Lightning Protection Systems- Do You Check It?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol.....hell i do it all the time RLB......I got your back...

We are seeing them alot more....I just did a local AHJ thing where I spoke on the lightning rod systems because we are seeing MUCH more of it....and they should be bonded to the GEC system...but being that I don't install them and their is not an enforceable standard......most is voluntary organizations...I figured I would ask for the take on the systems running INSIDE the dwelling...

Now I inspect them and when filling in for the AHJ's I have inspected a few....but always on the outside of the building...but I have seen two in a row where it is on the inside.....and without having one of the NFPA books handy that cover lightning protection systems....figured possibly someone would know.......any ideas on it...

Personally...I dont like the idea of the system running through the attic space and down the finished walls...but again I could be jadded on it.

[Richard L. Bennett]

Paul

Inside protection if done right does work but in my opinion must also be linked to proper outside protection. Telecom industry does it all the time and they think that it works

If not linked I think they are just taking some ones $$ for a sub standard system

Would sure like to see some tec information from an engineering point of view

rlb

[Paul W. Abernathy]

RLB,

I spoke with a guy from who actually installs them and they said many today are installed inside now days in the attic......he said they don't really have a problem with it...but he also said their is no enforcement of how they actually install it either....

But from what i am reading.......spent some time today at lunch in the truck ( had some FREE wireless connection time..who's I have no idea...lol ) and did a search on the subject.....

Seems it is ok to be inside........when asked does he connect it to the GEC....and make sure the rod for the LPS is atleast 6' from the ground rods for the house....he said.....well we dont connect that.....

Found it interesting...neat guy.....knew his stuff...i told him about the requirement and he said...you know.....we thought they needed to be....I conceed it is not his issue.......most electricians will probably take care of that anyway...

But thats all i could find on it today....

Oh....he installs it to he following : Underwriters Laboratories found that properly designed and correctly installed systems meeting the UL 96A installation standard are approximately 99% effective.

Interesting stuff....I want one of those books....

[Greg Fretwell]

I see lightning systems as operating in two modes. They do tend to bleed off the charge before it results in a lightning hit and in that mode I don't see a big problem with the conductors running on the inside.
The other mode is when that charge is not totally bled off and it does take a lightning hit. The salesman will say the hit is going to be smaller than the one you were going to get but there still may be a big fireball running down that wire. I want that outside.

The systems I have seen on toll booths and some helicopter pads have fat 2/0 or larger braided cables going off the edge of the roof in a sweeping arc and on standoffs down the side of the building to the electrodes. The bonding to the building electrode is a bare #4 (to avoid physical protection beefs) buried pretty deep. In the toll booths and radio towers it was just connected to the ground ring and radials.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Thats what I wanted to hear.......the ones I have looked at and inspected were outside....

Do you think greg it is a lack of something enforceable in regards to it or something else....

truly want to know...my initial concern was of the obvious wires running through the attic...and down the wall into the insulation and through the floor plates and....well just did not seem right....

Sad thing is I dont have a standard book on them....to refer to but I asked the guy if he had one..he said yes....and ( very nice guy BTW..) and he said it says nothing about being inside or outside....

Guess it was my THINKING of those exposed bare braided conductors running down the wall.....not sure if lightning hit MY house and i had a system like that...if I would want it running down my walls and through my attic.....

I think I also called one of the placed that actually certify these installs for a standard....and he said their was no actual governing of their work in any state....which is why they formed the standard.....but i guess it is not enforceable...

I know (2) AHJ's who called me to ask my opinion on it....I only told them it needs to be bonded to the GEC system......but knew nothing on the actual installation requirements other then ROD locations and spacing.

Do you have any insite on this.......for personal use...

[Richard L. Bennett]

Paul

I have a lot of data related to the telecom industry but none related to what we inspect. My general calls when I inspect a LPS is every thing conected and is the whole sysem grounded, Most are and that is the end of the story.

Do not know what I would do if I found da fffffff