Do-it-yourself lightning rod for a country house: will there be an effect? How to protect a house from lightning or proper lightning protection External protection of a wooden house from lightning.

Most of the communications that were connected to private houses have long expired. Because of this, the risk of their failure increases significantly. That is why the problem of protection from thunder and lightning is becoming increasingly urgent. Making a lightning rod with your own hands is not so easy; to do this, you need to calculate the parameters of the area and take the tools: a screwdriver, a hammer, a shovel.

Creating such a structure is to protect your family from a potential threat. A properly installed lightning rod will protect your home from lightning. Let's look at the step-by-step creation of the structure.

How does a lightning rod work?

The principle of operation of a lightning rod is quite simple - lightning is redirected to the ground, which allows residents of the house to avoid the threat of an accident. When creating a design, it is important to consider existing measures safety: do not put your hands into electrical appliances, turn off the power to the switchboard, do not work in precipitation outside. Don't know how a lightning rod works? The design consists of 3 elements:

1. A lightning rod that intercepts a lightning charge.
2. A down conductor that redirects energy.
3. Ground electrode. Thanks to it, there is a stable connection between the device and the ground.

The devices are installed both near a residential building and directly on its roof.

Parts of a lightning rod can be individual roof elements. When creating a structure, it is necessary that all elements are made of a single metal. Otherwise, there is a high probability of incompatibility, which will lead to ineffectiveness of the device.

Making a lightning rod correctly in a private home is not as easy as many people think. This is partly complicated by legislative documents, because before starting installation work it is necessary to make sure, for example, that there are no communications nearby.

A properly installed device will withstand even the most severe blow. An air terminal is most often a device in the form of a rod, which is located on top of the house. Some parts of the building can also play its role: pipes, fences. The roof on which the lightning rod is installed must be intact. This will increase the reliability of the design. In this case, the surface should not have an insulating layer (except for anti-corrosion paint). The device can also be attached to a tree that grows near the house.

Next we move on to creating a down conductor. When making it, you should use the following sections: 16 mm2 for copper, 25 mm2 for aluminum, 50 mm2 for steel. It must be located between the lightning rod and the ground. Turns and bends are undesirable for the down conductor, as this will seriously damage it. It is worth noting that it can be located both outside the wall and inside it.

The ground electrode is made of steel or copper. You will need to dig a trench, the depth of which is up to 0.5 meters. Rods are driven into the ground and connected to each other by welding. Then the resulting element is connected to a down conductor.

Lightning rod diagram

The operation scheme of a lightning rod is extremely simple. If a charge occurs in the atmosphere, it hits the lightning rod and is redirected directly to grounding. During a thunderstorm, electrical appliances are the first to be at risk. The problem with them has become especially acute now, when many private houses have old wiring, and modern technology designed for completely different conditions. The lightning rod instantly reacts to a threat and 100% eliminates the possibility of lightning striking a residential building.

The installation diagram of the structure must include all elements: from conductors and fasteners to the final sequence of actions. It is important to indicate the route along which the down conductor passes. The grounding location should also be noted.

The most economical option for the owner of a private house would be to install a simple rod that is positioned vertically. The installation height is directly related to the risk of lightning strikes. The higher the installation location, the lower the likelihood of negative consequences.

A separate topic is lightning protection in wooden house. A whole range of procedures will be required to ensure maximum safety: installation, configuration, testing. For wooden house lightning poses a particular threat. Natural materials flare up instantly. Despite the fact that there are few such houses left, they are in a high-risk area.

The complex type lightning rod interacts closely with external and internal leads, which converge in grounding. The material for the structure should be selected based on the angle of inclination, size and type of roof covering. As for internal communications, the bus is especially important for them. It counteracts the impulse that occurs during a thunderstorm.

Proper creation of a lightning rod

Particular attention should be paid to materials when creating. It's better to buy a little in reserve large quantity materials than are intended to be used. This will allow you to correctly make the lightning rod, as written in the instructions.

To correctly calculate all parameters, use a special formula: h = (rx+1.63hx)/1.5. Here h is the height of the lightning rod, rx is the radius of the potential zone that the structure protects. This calculation scheme is ideal for private houses with lightning protection installed no higher than 150 m. This is more than enough for a standard building. In the most common rod models, the angle of inclination reaches 50 degrees.

As for the characteristics of various metals, the most optimal choice will become copper. However, most users choose steel profiles, primarily because of their cost. The structure should be located as high as possible; the protection cone itself covers the entire house. This will ensure the necessary security. Therefore, if the lightning rod is located far from the building, then it should be located as high as possible.

