Lightning Protection 98 - Building, Structures and Electronic Equipment - Conference Proceedings, 6-7 May 1998

Failure to deal effectively with a lightning strike can be devastating. These proceedings look at the results of recent tests and simulation and the latest technologies in lightning protection. The effects of standards and other facets of protection are considered, and case studies are provided.

After an opening address; Lightning never strikes twice in the same place - or does it?, the papers under Lightning phenomena and effects covered; sideflash across/through, masonry, and damage of buildings caused by a strike to a water covered flat roof. Detection and prediction looked at; The new EA Technology prediction system, lightning warning and dynamic protection, prediction of the annual rate of flashes to a power supply line, and UK lightning activity. Lightning simulation and testing studied; some factors relating to the early streamer emission principle, a new generator for testing of SPD's using multiple lightning current impulses for combined tests with follow currents, and a new method of lightning susceptibility analysis.

On the second day after an opening address: Jupiter's bolts - the human effects of lightning strikes, Protection devices and techniques dealt with; lightning current arresters and overvoltage arresters - practical application of IEC 61312-1 and 61343-1, a pragmatic approach to the application of surge protection devices, safe coordination between power and communication surge protection, secondary protection systems for communication networks: their importance today and tomorrow, and surge protection for the broadband coaxial plant. Practical applications examined; lightning protection of wind turbines, US practices to protect people and equipment, avoiding some of the pitfalls of specification/ application/installation of transient overvoltage protection, and protection by natural components. Supplementary papers include; earthing and lightning surge protection for process control systems, and an alternative view to the paper - A pragmatic approach to the application of surge protection devices.