Lightning Protection System Design: Revised 5/28/14

Lightning
Protection
System Design
Revised 5/28/14
ERICO has met the standards and requirements of the Registered Continuing
Education Providers Program. Credit earned on completion of this program will
be reported to RCEPP. A certificate of completion will be issued to each
participant. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
construed to be an approval or endorsement by NCEES or RCEPP.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this class you will be able to:
Understand the principle of lightning protection

Understand what a lightning protection system is
Understand how lightning is formed
Identify the different ways to be struck by lightning
Use and understand the Risk Assessment in NFPA
780
Understand the various lightning protection codes
Understand what surge protection is and how it is
used
Identify other types of lightning protection systems
NFPA is a registered trademark of National Fire Protection Association, Inc.
Lightning
Myths
Wearing jewelry,
wearing shoes with
metal cleats or
carrying metal
objects such as
tripods, golf clubs,
and umbrellas will
attract lightning
and make a person
more susceptible
to a strike.
Lightning Video
Lightning Myths
Lightning always strikes the tallest object
Lightning Facts
Lightning strikes can occur either at the beginning

or end of a storm
The average lightning strike is six miles long
Lightning reaches 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, fours
times as hot as the sun's surface
Voltage in a cloud-to-ground strike is 100 million to
1 billion volts
Around the earth there are 100 lightning strikes
per second, or 8,640,000 times a day
There are approximately 100,000 thunderstorms in
the U.S. each year
Injuries Due To Lightning
TEXAS C/G Flash Density
TEXAS
YEAR
( 1 SQ. KILOMETER
( 1 SQ. MILE
TEXAS
FL. C / G FLASHES
FL. C/C FLASHES
FL. TOTAL FLASHES
= 6 / KM / YEAR = 16 / M /
=
=
0.3861 SQ. MILES )

2.59 SQ. KILOMETERS )
=
=
=
=
261,914 SQ. MILES

< 4,190,624
< 37,715,616
< 41,906,240
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
++++++++++++++++
++++++++++
+++++++++
+-+ -+- +-+
-+- +- +-+
-
- -- -
- - - -
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
++++++++++++++++
++++++++++
+++++++++
+-+ -+- +-+
-+- +- +-+
-
- -- -
- - - -
+
+ + + +
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
- - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - - / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
++++++++++++++++
++++++++++
+++++++++
+-+ -+- +-+
-+- +- +-+
- - -- -- - - - + + + + +
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
- - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - - / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Positive Lightning
Do Not Do This!
Why people are struck by

lightning
Direct strike
Side flash/splash
Ground current/step potential
Conduction through metal
Direct Strike
Most dangerous but
fairly uncommon
Side Flash/
Side
Splash
Common
for
people standing
under trees
Ground
Current/ Step
Voltage
Fairly common
Conductio
n
Through metal
wires or surfaces
Fairly common
especially indoors
Lightning
Videos
The Risk Of Being Struck By

Lightening
Is related to:
The lightning threat.
Peoples behavior when thunderstorms are
nearby.
Threat Casualties
Hig
h Exposur
e To
Risk
Low
Lightning
Risk
Thunderstor
m
Thunderstor
Thunderstorm
m Overhead
Overhead
Thunderstor
Thunderstorm
m Departing
Departing

Lightening
Reducing casualties:
Before the storm
If the sky looks threatening, or if you hear

thunder, GO TO A SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!
During the storm
Avoid contact with phones, electrical equipment,

plumbing and stay away from doors and
windows.
After the storm
After the last rumble of thunder, wait 30

minutes before going back out side.

Lightening
Safety Objective:
To reduce the number of casualties by changing
peoples behavior around thunderstorms.
Safety Objective
Hig
h Exposur
e To
Risk
Low
Lightning
Risk
Thunderstor
Thunderstorm
Approaching
m
Thunderstor
Thunderstorm
m Overhead
Overhead
Thunderstor
Thunderstorm
m Departing
Departing
Lightning Protection Codes

Commercial/Industrial
National Fire Protection Assoc. # 780
Underwriters Laboratories # 96A
Lightning Protection Institute
# 175
Utility
IEEE 998 Direct Lightning Stroke Shielding for
Substations.
The Principles Of Lightning

Protection
What is a lightning protection system?
A lightning protection system is a passive
means of preventing property damage from
the effects of a lightning strike. It works by
providing the electric charge produced
by the clouds a path of least resistance
to the ground. There are four main parts of a
properly installed lightning protection system:
air terminals, cable, copper clad ground rods,
and surge suppressors.

Protection

Protection
Parts of a building that are most likely to be
struck:
Chimneys
Ventilators
Flagpoles
Towers
Water tanks
Deck railings
Dormers
Parapets
Edges and Corners

Protection
Overview of Methods: - Cone of Protection or
Protection Angle.

