Systems of Protection

More and more homeowners are becoming aware of the need to protect their homes from a lightning strike. Increases in the number of lightning protection systems can be attributed to several factors including; the increase in underground utilities and the location of homes, the increase in high cost electronic equipment in the home and the increased concern for health and safety among homeowners and their families.

Educated consumer demands are being met by highly skilled and trained lightning professionals designing, installing and certifying state-of-the-art lightning protection systems.

Lightning Protection is designed to meet two objectives. A lightning protection system shields a home and provides a direct path to ground for the lightning current to flow. It must also prevent damage to the home as the current flows through the system. Lightning protection systems keep homeowners and their property safe from lightning.

Protecting Your Home

Protecting your home is a matter of contacting a professional who is qualified to design and install a certified lightning protection system. A complete lightning protection system is typically made up of the following components:

• Air Terminals - Also referred to as lightning rods, these inconspicuous copper or aluminum rods are vertically mounted on the roof at regular intervals as defined by industry safety standards. The air terminals serve as strike receptors, designed to intercept the lightning strike.

• Main Conductors - Constructed of aluminum or copper, these braided cables connect the air terminals to the other system components and the grounds.

• Grounds - A minimum of two ground rods, driven at least 10 feet deep in the earth are required for all structures. The ground terminations direct the dangerous current into the ground, to eliminate the chance of injury or damage to the structure. Special grounding requirements are sometimes necessary in shallow, sandy or rocky soil, which are addressed in the industry safety standards for installation.

• Bonds - Bonding joins metallic bodies (roof components) and grounded building systems to the main conductor to ensure conductivity and prevent side flashing (lightning jumping between two objects.)

• Surge Arresters and Supressors - A surge is an increase in electrical current due to a lightning strike on or near a power line or utility service. Surge suppression is installed at the electrical panel/s to prevent the entrance of overvoltages which can cause a fire. Arresters installed at electical panels help protect heavy appliances and prevent fires at the service panel entrances. Additional devices may be needed to protect other in-house electronics. Surge protection devices are typically installed in conjunction with a lightning protection system.

• Tree Protection - A/C Lightning Protection reccomends that any tree taller than a home, or within 10 feet of the structure, be equipped with a lightning protection system. Trees do not offer protection and many homeowners choose to have trees protected for their own value. An unprotected tree in close proximity to a structure can also create a side-flash hazard to the nearby home.

Lightning protection is designed for two objectives. A lightning protection system shields a home and provides a direct path to ground for the lightning current to flow. It must also prevent damage to the home as current flows through the system. Lightning protection systems keep homeowners and their property safe from lightning.

Residential Lightning Protection Facts

• A single bolt of lightning can carry over 30 million volts of electricity.
• Lightning can rip through roofs, explode brick and concrete, and ignite fires.
• In addition to causing structural damage, a single bolt of lightning can cause chaos with computers, electronic equipment and appliances.
• Every year in the United States, the number of homes struck by lightning increases. According to the Insurance Information Institute, residential lightning losses exceed a billion dollars annually and represent close to five percent (5%) of all residential insurance claims.