Ujjwal Rohal
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
Lightning strikes pose significant hazards to tall structures, causing structural damage, electrical failures, and safety risks. Effective lightning protection systems (LPS) are essential to mitigate these risks by safely channeling lightning currents to the ground and minimizing the impact on the structure and its occupants. This study explores the design principles, components, and performance evaluation of lightning protection systems for tall structures. The manuscript critically reviews existing standards and protection techniques such as conventional air-termination systems, early streamer emission devices, and surge protective devices. A comprehensive methodology combining theoretical analysis and simulation is adopted to assess the efficiency of LPS designs conforming to IEC 62305 and NFPA 780 standards prevalent until 2019. Results indicate that proper air-termination placement, down conductor routing, and grounding are pivotal for optimal protection. The study concludes with best practices for designing robust lightning protection systems for high-rise buildings, emphasizing adherence to international standards and periodic maintenance.
Keywords
Lightning protection systems, tall structures, air-termination, grounding, surge protection, IEC 62305, NFPA 780.
References
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