IEC 62305-4

®
Edition 3.0 2024-09

INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE

iTeh Standards
Protection against lightning –
Part 4: Electrical and electronic systems within structures
([Link]
Protection contre la foudre –
Document
Partie 4: Réseaux de puissance Preview
et de communication dans les structures

IEC 62305-4:2024
[Link]
IEC 62305-4:2024-09(en-fr)
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 IEC 62305-4
®
Edition 3.0 2024-09

INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE

iTeh Standards
Protection against lightning –
Part 4: Electrical and electronic systems within structures
([Link]
Protection contre la foudre –
Document
Partie 4: Réseaux de puissance Preview
et de communication dans les structures

IEC 62305-4:2024
[Link]

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION

COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE

ICS 29.020, 91.120.40 ISBN 978-2-8322-7933-5

Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.
Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission

Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
 –2– IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024

CONTENTS
FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... 8
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 10
1 Scope ............................................................................................................................ 11
2 Normative references .................................................................................................... 11
3 Terms and definitions .................................................................................................... 12
4 Design and installation of SPM ...................................................................................... 16
4.1 General ................................................................................................................. 16
4.2 Design of SPM ...................................................................................................... 20
4.3 Lightning protection zones (LPZs) ......................................................................... 20
4.3.1 General ......................................................................................................... 20
4.3.2 Outer zones ................................................................................................... 20
4.3.3 Inner zones ................................................................................................... 21
4.4 Basic SPM ............................................................................................................ 23
5 Earthing and bonding networks ...................................................................................... 24
5.1 General ................................................................................................................. 24
5.2 Earth-termination system ...................................................................................... 25
5.3 Bonding network ................................................................................................... 26
5.4
5.5
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Bonding bars ........................................................................................................ 31
Bonding at the boundary of an LPZ ....................................................................... 32

6
5.6
([Link]
Material and dimensions of bonding components .................................................. 32
Magnetic shielding and line routing ................................................................................ 33
6.1
6.2
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General .................................................................................................................
Spatial shielding ................................................................................................... 33
33

6.3 Shielding of internal lines ...................................................................................... 33

IEC 62305-4:2024
6.4 Routing of internal lines ........................................................................................ 34
[Link]
6.5 Shielding of external lines ..................................................................................... 34
6.6 Material and dimensions of magnetic shields ........................................................ 34
7 Coordinated SPD system ............................................................................................... 34
8 Isolating interfaces ........................................................................................................ 35
9 SPM management ......................................................................................................... 35
9.1 General ................................................................................................................. 35
9.2 SPM management plan ......................................................................................... 36
9.3 Inspection of SPM ................................................................................................. 38
9.3.1 General ......................................................................................................... 38
9.3.2 Inspection procedure ..................................................................................... 38
9.3.3 Inspection documentation .............................................................................. 39
9.4 Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 39
Annex A (informative) Basis of electromagnetic environment evaluation in an LPZ .............. 40
A.1 General ................................................................................................................. 40
A.2 Damaging effects on electrical and electronic systems due to lightning ................. 40
A.2.1 Sources of damage ........................................................................................ 40
A.2.2 Object of damage .......................................................................................... 40
A.2.3 Withstand of equipment signal ports .............................................................. 40
A.2.4 Withstand of equipment power ports .............................................................. 41
A.2.5 Relationship between the object of damage and the source of damage .......... 42
A.3 Spatial shielding, line routing and line shielding .................................................... 42
 IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024 –3–

A.3.1 General ......................................................................................................... 42

