Why Install House Lightning Protection

Lightning can lead to fires, the destruction of appliances and injury. A whole-house lightning system can protect your family and property by avoiding direct strikes to your structure.

Selection Criteria for a Lightning Protection System

When installing lightning protection, the components should be listed under Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) and meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 780 standards. Select robust solid copper or aluminum CB antennas. The conductors that should run underground should also be copper or aluminum.

What Is the Best Place To Place Lightning Rods

As a rough guide, one air terminal should be fitted every 50 feet on the ridge sharp points and chimney. Air terminals are the structures that begin the flow of electrons to the house before lightning does.

They are secured but disconnected from electrical supply systems and cables or other means of electrical connection. Lightning will follow the highest points, so the protection must be directed towards the roof ridge and the intersections.

Running Conductors and Grounding

Link the terminals to conductors from the roof down to the ground. The lightning conductor installation should be done with multiple links. By doing so, an alternative link can be used in case the original one breaks down. The Long copper or aluminum rods safely hammered into the ground systems help to dissipate charges. You should tie the grounding to the main panel to avoid side flashes by electricity power lines.

Good to Know

Ground terminal branches should be tightened at 90° to the ground so that direct electrical strikes to any of them do not pass on to others.

How To Install a Lightning Rod on Your House

Follow these key steps to install whole-house lightning protection properly:

Pull the copper wires into the air terminals and follow the grounding with the braided copper wires rated for lightning currents. Multiple parallel paths can be laid out in a radial or mesh pattern. Maintain a minimum gap of at least 6 feet per NEC 250.53(B). However, spacing them further apart, ideally twice the length of the ground rod, can improve the efficiency of the grounding system.

Fasten conductors using clamps or straps designed for outdoor use. A 90-degree angle between conductors reduces inductance, ensuring efficient current flow during lightning strikes.

Copper or aluminum ground rods must be driven at least ten feet into the earth and at least two grounding rods must be installed to ground the system. You can use a ground rod installation kit for placing the rods. This kit includes a driver and clamp. The clamp secures the ground rod and the driver, often powered, pounds the rod into the ground to the desired depth.

The resistance to the ground must be no greater than ten ohms.

Next, you’ll have to earth the building's metallic bodies and systems to the lightning protection parts, which also comprise the electrical service panel. For this purpose, you should only use thick copper wires. Make proper connections between them and ensure they are properly connected to the rod connected to the ground.

Caution

Ensure that you turn off the main power supply before making the bonds. Wear insulated gloves and follow local electrical guidelines.

Inspection and Maintenance of The Lightning Protection System

At least once a year, you should inspect your protection system for signs of corrosion and loose connections or contacts, which should be tightened accordingly. Check and confirm that the connections between terminals in the air, conductors and ground rods are tight.

You can use a multimeter to measure ground resistance and ensure it's within acceptable limits. Generally, a lower resistance is better, with values below ten ohms often considered acceptable. This ensures that the effective charges are passed directly into the ground.

Tip

Those who live in snowy regions should also check for it after winter storms.

Why is Compliance and Certification important?

Always refer to the guidelines provided under NFPA 780 and LPI-175. It specifies which materials to use in lightning systems and the safe procedures for lightning system installation and inspection. This will give your home maximum protection as required.

Using this elaborate system for protection, you can safeguard your home from lightning. A well-placed system will protect your appliances and prevent fires and multiple injuries. Make sure to adhere to the standards mentioned above to ensure that your system is working well.