4Lightning

protection system
 air-termination system separation distance

lightning protection
system (LPS)
as per IEC / EN 62305

lightning equipotential bonding

earth-termination system
down-conductor system
air-termination system

separation distances

earth-termination system down-conductor system

lightning cur- lightning cur- equipotential bon-

rent arrester rent arrester ding for heating,
service for 230/400 V, for telephone air-conditioning,
entrance 50 Hz line sanitary system
box
Figure 4.1 Components of a lightning protection system

The function of a lightning protection system is to protect

structures from fire or mechanical destruction and persons in
the buildings from injury or even death.
A lightning protection system consists of an external and an
internal lightning protection system (Figure 4.1).

The functions of the external lightning protection system are: foundation earth electrode
¨¨ To intercept direct lightning strikes via an air-termination
system lightning equipotential bonding

¨¨ To safely conduct the lightning current to the ground via a

down-conductor system Figure 4.2 Lightning protection system (LPS)

¨¨ to distribute the lightning current in the ground via an

earth-termination system
The four classes of LPS I, II, III and IV are determined using a
The function of the internal lightning protection system is: set of construction rules including dimensioning requirements
¨¨ To prevent dangerous sparking inside the structure. This is which are based on the relevant lightning protection level.
achieved by establishing equipotential bonding or main- Each set comprises class-dependent (e.g. radius of the rolling
taining a separation distance between the components of sphere, mesh size) and class-independent (e.g. cross-sections,
the lightning protection system and other electrically con- materials) requirements.
ductive elements inside the structure.
To ensure permanent availability of complex information tech-
Lightning equipotential bonding reduces the potential differ- nology systems even in case of a direct lightning strike, ad-
ences caused by lightning currents. This is achieved by con- ditional measures, which supplement the lightning protection
necting all isolated conductive parts of the installation directly measures, are required to protect electronic systems against
by means of conductors or surge protective devices (SPDs) surges. These comprehensive measures are described in chap-
(Figure 4.2). ter 7 (lightning protection zone concept).

[Link] LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE 61

 5
External lightning
protection
5.1 Air-termination systems ¨¨ Rolling sphere method
¨¨ Mesh method
The function of the air-termination systems of a lightning pro-
tection system is to prevent that direct lightning strikes dam- ¨¨ Protective angle method
age the volume to be protected. They must be designed to The rolling sphere method is the universal method of design
avoid uncontrolled lightning strikes to the building / structure particularly recommended for geometrically complicated ap-
to be protected. plications.
Correct dimensioning of the air-termination systems allows
to reduce the effects of a lightning strike to a structure in a The three different methods are described below.
controlled way.

Air-termination systems can consist of the following compo- 5.1.1 Types of air-termination systems and
nents and can be combined with each other as required:
design methods
¨¨ Rods
Rolling sphere method – Electro-geometric model
¨¨ Spanned wires and cables For cloud-to-earth flashes, a downward leader grows step-
¨¨ Meshed conductors by-step in a series of jerks from the cloud towards the earth.
When determining the position of the air-termination systems When the downward leader has got close to the earth within
of the lightning protection system, special attention must be a few tens, to a few hundreds of metres, the electrical insula-
paid to the protection of corners and edges of the structure to tion strength of the air near the ground is exceeded. A further
be protected. This particularly applies to air-termination sys- “leader” discharge similar to the downward leader begins to
tems on the surfaces of roofs and the upper parts of façades. grow towards the head of the downward leader: The upward
Most importantly, air-termination systems must be mounted at leader. This defines the point of strike of the lightning strike
corners and edges. (Figure [Link]).
The following three methods can be used to determine the
arrangement and the position of the air-termination systems The starting point of the upward leader and hence the subse-
(Figure 5.1.1): quent point of strike is determined mainly by the head of the

air-termination rod mesh size M

down conductor
protective angle

α rolling sphere
h2

r
h1

earth-termination
system

Maximum building height

Class Radius of the Mesh
of LPS rolling sphere (r) size (M)
I 20 m 5x5m
II 30 m 10 x 10 m
III 45 m 15 x 15 m
IV 60 m 20 x 20 m

Figure 5.1.1 Method of designing air-termination systems for high buildings

[Link] LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE 63

 rolling sphere head of the
downward downward leader
point afar from leader
the head of the starting
downward leader upward leader

starting closest point to

upward leader the head of the
downward leader
fin stan
al ce
di

str h B
iki
ng

A rolling sphere cannot only touch the

steeple, but also the nave of the church at
multiple points, as this model experiment
shows. All these points are potential
points of strike.

