LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM DESIGN

REPORT

Client : KAUSI TECHNICAL SERVICES PVT LTD

: M/s. CIKIT Electricals and Technologies
Prepared By
India Pvt. Ltd.
 LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM (LPS)
The main and most effective measure for protection of structures against physical damage is
considered to be the lightning protection system (LPS). It usually consists of both external and
internal lightning protection system. An external Lightning Protection System is intended to
1) Intercept a lightning flash to a structure. (Air terminal system)
2) Conduct the lightning current safely towards the earth. (Down conductor system)
3) Disperse the lightning current into the earth. (Earthing system)
In most cases, the external LPS may be attached to the structure to be protected. An isolated LPS is
preferred for areas at risk of explosion and fire.

Air termination system:

The probability of structure penetration by a lightning current is reduced by the presence of
properly designed air termination system. It can be composed of any combination of the following
elements.
1) Rods
2) Catenary wires
3) Meshed conductors.
The individual air termination rods should be connected at roof level to ensure current division.
Radioactive materials should not be used as air terminals. The following methods are used to
determine the position of air termination system.
1) Protection Angle Method
2) Rolling Sphere Method and
3) Mesh Method
Protection angle method is suitable for simple shaped buildings. It also has limitations on the height
of the air terminal. The mesh method is suitable where plane surfaces are to be protected. Whereas
rolling sphere method can be used in all the cases.
Rolling Sphere Method:
The positioning of air termination system using rolling sphere method is adequate if no point of the
structure to be protected comes into contact with a sphere of radius r (depending on class of
protection), rolling around and on top of the structure in all possible directions. In this way, the
sphere only touches the air termination system.
The radius of the rolling sphere for different classes of LPS are as follows,
Rolling sphere
S.No Class of LPS
radius, r (m)
1 I 20
2 II 30
3 III 45
4 IV 60

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The sphere of radius r, is rolled around and over all the structure until it meets the ground plane or
object in contact with the ground plane which is capable of acting as a conductor of lightning. A
striking point could occur where the rolling sphere touches the structure and at such points
protection by an air-termination conductor is required.

Penetration distance:
The distance between the two air terminals should be chosen in such a way that, the protection is
provided for all the objects placed on the surface to be protected. The protection of the objects
placed on the surface can be ensured by calculating the penetration distance of the rolling sphere.
The distance between the level of air terminals and the least point of sphere in the space between
the air terminals is called penetration distance.

Let us consider an object of height ‘h’ placed on the surface to be protected. Let ‘ht’ be the height of
the air terminal, ‘p’ be the penetration distance and ‘d’ be the distance between the two terminals.

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In this case, the penetration distance should be less than the difference between the height of air
terminal and height of the object to be protected.

𝑝 < (ℎ𝑡 − ℎ)
Distance between air terminals:
The penetration distance of the rolling sphere below the level of conductors in the space between
the conductors can be calculated by using the below formula (IS 62305-3).

2
𝑝 = 𝑟 − √[𝑟 2 − (𝑑⁄2) ]
Where,
p – penetration distance
r – radius of rolling sphere
d – distance between the air terminals
For attaining a particular penetration distance, we can derive the required distance between the air
terminals from the above equation.

𝑑 = 2 ∗ √[2 ∗ 𝑝 ∗ 𝑟 − (𝑝)2 ]
If there are no objects protruding from the structure to be protected, then the penetration distance
can be increased up to the height of the air terminal to provide maximum protection. At this
condition, the distance can be calculated by substituting the value of height of air terminal (ht) in
place of penetration distance (p).

𝑑 = 2 ∗ √[2 ∗ ℎ𝑡 ∗ 𝑟 − (ℎ𝑡 )2 ]

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The distance between the air terminals(d) in rolling sphere method depends on two factors.
1) Height of the air terminal and
2) Radius of the rolling sphere
Among these two factors, the radius of rolling sphere is a constant value which depends on the class
of LPS as specified by IS/IEC 62305-3. Hence for particular class of LPS, the distance between the
air terminals purely depends on the height of air terminal.

Down Conductor system:

The function of a down conductor system is to conduct the lightning impulse from air-termination
system to the earthing system. The down conductor system should be installed in such a way that
the following points are ensured.
1) Several parallel current paths exist
2) Length of current path is kept to minimum.
3) Equipotential bonding to conducting parts is performed.
For each non-isolated LPS, the number of down conductors shall be not less than two and should be
distributed around the perimeter of the structure to be protected. An equal spacing of the down
conductors is preferred around the perimeter. The typical values of the distance between the
conductors are shown below.
Distance between
Class of LPS
conductors, m
I 10
II 10
III 15
IV 20

A down conductor should be installed at each exposed corner of the structure and as far as
practicable, they form a direct continuation of the air-termination conductors. Down conductors
are installed in such a way that they provide the shortest and most direct path to earth.
Down conductors, even if covered in insulating material, shall not be installed in gutters or water
spouts. The effects of moisture in the gutters lead to intensive corrosion of the down conductor.

