Earthing systems play a vital role in a coordinated lightning and surge protection system. It is responsible for safely dissipating the lightning currents to ground. At Lightning Protection Ireland we use a wide range of materials in numerous configurations to achieve the required resistance level as set out in ISEN 62305: 2011.

Lightning Protection experts can:

• Design earthing systems for any application.
• Install Low & High voltage earth farms.
• Install Generator Earths
• Provide advice on the best materials to use in existing ground conditions.
• Supply and install all materials needed for installation.
• Carry out soil resistivity tests.

Types of earthing arrangements commonly used are:

• Copper-bond earth electrodes
• Copper lattice earth mats
• Copper ring tapes
• Soil enhancement agents
• Deep driven bore holes

SURGE PROTECTION

Direct and indirect lightning strikes on a building can generate a surge in electrical power or transient voltage.

This lightning power surge can damage electrical devices that are plugged into a power outlet anywhere in the building. Even though these power surges are so brief that they are measured in nanoseconds, they can cause considerable damage to electrical and electronic systems and equipment, leading to the disruption of operational and sometimes even critical services, and resulting in expensive down time and repair costs.

Measured against the potential losses to business operations or essential services, the business case for surge protection becomes very clear.

A surge protector works by channeling the extra voltage into the outlet’s grounding wire, preventing it from flowing through the electronic devices while at the same time allowing the normal voltage to continue along its path. Electrical surges can damage computer equipment by burning its wires or gradually over time wearing down the device’s internal components and even wipe out any saved data. Surge protectors can also protect telephone and cable lines as these also carry electric current.

Purpose of earthing:

1. To save human life from danger of electric shock or death.
2. To protect building, machinery and appliances under fault condition.
3. To ensure that all exposed conductive parts do not reach a dangerous potential.
4. To provide safe path to dissipate lighting and short circuit currents.
5. To maintain the line voltage constant to prevent over current or excessive voltage on the appliances or equipments.