Lightning Protection in India

By
Isha Parmar
Project Executive, Philanthrope
New Delhi, India

Philanthrope
Training for Safety
Lightning Protection in India

1 Basic Concepts of Lightning Phenomenon

2 Lightning Threats

3 Essentials of Lightning Protection

4 Safety Measures

Philanthrope
Training for Safety
 Lightning Protection in India

Aim

Aim of this To recommend

presentation is to certain safety
bring out the basic measures that
concepts of should be taken
lightning
phenomenon, the
to minimize
lightning threats lightning
and essentials of hazards.
lightning protection,

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Top-
Top-10 Myths of Lightning Safety

Lightning never strikes the same place twice

If it’s not raining, or if clouds aren’t overhead, you are safe from
lightning

Rubber tires protect you from lightning in a car by insulating
you from the ground

A lightning victim is electrified. If you touch them, you’ll be
electrocuted.

If outside in a thunderstorm, go under a tree to stay dry.

If you are in a house, you are safe from lightning

When playing sports and thunderstorms threaten, it’s okay to
finish the game before seeking shelter.

Structures with metal, or metal on the body (jewellery, watches,
glasses, backpacks, etc.), attract lightning

If trapped outside and lightning is about to strike, lie flat on the
ground

Go near a tall pointy isolated object when thunderstorms
threaten, to be within the 45°“cone of protection”

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Training for Safety
 PART--1
PART

Basic Concept of Lightning

Phenomenon

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Types of Strikes and Lightning
Different Types of Strikes
Strikes::

Cloud to Ground

Ground to Cloud

Cloud to Cloud
Types of Lightning

Normal lightning

Sheet lightning

Heat lightning

Ball lightning

Red sprite

Blue jet

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 Colours of Lightning

Red
Orange

Yellow
What does it Mean

White

Blue

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Colours of Lightning

Blue lightning within a cloud
indicates the presence of hail.

Red lightning within a cloud
indicates the presence of rain.

Yellow or orange lightning occurs
when there is a large concentration
of dust in the air.

White lightning is a sign of low
humidity. White is the colour of
lightning that most often ignites
forest fires. Philanthrope
Lightning Hazards

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Direct Effects

Physical damage
(fire, explosion,
mechanical destruction)

Injuries/ death to living
being

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Indirect Effects

Surges or transit over voltage

Problem caused by it:
1.Disruption of data
2.Degradation (life span)
3.Damage (loss of equipment)

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What is Lightning Protection?

Provides a means by which
electric discharge may enter or
leave earth without passing
through and damaging non-
conducting parts of a structure

Does not prevent lightning from
striking

It provides a means for
controlling and preventing
damage by providing a low
resistance path for the discharge
of lightning energy.

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Monsoon Map of India

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City ATD
Delhi 30
Mumbai 18
Kerala 70
Chennai 47
Ahemdabad 11

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Case Study- Kerala

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Lightning in Kerala
Spatial
distribution of
lightning in
Kerala between
1986 and 2002.

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 Lightning death, injury
Death 71
Injuries 112
Events 188

(Average/ year)

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 Economic losses
Year Repair and Subscriber affected
Replacement (in Rs)
12/04/02- 04/04/02 13,65,237 1308
30/09/02- 18/11/02 4,47,706 4323

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 Driving Force

Western Ghat influencing Cumulonimbus Cloud
(Cb) formation,

Population density and vegetation density.
(Population = 31.8 million )

Lack of awareness

Accident by Ground conduction which is a
special feature of Kerala

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Philanthrope
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Protection Against Lightning in
INDIA
The protection and safety
against lightning can be
achieved in two ways

Protection through Scientific

and technical Methods

Mitigation through safety

measures

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 Protection through Scientific and
technical Methods
1. Air Termination Network-
It includes:

Traditional Air Terminal

ESE lightning arrestor/ Air Terminal
2. Protective Angle
3. Faraday Cage Method

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 Mitigation through safety
measures

Creating Awareness among masses for risk reduction is
needed amongst policy makers, decision makers,
administrators, professionals (architects, engineers and
others at various levels) financial institutions (banks,
insurance, house financing institutions) and NGOs and
voluntary organizations.

Creating awareness amongst masses, using media,
school education, street play etc

Capacity building at local and regional levels.

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Medical Recommendations

Timely medical treatment required.

Individuals struck by lightning do not carry a
charge.

Anyone who has signs of life is highly likely to
survive.

Those in cardiac or respiratory arrest should
receive the greatest efforts.

Fixed, dilated pupils should not be used to
establish death.

If victim is not breathing, has no pulse, follow
advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)

In cold and wet situations, put a protective layer
between the victim and the ground to decrease
hypothermia.

If the pulse returns, the rescuer should continue
ventilation with rescue breathing.
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 Basic survival techniques

Cardiac pulmonary respiration (CPR) - The main
cause of death is cardiopulmonary arrest. Most
victims survive if they receive prompt CPR.
Prompt CPR may prevent secondary hypoxia,
brain damage and death.

Artificial Respiration (AR) - Post CPR Artificial
respiration may be needed for good outcome.

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 There is The Need For Inculcating:

Culture of Preparedness

Culture of Quick Response

Culture of Emphatic Thinking

Culture of Prevention

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 Recommendation
1. Data Gaps
2. Absence of concerned authority.
3. Creating Awareness
4. Policy formulation
5. Protection of Power Systems and
Communication Networks and Army base.
6. Protection of National Heritage Sites .

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Isha Parmar - +91 9013477373

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