Protection
Overview of Methods: - Cone of Protection or
Protection Angle.

Protection
Overview of Methods: - Rolling Sphere Method
Incorporated in NFPA 780 in 1980.
Originated - Electric power transmission
industry.
Based on the electrogeometric model:
Ip = (kA); ds = (m)
ds = 10 Ip
(.65)
Typical peak current of 10kA

ds = 150 R

Protection
150 R This is the distance at which the
downward leader results in the initiation of an
upward leader from the structure.
Peak currents below 5kA and 7kA are not
common. 10kA peak current represents 91%
of all lightning events.

Protection
Air terminal
*Ladder
Air handling
unit
Soil
vent
*Exhaust
fan
0 s
5
1 iu
d
ra
*Roof drain
*Soil vent
Air terminal
Cooling tower
Air terminal
*Plastic or metal
soil vent
Roof drain

Protection
Advantages: Easy to apply, even to buildings
with complicated shapes.
Limitations: It assigns an equal leader
initiation ability to all contact points on the
structure. So, it cannot distinguish between
likely and unlikely contact points. Could strike
the corner of the building rather than the
vertical flat surface halfway down the side of
the building.

Protection
Air terminals
placed on the
structure do not
substantially
increase the
probability of the
structure being
struck by
lightning. If the
downward
leader is close to
the structure, it
will probably
attach to that
structure
anyway.
Rolling Sphere Method
150 radius sphere model can be calculated:
d = sqrt((h1(300-h1))) sqrt((h2(300-h2)))
d = horizontal distance in feet
h1 = height of the higher air terminal or
protected roof
h2 = height of the lower roof or object
Disadvantages of Conventional Lightning

Protection Systems
Installations can be expensive
Coverage area of any one air terminal is small
Maintenance/Repair
Lightning Protection Risk

Assessment
Appendix L of NFPA 780

Not a part of the actual standard
Ae = LW + 6H(L + W) + PI()9H2
Nd = (Ng)(Ae)(C1)(10-6)
Nc = (1.5 x 10-3) / C

Assessment
Equivalent Collective Area is defined as:

A = LW + 6H(L + W) + PI()9H2
e
Ae refers to the ground area having the same yearly

direct lightning flash probability as the structure
Expected Yearly Lightning Strike Frequency:

N = (N )(A )(C )(10-6)
e
d
g
1
Ng is the yearly number of flashes to ground per

square kilometer (lightning flash density)
C1 is the environmental coefficient

Assessment
C1 Relative structure location
C1 = .25 Located within a space containing

structures or trees of the same height or
taller within a distance of 3H
C1 = .5 Surrounded by smaller structures
within a distance of 3H
C1 = 1 Isolated structure, no other
structures located within a distance of 3H
C1 = 2 Isolated structure on a hilltop

Assessment
Tolerable Lightning Frequency:

N = (1.5 x 10-3) / C
c
Where C = (C2)(C3)(C4)(C5)
C2 Structural Coefficient
Structure
Metal Roof
Non-Met. Roof
Flammable
Roof
Metal
.5
1.0
2.0
NonMetal
1.0
1.0
2.5
Flammabl
2.0
2.5
3.0

Assessment
C3 Structure Contents
C3 = .5 Low value and non-flammable
C3 = 1 Standard value and non-flammable
C3 = 2 High value, moderate flammability
C3 = 3 Exceptional value, flammable,

computer or electronics
C3 = 4 Exceptional value, irreplaceable
curtural items

Assessment
C4 Structure Occupancy
C = .5 Unoccupied
4
C = 1 Normally occupied
4
C = 3 Difficult to evacuate or risk of panic
4
C5 Lightning Consequence
C = 1 Continuity of services not reqd. No
5
environmental impact
C = 5 Continuity of services reqd. No
5
environmental impact
C = 10 Consequences to the environment
5

Assessment
Ae = LW + 6H(L + W) + PI()9H2
Nd = (Ng)(Ae)(C1)(10-6)
Nc = (1.5 x 10-3) / C
If Nd <= Nc; an LPS may be optional
If Nd > Nc; an LPS should be installed

Assessment
Spreadsheet Example

Assessment
Owner
Insurance
Military
Risk Assessment
FL Building Code
NFPA 780-2014
First adopted in 1904
Air Terminals/Strike Termination

Devices
Blunt/ Safety Tipped

Parapet Air Terminal
Adhesive Air Terminal

with Safety Ball
A component of a
lightning
protection system
that is intended to
intercept
lightning flashes.
Ridge Air Terminal

with Typical Tapered
Point

Devices
Materials:
Copper
Nickel Plated Copper
Lead Coated Copper
Aluminum
Stainless Steel
BEWARE OF DISIMILAR
METALS!!