If you have assessed your own strengths and have not made a decision on how to make a lightning rod in a private house, then it is better to turn to professionals. Alef-Em specialists have extensive experience in as soon as possible will solve even the most complex problems.

Manufacturing of lightning rods

The easiest way is to make a medium-sized structure. Non-professionals can also try to make a lightning rod, as indicated in the instructions, after carefully studying the information on its creation. The easiest way is to make a lightning rod that is placed on the roof. The advantage will be that there is no need for additional support.

Do not attach the pin directly in the middle of the roof. It is better to use the already specified formula, which will help determine the final location.

The ground electrode must be placed in such a way that in the event of a thunderstorm there is no crowd of people near it. It is better to choose a place that will be a couple of meters from the house. By placing a flower bed there or simply putting up a fence, you will be able to make the area visually attractive and ensure maximum safety.

It will be useful to read: “Thunderstorm: rules of survival.”

It is possible to create a lightning rod at your dacha with your own hands, the design of which meets all safety requirements, but it is better to consult with a specialist who will give you his vision of this issue. The design of a lightning rod in a private house, made by yourself, must also be agreed upon with the local government. In addition, after completing the installation, it is better to go to local branches Ministry of Emergency Situations so that they can attest to the work done.

Since the device is made of metal, it may be susceptible to external environment. A lightning rod for a home is also susceptible to corrosion - to prevent its appearance and spread, periodically inspect the device. Even at the installation stage, immediately treat the bolts and connections with special products.

The grounding and especially its circuit should be checked for integrity every 2 years. This will allow you to monitor how good the condition of the structure is and whether it has received any damage. Systematic independent control is the key to stable and durable functioning of lightning protection.

Making lightning rods yourself requires proper knowledge in the field of installation of the structure. First of all, calculate the parameters of the site and the area of ​​the residential building. Consultation with professionals or advice from people who have already done the installation will help you understand the specifics. It is important to know not only how to make a lightning rod in the house, but also how to install it correctly.

How to make a lightning rod in a private house

First you need to deal directly with earthworks. Lightning rod for country house choose one of two types with your own hands. This can be a linear ground electrode or a closed one. If a new house is being built, it is recommended to install protective equipment even before initial stage. Good lightning protection and high-quality results will be ensured. The grounding depth varies from 0.5 to 1 meter, depending on the specifics of the soil. In this case, it is better to choose soil that has good electrical conductivity. If this cannot be done, then there are several ways to improve it. For example, a saline solution is suitable for sandy soil.

If the lightning rod is organized traditional way, then you should check that the structure is connected to all conductive parts of the roof. The roof can also serve as a kind of conductor if its thickness exceeds 0.5 mm. The discharge will take place on its own along the shortest path. Poor soil conductivity may be one of the factors that reduces the overall effectiveness of a lightning rod.

A dacha plot is a particularly vulnerable place, so such houses are under particular threat. When preparing lightning protection, it is important to consider the size of the cottage and the materials used (even the smallest, for example, wire).

Before you decide to make a lightning rod in a private house with your own hands, think about whether it’s worth the risk. To protect yourself as much as possible, it may be better to use the services of professionals. They know how a lightning rod is made and will give advice on its operation so that the structure lasts as long as possible.

The Alef-Em company has been working in this market segment for many years and finds individual approach to every client. Thanks to our services, your soul will be calm and your property will be protected.

The work is carried out within a clearly defined time frame. The price for services will be quoted to you immediately after inspecting the property. Thanks to our extensive experience, the installation of lightning rods is carried out with the same quality for all buildings. Alef-Em specialists have everything necessary equipment to complete even the most complex tasks. They know how lightning rods are made and will carry out the work taking into account all modern requirements quality and reliability.

Installing such a structure is a real chance to protect yourself and your family from unforeseen consequences. You shouldn’t take risks, because every year nature presents new weather surprises. Install lightning rods that will become reliable protection for many years.

A lightning rod is necessary primarily because the charge accumulated in thunderclouds can cause a lot of damage if it gets into residential buildings.

Why are lightning dangerous? Typically their power is 100,000 A, but sometimes this figure reaches 200,000.

When such a powerful flow of energy hits something, it causes heating, which in turn causes fires.

That is why in houses it is necessary that there is no risk of fire, and that the charge is discharged into the ground.

Lightning rod design

The lightning rod must consist of these elements:

• lightning rod (takes charge, intercepting it);
• down conductor (its function is the direction received current into the cavity of the earth);
• ground electrode (allows for connection between the house, the device and the ground).

The lightning rod system must be designed in accordance with design features elements.

It is important that the metal used in the production of the entire system is the same.