A.3.2 Grid-like spatial shields ................................................................................. 45
A.3.3 Line routing and line shielding ....................................................................... 47
A.4 Magnetic field inside LPZ ...................................................................................... 51
A.4.1 Approximation for the magnetic field inside LPZ ............................................ 51
A.4.2 Numerical magnetic field calculation in case of direct lightning strikes ........... 57
A.4.3 Experimental evaluation of the magnetic field due to a direct lightning
strike ............................................................................................................. 61
A.5 Calculation of induced voltages and currents ........................................................ 62
A.5.1 General ......................................................................................................... 62
A.5.2 Situation inside LPZ 1 in the case of a direct lightning strike .......................... 62
A.5.3 Situation inside LPZ 1 in the case of a nearby lightning strike ........................ 65
A.5.4 Situation inside LPZ 2 and higher .................................................................. 66
Annex B (informative) Implementation of SPM for an existing structure ................................ 67
B.1 General ................................................................................................................. 67
B.2 Checklists ............................................................................................................. 67
B.3 Design of SPM for an existing structure ................................................................ 68
B.4 Design of basic protection measures for LPZs ...................................................... 70
B.4.1 Design of basic protection measures for LPZ 1 .............................................. 70
B.4.2 Design of basic protection measures for LPZ 2 .............................................. 70
B.4.3
B.5
iTeh Standards
Design of basic protection measures for LPZ 3 .............................................. 71
Improvement of an existing LPS using spatial shielding of LPZ 1 .......................... 71
B.6
B.7
([Link]
Establishment of LPZs for electrical and electronic systems .................................. 71
Protection using a bonding network ...................................................................... 74
B.8 Document Preview
Protection by surge protective devices .................................................................. 74
B.9 Protection by isolating interfaces .......................................................................... 75
B.10 Protection measures by lineIEC routing and shielding ................................................. 75
62305-4:2024
B.11 Protection measures for externally installed equipment ......................................... 77
[Link]
B.11.1 General ......................................................................................................... 77
B.11.2 Protection of external equipment ................................................................... 77
B.11.3 Protection by maintaining electrical insulation to the LPS .............................. 79
B.11.4 Reduction of overvoltages in cables ............................................................... 80
B.12 Improving interconnections between structures ..................................................... 81
B.12.1 General ......................................................................................................... 81
B.12.2 Isolating lines ................................................................................................ 81
B.12.3 Metallic lines ................................................................................................. 81
B.13 Integration of new internal systems into existing structures ................................... 81
B.14 Overview of possible protection measures ............................................................ 82
B.14.1 Power supply ................................................................................................. 82
B.14.2 Surge protective devices ............................................................................... 83
B.14.3 Isolating interfaces ........................................................................................ 83
B.14.4 Line routing and shielding .............................................................................. 83
B.14.5 Spatial shielding ............................................................................................ 83
B.14.6 Bonding ......................................................................................................... 83
B.15 Upgrading a power supply and cable installation inside the structure .................... 83
Annex C (informative) Selection and installation of a coordinated SPD system .................... 84
C.1 General ................................................................................................................. 84
C.2 Selection of SPDs ................................................................................................. 85
C.2.1 Location of SPDs according to source of damage .......................................... 85
 –4– IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024

C.2.2 Selection with regard to lightning current I ..................................................... 86

