Early Streamer Emission Technology

Lightning is created by the convergence of a downward leader that reaches down from a thundercloud to the ground and an upward streamer created by a conductive surface on the ground that reaches up. An early streamer emission (ESE) terminal monitors the surrounding voltage in the air, since thunderclouds create an electric field directly beneath them. When sensing a high electrostatic field, early streamer emission lightning conductors generate controlled magnitude and frequency pulses to create upward streamers. These upward streamers reach up toward downward leaders to form lightning. As part of a total lightning protection system, the electrical charge is then captured and directed around and away from vulnerable points and into the ground. An early streamer emission lightning protection system offers a more preemptive defense than traditional lightning rods because their monitoring systems allow them to send upward streamers more proactively. ESE terminals are externally mounted and self-activating, with electronic circuitry housed in stainless steel. They are ideal for lightning protection systems deployed on large structures or in open areas.

Lightning Rods(Traditional)
In addition to his famous kite experiment, Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod, having revised several hypotheses through a series of experiments detailed in this article. Through experiments designed to explore the various properties of electricity, Benjamin Franklin also correctly theorized that clouds are electrically charged and that lightning is an electrical discharge that interacts with objects on the ground, especially objects that are tall and thus closer to the thundercloud. Todays lightning protection rods are updated technologically but still based on Franklins original findings. Lightning Elimination Systems installs traditional lightning rods, also known as Franklin rod terminals, as a component of a comprehensive lightning protection system.

A lightning protection system comprises three parts:

The lightning rod itself, also known as an air terminal, which is fixed on top of any structure that projects into the air. Like early streamer emission terminals, lightning rods are terminals designed to intercept lightning, so if a downward leader approaches from a thundercloud, it will preferably strike the rod. The downconductor is a braided or flat strip of copper or aluminum electrically connected to the lightning rod and fixed to the sides of a structure. When lightning strikes, its discharge current travels from the lightning rod to the ground through the downconductor. The grounding system directs and disperses the energy of a lightning strike into the earth. Grounding systems also minimize potential voltage increases on the ground to protect buildings, equipment and people from the damaging effects of lightning.

Lightning Grounding
Lightning is created when a path of least resistance is established between an upward streamer and downward leaders. Properly designed grounding systems work on a similar principle by creating a path of least resistance in commercial and residential structures that channel excessive voltages away from buildings, equipment and people. Lightning protection grounding systems in commercial and residential structures dissipate the electrical current from lightning that travels through the downconductors after the strike was captured by a lightning arrester such as a lightning rod or other type of air terminal. But grounding systems can also disperse electrical surges caused by power-switching transients. Because lightning grounding systems for commercial and residential structures are buried underground and subjected to extreme environmental conditions, its important to consider the reliability of the materials used. (Companies like Erico and Harger manufacture high-quality components using copper or coppercovered steel). A grounding system typically comprises five parts:

A grounding electrode conductor, the first in a system of conductors that ensures electrical contact with the earth or, if that is not possible, another suitable inductive body. The grounding connections, which connect the grounding conductors to the ground electrodes. The grounding electrodes, more commonly known as the ground rods. When buried into the earth, ground rods work by dissipating electrical current into the surrounding soil. This occurs in concentric, progressive waves

called the sphere of influence. For lightning protection, ground rods are usually laid out in single (starburst) or multiple (crows feet) radial arrays, but many other design patterns exist. The electrode to soil resistance. Soil resistivity, which is the opposition to electrical current flow measured in Ohms, depends on the type of soil (clay, rock, loam, etc.); moisture content; mineral content; typical climate/seasonal variations; and the presence of contaminants. The soil. By measuring soil resistivity at different depths, Lightning Elimination Systems can determine the optimal implementation of ground rods and select the most conductive soil for their installation.

