Stevenfyeager
Senior Member
- Location
- United States, Indiana
- Occupation
- electrical contractor
A customer wants me to install lightning protection for his home. What kind do you recommend ? Is it reliable ? Thanks.
lightning protection
- Thread starter Stevenfyeager
- Start date
- Status
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Electrician - but not by NC Law.
I'd go and read here first.
https://forums.mikeholt.com/search/262643/?q=lightning+protection&o=date
https://forums.mikeholt.com/search/262643/?q=lightning+protection&o=date
jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
- Occupation
- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
I think if you have to ask then you're not qualified to install a genuine lightning protection system. There's a whole NFPA code for LPSs (NFPA 780), but it's not law anywhere AFAIK. I've also read on this forum there's a UL certification process, but that's all I know about that. The last thing you'd want to do is pretend you know how to do this when you don't, then have it not work and have the homeowners insurance lawyer encourage the customer to sue you for his money back.
Things you might be qualified to do:
You could recommend installing a large surge protector, which would provide some not-really-knowable amount of protection. You could also inspect his grounding electrode system and bring it up to code, but don't drive rods 'all over the yard' as that may hurt more than help. Ideally there should be one GEC to the main service panel that branches out to the electrodes present. Finally you could install an intersystem bonding bridge and reroute and communications grounds to it, or suggest to him that he call the cable and/or phone company to come do that.
All of those things *might* help lessen damage from nearby strikes but will do nothing about a direct hit. The customer may not really understand what he is asking for. But if he does, an actual LPS to deflect a direct hit on the house would require a specialist contractor (and probably cost a lot) so tell him to find one.
Things you might be qualified to do:
You could recommend installing a large surge protector, which would provide some not-really-knowable amount of protection. You could also inspect his grounding electrode system and bring it up to code, but don't drive rods 'all over the yard' as that may hurt more than help. Ideally there should be one GEC to the main service panel that branches out to the electrodes present. Finally you could install an intersystem bonding bridge and reroute and communications grounds to it, or suggest to him that he call the cable and/or phone company to come do that.
All of those things *might* help lessen damage from nearby strikes but will do nothing about a direct hit. The customer may not really understand what he is asking for. But if he does, an actual LPS to deflect a direct hit on the house would require a specialist contractor (and probably cost a lot) so tell him to find one.
- Status