Figure [Link] Starting upward leader defining the point of strike Figure [Link] Model of a rolling sphere;
source: Prof. Dr. A. Kern, Aachen

downward leader. The head of the downward leader can only between the peak value I of the lightning current and the final
approach the earth within a certain distance. This distance is striking distance hB (= radius of the rolling sphere):
defined by the continuously increasing electrical field strength
of the ground as the head of the downward leader approach- r = 10 I 0.65
es. The smallest distance between the head of the downward r in m
leader and the starting point of the upward leader is called I in kA
the final striking distance hB (corresponds to the radius of the
rolling sphere). The protection of buildings against lightning is described in the
Immediately after the electrical insulation strength is exceeded IEC 62305-1 (EN 62305-1) standard. Among other things, this
at one point, the upward leader, which leads to the final strike standard defines the classification into the individual lightning
and manages to cross the final striking distance, is formed. protection levels / classes of LPS and stipulates the resulting
Observations of the protective effect of earth wires and pylons lightning protection measures.
were used as the basis for the so-called electro-geometric It differentiates between four classes of LPS. Class of LPS I
model. provides the most protection and a class of LPS IV, by com-
parison, the least. The interception effectiveness Ei of the air-
This is based on the hypothesis that the head of the downward termination systems is concomitant with the class of LPS, i.e.
leader approaches the objects on the ground, unaffected by which percentage of the prospective lightning strikes is safely
anything, until it reaches the final striking distance. controlled by the air-termination systems. From this, the final
The point of strike is then determined by the object closest to striking distance and hence the radius of the rolling sphere
the head of the downward leader. The upward leader starting is obtained. The relationships between lightning protection
from this point “forces its way through” (Figure [Link]). level / class of LPS, interception effectiveness of the air-termi-
nation systems, final striking distance / radius of the rolling
Classes of LPS and radius of the rolling sphere sphere and current peak value are shown in Table [Link].
As a first approximation, a proportionality exists between the
peak value of the lightning current and the electrical charge Taking as a basis the hypothesis of the electro-geometric mod-
stored in the downward leader. Furthermore, the electrical field el that the head of the downward leader approaches the ob-
strength of the ground as the downward leader approaches is jects on the earth in an arbitrary way, unaffected by anything,
also linearly dependent on the charge stored in the downward until it reaches the final striking distance, a general method
leader, to a first approximation. Thus there is a proportionality can be derived which allows the volume to be protected of

64 LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE [Link]

 Probabilities for the limits of the Radius of the rolling
Lightning Minimum peak value
lightning current parameters sphere (final striking
protection level of current
distance hB)
LPL > minimum values < maximum values I in kA
r in m
IV 0.84 0.95 60 16
III 0.91 0.95 45 10
II 0.97 0.98 30 5
I 0.99 0.99 20 3
Table [Link] Relation between lightning protection level, interception probability, final striking distance hB and minimum peak value of
current I; source: Table 5 of IEC 62305-1 (EN 62305-1)

any arrangement of objects to be investigated. A scale model on the model; it is also possible to determine the areas which
(e.g. on a scale of 1:100) of the object to be protected, which can be hit by side flashes. The naturally protected volumes re-
includes the external contours and, where applicable, the air- sulting from the geometry of the object to be protected and its
termination systems, is required to carry out the rolling sphere surroundings can also be clearly seen. Air-termination conduc-
method. Depending on the location of the object under inves- tors are not required at these points (Figure [Link]).
tigation, it is also necessary to include the surrounding build-
ings and objects since these could act as “natural protection However, it must be observed that lightning footprints have
measures” for the object under examination. also been found on steeples in places which were not directly
Furthermore, a true-to-scale sphere with a radius correspond- touched as the rolling sphere rolled over. This, among other
ing to the final striking distance (depending on the class of LPS, things, is due to the fact that in the event of multiple light-
the radius r of the rolling sphere must correspond true-to-scale ning strikes, the base of the lightning strike moves because of
to the radii 20, 30, 45 or 60 m) is required for the class of LPS. the wind conditions. Consequently, an area of approximately
The centre of the rolling sphere used corresponds to the head one metre can come up around the point of strike determined
of the downward leader towards which the respective upward where lightning strikes can also occur.
leaders will approach.
Example 1: New administration building in Munich
The rolling sphere is now rolled around the object under ex-
At the design stage of the new administration building, the
amination and the contact points which represent potential
complex geometry led to the decision to use the rolling sphere
points of strike are marked in each case. The rolling sphere is
method for identifying the areas threatened by lightning
then rolled over the object in all directions. All contact points
strikes.
are marked again. All possible points of strike are thus shown
This was possible because an architectural model of the new
building was available on a scale of 1:100.
rolling sphere It was determined that class of LPS I was required, i.e. the ra-
dius of the rolling sphere in the model was 20 cm (Figure
r [Link]).