C.2.3 Selection with regard to voltage protection level U p ....................................... 87
C.2.4 SPD arrangements ........................................................................................ 92
C.2.5 Equipment protection by two SPDs ................................................................ 92
C.2.6 Equipment connected to two different services .............................................. 93
C.2.7 Selection with regard to location and discharge current ................................. 93
C.2.8 Coordination of the SPD with back-up overcurrent protective device
(OCPD) ......................................................................................................... 96
C.3 Installation of a coordinated SPD system .............................................................. 97
C.3.1 General ......................................................................................................... 97
C.3.2 Installation location of SPDs .......................................................................... 97
C.3.3 Connecting conductors .................................................................................. 98
C.3.4 Coordination of SPDs .................................................................................... 98
C.3.5 Procedure for installation of a coordinated SPD system ................................. 98
Annex D (informative) Factors to be considered in the selection of SPDs ............................. 99
D.1 General ................................................................................................................. 99
D.2 Factors determining the stress experienced by an SPD ......................................... 99
D.3 Quantifying the statistical threat level to an SPD ................................................. 101
D.3.1 General ....................................................................................................... 101
D.3.2 Installation factors effecting current distribution ........................................... 101
D.3.3 iTeh Standards
Considerations in the selection of SPD ratings: I imp , [I max ], I n , U OC ......... 102
Annex E (informative) Lightning current sharing using simulation modelling ....................... 104
E.1
([Link]
General ............................................................................................................... 104
E.1.1
E.1.2
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Overview ..................................................................................................... 104
Methods to determine the lightning current distribution ................................ 104
E.2 Lightning current parameters for SPDs ............................................................... 105
E.2.1 Lightning current parameters IEC 62305-4:2024
in accordance with IEC 62305-1 ..................... 105
[Link]
E.2.2 Conclusion on lightning current sharing from numerical modelling ............... 105
E.3 Distribution of lightning currents in power supply systems ................................... 106
E.3.1 Influencing factors ....................................................................................... 106
E.3.2 Considerations in lightning current sharing using numerical modelling ......... 108
E.4 Current distribution in structures ......................................................................... 111
E.4.1 General ....................................................................................................... 111
E.4.2 Structures with externally installed equipment and non-isolated LPS ........... 112
E.4.3 Tall buildings ............................................................................................... 113
E.4.4 Transformer located inside a structure ......................................................... 114
Annex F (informative) Lightning current sharing in photovoltaic installations ...................... 115
F.1 General ............................................................................................................... 115
F.2 Structures with roof-mounted PV systems ........................................................... 117
F.2.1 Description and assumptions ....................................................................... 117
F.2.2 Simplified calculation for the lightning current flowing in DC conductors ...... 117
F.3 Outside free-field power plant with a non-isolated LPS........................................ 119
F.3.1 General ....................................................................................................... 119
F.3.2 Finding the lightning current flowing through the DC conductor via the
SPD ............................................................................................................. 120
F.3.3 Results ........................................................................................................ 120
Annex G (informative) Testing system level behaviour under lightning discharge
conditions ........................................................................................................................... 122
G.1 General ............................................................................................................... 122
 IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024 –5–

G.2 SPD discharge current test under normal service conditions ............................... 122
G.3 Induction test due to lightning currents ................................................................ 122
G.4 Recommended test classification of system level immunity (IEC 61000-4-5) ....... 122
Annex H (informative) Induced voltage in the circuits protected by an SPD ........................ 124
H.1 General ............................................................................................................... 124
H.2 Direct flashes to the structure (Figure H.1) .......................................................... 124
H.3 Flashes near the structure (Figure H.2) ............................................................... 125
H.4 Flashes to the service ......................................................................................... 126
Annex I (informative) Isolation interfaces using surge isolation transformers (SITs) ........... 128
I.1 SIT for low-voltage power distribution system ..................................................... 128
I.2 SIT for communication systems .......................................................................... 128
I.3 SIT surge mitigation performance (low-voltage power distribution systems) ........ 128
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 130

