Multymeter.com-Electrical Engineering: Lightning is a very powerful natural phenomenon. In one strike, lightning can produce enough energy to light hundreds of millions of light bulbs.
The voltage in lightning can reach billions of volts, far above the voltage we use every day.
In addition to high voltage, lightning also carries a very large electric current.
Lightning can cause fires, damage buildings, injure or kill humans and animals, and lightning can even damage electronic equipment; such as computers, televisions, and telephones.
So how do you protect yourself, buildings, and electronic goods from lightning? This is what we must do.
- Our first step is to find a safe place when a thunderstorm occurs, it is better to go inside a house or sturdy building. Avoid being in open areas, under trees, or near metal objects. And then, turn off electronic equipment, then unplug the cable from the socket to avoid lightning strikes.
- Use roofing materials that are not easily flammable, such as ceramic or metal tiles.
- Avoid electrical cables that are exposed or installed carelessly. Make sure the electrical installation meets standards. • If there are antennas or tall metal objects in the house, make sure they are connected to a lightning rod or grounding system.
- Check the lightning rod and grounding system regularly to ensure that they function optimally.
- Avoid planting trees that are too tall near the house because trees can be targeted by lightning. If there are tall trees, make sure they have a separate lightning rod system.
With these steps, the risk of damage from lightning strikes can be minimized.
For perfect protection, here are some ways to protect your home from lightning strikes:
- Install a Lightning Rod
Function: Absorbs and channels electrical energy from lightning to the ground safely.
Main components:
Lightning rod pole (metal installed on the roof).
Conductor cable to channel electric current.
Grounding (soil used as a place to release energy). - Ensure a Good Grounding System
The grounding system must be properly installed to ensure that lightning current is channeled safely to the ground.
Make sure the grounding resistance is low, usually below 5 ohms. - Use a Surge Protector
A surge protector is a device designed to protect electronic equipment from excessive electrical voltage surges, such as those caused by:
• Lightning: Voltage surges caused by lightning strikes on the power grid.
• Power Fluctuations: Sudden changes in the power supply (such as due to sudden heavy loads or blackouts).
• Internal Interference: Such as interference from other electronic devices in a circuit.
• The main benefits of a Surge Protector are:
Protecting sensitive electronic devices, such as computers, TVs, refrigerators, and other electronic equipment.
Preventing permanent damage from voltage surges.
Reducing the risk of fire caused by cables or electronic devices overheating.
How to Install a Surge Protector
Choose the Right Surge Protector
○ Choose based on your device’s power requirements (in watts or amperes).
○ Make sure it has safety standards .
○ Pay attention to the maximum voltage rating (joules); the higher the joule value, the better the protection.
Installation Location
• Place the surge protector near the electronic equipment you want to protect.
• Avoid humid locations to prevent short circuits.
• Plug into a Power Outlet
• Plug the surge protector directly into a grounded wall outlet.
• Do not use an extension cord to prevent the protection from decreasing in effectiveness.
Connect Devices.
• Plug electronic devices into the surge protector ports.
• Make sure the connected devices do not exceed the surge protector’s power capacity.
• Turn on the Surge Protector.
• There is usually an on/off switch. Make sure the switch is in the “on” position for protection to be active.
• Some surge protectors are equipped with a light indicator to show whether the device is working properly.
Care and Usage Tips
○ Check the indicator light regularly. If it is off, the surge protector may no longer be functioning optimally.
○ Replace the surge protector after a large surge or every few years, as its internal components can wear out.
○ Do not overload. Connect devices according to the surge protector’s capacity.
With proper use, the surge protector will protect your devices from damage caused by power surges.***
