External Lightning Protection System Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of External Lightning Protection Systems Using Protective Angle and Rolling Sphere Method in Areas That Have High Lightning Intensity

Indonesia is a tropical country with a geographical condition where 71% of its area is water. This is what coueses Indonesia is considered a country with a high density of lightning strikes. This results in buildings in Indonesia being at a high risk of damage caused by lightning strikes. According to data from BMKG, the city of Malang has a high lightning intensity, with 108 thunderstorm days per year, posing a serious threat to the Electrical Engineering Building of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Malang. Considering the building's age and expansion on the building's side, it is necessary to evaluate the lightning protection system to determine whether the existing system is still working effectively and efficiently. Improving the system's performance against lightning disturbances can be done by analyzing the previous external lightning protection system and then evaluating it using the angle of protection and rolling sphere methods. The analysis and evaluation of the external protection system are based on PUIPP, PUIL, SNI, and IEEE standards.

Practice of Electrical Insulation of Lightning Protection Systems in India – Before and After the Publication of the National Building Code of India 2016

Lightning protection system (LPS) as per IS/IEC 62305 is mandatory in India for buildings above 15 meters and for special buildings like educational institutions, and hospitals regardless of their height. External LPS (ELPS) can be of isolated or non-isolated type depending upon the nature of the structure. This paper reviews the installation of ELPS before and after the publication of the National Building Code of India 2016 (NBC). This is limited only to ELPS and Internal Lightning protection system (ILPS) is not considered. The installation has been studied as per IS/IEC 62305 on electrical isolation. The conclusion has been drawn based on the installation and the influence of NBC 2016.

SISTEM PENANGKAL PETIR DI GEDUNG TELEKOMUNIKASI DAN GEDUNG PAI MATSC

On Friday, 11 November 2022, there was damage to the radio link equipment in the HF and MSSR radio transmitter communication systems due to a lightning strike operating at the Makassar Air Traffic Service Center (MATSC) office. This lightning strike is a phenomenon that poses a threat to the operation of flight navigation services carried out by the MATSC branch of Perum LPPNPI. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the external lightning protection system that has been installed and also to determine the effectiveness of the conventional lightning protection system on the antenna tower next to the MATSC radio PAI building. This study uses quantitative research methods. Retrieval of data using the method of observation and measurement. The calculation results found that the PAI Building was included in category IV, meaning that the lightning strike hazard level is 80%. While the antenna tower has a protection level category III, which means it has a danger level of 90%. However, from the observations, only the tower antenna is provided with a conventional type of lightning rod, while the PAI Building does not have a lightning rod system. The calculation results show that the existing conventional lightning rod protection angle is around 35o with a protection radius of 16.58 m. So that with this radius, the PAI building does not fully get protection from the dangers of lightning strikes.
 
 Keywords: Lightning Protection System, Antenna Tower, PAI MATSC Building

Perancangan Sistem Proteksi Eksternal Penyalur Petir di Workshop PT. Bukaka Teknik Utama Balikpapan

Abstract— PT Bukaka Teknik Utama is currently building a fairly spacious workshop building with a length of 60m, a height of 15m and a width of 20m which almost the entire building is made of steel. Considering that thunder days in the city of Balikpapan are quite high, which is as high as 227 per year, the building is vulnerable to lightning strikes. Therefore, to avoid the impact of the lightning strike effect, an external lightning protection system is needed. The method to be used in determining lightning protection is the rolling ball method. Because the shape of the building has a horse gable type the protection level is at level IV with a protection radius of 100.9m and is able to protect lightning currents up to 234.89 kA. After simulation using Sparkta software, the standard rolling ball method NFPA 780 and BS 7430 obtained detailed risk assessment calculation results which are quite safe.

