LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN AND

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES FOR ARCHITECTS &
ENGINEERS

SECTION 10 : LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM

FOR STRUCTURES

Oleh : JEPK, BPR (PK)

Mei 2012
CKE
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.1 Description :

• A complete system used to reduce physical damage

due to lightning flashes to the structure.

• This section will identify the requirement of installation

for a complete lightning protection system (LPS) to
MS IEC 62305.
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

• 3 main components of an external lightning protection

system and their functions are:

a) Air termination system to intercept a lightning flash

to the structure.

b) Down conductor system to conduct the lightning

current safely to earth.

c) Earth termination system to disperse the lightning

current into the earth.
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.2 Location :

• Not isolated from the structure to be protected.

(LPS with an air termination system and down
conductor system positioned in such a way that the
path of the lightning current is in contact with the
structure to be protected).

(Refer to Figure 10.1 : External Lightning Protection System)

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.1 a) Structure with non metallic roof.

Air
Termination (i) Air termination system shall consist of a network A, C/S
System of vertical and horizontal conductors. The
probability of structure penetration by a lightning
current is considerably decreased by the
presence of a properly designed air-termination
system. Air termination systems can be composed
by any combination of rods (including free-
standing masts), catenary wires and meshed
conductors.
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.1 (ii) Lightning conductor shall be installed at corners, A,C/S

Air exposed points and edges (especially on the
Termination upper level of any facades).
System
(iii) Positioning of the air termination component shall A, C/S
be determined by using one or any combination
the following method :
• Protection angle method
• Rolling sphere method
• Mesh method

(Refer to Table 10.2 : Value of protection angle, rolling

sphere radius and mesh size for eah class of LPS
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.1 (iv) All metallic projections on or above the main A,M,C/S

Air surface of the roof of the structure shall be bonded
Termination to and form part of the air termination network.
System
(v) Air termination will be run exposed along the roof A,M, C/S
and connected to the down conductors, usually at
columns.

(Refer to Figure 10.2 : Air Termination System For

Concrete/Slate Roof)
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.1 (Refer to Figure 10.3 : Air Termination Network)

Air
Termination (v) For structure taller than 60 meters, a lateral air A, C/S
System termination system shall be installed on the upper
part typically the topmost 20% of the height of the
structure for protection against flashes to the side
of the structure.
(Refer to Figure 10.4 : Air Termination Installation For
Structure Higher Than 60 m)

(vi) If there is metal facade, it must be bonded and A,C/S

formed part of the air termination.
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.1 b) Structure with metallic roof

Air
Termination If the structure incorporates metallic roofing, the A, C/S
System metallic roofs can be considered as a natural air
termination system provided that it meets the
minimum thickness and type of material under
consideration.
(Refer to Table 10.1 : Minimum Thickness of Metal
Sheets/Metal Pipes in Air Termination System)

(Refer to Figure 10.5 : Air Termination System : A, C/S

Installation of LPS conductor on metal deck roof)
if the metallic roof does not form part of the air
termination system .
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.2 a) A down conductor will be installed at each A, C/S

Down exposed corner of the structure. Down conductors
Conductor shall be installed straight and vertical such that
System they provide the shortest and most direct path to
earth. The down conductors shall not be installed
in gutters or down-spouts even if they are covered
with insulating materials.

(Refer to Table 10.3 – Typical values of the

distance between down conductors and
between ring conductors according to the class
of LPS)

b) Methods of down conductor installation:

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.2 i. Exposed (Refer to Figure 10.6 : Exposed Down A

Down Conductor System Installation):
Conductor
System - Fixed to the wall/column
- May be painted
- Test point will be installed at 2500 mm above
ground level.

ii. Encased in concrete (Refer to Figure 10.7 : Down A,C/S

Conductor System Installation – Encased in
Concrete)

- Bonded to the reinforcement steel structure in

column. Properly clamped to structure rebar
at 1 meter intervals and connected to air
termination via Test Point installed 2500mm
above ground level.
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.2 iii. Use of natural components

Down - Natural components made of conductive A,C/S
Conductor material, which will always remain in/on the
System structure and will not be modified (e.g.
interconnected reinforced steel, metal
framework of the structure, etc.) may be used as
parts of LPS.

- Steelwork within reinforced concrete structures is C/S

considered to be electrically continuous
provided that the major part of interconnections
of vertical and horizontal bars are welded (over
a length not less than 30mm) or otherwise
securely connected (Clamps conforming to EN
50164-1 may be considered suitable)
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.2 iii. Use of natural components (cont.)