Figure 1 – General principle for the division into different LPZs ............................................ 17
Figure 2 – Examples of possible SPM (LEMP protection measures) ...................................... 19
Figure 3 – Examples of interconnected LPZs ........................................................................ 22
Figure 4 – Examples of extended lightning protection zones ................................................. 23
Figure 5 – Example of a three-dimensional earthing system consisting of the bonding
iTeh Standards
network interconnected with the earth-termination system .................................................... 25
Figure 6 – Meshed earth-termination system of a plant ......................................................... 26
Figure 7 – Utilization([Link]
of reinforcing rods of a structure as a protection measure against
LEMP and for equipotential bonding...................................................................................... 28
Document
Figure 8 – Equipotential bonding in a structure withPreview
steel reinforcement ............................... 29
Figure 9 – Integration of conductive parts of internal systems into the bonding network ........ 30
Figure 10 – Combinations of integration IEC 62305-4:2024
methods of conductive parts of internal
[Link]
systems into the bonding network ......................................................................................... 31
Figure A.1 – LEMP situation due to lightning strike to the structure ....................................... 42
Figure A.2 – Simulation of the rise of the field of the subsequent stroke (0,25/100 µs)
by damped 1 MHz oscillations (multiple impulses 0,2/0,5 µs) ................................................ 45
Figure A.3 – Large volume shield built by metal reinforcement and metal frames .................. 46
Figure A.4 – Volume for electrical and electronic systems inside an inner LPZ n ................... 47
Figure A.5 – Reducing induction effects by line routing and shielding measures ................... 48
Figure A.6 – Example of SPM for an office building ............................................................... 50
Figure A.7 – Evaluation of the magnetic field values in case of a direct lightning strike ......... 51
Figure A.8 – Evaluation of the magnetic field values in case of a nearby lightning strike ....... 53
Figure A.9 – Distance s a depending on rolling sphere radius and structure dimensions........ 56
Figure A.10 – Types of structure geometries with different volume shields ............................ 58
Figure A.11 – Magnetic field strength H 1/MAX inside a grid-like shield for the cubic
structure shown in Figure A.10 [14] ....................................................................................... 59
Figure A.12 – Magnetic field strength H 1/MAX inside a grid-like shield for the cubic
structure according to mesh width ......................................................................................... 60
Figure A.13 – Low-level test to evaluate the magnetic field inside a shielded structure ......... 61
Figure A.14 – Voltages and currents induced into a loop formed by lines .............................. 62
Figure B.1 – SPM design steps for an existing structure ....................................................... 70
Figure B.2 – Methods of establishing LPZs in existing structures .......................................... 73
 –6– IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024

Figure B.3 – Reduction of loop area using shielded cables close to a metal plate ................. 76
Figure B.4 – Example of a metal plate for additional shielding .............................................. 76
Figure B.5 – Protection of aerials and other external equipment ........................................... 78
Figure B.6 – Separation distance maintained or not maintained ............................................ 79
Figure B.7 – Inherent shielding provided by bonded ladders and pipes ................................. 80
Figure B.8 – Ideal positions for lines on a mast (cross-section of steel lattice mast) .............. 80
Figure B.9 – Upgrading of the SPM in existing structures ...................................................... 82
Figure C.1 – Selection of SPDs by source of damage ........................................................... 86
Figure C.2 – Example of installation of an SPD to reduce the effect of SPD lead length ........ 88
Figure C.3 – Surge voltage between live conductor and bonding bar .................................... 91
Figure C.4 – Equipment with two ports and SPDs on both services bonded to two
different earthing points of a non-equipotential earthing system ............................................ 93
Figure D.1 – Installation example of SPD test class I, class II and class III in a TN
system ................................................................................................................................ 100
Figure D.2 – Basic example of different sources of damage to a structure and lightning
current distribution within a system ..................................................................................... 101
Figure D.3 – Example of the simplified current distribution in a TN power distribution
system ................................................................................................................................ 102
Figure E.1 – Approach to computer simulation used to analyse lightning current
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sharing ............................................................................................................................... 105
Figure E.2 – MEN earthing system ...................................................................................... 108
Figure E.3 – Parallel([Link]
connected structures .......................................................................... 109

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Figure E.4 – Influence of lightning current flow in parallel connected structures .................. 109
Figure E.5 – Influence of lightning current flow in star connected structures ....................... 110
Figure E.6 – Influence of other metallic conductive services on lightning current
IEC 62305-4:2024
sharing ............................................................................................................................... 110
[Link]
Figure E.7 – Influence of lightning current flow from S3 events ........................................... 111
Figure E.8 – Structures with externally installed equipment and non-isolated LPS .............. 112
Figure E.9 – Protection of internally located sub-station transformers ................................. 114
Figure F.1 – Current sharing between LPS down conductors and the internal cabling of
a PV system in which the separation distance s has not been maintained ........................... 116
Figure F.2 – Protection of a roof-mounted PV system ......................................................... 117
Figure F.3 – Free-field PV power plant with multiple earthing and meshed earthing
system ................................................................................................................................ 120
Figure G.1 – Example circuit of an SPD discharge current test under service conditions ..... 123
Figure G.2 – Example circuit of an induction test due to lightning currents .......................... 123
Figure H.1 – Induced loop by a lightning current on the structure ........................................ 125
Figure H.2 – Induced loop by a lightning current near the structure ..................................... 125
Figure I.1 – Use of SPDs to protect windings of SIT ............................................................ 129