Lightning attachment characteristic of wind turbine generator: Experimental investigation and prediction method based on simulations

AbstractAs the height of wind turbine increases, the lightning strike accident has become a non‐negligible issue. In this paper, the lightning attachment characteristic of a 2‐MW wind turbine generator (WTG) is investigated using a model with a reduced scale of 100. The WTG model is equipped with receptors on the blades and a lightning rod on the nacelle, both serving as its external lightning protection system (LPS). The high‐voltage electrode, which delivers a lightning impulse voltage from a Marx generator, is used to simulate the final stage of downward negative lightning strikes from 29 coming‐leader positions. The experimental results indicate that lightning leaders from either front directions or side directions could be intercepted effectively by LPS, whereas the back‐direction lightning could not. Moreover, with the increase of striking distance, the capture ratio for the insulation part of blade decreases. Electric field intensity distribution simulations for the full‐scale WTG model, using conditions similar to their experimental counterparts, are conducted and compared with the lightning attachment distribution. Based on classical electro‐geometrical model, a simulative method is proposed to predict the lightning attachment distribution of WTG. Our results indicate that it is feasible with this method to produce a satisfactory approximation to the experimentally obtained lightning attachment distribution.

A Fractal-Based Approach to Lightning Protection of Historical Buildings and Monuments: The Parthenon Case Study

A fractal-based approach to the lightning protection of historical buildings and monuments against direct lightning flashes is introduced. The proposed methodology is based on a stochastic lightning attachment model that considers physical criteria on downward and upward leaders’ inception and propagation. The model foresees multiple competing upward leaders incepting from vulnerable points of the monument under protection and considers the branching and tortuous behavior of the lightning attachment phenomenon. Applying the proposed methodology to the Parthenon has shown that the risk of direct lightning flashes per year that cause physical damage to the monument is not acceptable without an external lightning protection system (LPS); two different LPSs are evaluated in terms of lightning interception efficiency. Lightning risk assessment results are discussed and compared with those obtained by implementing the procedures of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62305.

Theory behind the Zone Concept for External Lightning Protection of Photovoltaic Power Plants

The current practice of creating the external lightning protection system for photovoltaic power plants, according to the IEC 62305 standard series, is overly generalised. The common problems with the usage of the standard are also presented. A novel method is demonstrated to address them, which is called zone concept. It creates the opportunity to optimise the external lightning protection system better and decide the appropriate lightning protection level, if required. It can be achieved by considering the real layout of the power station and highlighting zones of interest inside it. The application process of the zone concept is demonstrated generally, and calculations are also carried out for a specific photovoltaic power station. The concrete example showed that the difference could be significant financially, but the effectiveness of external lightning protection system is not lowered notably if lowered at all with the zone concept compared to the standardised procedure. Since the calculation is parametric, the equivalent area value can be obtained in any climatic zone with the appropriate lightning parameters and using the proper isokeraunic lightning density value. The general form of the zone concept presented in this paper could be used in the standard for photovoltaic power plants specifically.

Investigation and Improvement of Standard External Lightning Protection System: Industrial Case Study

In this study, the lightning protection system and grounding system of one plant of the petrochemical industry were investigated, evaluated, and improved. The methods used in this study were rolling sphere and angle protection methods. The grounding system of the building under study was modeled and simulated using ATP/EMTP (Alternative Transient Program/Electromagnetic Transient Program) software. The results show that the external lightning protection system of the prilling tower studied does not adhere to IEC 62305 and IEC 1024-1-1 standards. Moreover, the grounding configuration of the DCS building was not appropriate for protecting sensitive equipment inside. Lightning causes an enormous potential difference between lightning ground rods in the grounding system. Additionally, disabling the existing surge protective device (SPD) causes an increase in the magnitude of Ground Potential Rise at the DCS building. Improvement of the lightning protection system of the prilling tower and DCS building on Plant 1 of this petrochemical company as well as some other recommendations for improvements are proposed. This paper also shows evidence that external lightning protection, internal lightning protection, and the grounding system need to be connected to make an exemplary lightning protection system.