Devices
Class I Material Requirements
Type of Air
Parameter
Terminal
Copper
Aluminu
m
Solid
Diameter
3/8
1/2
Tubular
Diameter
5/8
5/8
Tubular Wall
Thickness
Wall
Thickness
.033
.064
Copper
Aluminu
m
1/2
5/8
Class II Material
Requirements
Type of Air
Terminal
Solid
Parameter
Diameter
Lightning Protection Cable

Class I Material Requirements
Type of Conductor
Parameter
Main Conductor, Cable Size Each

Strand
Weight per length
Copper
Aluminu
m
17 AWG
14 AWG
187#/100 95#/1000
0
Cross Sectional
Area
57,400
cm
98,600
cm
Bonding Conductor,
Cable
Size Each
Strand
17 AWG
14 AWG
(solid or stranded)
Cross Sectional
Area
26,240
cm
41,100
cm
Bonding Cond. Solid

Strip
Thickness
.051
.064
Lightning Protection Cable

Class II Material
Requirements
Type of Conductor
Main Conductor, Cable
Parameter
Size Each
Strand
Copper
Aluminum
15 AWG
13 AWG
Weight per length 375#/100

0
190#/100
0
Cross Sectional
Area
115,000
cm
192,000
cm
Bonding Conductor,
Cable
Size Each
Strand
17 AWG
14 AWG
(solid or stranded)
Cross Sectional
Area
26,240
cm
41,100
cm
Bonding Cond. Solid

Strip
Thickness
.051
.064
1/2
1/2
Width
NFPA 780-2011
Protection of Ordinary Structures: GENERAL
Structures not exceeding 75 feet Class I
Structures exceeding 75 feet Class II
If a portion of the building exceeds 75 feet,
then that portion of the building shall only
have Class II material. The remaining building
can have Class I material.
The Class II material shall be extended to
ground level and interconnected with the
balance of the system.
NFPA 780-2011
Protection of Ordinary Structures: ROOF
SLOPES
Pitched roof shall be defined as:
Having a span of 40 feet or less and a slope
of 1/8 or greater.
Having a span of more than 40 feet and a
slope of or greater.
NFPA 780-2011
Protection of Ordinary Structures: ROOF
SLOPES
NFPA 780-2011
Protection of Ordinary Structures: AIR
TERMINALS
NFPA 780-2011
TERMINALS
NFPA 780-2011
TERMINALS
NFPA 780-2011
TERMINALS
NFPA 780-2011
Protection of Ordinary Structures: CABLE
BENDS
NFPA 780-2011
Protection of Ordinary Structures: DOWN
LEADS
NFPA 780-2011
Protection of Ordinary Structures: GROUNDING
Apprenticeship School
Surge Protection Devices
Compliant SPD for UL Master

Label
UL1449 Ed. 3 In = 10ka
UL96A - In = 20ka
NFPA 780-2011
Protection of Heavy Duty
Stacks:
NFPA 780-2011
Mast and Overhead Ground Wires:
NFPA 780-2011
Mast and Overhead Ground Wires:
Inspection and Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance of a lightning

protection system:
Annual visual inspections
Thoroughly inspected every 5 years
Maintenance of a LP System
National Fire Protection Assoc. # 780
Underwriters Laboratories # 96A
Annex D
UL Master Label
Letter of Findings
Lightning Protection Institute # 175
LPI Reconditioned Master Installation Certificate

LPI Limited Scope Inspection
IEEE 998 - 2012
IEEE 998 - 2012
IEEE 998 2012
IEEE 998 2012

2 designs methods which have been used to protect
substations from direct lightning strokes:
Fixed Angles
Empirical curves
CVM Collection Volume Method
IEEE 998 - 2012

Fixed Angle:
It was recognized that the area protected by a
lightning rod was bound by a curved surface rather
than a fixed plane.
More than likely the fixed angle was used as a
convenience to determine the approximation of the
boundaries against lightning strikes.
The angles used: approximately 30/45 degrees.
IEEE 998 - 2012
IEEE 998 - 2012
Disadvantages of Fixed Angle/Mast

Sys.
Installations can be expensive
Coverage area of any one mast is small
Limited coverage by static wires/masts
Risk of static wire failure
Collection Volume Method (CVM)
Applied to 3D structures from original

work of Dr A.J. Eriksson (1979, 1987)
The CVM is simply a physically-based,
improved Electrogeometric Model.
Improved striking distance relationship:
ds = function (Ki, Ip)
where Ki is the field intensification factor
near the prospective strike point
(structure, structural feature or air
terminal).

