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Lightning design for buried cables – really?

Continuing the theme for lightning design. I was having a technical discussion with a delegate, during a seminar in Germany. The question popped up regarding Lightning design on an AD plant (AD = anaerobic digestion). This site, with long-buried cable-runs, between plant areas. The delegates question, “What about the buried cables?”

What do we do about Lightning protection for buried cables in Lightning design?”

The question was not aimed at surge protection, but at physical protection of the cables from a direct lightning strike.  And, before you say what? Yes, buried cables are at risk from direct strike attachments.

[Read more…] about Lightning design for buried cables – really?

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Floating Roof Tank Earthing Strategies – Bypass conductors for lightning

Floating Roof Tank Fires are Common

There are some 15 to 20 known Floating Roof Tank (FRT) fires per year. Floating Roof Tanks are especially vulnerable to the direct and indirect effects of lightning. Direct, or a nearby lightning strike can cause electrical current to flow across the tank shell and roof. When these lightning currents arc across the roof/shell interface, they can ignite any flammable vapours present with devastating effect.

[Read more…] about Floating Roof Tank Earthing Strategies – Bypass conductors for lightning

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Is prevention better than cure? | Lightning Strike Prevention

The most exciting concept to come out of the Lightning Protection sector for centuries is the idea of ‘Lightning Strike Prevention’.

Now, preventing lightning itself is outside the scope of any working installation today.  And maybe something for the scientific communities to think over. However, preventing an STRIKE-attachment to a structure IS something that is here and now! [Read more…] about Is prevention better than cure? | Lightning Strike Prevention

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Lightning Risk – Looking ahead at future trend

Lightning Risk. In a world increasingly driven by quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) techniques. It’s important to understand what the predicted impacts are as a result of our current trajectory (as humans). For Example the direction of travel that the population of planet earth seems to be following – in terms of climate change:

Increasing Lightning Risk trend

From recent research. Some in the Lightning community are predicting strike frequency increasing by +12% to +24% : the phenomenon appears to be worsening with climate change (2016). [Read more…] about Lightning Risk – Looking ahead at future trend

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Fear of Lightning Frequency Increase

Very few consider that they or their assets will be struck by lightning. People relegate the threat of lightning to chance and are confident it will not affect them. This is a mentality that may come back to haunt them if new scientific research is correct. [Read more…] about Fear of Lightning Frequency Increase