The points where the rolling sphere touches parts of the build-
r r ing can be hit by a direct lightning strike with a corresponding
minimum current peak value of 3 kA (Figure [Link]). Con-
r
r sequently, adequate air-termination systems were required at
these points. If, in addition, electrical installations were local-
r ised at these points or in their immediate vicinity (e.g. on the
roof of the building), additional air-termination measures were
building taken at these locations.
The application of the rolling sphere method meant that air-
Figure [Link] Schematic application of the rolling sphere method termination systems were not installed where protection was
at a building with very irregular surface not required. On the other hand, at locations where the pro-

[Link] LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE 65

 tection against direct lightning strikes needed to be improved,
this could be done (Figure [Link]).

Example 2: Aachen Cathedral

The cathedral stands in the middle of the old quarter of Aachen
surrounded by several high buildings. Adjacent to the cathe-
dral is a scale model (1:100) whose purpose is to make it easier
for visitors to understand the geometry of the building.

The buildings surrounding Aachen Cathedral provide a degree

of natural protection against lightning strikes. To demonstrate
the natural protection and the effectiveness of lightning pro-
tection measures, a model of the most important elements of
the surrounding buildings was made on the same scale (1:100)
Figure [Link] New administration building: Model with rolling
(Figure [Link]).
sphere according to class of LPS I;
source: WBG Wiesinger
Figure [Link] also shows rolling spheres for classes of LPS II
and III (i.e. with radii of 30 cm and 45 cm) on the model.
The aim here was to demonstrate the increasing requirements
on the air-termination systems as the radius of the rolling
sphere decreases, i.e. which areas of Aachen Cathedral had
additionally to be considered at risk from lightning strikes if
a class of LPS II providing a higher degree of protection was
used.
The rolling sphere with the smaller radius (according to a class
of LPS providing a higher lightning protection level) naturally
also touches the model at all points already touched by the
rolling sphere with the larger radius. It is thus only necessary
to determine the additional contact points.
As demonstrated, the sag of the rolling sphere is decisive when
dimensioning the air-termination system for a structure or a
Figure [Link] New DAS administration building: Areas threatened roof-mounted structure.
by lightning strikes for class of LPS I, top view
(excerpt); source: WBG Wiesinger The following formula can be used to calculate the penetration
depth p of the rolling sphere when the rolling sphere rolls “on
rails”, for example. This can be achieved by using two spanned
wires, for example.

2
d 
p= r − r −   2

2
r Radius of the rolling sphere
d Distance between two air-termination rods or two
parallel air-termination conductors

Figure [Link] illustrates this approach.

Air-termination rods are frequently used to protect the surface
Figure [Link] Aachen Cathedral: Model with surroundings and roll- of a roof or roof-mounted structures against a direct lightning
ing spheres of classes of LPS II and III; strike. The square arrangement of the air-termination rods, over
source: Prof. Dr. A. Kern, Aachen which no cable is generally spanned, means that the sphere

66 LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE [Link]

 air-termination Sag of the rolling sphere
conductor d
[m] (rounded up)

r
Distance Class of LPS with rolling sphere radius [m]
penetration depth p

between
the air-ter- I II III IV
mination (20 m) (30 m) (45 m) (60 m)
∆h rods [m]
2 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.01
4 0.10 0.07 0.04 0.03
6 0.23 0.15 0.10 0.08
d 8 0.40 0.27 0.18 0.13
10 0.64 0.42 0.28 0.21
Figure [Link] Penetration depth p of the rolling sphere 12 0.92 0.61 0.40 0.30
14 1.27 0.83 0.55 0.41
16 1.67 1.09 0.72 0.54
Class of LPS 18 2.14 1.38 0.91 0.68
I II III IV 20 2.68 1.72 1.13 0.84
r 20 30 45 60 23 3.64 2.29 1.49 1.11
r

26 4.80 2.96 1.92 1.43

29 6.23 3.74 2.40 1.78
32 8.00 4.62 2.94 2.17
35 10.32 5.63 3.54 2.61
Table [Link] Sag of the rolling sphere in case of two air-termina-
d
p

∆h

tion rods or two parallel air-termination conductors

rectangular protected
volume between four
air-termination rods

Figure [Link] Air-termination system for roof-mounted structures

does not “roll on rails” but “sits deeper” instead, thus increas-
and their protected volume ing the penetration depth of the sphere (Figure [Link]).

