According to the construction law, owners of small houses are not obliged to have a lightning protection system. However, it is worth thinking about this type of investment. Thanks to it single-family houses can be effectively protected against lightning.
Single-family houses can be protected against lightning in two ways. First of all, a traditional lightning protection system or a so-called active system is used. These solutions differ in terms of aesthetics and effectiveness. Traditional installation allows us to determine the location of lightning rods
Firstly, protection zones are determined by the shielding angle rule, as well as the rolling sphere and the dimensioning of the mesh of the lightning arrester grid. Protruding metal roofing elements are connected to the so-called short-circuits. They include antenna masts and chimneys – they are the most frequently hit by lightning
The situation is more complicated in the case of roofs made of metal sheets, which in Poland are very universal and commonly used. On these roofs, in turn, the so-called horizontal ground fuses are installed. However, the thickness of the roof can not be less than 0.5 mm. This is independent of the type of roofing material used according to PN-IEC 61024-1 standards. To make a lightning protection system, galvanized steel is used, as well as aluminum and copper.
A very modern solution is a system with active lightning protection. First of all, it looks much more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional lightning conductor. It is based on vertical lightning protection. For this protection only one wire is used, which is led away from the roof in an inconspicuous way
It is mounted on the house wall on very aesthetic looking brackets. In contrast to the grid used in traditional lightning protection, here the whole is reduced to a single element. However, the effectiveness of the protection is maintained. We can even say that it is greater than in traditional installations. Not only the roof of the building is protected, but also TV antennas, as well as decorative accessories on the roof, such as metal cornices
Thanks to the active system, the current has a much shorter path between the lightning conductor head and the ground. Thus, the fire hazard is reduced. The active system also minimizes dangerous voltages in electrical conductors. These can be particularly dangerous for residents who are in a building struck by lightning.
A very important element in a modern lightning protection system is the so-called pin earthing. Thanks to it, made grounding is very durable, and also we do not have to make excavations in the area around the house. In the case of ordering a traditional system are unfortunately necessary
For modern lightning protection systems galvanized steel is also used, as well as aluminum and copper.
Modern lightning protection systems are especially recommended for single-family homes with roof areas up to 500 square meters.
Lightning arresters, a system of protection of electrical installations against lightning, consist of three stages. The first is installed at the connectors, right next to the main switchboard. This suppresses the so-called surge waves.
The second stage is placed only on the main switchgear. It reduces the value to an amount that will be safe for the third stage arresters. Thanks to the signaling placed in them, we know exactly if the protective insert is damaged and, if necessary, we can quickly replace it
The third stage is a protector that is located at given electrical devices that are particularly valuable to us. It can be a router or a TV set. Thanks to it, surges are suppressed and their value is reduced to one that will be completely safe for the device. They can be placed in a box under the plaster so that they are completely invisible. They are also used in the power cord or in the splitter