Table 1 – Minimum cross-sections for bonding components .................................................. 33

Table 2 – SPM management plan for new buildings and for extensive changes in
construction or use of existing buildings ................................................................................ 37
Table A.1 – Rated impulse voltage of equipment per IEC 60364-4-44:2007, Clause 443
and IEC 60364-4-44:2007/AMD1:2015, Clause 443 .............................................................. 41
Table A.2 – Parameters relevant to source of harm and equipment ....................................... 43
 IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024 –7–

Table A.3 – Examples for I 0/MAX = 100 kA and w m = 2 m .................................................... 53

Table A.4 – Attenuation of the magnetic field of grid-like spatial shields for a plane
wave ..................................................................................................................................... 54
Table A.5 – Rolling sphere radius corresponding to maximum lightning current .................... 56
Table A.6 – Examples for I 0/MAX = 100 kA and w m = 2 m corresponding to
SF = 12,6 dB ......................................................................................................................... 57
Table B.1 – Structural characteristics and surroundings ........................................................ 67
Table B.2 – Installation characteristics .................................................................................. 68
Table B.3 – Equipment characteristics .................................................................................. 68
Table B.4 – Other questions to be considered for the protection concept .............................. 68
Table B.5 – Type of LPS ....................................................................................................... 68
Table C.1 – Required rated impulse voltage of equipment..................................................... 87
Table C.2 – Connection of the SPD dependent on supply system ......................................... 94
Table C.3 – Selection of impulse discharge current (I imp ) where the building is
protected against direct lightning strike (S1) based on simplified rules .................................. 95
Table C.4 – Nominal discharge current (I n ) in kA depending on supply system and
connection type .................................................................................................................... 95
Table C.5 – Selection of impulse discharge current (I imp ) where the building is

iTeh Standards
protected from direct strikes to the line (S3) .......................................................................... 96
Table D.1 – Preferred values of I imp ..................................................................................... 99
Table E.1 – General([Link]
trends associated with protection installations for different power
distribution systems ............................................................................................................ 107
Document
Table F.1 – Simplified calculated values of I imp (I 10/350 Preview ) and I n (I 8/20 ) for voltage-
limiting SPDs on the DC side of a PV installation mounted on the roof of a building with
an external LPS if the separation distance is not maintained (see Figure F.1) ..................... 118
IEC 62305-4:2024
Table F.2 – Simplified calculated values of I imp (I 10/350 ) for voltage switching SPDs
[Link]
on the DC side of a PV installation mounted on the roof of a building with an external
LPS if the separation distance is not maintained (see Figure F.1) ....................................... 119
Table F.3 – Simplified calculated values of I 10/350 and I 8/20 for SPDs intended to be
used in free-field PV power plants with multiple earthing and a meshed earthing
system based on Figure F.3 ................................................................................................ 121
Table H.1 – Flashes near the structure: induced voltage per square metre q as a
function of LPL.................................................................................................................... 126
Table H.2 – Values of k c ..................................................................................................... 127
Table H.3 – Values of k S1 and k S2 for some copper shields ............................................... 127
 –8– IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________

PROTECTION AGAINST LIGHTNING –

Part 4: Electrical and electronic systems within structures

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National

iTeh Standards
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.

([Link]
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
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5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
IEC 62305-4:2024
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
[Link]
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s),
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
[Link] IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

IEC 62305-4 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 81: Lightning protection. It is an
International Standard.

This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2010. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.

This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:

a) addition of new informative Annex E and Annex F on the determination of current sharing
using modelling and current sharing in PV installations respectively;
b) addition of a new informative Annex G on methods of testing of system level behaviour;
c) addition of a new informative Annex H on induced voltages in SPD-protected installations.
 IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024 –9–

The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:

Draft Report on voting

81/733/FDIS 81/752/RVD

Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.

