Regarding the installation of light poles on the metal guardrails at the top of the tank, do fasteners such as clamps meet the requirements for protecting against direct lightning strikes?
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Some experts suggest that light poles located at the top of tanks or installations are at risk of lightning strikes; as lightning rods, these poles should be connected to fences or steel platforms using connection conductors of the appropriate lightning rod specification. If it is the standard practice in atlas production to use clamps for connection, does that meet this requirement?
Connecting using fasteners such as clamps does not necessarily meet the protection requirements against direct lightning strikes. Since direct lightning strikes require a stable and highly conductive grounding system, relying solely on clamps and similar devices may not be sufficient to ensure an effective and durable electrical connection between the lamp post and the fence or steel platform. It is recommended to use connection conductors that meet the specifications of the lightning receptor in order to improve the safety and reliability of the system. .
Are you saying that the fasteners must be of the same specification as the lightning conductor?
No. I mean, it is more appropriate to use fasteners together with the connecting conductors specified for the lightning conductor. Using fasteners alone may not provide lightning protection, as it cannot ensure an effective and durable electrical connection. There are specialized lightning conductors designed to withstand the high currents generated by lightning, and they provide a stable electrical connection, thereby enhancing the system’s lightning protection capabilities. These conductors should be used together with fasteners such as lamp posts and clamps to ensure effective lightning protection. .
There are no problems with what the experts have suggested. For specific details, you can refer to the Code for Lightning Protection Design in the Petrochemical Industry. It is also recommended that you use wires for grounding. Pipe clamps can be used for static grounding (according to SH3097), but not for lightning protection. Moreover, for the wiring, a gauge of 6 square millimeters or more in accordance with lightning protection design standards should be used (the specific requirement varies depending on the location)