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E-journal for electrical and electronic engineers
AUTOMATYKA, ELEKTRYKA, ZAKLOCENIA

(AUTOMATICS, ELECTROTECHNICS, DISTURBANCES)

vol. 12, nr 2 (44) 2021

Publ. 30.06.2021

Failures of Lighting Air-termination Rods Fixed by Spacers

Jaroslaw WIATER

s. 42-47 DOI:

Abstract

Air-termination rods with height above 2,5 m must be fixed to objects by for example spacer bars to ensure proper separation distance. Commercially available spacer bars are suitable in laboratory conditions only. Real-life scenarios show weak points of this solution. Dirty or wet spacers do not fulfil proper isolation strength to ensure proper separation distance. This changes the km factor used to calculate the separation distance. The paper presents laboratory tests for clean spacers, wet spacers and a few real photos of damage caused by spacer bars.

Keywords

air-termination rod; spacer bar; IEC 62305-3; isolation; separation distance

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Bilbiography

[1] IEC 62305-3:2010. Protection against lightning - Part 3: Physical damage to structures and life hazard
[2] Lightning Protection Guide - 3rd updated Edition 2014.
[3] DEHNiso Spacers catalogue.
[4] Sowa A.: Analysis of Separation Distances between LPS and Devices on the Building Roof. Przeglad Elektrotechniczny. 86. pp. 78-80.
[5] Unpublished photos of industrial facilities.
[6] Chrzan L.:Wytrzymałość izolatorów trakcyjnych przy udarach piorunowych (in Polish). Zeszyty Naukowe Wydziału Elektrotechniki i Automatyki Politechniki Gdańskiej Nr 24.
[7] Heidler F., Zischank W., Kern A., Analysis of separation distances for lightning protection systems including natural components, in Proc. 28th ICLP 2006, Kazanawa, 1418-1423