The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.

This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement,
available at [Link]/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by
IEC are described in greater detail at [Link]/publications.

A list of all parts in the IEC 62305 series, published under the general title Protection against
lightning, can be found on the IEC website.

The following differing practices of a less permanent nature exist in the countries indicated
below.

1) Subclause 5.6: In Japan, the minimum values of the cross-section are reduced from:
– iTeh Standards
16 mm 2 to 14 mm 2 for copper and 25 mm 2 to 22 mm 2 for aluminium, for bonding
conductors connecting different bonding bars and conductors connecting the bars to

– 2
([Link]
the earth-termination system;
2 2 2
6 mm to 5 mm for copper, 10 mm to 8 mm for aluminium and 16 mm to 14 mm 2 2

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for steel, for bonding conductors connecting internal metal installations to the bonding
bars;
– 16 mm 2 to 14 mm 2 , 6 mm 2 to 5 mm 2 and 2,5 mm 2 to 2 mm 2 for copper, for earthing
conductors to the SPD, conductorsIEC 62305-4:2024
connecting SPDs and overcurrent protective
[Link]
devices to live conductors.
2) Subclause E.3.2.3: In South Africa SANS 10142-1:2020, Clause 6.1.6 [1] 1 states that ‘The
neutral conductor shall not be connected direct to earth or to the earth continuity
conductor on the load side of the point of control’.

The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under [Link] in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be

• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.

IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.

___________
1 Numbers in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.
 – 10 – IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024

INTRODUCTION

Lightning as a source of harm is a very high energy phenomenon. Lightning flashes release
many hundreds of mega-joules of energy. When compared with the milli-joules of energy that
can be enough to cause damage to sensitive electronic equipment in electrical and electronic
systems within a structure, additional protection measures will be necessary to protect some
of this equipment.

The need for this International Standard has arisen due to the increasing cost of failures of
electrical and electronic systems, caused by electromagnetic effects of lightning. Of
importance are electronic systems used in data processing and storage as well as process
control and safety for plants of considerable capital cost, size and complexity (for which plant
outages are very undesirable for cost and safety reasons).

Lightning can cause different types of damage in a structure, as defined in IEC 62305-1.

IEC 62305-3 deals with the protection measures to reduce the risk of physical damage and
life hazard but does not cover the protection of electrical and electronic systems.

This part of IEC 62305 therefore provides information on protection measures to reduce the
risk of permanent failures of electrical and electronic systems within structures.

Permanent failure of electrical and electronic systems can be caused by the lightning
iTeh Standards
electromagnetic impulse (LEMP) via:

– conducted and induced surges transmitted to equipment via connecting wiring;

([Link]
– the effects of radiated electromagnetic fields directly into equipment itself.

Surges to the structure canDocument

originate from sourcesPreview
external to the structure or from within the
structure itself:

– surges which originate externallyIEC from62305-4:2024

the structure are created by lightning flashes
striking incoming lines or the nearby ground, and are transmitted to electrical and
[Link]
electronic systems within the structure via these lines;
– surges which originate internally within the structure are created by lightning flashes
striking the structure itself or the nearby ground.
NOTE 1 Surges can also originate internally within the structure, from switching effects, e.g. switching of
inductive loads, tripping of circuit breakers, blowing of fuses.

NOTE 2 Further information about the protection against switching overvoltages created within structures can be
found in IEC 60364-4-43 [2], IEC 60364-5-53 and IEC 61643-12.

Coupling can arise from different mechanisms, namely:

– resistive coupling (e.g. the earth impedance of the earth-termination system or the cable
shield resistance);
– magnetic field coupling (e.g. caused by wiring loops in the electrical and electronic system
or by inductance of bonding conductors);
– electric field coupling (e.g. caused by rod antenna reception).
NOTE 3 The effects of electric field coupling are generally very small when compared to the magnetic field
coupling and can be disregarded.

