leading Chian manufacturers of Earthing & Lightning Protection Systems
Release time: 2024-03-11
leading Chian manufacturers ofEarthing & Lightning Protection Systems. In general, the Lightning Protection System system should: Be an integrated system for lightning protection, power systems and telecoms systems Have a low overall resistance of 10 ohm’s or less Have an even spread of readings across all the individual earth electrode terminations to ensure as far as possible the current is evenly distributed Have a high resistance to corrosion Lightning protection and earthing equipment is usually made up of earth rods either copperbonded,solid copperorstainless steel – also forming the earthing system are copper earth plates, copper lattice earth matsor 25 x 3mm copper earth tapes. There are three types of Earthing systems types A, B and Foundation Earth Electrodes Type A – The conventional Earthing system using vertical or horizontal electrodes such as copper bond Earth rods or copper tape Type B – The ring electrode sited around the periphery of the structure Foundation Earth Electrodes The foundation electrode system installing the conductors in the concrete foundations of the structure. TYPE A EARTHING ARRANGEMENT This is the conventional type of LPS Earthing System where earthing rods are used to form the earth electrode and usually each down conductor, such as copper earthing tapes, are connected to an earth rod. The type A earth termination arrangement is suitable for low structures (below 20 metres in height) or an LPS with rods or stretched wires. For an isolated LPS the British Standard BS EN 62305 recommends a type B earthing arrangement where the structure is housing extensive electronic systems. The type A arrangement uses vertical or horizontal earth electrodes. Practically it uses both connected to each down conductor, installed outside the structure (below the foundation) to be protected and housed in a plastic or concrete pit for ease of inspection. Lightning Protection – Copper Earthing Equipment The minimum number of electrodes is 2.5 metres, regardless of the perimeter of the structure/class of LPS. The minimum length of each earth electrode at the base of each down-conductor is specified in BS EN 62305 and the table below. Minimum length l¹ of each earth electrode according to class of LPS It is 11 for horizontal electrodes – usually copper tapes. Or 0.511 for vertical copperbonded rods orsolid copper rods. Or >11 in the case of a lattice mat measuring the total length of the conductor in the earth mat.Or If copper plates are to be used the surface area of the plate should be at least equal to either. The surface area of the length of earthing conductor that would need to be used to satisfy the requirement for a vertical electrode 0.511. Or The surface area of the length of earthing conductor that would need to be used to satisfy the requirement for a lattice mat electrode 11.Or If using vertical and horizontal electrodes, the individual earthing electrode lengths should follow the 0.511 and 11 principle respectively. Type A earth electrodes should be installed so that the top of the earth rod is 0.5 m below the surface, this distance is to reduce the effects of step potential at ground level. The earth rod should be housed in an inspection pit, commonly concrete or plastic for ease of inspection and registering the location during and after installation figure 30. Earth Tapes Full range of copper earth tapes available from stock in range of widths and thicknesses. TYPE B EARTHING ARRANGEMENT The type B Earthing arrangement is most suitable for: Structures built on rocky ground Structures housing sensitive electronics/equipment Large structures The type B earthing is recommended as either a ring conductor outside the perimeter of the structure which it’s recommended should be in contact with the soil for at least 80% of its total length. The alternative is to use a foundation earth electrode which can be in a mesh form. It is recommended that the type B earthing network whichever method is chosen should be integrated as a meshed network buried to a minimum depth of 5 rats. The reinforced concrete floor slab can be used around the structure. If the required resistance cannot be achieved by this method the vertical or radial earthing electrodes can be added to the network. For ease of testing after installation an inspection pit with an earth bar should be installed where the legs of the ring and conductor routing onto the ring from the each test clamps join. Type B Earthing Arrangement Any internal down conductors should be connected to the internal foundation using a test clamp for ease of maintenance. FOUNDATION EARTH ELECTRODES Once all the services are connected its unlikely the installer will be able to measure the earthing resistance of the foundation earth in isolation. The use of the foundation as an earth electrode is allowable only where the reinforcement network is below any insulating or waterproof membrane. Where a foundation is used as an earth-termination the reinforcing bars must be clamped or welded together to ensure electrical continuity. Alternatively, an additional meshed network of conductors can be installed to ensure continuity. The additional network should be connected to the reinforcing bars by clamps or welded joints every 20 m throughout the system. The earthing system whether using reinforcing bars or additional conductors or a combination of both must be connected to every down conductor and internal steelwork. INTERNAL LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM The internal LPS is important to fully complete the installation to fulfil the requirements of BS EN 62305. The main reason for installing an internal LPS is to avoid any dangerous sparking within the building. The sparking is caused by current flow and the difference in potential between internal conductive components such as steelwork and the external LPS on the outside of the building or from the use of the internal steelwork as part of the LPS. The earthing system whether using reinforcing bars or additional conductors or a combination of both must be connected to every down conductor and internal steelwork.
