Lightning protection systems (LPS) and grounding - DKL201 - DKL202

DKL201 and DKL202 Installation Guide
Document code
M211785EN
Revision
D
Language
English
Product
DKL201
DKL202
Document type
User guide

A lightning protection system (LPS) adverts direct lightning strikes from the equipment and conducts the current to the ground.

When designing a lightning protection system and the grounding of a site, consider the following:

  • The structure to be protected
  • The needed protection level
  • Technical, geographic, and economic factors

The general principle in grounding Vaisala weather station systems and masts is to:

  1. Install a lightning protection system, including:

    • Air terminal
    • Down conductor
    • Ground electrode

  2. Ground the mast and the enclosure with separate wires to the common ground electrode.

    • The wire for grounding the mast runs from the air terminal down to the grounding connector at the base of the mast. This wire is the (mast) down conductor.
    • The wire for grounding the enclosure runs from the bottom of the enclosure down to the grounding connector at the base of the mast. This wire is the (enclosure) down conductor.
    • The cables run from the grounding connector to the ground. The cables can be terminated in ground electrodes such as ground rods or plates.
The installation of the air terminal as instructed by Vaisala is based on international IEC standards. This means routing the down conductor along the side of the mast and connecting the lightning protection grounding and equipment grounding to a grounding connector at the base of the mast. If local and state legislation and regulations are different from the Vaisala installation instructions, it is the responsibility of the customer to make sure that that grounding and lightning protection comply with local and state legislation and regulations.
Figure 1. Example of lightning protection system on pole mast
1
Air terminal
2
Upper attachment of (mast) down conductor
3
Ground electrode
4
Mast down conductor
5
Enclosure down conductor
6
Grounding connector
Figure 2. Example of lightning protection system on lattice mast
1
Air terminal
2
Upper attachment of (mast) down conductor
3
Mast down conductor
4
Grounding connector
5
Enclosure down conductor
6
Ground electrode

For information on grounding the enclosure, see the product-specific manuals.

For generic grounding information and information on grounding installation, see Grounding and Lightning Protection in Vaisala Outdoor Installations Technical Reference.