOVs.
Type 3 SPD is characterized by a combination of voltage waves (1.2/50 μs) and current waves
(8/20 μs).

A combination of Type 1 and Type 2 SPDs are also used and usually installed in consumer
units. Type 3 SPDs must be used only as a supplement to Type 2 SPD.