What’s the Role of a Grounding System in Lightning Protection? To understand the role of grounding, let’s first look at the four basic steps (or components) required to effectively prevent damage or injury from a lightning strike. They include:
1. Interception of the Lightning Flash
2. Conduction of the Lightning Current to Earth
3. Creation of an Equipotential Bond
4. Dissipation of the Current into the Earth
What’s the Role of a Grounding System in Lightning Protection?
The grounding system is instrumental in the pivotal final step, as it enables the lightning current to dissipate quickly into the earth.
Without an effective grounding system in place, dangerous ground faults, side flashes and electronic noise can occur, causing damage to structures, fires or personal injury.
