Post on 03-Oct-2021
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SOLUTIONS
By
Robert Irwin, Alpha Process Sales, Inc. Louisiana Gas Association; 2017 Pipeline Safety Conference
www.L igh tn ingPro tec t ion .com
6/26/2017
What Creates Lightning?
Water Drops Inside the Cloud
Wind
Frozen Water Drops
Hail
Gravity
Collision
Electron Collection
Charge Separation
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Electrostatic Shadow
Electrostatic Field 5 to 30 kV/m
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Electrostatic Field
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ELECTROSTATIC FIELD
5 to 30 kV/m
ELECTROSTATIC SHADOW
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6/26/2017
Lightning Leader – Air Breaks Down
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10⁸ V ± 10%
Copyright ©2013, Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc.
6/26/2017
Rising Streamers
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RISING
STREAMERS
HIGH-DENSITY CHARGE
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6/26/2017
Striking Distance
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STRIKING DISTANCE
R=10-260m
POINT OF
DISCRIMINATION
Copyright ©2013, Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc.
6/26/2017
LIGHTNING DISCHARGE PROCESS
Leaders - Streamers
Return Stroke
Current Flows from earth surface through return stroke to equalize charge separation
Lightning Discharge Process
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Lightning Secondary Effects
Earth Current Transients
Atmospheric Transients
Ground Potential Rise
EMP
From an electronic integrity standpoint – Secondary Effects are a greater problem than the direct lightning strike.
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Earth Current Transients
Nearby Strike
Buried Data & Phone Lines
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Atmospheric Transients
Field Strength: 5 to 30 kV/m
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Nearby Strike
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Stroke Channel EMP
EMP Field
di dt
= 100 kA
s
Electronic systems in close proximity to grounding conductors, building steel , etc. are vulnerable
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Summary of Secondary Effects
Earth Current Transients
Atmospheric Transients
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)
Ground Potential Rise
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Lightning Stroke Data
Peak Current 2 – 510 kA
99% 200 kA
50% 30 kA
Negative Polarity > 90%
Time Between > 10 Seconds
Duration (99%) 30 to 200 s
RFI Range (95%) 200 kHz – 20 MHz
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Lightning Protection Solution
Address the direct lightning threat
Lightning Collection System (option 1)
Charge Transfer System (option 2)
Low Impedance Earth Grounding
Address Secondary Effects
Surge Protection (SPD/TVSS)
Low Impedance Earth Grounding
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History
Ben Franklin • Sharp point
dissipates charge • Linked lightning to
charge • Lightning rods were
attempt to dissipate the charge in the cloudstdissipatoverhea
d charge in clouds www.L igh tn ingPro tec t ion .com 21
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Industry Standards
Over 250 years with no significant changes
Based on “historical precedent”
Intended to collect strikes!
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Lightning Rod – Franklin’s Findings
• Didn’t sufficiently dissipate storm energy
• Could protect structures from fire and structural damage
• Is a termination point for lightning strike
• “Design” evolved and is based on experience
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Strike Collectors
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??? Lightning Rod
Dissipater
Early Streamer Emitter (ESE) ???
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1. Direct Strike
2. Atmospheric Transients
3. EMP
4. Earth Transients
5. GPR
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● Lightning is an uncontrolled discharge
● Discharge transfers charge very rapidly (Ampere-Seconds)
● A properly designed Charge Transfer System (CTS) provides a controlled discharge
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Use points to transfer charge slowly and continuously, lowering the static field of the structure
Use the storm’s electric field as the motivating
force (Passive system)
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Maximum ionization is achieved by optimizing design parameters:
Point Spacing
Point Length
Number and geometry of points
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Isolating the Site
Grounding System
Protected Area
Ionizer
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Leader Approaches Space Charge
Space Charge Intensifies
Upward Streamers Form
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Winning the Collection
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