A lightning protection system does not attract

Purpose:
- Lightning protection systems do not attract or repel lightning.
- They provide safe pathways for lightning to travel into the ground, protecting structures and occupants.

Five Key Elements:
- Air Terminals (Lightening Rods): Capture lightning strikes.
- Conductors: Special braided metal cables that carry the current to ground.
- Bonding Connections: Connects to metallic bodies within the structure, ensuring safety.
- Ground Terminations: Safely disperses the lightning current into the earth.
- Surge Suppression: Protects electronic equipment from voltage surges.
Material Compatibility: All components must be made from compatible materials with the building's metals.
Aesthetic Considerations: Modern systems should be designed to blend seamlessly with structures.

Vulnerability of Modern Facilities:
- Sensitive electronic equipment is at risk during lightning strikes.
Installation of Surge Arrestors:
- UL-listed devices on electrical service panels provide the first line of defense against surges.
- Help mitigate electrical fires and protect against transients.
Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors:
- Installed to protect specific electronics.
- Recommendations should be tailored by a certified specialist.

Qualified Technicians: Only trained specialists should install LPS.
Compliance with Standards:
- Materials and installation methods must meet national safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Lightning Strike Power:
- Lightning can exceed 100 million volt amps, necessitating effective grounding paths.

Paths of Resistance: Lightning can use various conductors (phone lines, water pipes) as paths to ground.
Potential Hazards:
- Fire caused by ignition of flammable materials.
- Side flashes: Lightning jumps to better-grounded conductive paths.
- Structural damage: Explosive shock waves that can shatter glass and fragment materials.
- Damage to electronics connected to circuits.
- Rapid heating of air in porous materials leading to potential explosions.
- Flashing to steam in moisture-laden materials leading to risk of fire.

Lightning Rods / Air Terminals:
- Tall metallic tips placed atop buildings to capture lightning.
Conductor Cables:
- Arranged in a symmetrical pattern, creates a Faraday cage for buildings with sensitive installations.
Ground Rods:
- Buried deep in the earth, these copper or aluminum rods direct lightning into the ground.

Early Inclusion: Lightning protection must be considered during the building design process.
Path for Lightning: Design should assure currents are directed to the LPS effectively to minimize damage.
Avoiding Side Flashes: Maintaining electrical continuity prevents hazardous potential differences.
Effective Grounding: Essential for safety; additional earthing often required for full protection.

Components of the Protection System:
- Capture devices (lightning rods)
- Down-conductors for current conveyance
- Earth leads and equipotential bonding links.
Types of Building Protection: Three main types are in use:
1. Simple lightning rods
2. Lightning rods with triggering systems
3. Protective taut wires for special structures (e.g., missile sites).
4. Faraday cage systems for highly exposed buildings.

Isolation of Protection Systems:
- The LPS does not inherently protect electrical installations; separate systems are needed.
Induced Overvoltages:
- Lightning currents may induce overvoltages that exceed electrical insulation capabilities (LV, telecommunications).
Direct Lightning Back Current:
- Flow through down-conductors increases the risk for electrical network systems.