Earth Termination system:

Earth termination system is a sub system of Lightning protection system which is intended to
conduct and disperse the lightning current into the earth. In general, a low earthing resistance
value of less than 10 ohms is recommended for lightning protection system.
There are 2 types of earth arrangements for lightning protection and the details are as follows.
i) Type A arrangement
ii) Type B arrangement

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Type – A arrangement:
This type of arrangement comprises horizontal or vertical earth electrodes connected to each down
conductor. The total number of earth electrodes in Type A arrangement shall not be less than two.
Type – B arrangement:
Type B arrangement It comprises of ring conductor external to the structure to be protected or the
foundation earth electrode forming a closed loop. In case of ring earth assembly, at least 80% of
total length of conductor should be in contact with the soil. The ring earth electrodes shall be
buried at a depth of at least 0.5m and at a distance of about 1m away from the external walls.

Designing:
Site Details:

Type of Structure : Shed

Roof : Metal sheet
Height of shed at centre : 17.5 m
Height of shed at corner : 16 m
Length of shed : 165 m
Width of shed : 60 m

Design Considerations:

Standard : IS/IEC 62305

Level of Protection / Class of LPS : IV
Air terminal Position Method : Rolling Sphere Method
Radius of sphere : 60 m
Height of air terminal (ht) : 1.6 m
Height of ventilator/ panel (h) :1m
Penetration distance (p) : 0.5 m

Ventilators and Solar panels are mounted on the metal roof sheets. To provide protection for them,
a penetration distance of 0.5m is considered for the designing. The penetration distance should be
less than the difference between the height of air terminal and height of the object to be protected.
𝒑 < (𝒉𝒕 − 𝒉)

0.5 < (1.6-1)

Note: Penetration distance of 0.5m is considered based on the instruction which we received “panel
height will be lesser than 1m.” (Height of terminal = 1.6m; height of panel = 1m; p=0.5m)

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Distance between the Air Terminals:
For attaining a particular penetration distance, we can find the required distance between the air
terminals using the formula.

𝒅 = 𝟐 ∗ √[𝟐 ∗ 𝒑 ∗ 𝒓 − (𝒑)𝟐 ] 𝒎
Here,
r = 60 m for LPL IV and
p = 0.5 m

𝒅 = 𝟐 ∗ √[𝟐 ∗ 𝟎. 𝟓 ∗ 𝟔𝟎 − (𝟎. 𝟓)𝟐 ]

𝒅 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟓 𝒎
Hence, for obtaining a penetration distance of 0.5m at Class IV LPS, the distance between the two
adjacent air terminals shall not be greater than 15m.

Air terminals:
The entire air terminal assembly shall be divided into two parts for designing purpose.
i) Along the width of shed
ii) Along the length of shed
Along the width of Shed:

Width of the shed = 60m.

Max. allowable distance between two air terminals = 15m.
Hence, five numbers of air terminals at an equal interval of 15m can be placed along the width of
the shed to provide protection for the entire 60m of the shed.

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Along the length of shed:
Length of the shed = 165 m.
Max. allowable distance between two air terminals = 15 m.

Hence, twelve numbers of air terminals at an equal interval of 15 m can be placed along the width
of the shed to provide protection for the entire 165m of the shed.

Total number of air terminals = no. of air terminals along length * no. of air terminals along width

= 12*5

Total number of air terminals = 60 terminals

Down Conductor:
The total down conductor used for the LPS can be calculated by dividing the system into two parts.

1. Conductor for Interlinking the air terminals.

2. Conductors for connecting the air terminal network to ground.

Conductor for interlinking air terminals:

Length of conductors runs along the length of shed = 3*170 = 510 m

Length of conductors runs along the width of shed = 9*65 = 585 m

Total length = 1095 m

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Conductors for connecting the air terminal network to ground:
The typical values of the distance between the conductors are shown below.
Distance between
Class of LPS
conductors, m
I 10
II 10
III 15
IV 20

Hence, for LPS of class IV, the distance between the down conductors (DC) shall be 20m.

Length of the shed = 165 m

Number of DC in one side of shed along the length= 9

Number of DC in two sides of shed along the length = 18

Number of DC along the width = 2

Total no. of DC = No. of DC along length + No. of DC along width

= 18+2

Total no. of DC = 20

Total length of DC connecting to earth = (No. of DC along length*18) + (No. of DC along width*20)

= (18*18) + (2*20)

= 324 + 40

Total length of DC connecting to earth = 364 m

Overall Down Conductors = 1095 + 364 = 1459 m

Earthing System:
Horizontal or vertical earth electrodes installed outside the structure to be protected should be
connected to each down-conductor. Hence, one of earth electrode can be installed for each down
conductor and all the earth electrodes shall be interconnected to form a grid. The earth electrodes
should be installed at a distance of 1m from the wall.
No. of down conductors = 20
No of earth pits = 20
Conductors needed for interconnection = (2*170) + (2*65)
= 470 m

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Conclusion:
Based on the inputs received, we have performed calculations and designed lightning protection
system using Rolling Sphere Method as per IS/IEC 62305. The summary of the design is as follows.

S.No Item Quantity

1 Air terminal (Height 1.6m) 60 Nos
Conductor: (DC + Interlinking)
2 ➔ Down Conductor – 1459 m 1929 m
➔ Earth pit inter connection – 470 m
3 Test Link 20 Nos

4 Earth Pit 20 Sets

5 Earth pit chamber 20 Sets

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