An external lightning protection system (external LPS), is intended to intercept direct lightning flashes to a structure, to conduct the lightning current safely towards earth and to disperse the lightning current into the earth. These three goals can be considered separately by means of three complementary systems: an air-termination system (Section 6.2), a down-conductor system (Section 6.3) and an earth-termination system (Section 6.4). A last section (Section 6.5) is devoted to the selection of materials. The use of the new international standard IEC 62305 on Protection against Lightning, particularly its part 3 (IEC 62305-3) related to physical damages to structures and life hazards, is greatly recommended. In this chapter, we adopt most of its requirements.

Inspec keywords: conductors (electric); IEC standards; lightning protection

Other keywords: down-conductor system; air-termination system; direct lightning flashes; lightning current; earth-termination system; IEC 62305 international standard; external lightning protection system

Subjects: Protection apparatus