The height of the air-termination rods Δh must always be

greater than the value of the penetration depth p determined,
and hence greater than the sag of the rolling sphere. This addi-
tional height of the air-termination rod ensures that the rolling
nal sphere does not touch the object to be protected.
go
d dia
Another way of determining the height of the air- termination
rods is to use Table [Link]. The penetration depth of the
rolling sphere is governed by the largest distance of the air-
termination rods from each other. Using the greatest distance,
the penetration depth p (sag) can be read off from the table.
The air-termination rods must be dimensioned according to the
height of the roof-mounted structures (in relation to the loca-
∆h

domelight tion of the air-termination rod) and also the penetration depth
installed on the roof (Figure [Link]).
If, for example, a total air-termination rod height of 1.15 m is
Figure [Link] Calculation of Δh for several air-termination rods either calculated or obtained from the table, an air-termination
according to the rolling sphere method rod with a standard length of 1.5 m is normally used.

[Link] LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE 67

 Class of LPS Mesh size α° 80
I 5x5m 70
60
II 10 x 10 m
50
III 15 x 15 m
40
IV 20 x 20 m 30
Table [Link] Mesh size I II III IV
20
10
0
e.g. gutter 02 10 20 30 40 50 60
h [m]
Figure [Link] Protective angle α as a function of height h
depending on the class of LPS

α° α°
h1
Figure [Link] Meshed air-termination system

rolling sphere

r
Figure [Link] Cone-shaped protected volume

protective
angle
termination system, the individual meshes can be positioned
air-termi- same surface areas as desired.
nation rod The air-termination conductors on the outer edges of the struc-
α° ground area ture must be laid as close to the edges as possible.

The metal capping of the roof parapet can serve as an air-ter-

Figure [Link] Protective angle and comparable radius of the roll- mination conductor and / or a down conductor if the required
ing sphere minimum dimensions for natural components of the air-termi-
nation system are complied with (Figure [Link]).

Mesh method Protective angle method

A “meshed” air-termination system can be used universally The protective angle method is derived from the electric-geo-
regardless of the height of the building and shape of the roof. metric lightning model. The protective angle is determined by
A meshed air-termination network with a mesh size according the radius of the rolling sphere. The protective angle, which is
to the class of LPS is arranged on the roofing (Table [Link]). comparable with the radius of the rolling sphere, is given when
a slope intersects the rolling sphere in such a way that the
To simplify matters, the sag of the rolling sphere is assumed to resulting areas have the same size (Figure [Link]).
be zero for a meshed air-termination system. This method must be used for buildings with symmetrical di-
By using the ridge and the outer edges of the building as well mensions (e.g. steep roof) or roof-mounted structures (e.g. an-
as the metal natural parts of the building serving as an air- tennas, ventilation pipes).

68 LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE [Link]

 The protective angle depends on the class of LPS and the
height of the air-termination system above the reference plane
angle α (Figure [Link]).

Air-termination conductors, air-termination rods, masts and

wires should be arranged in such a way that all parts of the
structure to be protected are situated within the protected vol-
ume of the air-termination system.
angle α
The protected volume can be “cone-shaped” or “tent-shaped”,
if a cable, for example, is spanned over it (Figures. [Link]
to [Link]).
If air-termination rods are installed on the surface of the roof
to protect roof-mounted structures, the protective angle α can
be different. In Figure [Link], the reference plane for pro-
Figure [Link] Example of air-termination systems with protective tective angle α1 is the roof surface. The protective angle α2
angle α has the ground as its reference plane and therefore the angle
α2 according to Figure [Link] and Table [Link] is less
than α1.
Table [Link] provides the corresponding protective angle for
air-termination
conductor each class of LPS and the corresponding distance (protected
volume).

