Basics of Lightning Protection and Earthing/Grounding | IEC 62305

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Lightning is an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon that can discharge up to 200,000 amps in a fraction of a second, thus making Lightning Protection imperative for modern structures. A direct strike can have devastating effects on people, buildings and the natural environment. Especially during stormy seasons, we witness numerous accounts of people losing their lives due to lightning strikes. Beyond this obvious impact of lightning, the voltage spikes that accompany even indirect strikes can be catastrophic to a building’s electronic systems. With the advent of sensitive electronic equipment in our everyday life in recent times, the importance of proper protection has become extremely critical.

The first step in designing a lightning protection system is Risk Assessment. Lightning Risk Assessment uses a range of factors from the structure such as the height of the structure, number of incoming power and telecommunication lines, electrical systems, number of people occupying the structure, sensitivity of the equipment inside and many other factors to determine the risk that your structure faces.


Using the class of lightning protection decided from the Risk Assessment step, lightning protection system design can be done using the Rolling Sphere, Protection Angle method or the Mesh method. The system design will provide information such as location of the lightning arresters, down conductors, earth electrodes, other equipment and the complete Bill of Material.


After the correct system is designed in the first two steps, an experienced contractor should be used for the physical construction. An Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contractor with experience of installing lightning protection systems can use the CAD drawings provided by the designer to complete the project as per the specifications to ensure safety for your structure.



As you have read above, assessing, designing and finally constructing a safe and reliable Lightning Protection System is not an easy task. It requires many measurements, calculations, and experience to execute perfectly. In addition to the products and 25 years of experience that Axis offers, we also offer a software suite which will help simplify all your lightning protection calculations so that you can put your head towards providing the best service for your clients. Axis can also help you with the entire process from Step 1 of Risk Assessment, to Lightning Protection System Design and all the way through supply of internationally approved products. Our engineers will be on the field with you to make sure that they provide the most precise protection for your structure!

For more information on our Software Solutions or our Risk Assessment and System Design, please contact us!



You can read more about lightning protection systems and earthing systems with the following links:

• Introduction to the basics of Lightning Protection and Earthing and the Standards (IEC 62305 and UL 467) - http://axis-india.com/2018/06/16/intr...
• Lightning Protection System Design and Products - http://axis-india.com/2018/07/27/ligh...
• Surge Protection Devices (SPD) - http://axis-india.com/2018/12/08/surg...
• Lightning Protection Zones and their Application to SPD Selection - http://axis-india.com/2018/12/29/ligh...
• How does a Lightning Arrester work? - https://axis-india.com/2019/12/17/how...
• What causes Lightning? Why do we need Lightning Arresters? - https://axis-india.com/2020/03/19/wha...

For more information, please contact us at www.axis-india.com/contact-us/


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