
Yılkomer Became a Corporate Member of GÜNDER
20 June 2015
Protection of Automation Systems Against Overvoltage and Lightning
21 June 2015The damage that an impulse with a magnitude of 200 kiloamperes and a temperature of 28,000 Celsius can physically and electrically cause in our facility may reach extremely serious levels. The first negative situation encountered as a physical effect is the risk of fire. A lightning strike that occurs within 25 nanoseconds creates an ignition effect in the blink of an eye. Within the scope of the IEC 62305 standard, lightning down conductors that must be installed at a separation distance (s distance) from flammable surfaces and electrical lines are, in our country, mounted directly onto surfaces without observing any separation distance. In fact, in some projects, it has even been determined that the down conductor is installed directly inside the building’s electrical shaft. In addition to the fire risk, a lightning strike spreads a magnetic field three-dimensionally in all directions as it descends and can burn all electrical systems and devices by coupling through energy, data, and coaxial lines. Besides fire and electrical risks, in fully metallic structures, bare lightning down conductors can cause electric shocks and loss of life due to direct contact.

Lightning down conductors must be installed by maintaining the separation distance (s distance). Otherwise, the fire risk will increase.
For this reason, in risky situations, in order to ensure life and property safety and occupational safety in industrial facilities, the use of insulated down conductors that are resistant to a 200 kA test impulse and can isolate magnetic and thermal effects is recommended by the Lightning Protection Center. Especially for down conductors installed through building shafts, since there is a long-term and persistent risk, the use of an insulated lightning down conductor is recommended for the installation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id4SIO1jt6k&feature=youtu.be
Iscon
All equipment of Iscon (isolated conductor) or HVI (High Voltage Insulated) systems has been tested against lightning strikes. Connection components, insulated wall down conductor systems, and support systems are integral parts of these systems and have insulation and isolation test certifications. Therefore, we must include all system components in our designs to protect against sparks and possible arcing.
Use in Lightning Rod Systems
In Lightning rod systems, instead of bare copper down conductors installed in parallel, single-insulated lightning rod down conductor systems can be used. In line with technological developments, especially in Germany, bare copper down conductors are no longer preferred. We can also prefer insulated lightning down conductors for the safety of our installations and structures. Especially in flammable and explosive facilities, hospitals, schools, industrial plants, and data centers where data and information loss is critical, using insulated lightning down conductors will provide safe systems by preventing system damage due to coupling effects and reducing fire risk.
As Yılkomer, in the systems we install, we generally implement our designs using insulated lightning down conductors that are compatible with insulated lightning air termination systems. We recommend this design, which provides maximum system and installation safety, to our users and customers. You can contact our engineering team for system design and detailed information.



