Lightning Protection of Electronic
Data Processing Systems
Kazimieras Maceika1
Abstract – Generalized knowledge about contemporary
problems of lightning protection are presented. There
are described parameters of lightning as source of
interferences. Statistical data about overvoltages in low-
voltage supply and signal lines is provided. Lightning
protection zone concept is given. The surge immunity of
equipment measures and testing methods are proposed.
Construction, effect and applications of protective
components and devices are described.
1 Introduction
Large-area networking of computers and control
systems require lightning and overvoltages protection.
There is now worldwide agreement that the danger
radius around a point struck by lightning is about 2 km.
Within this domain electronic systems are affected by
conducted and radiated disturbances that may cause
destruction. The future lies in the computer -integrated
factory, business and administration and problem
becomes more and more important. An American study
[1] highlighted the seriousness of the situation: banks,
sales oriented enterprises, factories, insurance companies
can close if the computer network fails for two weeks.
Risk can be controlled by electromagnetic compatibility
measures. The best solution of the problem is Lightning
Protection Zone (LPZ) concept. Application of LPZ
concept requires:
- estimation of lightning impulse expose for devices,
equipment and systems,
- properties of lightning protection elements and
systems.
It is necessary coordination between lightning and
overvoltages standards, requirements for equipment and
systems surge immunity. Realization of the Lightning
Electromagnetic Impulse (LEMP) protection can be
provided according surge protection for electrical systems
of buildings, telecommunication and computer systems
standards. They are prepared for components and
protective devices: arresters for power engineering,
information technology, optoelectronic connections also.
Usage shielding measures, equipotential bonding
networks, cable routing can help in solving protection
problems.
2 Lightning discharge
The information about lightning strokes was obtained
from measurements of the lightning currents at towers,
overhead lines, triggering stations. The electromagnetic
interferences caused by lightning discharge were
estimated also. At the beginning the lightning protection
levels were defined:
- the efficiency of the Lightning Protection Systems
(LPS),
- the radius of the rolling sphere, protection angle,
mash size of net on the roof, distances between down
conductors,
- the distance space between LPS and conductive
elements inside and outside the building,
- the characteristics of lightning currents,
- tests’ intervals of LPS.
There are four protection levels: I – with efficiency of
protection 0,98, II – 0,95, III – 0,9 and IV – 0,8. For the
first protection level the lightning currents are taken
with following parameters:
- 200 kA, - 10/350 µs - for the first positive or
negative stroke to ground,
- 50 kA, 0,25/100 µs - for subsequent stroke,
- 400 A, 0,5 s - long duration current.
Current waveform [1,2] can be taken from figure 1. It
can be used for simulating and calculations of lightning
effect and protective measures.
I,kA
200
100
350 µs
0
t
Figure 1. Current waveform of the first stroke to ground.
Analytic equation of the current impulse is used [3]:
I (t ) = I m k (e −αt − e − βt ).
Generally overvoltage are registered in
telecommunication cables. Analysis of these results
permits to separate several of basic shapes induced
voltages (Fig.2.). Fundamental information about values
of parameters characterizing overvoltages in
telecommunication lines are presented in table 1.
3 Internal lightning protection zone
concept
General rule of protection, described in introduced
standards and recommendation, relies on creation the
zones inside analysed object, in of which is defined the
exposures of devices on activity:
- overvoltages/overcurrents in electrical low-voltage
power nets,
- overvoltages/overcurrents in signal transmission
lines,
- impulse electromagnetic field (action immediately
on devices and installations in each zones).
in comparison with admissible peak values of surges in
considered zone.
In accepted standards most threatened areas are marked
as zone 0A and 0B.
General rules in partition of object in zones and the dis-
tribution of protective elements are represented in Fig.3.
The number of necessary lightning protection zones
depends on the surge immunity of electronic and electric
equipment.
Correctly projected and installed lightning and overvolt-
ages protection should limit jumps of potentials in ob-
ject and to aim to travelling of potentials inside of ob-
ject. The requirements for arresters are different depend-
ing on the specific interface between zones. There were:
- lightning current arrester between LPZ 0A and 1,
- overvoltages arresters between LPZ 1 and 2 as
between LPZ 2 and 3 and subsequent interfaces.

