IEC 62305 – Protection against lightning

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Lightning is a very high-energy phenomenon. Lightning protection is oftentimes taken for granted as the probability of a lightning strike to a structure is low, and damage to properties and deaths due to lightning strikes are facts.

Performing lightning protection calculations according to the IEC 62305 is a little bit tricky, particularly on the risk assessment of economic losses.

As engineers don't have access to economic data at the time of the design process, inaccurate data are often used which could result in inaccurate results. In some instances, risk assessment due to economic losses is not considered at the design stage.

The IEC publication 62305 - Protection against lightning provides a comprehensive outline of how to perform the lightning protection risk assessment.

  1. IEC 62305-1 - Protection against lightning - General principles
  2. IEC 62305-2 - Protection against lightning - Risk management
  3. IEC 62305-3 - Protection against lightning - Physical damage to structures and life hazard
  4. IEC 62305-4 - Protection against lightning - Electrical and electronic systems within structures

In addition to the 4 volume publication, a risk assessment calculation software is provided free of charge.