Lightning performance analysis of a rooftop grid-connected solar photovoltaic without external lightning protection system.

The Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (SEDA) regularly receives complaints about damaged components and distribution boards of PV systems due to lightning strikes. Permanent and momentary interruptions of distribution circuits may also occur from the disturbance. In this paper, a solar PV Rooftop system (3.91 kWp) provided by SEDA was modelled in the PSCAD/EMTDC. The Heidler function was used as a lightning current waveform model to analyse the transient current and voltage at two different points susceptible to the influence of lightning events such as different lightning current wave shape, standard lightning current and non-standard lightning current. This study examines the effect on the system components when lightning directly strikes at two different points of the installation. The two points lie between the inverter and the solar PV array and between inverter and grid. Exceptionally high current and voltage due to the direct lightning strike on a certain point of a PV Rooftop system was also studied. The result of this case study is observed with and without the inclusion of surge protective devices (SPDs). The parameters used were 31 kA of peak current, 10 metres cable length and lightning impulse current wave shape of 8/20μs. The high current and voltage at P1 striking point were 31 kA and 2397 kV, respectively. As for the AC part, the current and voltage values were found to be 5.97 kA and 5392 kV, respectively.Therefore, SPDs with suitable rating provided by SEDA were deployed. Results showed that high transient current voltage is expected to clamp sharply at the values of 1.915 kV and 0 A at the P1 striking point. As for the AC part, the current and voltage values were found to be 0 kA and 0.751 V, respectively. Varying lightning impulse current wave shapes at striking point P2 showed that the highest voltage was obtained at waveshape 10/350 μs at 11277 kV followed by wave shapes of 2/70 μs, 8/20 μs and 0.7/6 μs. The high value of transient voltage was clamped at a lower level of 2.029 kV. Different lightning amplitudes were also applied, ranging from 2–200 kA selected based on the CIGRE distribution. It showed that the current and voltage at P1 and P2 were directly proportional. Therefore, the SPD will be designed at an acceptable rating and proper position of SPD installation at solar PV Rooftop will be proposed. The results obtained in this study can then be utilised to appropriately assign a SPD to protect the PV systems that are connected to the grid. Installing SPDs without considering the needs of lightning protection zones would expose the expensive equipment to potential damage even though the proper energy coordination of SPDs is in place. As such, the simulation results provide a basis for controlling the impacts of direct lightning strikes on electrical equipment and power grids and thus justify SPD coordination to ensure the reliability of the system.

Experimental verification of material coefficient defining separation distance for external lightning protection system

The separation distance is defined as distance providing the electrical insulation between the lightning protection system and metallic installation components of a building. This paper presents experimental verification of material coefficient which defines separation distance for external lightning protection system. Separation distances for different materials are currently defined by standard IEC 62305-3: 2010. Although separation distances defined by this standard are in a strong contradiction with former standard used in Slovak and Czech republic ČSN 34 13 90. This massive difference between two mentioned standards initialized a debate about correct value of the separation distance. The aim of this paper is to clarify the material coefficients experimentally and elucidate the source of disagreement between both standards. In this paper, the original experiment which defined the ČSN 34 13 90 was reproduced. In addition, the experiments will go even beyond the scope of the original experiment by adding more insulation materials to the brick and ytong material walls.

Application of genetic algorithm in designing high-voltage open-air substation lightning protection system

This paper introduces application of genetic algorithm (GA) in designing air-termination system of the high-voltage (HV) open-air substation external lightning protection system (LPS). As far as the authors are informed, this is the first proposal for using GA in designing LPS of substations. The complex air-termination system, as a part of the external LPS of HV substation, is known to be cumbersome to design using traditional techniques, where optimisation is often relegated to the trial-and-error approach. In addition, traditional methods are often associated with geometric constraints and implementation difficulties. This paper proposes a novel approach which utilizes a combination of statistical LPS efficiency and GA in designing techno–economically optimal external LPS of open-air substations. The LPS optimisation problem is particularly well suited to the GA solution approach, due to the stochastic nature of lightning, expert knowledge involved in constructing the fitness function, and the fact that the optimal solution is not, strictly speaking, a unique value (it can be obtained using different combinations of the air-termination system elements). Proposed approach offers a LPS designer unique and valuable assistance in optimally arranging elements of air-termination system for obtaining maximum lightning shielding effects with minimum total investments.