Figure 2. Different shapes of lightning overvoltages in

telecommunication lines

Parameters→ Amplitude Rise time Time to half

Type of line (V) (μs) value (μs)
↓ Figure 3. Lightning protection zones
Overhead lines some kV 0,1 - 20 20 - 200
Inside building, each from separated zones
characterizes admissible values overvoltages and
Overhead cables 1500-2000 20-500 300 - 800 overcurrents which reached devices working in given
with pair lines
zone. Below, the values, characterizing parameters of
Overhead coaxial 800-1000 100-300 500-1000 impulse electric and magnetic fields and surges in power
cables and signal nets are presented.

Buried cables 500 - 600 50 - 100 1000-1500 Zone 0A

with pair lines
Device and electronic systems working in this zone
Buried coaxial 400 - 500 200-500 500-1500 are subjected on direct influence of impulse fields and
cables lightning currents with non-attenuated amplitudes.
Threatened are devices or systems working on free air.
Table 1. Lightning created overvoltages in The values of parameters which characterize lightning
telecommunication lines. currents in zone 0A are represented. The amplitudes of
overvoltages results from strength of insulators or isola-
tion of cables and carry out from tens to hundreds kV.
In object, which is divided on zones, at passage from The parameters characterizing impulse electromagnetic
one zone to another the overvoltages, overcurrents and field carry out:
impulse electromagnetic fields are limited to admissible - electric field intensities until 500 kV/m,
values in given zone. - magnetic field intensities until 10 kA/m.
Technical equipments in given zone should be chosen
in such manner, that their surge resistances were greater Zone 0B
Devices are subjected on direct influence of
electromagnetic field, similarly as in zone 0A , but not to
 direct lightning strikes and the lightning induced surges.
The values of overvoltages in:
- electric low-voltage nets - 10 kV,
- signal transmission lines - 6 kV.
Surge current coming to the zone 0B are characterized
by rise time 8 µs time to half values 20 µs.
Zone l
Electric and electronic equipments working in zone 1
are protected before:
- impulse electromagnetic fields by single screen,
which most often is created by LPS or
reinforcing rods of a building,
- overvoltages in every low-voltage power and signal
lines by lightning current arresters. The transient
voltages in zone 1 should be limited to levels below:
- 6 kV in power networks,
- 4 kV in signal lines.
The shape of surge current in this zone is analogous
how in zone 0B.
The values of electric and magnetic fields intensity were
properly some kV/m and several hundred A/m. Creation
the following zones requires the system of overvoltage
arresters, which protect before voltage/current surges
and introductions the additional screens :
- reinforced concrete walls of rooms inside of object,
- solid screens of rooms,
- metal housing of the devices.
In real objects with complex and sensitive electronic
systems practically were used two-or three- steps of
overvoltage protection system. Proposed values basic
parameters characterizing overvoltages in each zone
are presented in table 2.
Zone →
Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4
Parameter ↓
Overvoltages in supply nets 4 kV 2,5 kV 1 1,5 kV
Overvoltages in signal lines 2kV 1 1 kV 0,5 kV
Electric field 5kV/m 50V/m 5V/m
Magnetic field 1OO A/m 1 A/m 0,l A/m
Table 2. Surges in different lightning zones.
. requirements and tests.
It is proposal to introduced additional protective zones.
In these zones the values of parameters characterizing im-
pulse disturbances are fixed between interested sides for
examples between producers and users.
4 Protection measures
The lightning protection system consists of external
and internal lightning protection. External protection
has air termination system, the down conductors and
the earthing systems. It is well described in [1] for
four protection levels. Internal lightning protection
includes all additional measures to avoid
electromagnetic interferences in protected volume.
Lightning protection equipotential bonding is part of
the internal protection, which reduces the potential
differences caused by lightning current. It is realized
by bonding the conductors of the external lightning
protection system with the metal frame of the
structure, installations and with the power and
information technology equipment in the volume to
protect. Bonding measures include bonding lines and
arresters. A difference is made between lightning
current arresters (tested by surge currents of wave
shape 10/350 μs) and surge arresters (tested by surge
currents of wave shape 8/20 μs). Arresters for power
engineering are based on a spark gap. Surge arresters
for low-voltage overhead lines are constructed as a
series connection of spark gap and voltage dependent
resistor designed for surge current 8/20 μs with 5 kA
peak value.
5 Standards and normative
Basically new in lightning protection standards are
methods for the assessment the risk of damage due
to lightning and overvoltages. Field measuring stations
register the radiated electromagnetic interference
fields of lightning discharges, lightning currents with
their extreme values are simulated in the laboratory
and influence on information technology equipment is
investigated. A lightning protection system is settled
[1,2]. The International Electrotechnical Commission
produces standards on the following:
- electromagnetic interference of lightning discharge
and its statistical distribution,
- methods to estimate the risk of determining the
protection levels,
- measures to discharge the lightning current and
screening electromagnetic fields,
- measures to discharge conducted lightning
interference,
- protective concepts and components,
Lightning discharges are relatively rear and very
short duration , but they are dangerous for the control
systems of nuclear power stations, alarm systems and
military installations, telecommunications and
electronic data processing systems. In the case of
lightning discharge there must be no error signals and
protection means are necessary. Table 3 shows
internationally agreed lightning protection standards,
proposed zonal protection concept.

