Protection of LV system against lightning

Abstract

Lightning is a natural hazard and one of the greatest local mysteries. Scientists have not fully understood the mechanism of lightning. It is one of the most beautiful displays in nature and one of the nature's most dangerous phenomenon known to man. Overvoltage due to lightning is a very important problem of LV systems. Some lightning flashes damage buildings and a few kill or injure people and animals, either directly or indirectly, by causing fire and explosions. The need for protection, the economic benefits of installing protection measures and the selection of adequate protection measures should be determined according to IEC 62305. IEC 62305 is standard provides the general principles to be followed in the protection against lightning .It based on scientifically proven theories and technical experimentation word-wide taking into account the international expertise in the matter. It includes 4 parts: general principles, risk management, physical damage and life hazards, and protection against electrical and electronic systems within structures. They lay down requirements for the design and installation of LPS for structures and buildings, the protection against lightning of services entering the buildings and the protection of electrical and electronic systems. On the basis of the standard IEC 62305 the current project presents the main conception of lightning and protection against it.