Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
ABSTRACT
This research includes the basic introduction to the protection of building from lightning strokes. This paper
focuses on the protection of building and all equipments from damages caused due to lightning and also the human
life occupying the buildings. This paper also covers the various components associated with the protection from
lightning.
Keywords: Protection of building, basic components of lightning protection system, working of lightning protection
system.
1. INTRODUCTION
Lightning is a natural phenomenon with sudden discharge of high voltage electricity towards the earth. As it is a
natural phenomenon, we cant prevent the lightning stroke but we can avoid the stroke by installing a lightning
protection system. When lightning strikes a building, it needs a path to the ground and if the building is not protected it
finds a path available in the building as such electrical conductors and cable lines. The electrical conductors and cable
lines are connected to various electrical appliances. When the lightning passes through these conductors, it can damage
electrical appliances which may result in fire and damage to the building. This may also result in the loss of human
life. Hence by installing the lightning protection system at a building we can reduce the damages by guiding the
lightning stroke to ground by a separate path, causing no harm to the building [1]. This separate path provides low
resistance to the lightning stroke hence any other possible path is eliminated, for its discharge to the ground. The
damage to the non-conducting parts of a building such as wood, brick, concrete, etc is also safeguarded, by installing
the lightning protection system on a building [2]. Hence lightning protection system is a necessity to prevent any
damages to the building and human life.
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This forms the initial point of contact for the lightning stroke striking the building. The lightning rods are placed
vertically above the building which is to be protected. These rods capture the lightning stroke and feed it to the
conductor cable. These are metal rods usually made of aluminium or copper [3]. Due to the presence of the lightning
rod, the lightning stroke does not strike the buildings directly and are safely passed to the conductor cable through the
lightning rods. The lightning rods or air terminals are available in various shapes and sizes.
2.2. CONDUCTOR CABLES
The fig.2 below shows the conductor cable used in the lightning protection system.
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4. CONCLUSION
This paper presents the introduction to protection of building from lightning strokes. The basic components associated
with the lightning protection system and its working is also discussed. This concept is useful in protection of buildings
from lightning strokes which helps in eliminating the damages caused to the building, damage of electrical appliances,
fire hazards and ultimately the loss of human life.
REFERENCES
[1] http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-does-a-lightning-rod-system-work-to-protect-buildings.html
[2] www.elec-toolbox.com/usefulinfo/lightprot.htm
[3] http://www.gcl.in/tsd/doc/35_lightning_protection_systems.pdf
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