Designing Effective Industrial Lightning Protection for Industrial Facilities

Designing Effective Industrial Lightning Protection for Industrial Facilities
Lightning protection is important for all structures, but particularly for industrial facilities. When lightning strikes a factory, it can cause significant damage to equipment, as well as the building itself. The result is potentially safety hazards, loss of income, and unwanted downtime. To protect an industrial facility against these issues, it’s vital to enlist the services of a lightning protection company. Here, we look at the principles and essential components that must be employed to create an effective industrial lighting protection system.

Why Industrial Facilities Are at High Risk: Importance of Surge Protection in Industries
What puts industrial facilities at higher risk than other buildings in terms of lightning strikes? Lightning is a natural phenomenon that happens when there is an imbalance, either between storm clouds or between those clouds and the ground. A lightning strike can consist of millions of volts of electricity, which can cause catastrophic damage when it directly hits a structure. However, that’s not the only way lightning can cause damage. When lightning strikes a power line or structure, the secondary surges of high-energy currents can affect electronics, even in neighboring buildings that weren’t directly hit. Further, the electromagnetic fields that lighting generates can be disruptive to communications networks and electronics systems.  Taking into consideration the complex electrical and electronic systems found in an industrial facility, it’s easy to see why this type of building is especially vulnerable.

Lightning Safety Solutions: Core Components of an Effective Lightning Protection System

Given the potential for disaster if an industrial facility is impacted by lightning, what is the best way to protect your property from lightning? To provide effective protection, a system must include the following components:

• Air Terminals: More commonly known as lightning rods, these are one of the most important parts of a lightning protection system. Their placement is key, and they must be properly positioned at the highest points of the structure. While lightning rods traditionally guide electrical impulses into the ground, modern air terminals reduce the risk of lightning striking a building by also dispersing the electrical charge in the air.
• Down Conductors: These are the components that channel lightning current from the air terminals to the ground. They provide a low-resistance path for current, and must be properly placed and securely fastened to be effective.
• Grounding System: Once the current is carried to the earth, it must be safely dissipated, and this is where a grounding system comes into play. There are different types of grounding systems, made of different materials, but the purpose is the same: to prevent the buildup of dangerous voltages.
• Bonding: This is the term for the connection of all the components, necessary for a continuous path for lightning current. Without the proper bonding, side flashes can occur, sending sparks between conductive materials, potentially causing damage to nearby structures, electronics, and people. Bonding creates equi-potentialization, ensuring that all metallic parts remain at the same electrical potential.

Best Lightning Protection Systems for Factories

When it comes to lightning protection systems, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, an effective lightning protection system begins with a thorough evaluation and analysis of the property. Working with lightning protection professionals is crucial, because they know exactly how to plan and execute a system tailored to the needs of your property. Vulnerable areas and structures will be identified, and targeted protection measures will be implemented, to ensure that your facility is properly safeguarded against the negative impacts of lightning strikes.

Importance of Surge Protection Devices in Industrial Settings

In addition to the measures put into place to divert lightning, it is also vital for an industrial facility to implement surge protection. Surge protection devices keep excess electrical energy from damaging sensitive equipment, and they are typically installed at different points in the electrical system, for comprehensive surge protection. There are different types of surge protectors, and part of designing a lightning protection plan is determining which type is right for your facility, and where the integration of surge protectors will be most effective in safeguarding critical equipment.

FAQs

• How Do Grounding Systems for Factories Differ from Residential Systems?
  • While the concepts behind lightning protection remain the same, factories and other industrial facilities require more complex systems, capable of withstanding higher voltages. There is also more concern for regulatory compliance with an industrial facility.
• Are There Specific Lightning Rods for Industrial Buildings?
  • Yes, and in fact, there are industry-specific lightning rods. Industrial facilities must have lightning rods tailored to the needs of their particular industry, able to withstand industrial environments, and in compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
• Does the Importance of Surge Protection in Industries Vary by the Industry Type?
  • While every industry should have surge protection, to keep operations running smoothly, there are certainly some for which surge protection is most vital. These include telecommunications facilities, data centers, manufacturing facilities, and anything critical to infrastructure.
• Do Industrial Lightning Protection Systems Have to Comply with Certain Regulations?
  • Yes, there are regulations with which industrial lightning protection must be in compliance, which is why it’s so important to work with an experienced company, well-versed in these parameters.
• Can Lightning Protection Systems Be Installed in Every Type of Building?
  • Yes, professional lightning protection companies will tailor the system to meet the needs of each building.

How to Protect Industrial Facilities from Lightning? Contact Boston Lightning Rod Company, Inc

When you need lightning protection for your property, contact. Boston Lightning Rod Company, Inc. For over 150 years, our company has been dedicated to protecting the community and putting fears about lightning damage to rest by providing full-service lightning protection. Having earned a reputation for excellence, Boston Lightning Rod Company, Inc. is the preferred supplier of American-made lightning protection equipment for homes and businesses in the region. Five generations of leaders in our company, backed by extensive electrical knowledge, numerous certifications, and advanced training, have expertly installed lightning protection systems, providing tailored services to property owners in Dedham and the surrounding area. To learn more about our innovative lightning surge protector systems, and to find out how we can effectively protect your industrial facility from electrical surges, contact us for more information or to schedule a personalized installation appointment.