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Lightning, a powerful element of nature, can be breathtaking as well as deadly. High-voltage lightning sparks can cause significant damage especially to tall buildings. However, thanks to electrical inventions such as lightning arrestors and earthing pits that have engineered a solution for the safety of our building structures and everything within.

The design of the lightning protection system is the most important aspect of a building’s electrical distribution system. During a lightning strike or electrical system fault, lightning arrestors grounded to the earth ensure the protection of structures, equipment and people within. In this article, we explain to you the key elements of the lightning protection system and how this ingenious electrical setup is crucial during lightning hits.

– Overall, a lightning protection system consists of external lightning arrestors and internal earthing pit systems. Both systems are crucial for the safety of buildings and their electrical installations. We explain how this works in the subsequent section.

– A lightning arrestor is a metal rod that is placed on the top of the building to serve as a lightning conductor. Metal conductors, such as copper or aluminium, run vertically down the building, connecting the lightning rods to the grounding system inside the earth.

– The grounding system, also known as earthing pit, is usually made up of rods either copper bonded, solid copper or stainless steel, which are earth conductive materials. This network of metal conductor earth rods or plates is installed in the ground to dissipate the lightning’s energy safely into the earth. Earthing is primarily done to avoid high-voltage electrical shocks that are dangerous to the equipment, as well as the lives of people handling it.

– In the event lightning hits the conductor rod on top is struck first to provide an easy path for the high voltage current to pass into the ground through the earthing systems without damaging the structure of the building. As the lightning energy is routed into the earth, it avoids flowing into the building which could otherwise cause fatal fires or electrocutions within.

– Though the terms lightning arrester and surge arrester are used interchangeably, there is a difference in their use. The former is mostly installed outdoors to arrest lightning strikes whereas the latter is installed indoors to arrest electric surges from faulty lines or appliances. However, both are integral to keeping your electrical systems safe from accidents.

In conclusion, the sole purpose of lightning arrestors and grounding pits are to offer a low resistance path for current bolts to flow into the ground without impacting the physical structure. Protection from lightning is essential to save precious lives, safeguard critical equipment and minimize hazards to surrounding property.

Electric Way – A leading supplier of lightning arrestors and earthing pit systems

At Electric Way, we offer a wide range of superior earthing solutions for commercial and industrial buildings. Our earthing equipment consists of copper earth rods, accessories, earth pits and copper tapes. We always maintain abundant stock levels and also offer the technical support needed for installations in various ground conditions and environments.

We have previously installed earthing solutions at educational institutions, industrial premises, retail establishments, data centers and substations. Get in touch with us on +971 4 817 0777 or send an inquiry for your lighting protection requirements.