Striking Distance
D o w n w a rd
le a d e r
d s 10 I p 0.65
B
S tr ik in g
d is ta n c e
A
G ro u n d
R e s p o n d in g
u p -le a d e r

Collection Volume Method
The CVM is a physically-based, improved version of the Electrogeometric
Model with added constraints to ensure the design is safe.
Key parameters:
downleader Q or Ipeak
field intensification factor
velocity ratio
site altitude
Collection
volume
Striking distance
surface
Improved striking
distance relationship:
ds = function (Ki, Ip)
Downward
leader
Velocity-derived
limiting locus
- ratio of
downward to
upward leader
velocity
- height of strike
point (hence Ki)
A
Ground
Collection Volume Method

Application
(a) Key parameters
downward leader charge or peak current
field intensification
factor
velocity ratio
site altitude
(b) Example of
CVM design
output
Application of the CVM to 3D

Structures

Structures

Structures

Structures
Strike
Current (X)
Level of Protection (Y)
Exceedance
Probability
2.9 kA
Level I Very High
99%
5.4 kA
Level II High
97%
10.1 kA
Level III Medium
91%
15.7 kA
Level IV - Low
84%
The protection zone provided by the air

termination shall be such that it becomes the
preferred strike point for all discharges
exceeding a peak amplitude return strike
current of X kA according to the statistical
level Y.

Structures
Comparison of the
Dynasphere
protection levels vs.
the EGM model
striking distance
computed for
substations per First
Energys LP
guidelines.
For strikes below the specified kA level, some or all
of these low-intensity strikes may not be captured
by the system. This is an accepted part of the risk
management principles that apply to all lightning
protection systems.

Structures
Advantages
vs. static wire if strike bypasses from the
side, CVM will intercept.
Larger protection area. Protect skater
antenna
and control house.
Dis-Advantages
Cannot get inspected by 3rd party (UL LPI)
Other Types of Lightning Protection
French
Standard ESE
Terminals
Controlled
Leader
Trigger
System (CLT)
Other Types of Lightning Protection
French
Standard ESE
Terminals
French Standard ESE Terminals
Designed to meet:
NFC17-102
Available in three
models : 25 m/s
40 m/s
60 m/s
NFC17-102 Application
T measured in Lab. Test defined

by NFC17-102
Simple Linear Function of L = v
*T
Protection Radius Rp
proportional to the value of L
NFC17-102 Application
Thank you for your time!
This concludes the educational content of this

activity
www.erico.com

Lightning Protection System Design: Revised 5/28/14

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Lightning

Understand the principle of lightning protection

NFPA is a registered trademark of National Fire Protection Association, Inc.

Lightning always strikes the tallest object

Lightning strikes can occur either at the beginning

Injuries Due To Lightning

TEXAS C/G Flash Density

0.3861 SQ. MILES )

261,914 SQ. MILES

Why people are struck by

The Risk Of Being Struck By

The Risk Of Being Struck By

If the sky looks threatening, or if you hear

Avoid contact with phones, electrical equipment,

After the last rumble of thunder, wait 30

The Risk Of Being Struck By

Lightning Protection Codes

The Principles Of Lightning

The Principles Of Lightning

The Principles Of Lightning

The Principles Of Lightning

The Principles Of Lightning

The Principles Of Lightning

Typical peak current of 10kA

The Principles Of Lightning

The Principles Of Lightning

The Principles Of Lightning

The Principles Of Lightning

Rolling Sphere Method

150 radius sphere model can be calculated:

Disadvantages of Conventional Lightning

Installations can be expensive

Coverage area of any one air terminal is small

Lightning Protection Risk

Appendix L of NFPA 780

NFPA is a registered trademark of National Fire Protection Association, Inc.

Lightning Protection Risk

Equivalent Collective Area is defined as:

Ae refers to the ground area having the same yearly

Expected Yearly Lightning Strike Frequency:

Ng is the yearly number of flashes to ground per

Lightning Protection Risk

C1 Relative structure location

C1 = .25 Located within a space containing

Lightning Protection Risk

Tolerable Lightning Frequency:

Lightning Protection Risk

C3 = .5 Low value and non-flammable

C3 = 1 Standard value and non-flammable

C3 = 2 High value, moderate flammability

C3 = 3 Exceptional value, flammable,

Lightning Protection Risk

Lightning Protection Risk

If Nd <= Nc; an LPS may be optional

If Nd > Nc; an LPS should be installed

Lightning Protection Risk

Lightning Protection Risk

First adopted in 1904

NFPA is a registered trademark of National Fire Protection Association, Inc.

Air Terminals/Strike Termination

Blunt/ Safety Tipped

Adhesive Air Terminal

Ridge Air Terminal