Standard IEC 61204
Protection of structures against lightning
Part 1. General principles
IEC 61204-1 1990
Section 1. Selection of protection
levels for lightning protection 1993
Section 2. Design, installation,
maintenance and inspection of
lightning protection systems 1998
Standard IEC 61312
Protection against LEMP
Part 1. General principles
IEC 61312-1 1995
Part 2. Shielding of structures, bonding
inside structures and earthning
IEC 61312-2 1999
Part 3. Requirements of surge
protective devices
IEC 81/121/D 1999
Standard IEC 61663
Lightning protection – telecommunication
lines
Part 1. Fiber optic instalations
IEC 61663-1 1999
Part 2. Subscriber lines using metallic
conductors
IEC 81/128/CD 2000
Table 3. Standards proposed by Technical
Committee of the IEC
The standards were supplemented by Technical
Reports: IEC 61662 – Assessment of risk damage
due to lightning, IEC 61819 – Test parameters
simulating the effects of LPS components. The
protective measures and methods are for external and
internal protection, shielding, surge limitation, which
complement one another. According European
Member State law on the electromagnetic
compatibility of devices ( Council Directive
89/336/EEC of 1989 ) the equipment must have a
sufficient immunity also against lightning
interferences.
6 Conclusions
1. The parameters of lightning current impulse:
peak value, front time, time to half are specified in
standards having one meaning. It is shown that
shapes of lightning overvoltages in
telecommunication lines are a very different.
2. Use of many kinds of electronic systems:
computers, telecommunication facilities, control
systems in the protected volume caused that building
must be subdivided into lightning protection zones.
The different protection zones OA, OB, 1 and etc are
described and defined having one meaning.
3. There were not possible in paper to introduce a
great number of protection measures: arresters of
various classes, nonlinear resistors, metal oxide
varistors, Zener diodes and decoupling elements.
Applications and systems of these protective
elements are taken in literature.
4. System of standards is completed for EMC-
oriented lightning protection measures and sufficient
immunity of equipment against lightning
interferences.
References
[1] P. Hasse, : Overvoltage protection of low voltage
systems, The Institution of Electrical Engineers,
London, 2000.
[2] A.W. Sowa, “Coordination between lightning
protection concept and EMC requirements”,
Conference EMD’2002, Proceedings of
conference, 2002, Palanga, pp. 9 – 14.
[3] K. Aniserowicz, “Application of discrete Fourier
transform to analysis of overvoltages in
transmission lines”, VIII international
conference “Overvoltages in power-, electronic-
and computer engineering”, Proceedings,
Bialystok, 1997, pp. 5 -12.
1
Department of Radioengineering, Vilnius Gediminas
technical university, Naugarduko str. 41, LT-2006, Vilnius,
LITHUANIA.
E-mail: kmaceika@el.vtu.lt