Penentuan Kebutuhan Proteksi Petir pada Gedung Bertingkat Kantor BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Cabang Blitar.

Lightning is natural phenomenon that is the result of electrostatic events in the cloud for their difference in charge between the clouds or the difference in charge between the cloud and the earth and become involved in the discharge and generate an electric arc that we can see as lightning. To protect the building from the danger of lightning strikes the lightning rod should be installed so that the building and electrical devices that are in, it are protected from over voltage from lightning strikes them. The finial project will discuss the calculation and the elevation of the external lightning protection system that has existed in the building of the Office of Employment Branch BPJS Blitar and compare it with the existing theories regarding the calculation of the lightning rod. From the calculation and elevation by the author can be concluded that the lightning rod mounted on the Office of Employment Branch BPJS Blitar cannot protect the building properly.

Penentuan Kebutuhan Proteksi Petir pada Gedung Bertingkat Kantor BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Cabang Blitar.

Lightning is natural phenomenon that is the result of electrostatic events in the cloud for their difference in charge between the clouds or the difference in charge between the cloud and the earth and become involved in the discharge and generate an electric arc that we can see as lightning. To protect the building from the danger of lightning strikes the lightning rod should be installed so that the building and electrical devices that are in, it are protected from over voltage from lightning strikes them. The finial project will discuss the calculation and the elevation of the external lightning protection system that has existed in the building of the Office of Employment Branch BPJS Blitar and compare it with the existing theories regarding the calculation of the lightning rod. From the calculation and elevation by the author can be concluded that the lightning rod mounted on the Office of Employment Branch BPJS Blitar cannot protect the building properly.

External Lightning Protection System for Main Office Building in the Area with High Lightning Density

Abstract In every industry which has main office equipped with a lot of vulnerable equipments that has to be protected against any risk of damages from natural causes and others. One of the possibilities of this risk is coming from weather phenomenon which we called lightning. The number of lightning strikes per square kilometer per year is very high in the area of Subang, west Java, Indonesia. Damages of electronics equipment and the death of human life have been reported. The aim of the research is to evaluate the local lightning activity and to design and install the protection system against the danger of lightning strikes. Lightning Protection System (LPS) is needed to prevent the damages, fire, and death of human life from direct lightning strikes. The main office in this area has unique structure. Due to its unique form of the building some modification is needed for the external protection by implementing the iron plate on the location of the structure which will be hit by lightning. Lightning protection system for the whole area of main office building are analysed by using the electro geometric concept to determine the lightning protection system for the mobilization of the workers and vehicles during their activities in the region which has high lightning activity.

Research on lightning overvoltages of solar arrays in a rooftop photovoltaic power system

Lightning overvoltages threaten the safe operation of the photovoltaic (PV) power system. This document uses the generalized modified mesh current method and establishes a time-domain multiport model of thin-wire system to simulate the lightning transient process of the solar arrays in a rooftop PV power system with and without the external lightning protection system. Different factors of the PV power system are simulated in order to study the effects of these factors on the induced lightning overvoltages. The simulation results show that the induced lightning overvoltage of the solar arrays in a rooftop PV power system is highly dependent on the lightning striking position, the lightning current amplitude, the building's height, the soil resistivity, and the distance to the external protection system. Therefore, when choosing the SPD configuration for a PV power system, the factors mentioned above should be considered comprehensively.

The Relations between Lightning Protection Zone Concept and External Lightning Protection System of Structures

The Relations between Lightning Protection Zone Concept and External Lightning Protection System of Structures