Down
Conductor - Connection of vertical bars shall be welded or C/S
System properly clamped or otherwise securely
connected.

- The overall electrical resistance measured

between the uppermost part and ground level
should not be greater than 0.2Ω.
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.3 a) General
Earth
Termination Down conductor shall be connected to the earth A, C/S
System termination system consist of earthing conductor
and earth electrodes.
(Refer to Figure 10.8 : Earth Termination System)

b) Types of earth termination system:

Type A
- comprises of horizontal/vertical earth C/S
electrodes installed outside the structure to be
protected connected to each down-
conductor.
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

10.3 Physical specification :

Item Requirement Action

10.3.3 b) Types of earth termination system (cont.) A, C/S

Earth Type B
Termination i) - comprises of a ring conductor external to the
System structure to be protected, in contact with the
soil for at least 80% of its total length;
- buried 500mm underground at least 1 meter
from outside wall.
or
ii) - the structure foundations of interconnected C/S
reinforced concrete may be used as
foundation earth electrode.
- very low earthing resistance and perform
an excellent equipotentialization reference.

(Refer to Figure 10.9 &10.11 : Earth Termination

System : Foundation Earth Electrode)
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.10 : Overall Lightning Protection System

Air Termination System

Down Conductor System

Earth Termination System

Air Termination System
Down Conductor System

Earth Termination System

Overall Lightning Protection System

LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.1 : External Lightning Protection System

Example of Air Termination System Example of Down Conductor System Example of Earthing System
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.2 : Air Termination System For Concrete/Slate Roof

Air Termination Installation with fixing components Roofing mount support hook Slate Holdfasts support hook
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.3 : Air Termination Network

Example of air termination network on roof tiles(Top view) Typical Installation at RC Flat Roof
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.4 : Air Termination Installation For Structure Higher Than 60m

Air Termination Installation

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.5 : Air Termination System – Installation on metal deck roof

Typical Installation of LPS conductor on Metal Deck Roof

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.6 : Exposed Down Conductor System Installation

Installation of Test Point Example of Exposed Down Conductor Installation

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.7 : Down Conductor System Installation – Encased in Concrete

Example of Down Conductor installed Example of approved connectors for Example of approved connectors Non approved connection Down conductor is driven through the
through the reinforcement. connecting LPS conductors with the for connecting LPS conductors between earthing tape and reinforcement without having any
reinforcment. with the reinforcement. reinforcement. The wire will not be bonding.
able to withstand
the lightning current causing
explosion and cracks on
the concrete.

[√] Good Practice [√] Good Practice [X] Bad Practice

[X] Bad Practice
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.8 : Earth Termination System

Example of earthing system c/w inspection chamber

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Fig.10.9 : Earth Termination System : Foundation Earth Electrode

Detail connection at pile electrode

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES
Fig.10.11 : Foundation earth electrode (Top view)
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES

Table 10.1 : Minimum Thickness of Metal Sheets/Metal Pipes

in Air Termination System.

Material Thickness(1) t (mm) Thickness (2) t’ (mm)

Lead - 2.0

Steel (stainless, galvanized) 4 0.5

Titanium 4 0.5

Copper 5 0.5

Aluminum 7 0.65

Zinc - 0.7

Notes :

(1) Thickness t to prevents puncture, hot spot or ignition

(2) Thickness t’ only for metal sheets if it is not important to prevent puncture, hot spot or ignition problems

(3) Electrical continuity between the various parts shall be made durable (e.g by means of brazing, welding etc)

(4) They shall not clad with insulating material

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES
GARISPANDUAN PENILAIAN TENDER SEMAKAN APRIL 2010

Table 2 – Maximum values of rolling sphere radius, mesh size and

protection angle corresponding to the class of LPS
Protection Method

Class of LPS Rolling sphere radius r Mesh size W Protection angle

m M α°

I 20 5x5

II 30 10 x 10 See figure below

III 45 15 x 15

IV 60 20 x 20
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION
GARISPANDUAN SYSTEM
PENILAIAN TENDER FOR STRUCTURES
SEMAKAN APRIL 2010

Table 2 – Maximum values of rolling sphere radius, mesh size and

protection angle corresponding to the class of LPS (cont.)
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES
GARISPANDUAN PENILAIAN TENDER SEMAKAN APRIL 2010

Table 3 – Typical values of the distance between down conductors

and between ring conductors according to the class of LPS

Typical Distance
Class of LPS
m

I 10

II 10

III 15

IV 20