Devices for collecting data about lightning activity / counters of discharges or lightning strikes are more popular on special objects related to the type "Special, dangerous for the environment" according to the Industry Standard 153-34.21.122-2003.
Despite the fact that the installation of such devices is not necessary from the point of view of current standards on lightning protection and electrical and fire safety, counters of lightning strikes are extremely useful for the entire lightning protection system efficiency.
Here's why: the reliability of the external lightning protection depends on a correctly mounted structure and integrity of all of its elements and their connections. At a direct lightning strike, such elements as an air terminal and down conductor can be damaged and the whole system will be disabled. Therefore it is necessary to inspect all lightning protection components at least after every thunderstorm. Counters of lightning strikes will be useful for that. They record not only the number but also the date, time, amplitude and polarity of each lightning strike discharge.
This information is very useful to solve engineering problems, aimed at the reduction / elimination of losses caused by lightning. All these data can be used to assess the reliability of the external lightning protection system and can point to the objects or parts of objects, coming out of the protection zone for one reason or another.
Different manufacturers offer a wide range of lightning strike counters of different design, type of information collected and other technical parameters.
As a rule, the counters are easy to instal - they are fixed to the down conductor (tape or wire), and there is no need to cut the down conductor for the connection. The design and the material can allow installation of the device outside, without fear of exposure to rain and frost, as well as - installation inside the building. PC synchronization for data exchange is carried out through special ports (usually- USB).
Connection to the down conductor:
To make your object reliably protected from direct and secondary effects of lightning, it is necessary to provide it with the systems of internal and external lightning protection.
Contact us for a correct calculation of the required design!
Related Articles:
.png)
