PROTECTION SYSTEMS


BASICS
A lightning protection system consists of these major components:
·  Air Terminals
·  Conductor Cable
·  Utility Bonds
·  Ground Rods
·  Surge Equipment
The system is designed to safely carry lightning currents to ground without causing damage to the protected structure. The strike travels to the ground in a fraction of a second - there is no time for the cable to heat to a flashpoint and cause a fire. It will neither attract nor deter lightning from striking, as many people believe. The system merely creates a conduit or method for the strike to discharge safely into the ground.
Underwriters Laboratories state that systems are nearly 99% effective when properly installed. A properly installed system will prevent damage and destruction, personal injury or death are prevented as the strike travels quickly to ground. You get life-long security and a protection system that is in effect 365 days a year
. The Lightning Protection Institute recommends that any nearby tree taller than a home or within 10 feet of the structure be equipped with a lightning protection system. Only qualified arborists, grounds maintenance personnel or professional contractors should provide installation of lightning protection systems in trees.

 -- MYTHS
A lightning protection system will attract lightning. FALSE. A lightning protection system does not attract lightning. Rather the system intercepts the strike and directs it safely to ground.
Lightning protection is no longer installed. This was used only on farms and farmhouses in the 40’s and 50’s. FALSE. Today, lightning protection systems are specified by architects, owners and engineers for all kinds of public buildings and commercial applications. Thousands of installations are provided each year by qualified lightning protection system installers all across the U.S on both commercial and residential structures.
Systems are not effective  FALSE  Lightning protection systems are very effective. Over 50 years ago, Underwriters Laboratories stated that properly installed lightning protection systems meeting the UL 96A installation standards, were approximately 99% effective in preventing property damage.

PROTECTION SYSTEMS -- REASONS FOR
Why you should protect your home:
1. Lightning protection systems properly installed according to the latest standards are over 99% effective in preventing lightning damage.
2. When you're inside a protected home, you can enjoy peace of mind and feel secure during thunderstorms.
3. Lightning protection systems are recommended by third-party authorities such as insurance companies, architects, engineers, safety consultants, etc.
4. A properly installed lightning protection system with secondary surge suppression will completely eliminate nuisance damage to sensitive electronic TV, stereo, surveillance and alarm equipment inside a home.
5. Residential lightning protection is unobtrusive and can either be semi-concealed on the exterior or concealed inside during construction.
6. All homeowner insurance policies now include a deductible, paid by the owner, on first dollar loss. Nuisance claims and lightning losses invoking the deductible can virtually be eliminated for you.
7. Lightning is the leading cause of fires in suburban and rural areas.
8. More people are killed by lightning than by tornadoes and hurricanes combined (However, most of those people are killed out of doors).
9. On average, lightning will strike more than 60 times per year within a quarter mile of your front door (varies according to location).
10. Not only is your structural home protected from lightning damage, but your valuable possessions, heirlooms, antiques, photographs, and furnishings are completely safe during thunderstorms.

GROUNDING
Various utilities that enter the house are grounded but these grounds are not intended to prevent lightning damage. If a lightning protection system is installed on the house, the utilities - which include the electrical service ground and the gas pipe - will be tied into the system.
A surge protector on an electrical service entrance by itself will not protect you from a direct lightning strike.  A house may be grounded to assure electrical safety; however, grounding is not intended to prevent lightning damage. An antenna is not designed to handle a lightning strike and instead, allows dangerous current to enter the home.
In addition to direct strikes, lightning generates electrical surges that can damage electronic equipment some distance from the actual strike. Typical surge protectors will NOT protect equipment from a lightning strike. If you plan to be away from your home when thunderstorms are possible, unplug unneeded equipment.  Do NOT unplug equipment during a thunderstorm as there is a risk you could be struck. 

FIND AN INSTALLER
Lightning Protection Institute[i]
Hamilton Lightning Rod Systems[ii]     
Capitol Lightning Protection[iii]        
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)[iv]
The Independent Protection Company (IPC)[v]
UL Inspection Services Directory[vi]

STANDARDS
Underwriters Laboratories, 96A[vii]
National Fire Protection Association, 780[viii]
Lightning Protection Institute, 175[ix]


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