GUIDE FOR THE DESIGN:

RODS AND MESHED CONDUCTORS

Installation standards

The installation of a lightning protection system using rods and meshed MESH METHOD
conductors must follow the standards IEC62305 Lightning Protection: According to this method, conductors forming a mesh should be placed
The volume protected by the air terminals can be determined using 3 on the structure. The separation depends on the protection level:
methods:
- Protection Level I: w = 5m
ANGLE METHOD - Protection Level II: w = 10m
According to this method the protection volume is given by a line which - Protection Level III: w = 15m
origin is at the air terminal and which angle depends on the height and - Protection Level IV: w = 20m
the protection level according to the following chart and graphic:
w
_
80

70

60
_
50
Protection
level
40
h
30
IV
I II III
20

10
O 0 h(m)
0 2 10 20 30 40 50 60

The mesh should protect firstly the cover perimeter, especially edges
PROTECTION h(m) 20 30 45 60
LEVEL R(m) _ _ _ _
and overhangs.
I 20 25 * * *

II 30 35 25 * * For buildings higher than 60m, a mesh with the same size has to cover
III 45 45 35 25 *
also the upper 20% of the outer walls.
IV 60 55 45 35 25
Down-conductors should follow these requirements:
*For higher structures regarding this chart, this method cannot
be applied. - To provide several parallel paths for sharing the lightning current.
- The length of the current paths to the earthing should be as short
_1 _2 and direct as possible.
Franklin rods should be
placed on the higher and h1 h1 - They should be connected to the grounded metallic parts of the
most vulnerable places structure if the distance between them is shorter than the separation
(edges, overhangs, etc.), as h2 distance as defined in the standards.
shown in the figure: H

Self-standing rods (table 9) - The distance between down-conductors depends also on the protection
are recommended when the level:
rods have to surpass 8m or
higher elements on the roof. Protection Level Distance between down-conductors
I 10m
ROLLING SPHERE METHOD II 10m
The rolling sphere method is based on an electrogeometrical model III 15m
when it is assumed that the downward leader that will strike the structure IV 20m
to be protected has the shape of a sphere with a radius D (space where
the last step of the downward leader can stay). The points where this
sphere can touch the structure should be provided with air terminals. - The conductors should be fixed to the structure every meter
approximately.
According to the Standard IEC 62305-3, - For thermic length compensation of longer conductors, it is recommended
the rolling sphere radius depends on the to install expansion units each 20 meters.
protection level: - A guard tube should be installed for each down-conductor, covering
at least 2m over the floor, in order to avoid mechanical damages.
- Protection Level I: D = 20m
- Every down-conductor must be connected to the earthing. It is
- Protection Level II: D = 30m recommended to equipotentialize all the down-conductors at ground
- Protection Level III: D = 45m D level and every 20m.
- Protection Level IV: D = 60m - A disconnecting sleeve should be installed in each down-conductor
D
for measuring earth resistance separated from other conductive
h elements.
- It is recommended less than 10 for earthing resistance.
Rp
- Earth conductors should be buried at a depth of at least 0,5m.
- It is not recommended to install aluminium conductors or pieces
directly into earth.
Once these air terminals are installed, the protection radius (Rp) can - Unions between copper and aluminium conductors or copper and
be defined as shown in the figure and the formula: galvanized steel conductors are not recommended to avoid corrosion.
It should be used bimetallic or stainless steel clamps.
2
Rp= 2·D·h-h

10