Radiated electromagnetic fields can be generated via

– the direct lightning current flowing in the lightning channel;

– the partial lightning current flowing in conductors (e.g. in the down conductors of an
external LPS, or its natural components, in accordance with IEC 62305-3 or in an external
spatial shield in accordance with this document).
 IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024 – 11 –

PROTECTION AGAINST LIGHTNING –

Part 4: Electrical and electronic systems within structures

1 Scope

This part of IEC 62305 provides requirements for the design, installation, inspection,
maintenance, and testing of surge protection measures (SPM) for electrical and electronic
systems to reduce the risk of permanent failures due to lightning electromagnetic impulse
(LEMP) within a structure.

This document does not cover protection against electromagnetic interference due to lightning,
which can cause malfunctioning of internal systems. However, the information reported in
Annex A can also be used to evaluate such disturbances. Protection measures against
electromagnetic interference are covered in IEC 60364-4-44 [3] and in the IEC 61000 series
[4].

This document provides guidelines for cooperation between the designer of the electrical and
electronic system and the designer of the protection measures, in order to achieve optimum
protection effectiveness.
iTeh Standards
This document does not deal with detailed design of the electrical and electronic systems
themselves. ([Link]
2 Document Preview
Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
IEC 62305-4:2024
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
[Link]
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.

IEC 60364-5-53:2019, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 5-53: Selection and erection
of electrical equipment – Devices for protection for safety, isolation, switching, control and
monitoring

IEC 60664-1, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems – Part 1:
Principles, requirements, and tests

IEC 61000-4-5, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-5: Testing and measurement
techniques – Surge immunity test

IEC 61000-4-9, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-9: Testing and measurement
techniques – Impulse magnetic field immunity test

IEC 61000-4-10, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-10: Testing and measurement
techniques – Damped oscillatory magnetic field immunity test

IEC 61643-11:2011, Low-voltage surge protective devices– Part 11: Surge protective devices
connected to low-voltage power systems – Requirements and test methods

IEC 61643-12:2020, Low-voltage surge protective devices – Part 12: Surge protective devices
connected to low-voltage power systems – Selection and application principles
 – 12 – IEC 62305-4:2024 © IEC 2024

IEC 61643-21, Low-voltage surge protective devices – Part 21: Surge protective devices
connected to telecommunications and signalling networks – Performance requirements and
testing methods

IEC 61643-22, Low-voltage surge protective devices – Part 22: Surge protective devices
connected to telecommunications and signalling networks – Selection and application
principles

IEC 61643-31, Low-voltage surge protective devices – Part 31: Requirements and test
methods for SPDs for photovoltaic installations

IEC 61643-32:2017, Low-voltage surge protective devices – Part 32: Surge protective devices
connected to the d.c. side of photovoltaic installations – Selection and application principles

IEC 62305-1:2024, Protection against lightning – Part 1: General principles

IEC 62305-2:2024, Protection against lightning – Part 2: Risk management

IEC 62305-3:2024, Protection against lightning – Part 3: Physical damage to structures and
life hazard

IEC 62561 (all parts), Lightning protection system components (LPSC)

3 Terms and definitions iTeh Standards

For the purposes ([Link]
of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 62305-1,
IEC 62305-2 and IEC 62305-3 and the following apply.
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ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
IEC 62305-4:2024
[Link]
• IEC Electropedia: available at [Link]
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at [Link]

3.1
electrical system
system incorporating low-voltage power supply components

3.2
electronic system
system incorporating sensitive electronic components such as telecommunication equipment,
computer, control and instrumentation systems, radio systems, power electronic installations

3.3
internal systems
electrical and electronic systems of a structure

Note 1 to entry: Internal systems may for example be located on the roof of the structure provided they are
connected internally to the structure.

3.4
lightning protection system
LPS
complete system used to reduce physical damage due to lightning flashes to a structure

Note 1 to entry: The LPS consists of both external and internal lightning protection systems but not measures
taken to protect internal systems against the effects of LEMP.