Lightning is a completely unpredictable event, which can be extremely dangerous to people and buildings. A lightning flash can not only cause harm to anybody inside a structure, it can also hugely effect the structure itself, the contents and any installations.
A lightning protection system (LPS), therefore, reduces the risk of danger and damage towards a structural building and anybody inside.
What is LPS?
A lightning protection system is designed to protect a structure from damage due to lightning strikes by intercepting the strikes and safely passing their extremely high currents to the ground.
The systems act like a cage for buildings, protecting the building and its contents from external electric fields by migrating the energy around the cage instead of through its contents.
A typical lightning protection system includes lightning rods, metal conductors and ground electrodes designed to offer a low resistance path to ground and to take any high voltage currents from a lightning strike away from the structure of the building.
Why are LPS’s required?
It is estimated that every year, lightning is responsible for millions of pounds of damage in the UK alone.
The electrical charge in lightning is always seeking the path of least resistance to ground. If lightning strikes a property the intense charge will search for the easiest route to ground no matter what it is; metal plumbing, pipes, radiators and taps, metal railings on a stair well or the wiring carrying the mains electric that is not designed to carry such enormous loads.
With a lightning protection system properly installed, the potentially dangerous current from a lightning strike is offered an easy and safe route to ground.
Lasting a Lifetime
A lightning protection system is designed to last the lifetime of the building. This would remain true unless local government regulations changed or property alterations or additions were made. If any structural alterations or additions are made, the lightning protection system should be checked and updated if required.
If you would like to find out more about Lightning Protection Systems please get in touch with our electrical services team.