Lightning Protection in Recycling Facilities

Lightning protection in recycling facilities has become highly important following the increasing lightning risk and recent lightning incidents. Recycling facilities, which play a leading role in waste management and returning waste back to nature, are facilities where many materials are collected and are generally located in open areas outside city centers. The greatest risk of a possible lightning strike for these facilities is the outbreak of fire and the burning of all waste materials. Apart from fire, one of the primary risks is damage to the machinery used in waste processing due to lightning strikes, and frequent damage to the entire automation system, especially circuit board failures. In order to prevent these problems, lightning protection system designs for recycling facilities, which have also become mandatory under regulations, must be carried out in accordance with IEC 62305 Standards. Installing systems in which the lightning strike is captured by air terminals and then safely discharged via insulated down-conductor systems is extremely important to eliminate the lightning risk in recycling facilities. In addition, in order to prevent people working in open areas from being affected by lightning strikes, step voltage protection and potential gradient calculations must be performed correctly.

The burning of collected waste due to a lightning strike may cause the spread of undesirable chemicals into nature; therefore, even considering this factor, the lightning protection calculations of the facility must be verified by performing proper risk analyses. Using only an external lightning protection system will not be sufficient. A Low Voltage Surge Protection System must be installed on the main incoming panel of the facility, sub-panels, automation system, and camera security system.

During ministry inspections, active lightning rods are generally requested for lightning protection in recycling facilities. If a lightning rod system is installed, providing insulation with insulated down-conductor systems, making equipotential connections with spark gap suppressors, and using Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 surge protection systems are extremely important. We frequently emphasize the use of surge protection devices because even if lightning does not strike your facility directly, your equipment may be damaged if it strikes a point 2 km away. Therefore, surge protection devices must be used within the facility.

The sections that must be separately protected with Low Voltage Surge Protection Systems in recycling facilities are listed as follows:

Rotary Screens, Fermentation Systems, Granule Facilities, Wastewater Systems, Separators, and Biological Converters. All of these systems, in addition to power, also have automation and communication systems and must be protected in accordance with IEC 61643-11 Standards.

As a lightning protection center, we take an active role by conducting site surveys in the design of lightning protection systems for recycling facilities. Following the site survey and design, we install the most appropriate lightning protection system for the facility with our expert team and prepare the necessary lightning protection reports for the facility.

For detailed information and site survey requests, you can contact our expert team via info@yilkomer.com.

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