Design of Lightning Protection for Structures
Credits: 6 PDH
PDH Course Description:
This course covers the basic principles for lightning protection for various types of buildings or other structures.A structure or device which is used for lightning protection purposes, is defined as a mast, tower, or similar self-supporting object other than power lines, power stations, and substations which safely diverts the electrical charge from a direct lightning strike, away from buildings and other structures.
To provide minimum protection for structures against direct lightning strikes, four requirements must be fulfilled:
a. an air terminal must be provided to intentionally attract the leader stroke,
b. a path must be established that connects this terminal to earth with such a low impedance that the discharge follows it in preference to any other,
c. a low resistance connection must be made with the earth electrode subsystem, and
d. a low impedance interface must be established between the earth electrode subsystem and earth..
Topics:
- Principles of protection
- Locating and sizing of air terminals
- Materials for grounding conductors and terminals
- Types of grounding conductors
- Roof, ridge, down, conductors
- Mounting hardware and fasteners
- Waveguide and cabling installation and grounding
- Lightning-generated transient surge protection
- Transient source and equipment damage
- Minimizing damages; susceptible components
- Frequency of transient occurrence and transient amplitudes
- Transient waveforms
- Use of overhead guard wires
- Protection of UG cabling
- Secondary AC surge arresters
- Turn-on characteristics of surge arresters
- Clamp or discharge voltage; reverse standoff voltage
- Gas-filled spark gap and solid-state type arresters
- Transient suppression and types of suppressors
To take this course:
1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
(must be logged into your user account)
Download the Study Guide
3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.
Take the final exam
4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.
Print the Certificate of Completion
Intended Audience: This course is intended for Electrical, Systems, Civil, Construction, Industrial, and other engineering professionals whose job description may require a general knowledge of lightning protection for structures.
Publication Source: US Corp of Engineers (Unified Facilities Criteria), Military Handbook – Grounding, Bonding, and Shielding for Electronic Equip. and Facilities; Lightning Protection for Structures”Pub. # MIL-HDBK-419A
Print the Certificate of Completion
Intended Audience: This course is intended for Electrical, Systems, Civil, Construction, Industrial, and other engineering professionals whose job description may require a general knowledge of lightning protection for structures.
Publication Source: US Corp of Engineers (Unified Facilities Criteria), Military Handbook – Grounding, Bonding, and Shielding for Electronic Equip. and Facilities; Lightning Protection for Structures”Pub. # MIL-HDBK-419A
Donald Parnell, PE