Like the connections between air terminals, downconductors and grounding systems, the components within a grounding system must be properly bonded. Any existing conductive equipment on-site chassis, piping or anything metallic must also be bonded to the grounding system to prevent hazardous voltages in the event of a lighting strike or power-switching transient. Residential Lightning Protection

Humans need food, clothing and shelter, and your home is indeed a shelter from the elements. But it is still vulnerable to catastrophic damage caused by lightning. The risk of loss increases given the increasing prevalence of electronic equipment inside everything from security alarms, home entertainment systems, multimedia appliances and home office computers could be severely damaged or destroyed by the extreme voltages of direct or indirect lightning strikes and electrical power surges. Several of the risk assessment questions on the Threat of Lightning page are applicable to residences as well as commercial structures. In addition, the chance of a lightning strike is greater if:

Your home sits on a lot of land and is thus isolated from other

structures.

Your home sits in close proximity to tall trees. Your home is in a populated neighborhood but is taller than the homes around it.

Beyond peace of mind, you may be eligible for reduced homeowners insurance premiums if your home has a standards-compliant lightning protection system.

Residential lightning protection systems You can minimize or avert entirely the damage caused by a lightning strike or power surge by having Lightning Elimination Systems install a lightning protection system at your residence. Such a system installed at your home comprises:

One or more air terminals such as lightning rods installed on the highest projections of your roof. Air terminals are designed to capture the energy of a lightning strike.

The air terminals are electrically bonded to:

At least two downconductors, installed on opposite sides of your home and at specified distances around the perimeter. These copper or aluminum strips or braided cords run from the air terminals down your homes exterior sides.

The downconductors are electrically bonded to:

Ground electrodes, more commonly known as ground rods, driven into the earth at the base of the downconductors. Copper grounding rods dissipate energy from lightning strikes safely into the earth.

Protecting items inside your home are:

Surge protectors installed on your electrical panel, home telephone and cable television boxes (if applicable). Surge protectors prevent power surges caused by direct or indirect lightning strikes as well as fault or switching errors on power networks from affecting electronic equipment.

Lightning Elimination Systems can also design systems that are aesthetically compatible with your homes architectural features. For example, it is possible to conceal downconductors in the walls during construction. In your home reside your most valuable possessions, including your family. Call Lightning Elimination Systems to install a residential protection system and mitigate the threat of this unpredictable phenomenon.

Commercial Lightning Protection

Lightning is indiscriminate and will seek the least resistant path to the ground, making commercial buildings banks, casinos, grocery stores, hospitals, restaurants, shopping malls, office parks just as susceptible as any other structure. Multiple service entrances and the prevalence of electronic office equipment only heighten the risk. A lightning protection system keeps equipment, inventory, employees and customers safe. It is also ideal for protecting structures with historical significance. For commercial entities, Lightning Elimination Systems is often involved during the construction phase, working with architects or engineers as well as electrical and general contractors. This produces the best assimilation both aesthetic and practical between the features of the building and the components of a lightning protection system (air terminals, down conductors and grounding rods).

Similarly, bringing LES in to design and install surge suppression systems will ensure a professionally dressed-out installation of surge protective devices on the main distribution panels, telephone lines, electronic equipment and other conductive objects. LES has previously designed commercial lightning protection systems following UL 96A, Underwriters Laboratories Installation Requirements for Lightning Protection Systems; and LPI 175, the Lightning Protection Institutes Standard of Practice for the Design, Installation and Inspection of Lightning Protection Systems.

Early streamer emission lightning conductor - E.S.E. Prevectron 2

Key Benefits The skills of INDELEC's engineers, the vriety of tests carried out in both high-voltage laboratories and real-life lightning conditions, and the experience gained from the thousands of PREVCTRON 2 installations around the world, have allowed us to develop a complete range of lightning conductors offering a host of key benefits : - 5-model range offering customized solutions for each project (aesthetic constraints,requires protection area, etc.) - Fully autonomous operation - Total reliability, even in extreme climatic conditions - Proven, robust design able to withstand multiple lightning strikes

- Lightning conductor only becomes active when electrical field intensity rises (lightning discharge likely), the PREVECTRON 2 presents no danger to the site - Straightforward installation and maintenance using tools specially developed by INDELEC, including protection calculation software, strike counter and PREVECTRON tester - High-Voltage laboratory test results available on request - Real-life test results and scientific reports available on request - Ultra-safe capture tip thanks to full electrical continuity between the tip and the earth point ISO 9001-2000 manufacturing process (certificate #116884)