Protective angle method for isolated air-termina-

tion systems on roof-mounted structures
h1
Special problems occur when roof-mounted structures, which
α°
are often installed at a later date, protrude from the protected
volumes of the mesh. If, in addition, these roof-mounted struc-
tures contain electrical or electronic equipment such as roof-
mounted fans, antennas, measuring systems or TV cameras,
additional protection measures are required.
Angle α depends on the class of LPS and the height
of the air-termination conductor above ground If such equipment is connected directly to the external LPS,
Figure [Link] Volume protected by an air-termination conductor partial currents are conducted into the building in the event of
a lightning strike. This could result in the destruction of surge-
sensitive equipment. Direct lightning strikes to such structures
protruding above the roof can be prevented by isolated air-
termination systems.
h1 α α2 h1 Air-termination rods as shown in Figure [Link] are suitable
1
for protecting smaller roof-mounted structures (with electrical
h2 equipment).
H They form a “cone-shaped” protected volume and thus pre-
vent a direct lightning strike to the roof-mounted structure.

h1: Physical height of the air-termination rod The separation distance s must be taken into account when
dimensioning the height of the air- termination rod (see chap-
Note:
ter 5.6).
Protective angle α1 refers to the height of the air-termination system
h1 above the roof surface to be protected (reference plane).
Protective α2 refers to the height h2 = h1 + H, where the earth Isolated and non-isolated air-termination systems
surface is the reference plane. When designing the external lightning protection system of a
building, we distinguish between two types of air-termination
Figure [Link] Volume protected by an air-termination rod system:

[Link] LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE 69

Height of the air- Class of LPS I Class of LPS II Class of LPS III Class of LPS IV
termination rod Distance Distance Distance Distance
h in m Angle a a in m Angle a a in m Angle a a in m Angle a a in m
1 71 2.90 74 3.49 77 4.33 79 5.14
2 71 5.81 74 6.97 77 8.66 79 10.29
3 66 6.74 71 8.71 74 10.46 76 12.03
4 62 7.52 68 9.90 72 12.31 74 13.95
5 59 8.32 65 10.72 70 13.74 72 15.39
6 56 8.90 62 11.28 68 14.85 71 17.43
7 53 9.29 60 12.12 66 15.72 69 18.24
8 50 9.53 58 12.80 64 16.40 68 19.80
9 48 10.00 56 13.34 62 16.93 66 20.21
10 45 10.00 54 13.76 61 18.04 65 21.45
11 43 10.26 52 14.08 59 18.31 64 22.55
12 40 10.07 50 14.30 58 19.20 62 22.57
13 38 10.16 49 14.95 57 20.02 61 23.45
14 36 10.17 47 15.01 55 19.99 60 24.25
15 34 10.12 45 15.00 54 20.65 59 24.96
16 32 10.00 44 15.45 53 21.23 58 25.61
17 30 9.81 42 15.31 51 20.99 57 26.18
18 27 9.17 40 15.10 50 21.45 56 26.69
19 25 8.86 39 15.39 49 21.86 55 27.13
20 23 8.49 37 15.07 48 22.21 54 27.53
21 36 15.26 47 22.52 53 27.87
22 35 15.40 46 22.78 52 28.16
23 36 16.71 47 24.66 53 30.52
24 32 15.00 44 23.18 50 28.60
25 30 14.43 43 23.31 49 28.76
26 29 14.41 41 22.60 49 29.91
27 27 13.76 40 22.66 48 29.99
28 26 13.66 39 22.67 47 30.03
29 25 13.52 38 22.66 46 30.03
30 23 12.73 37 22.61 45 30.00
31 36 22.52 44 29.94
32 35 22.41 44 30.90
33 35 23.11 43 30.77
34 34 22.93 42 30.61
35 33 22.73 41 30.43
36 32 22.50 40 30.21
37 31 22.23 40 31.50
38 30 21.94 39 30.77
39 29 21.62 38 30.47
40 28 21.27 37 30.14
41 27 20.89 37 30.90
42 26 20.48 36 30.51
43 25 20.05 35 30.11
44 angle α 24 19.59 35 30.81
45 23 19.10 34 30.35
46 33 29.87
47 32 29.37
48 32 29.99
49 31 29.44
50 30 28.87
51 30 29.44
52 height h of the 29 28.82
53 air-termination 28 28.18
54 rod 27 27.51
55 27 28.02
56 26 27.31
57 distance a 25 26.58
58 25 27.05
59 24 26.27
60 23 25.47
Table [Link] Protective angle α depending on the class of LPS

70 LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE [Link]