DIY lightning rod for lightning rod

The receiver will be a rod made of steel. It should be higher than the highest point of the house. Key Features:

• section 50 mm square;
• wire rod should have a diameter of eight mm;
• the rod can be replaced with a copper one, but then the cross-section should be 35 mm.

A lightning rod can even be drainpipe because it is made of metal.

You can also focus on the roof, if they are similarly made of metal.

The installation diagram will look like this:

A lightning rod is installed in a house if the roof is made of aluminum, iron, or copper.

It is important that the material is intact, otherwise the current will not enter the outlet elements.

Also, when installing a lightning rod, the presence of heat-insulating roof material should not be allowed.

In general there should be no coverings. The exception is a thin layer of paint, which is designed to provide an anti-corrosion effect.

To connect all elements of the lightning rod, it is necessary to use solid reinforcement.

If the thickness of the roof material exceeds the specified values:

• for aluminum it is 7 mm;
• for copper 5 mm;
• for iron 4 mm.

Also, if covered thermal insulation material, you need to use a pipe as a lightning rod.

If the roof is divided into several separate elements, they can be connected with reinforcement.

Do-it-yourself current conductor for lightning rod

The current conductor will be the same material that the lightning rod is made of. The following indicators will help you calculate the cross section:

• aluminum - 25 mm square;
• copper - 16 mm square;
• steel - 50 mm square.

Direct installation of lightning protection does not involve a down conductor that leads along a long path.

The length should be as short as possible. Also, turns and, especially, sharp corners should not be allowed.

In this case, the likelihood increases that a spark will appear at the turn, which will lead to a fire.

The current conductor consists of a metal strip and wire rod. It can be carried out inside a wall if it does not consist of flammable material.

Fastening is carried out with metal brackets in any case. If the walls are highly flammable, the down conductor should be installed no closer than 10 centimeters from them.

If you are doing this at the construction stage, make sure that there is a distance of more than 10 cm between the wires and the down conductor.

Attention: lightning rod elements must not be insulated or painted!

How to make a ground electrode for a lightning rod

Grounding conductors are made from the following materials:

• copper - section 50 mm square;
• steel - section 80 mm square.

How to install a ground electrode?

It’s very easy: you need to create a hole about 1-2 meters deep, insert rods of steel or copper, weld them together, secure them and connect them with fittings.

It is easier to install all elements from steel, since it is considered the most reliable equipment for lightning rods.

To avoid, it is better to install the lightning rod as high as possible.

It’s great if there is a tall tree near the house on which the system element will be installed.

The ground electrode is installed no closer than 1 meter from the wall of the house. This is due to the fact that sufficient space is needed to distribute the released energy.

Otherwise, the house may experience short circuit, there will be voltage drops.

It is also necessary to remember that from roads and fences, especially if they consist of metal, there must be at least 5 meters to the ground electrode.

Why is it important to install the lightning rod as high as possible? In this case, it will be able to capture energy from lightning at a large angle. The lower the receiver, the worse the capture is.

Will help you find answers to your questions.

From the school physics course it is known that lightning is a huge electrical discharge that carries a large thermal energy. The consequences of a lightning strike can be catastrophic, so at all times humanity has tried to create devices and devices that would protect them from this natural scourge. IN modern world lightning protection of a private house is a combination of design features of the building and special devices designed to discharge electricity into the ground. The latter is called a lightning rod, how does it work, what are the requirements for it?

Types of lightning protection

Lightning protection of a home is divided into two categories: internal and external. The purpose of the first is to protect against lightning, the thunderstorm of which did not hit the house itself. For example, it can get into a power line that connects to the house's internal electrical wiring. In this case, in internal wiring high overvoltages occur. Consequence: failure of most of the household appliances. In any case, the one that was plugged into the sockets at that time. The wires may burn out, a short circuit may occur, the worst case scenario is a fire if the wiring was carried out according to wooden floors or the house was made of wood.

This problem can be solved by installing special devices in the electrical network that will protect it from surge voltages. For example, surge suppressors, all kinds of arresters, SPD (surge protection device). All devices are installed in the distribution board of the house.

External protection

External lightning protection is a lightning rod, which consists of three main elements:

• lightning rod;
• down conductor;
• ground loop.

The main requirement for all three elements is their reliable connection with each other. Depending on the roofing material, it is necessary to use and different types lightning protection. There are three of them: pin, cable and mesh.

Pin

It is usually used if the roof of the house is covered with metal roofing material. For example, metal tiles, corrugated sheets or tin. To do this, you need to install a metal pin on the roof, which will rise above the ridge of the roof of the house, approximately 1-2 m higher. This will be the lightning rod. It can be made from a metal rod with a diameter of 8-12 mm, or a steel strip 4-5 mm thick and 25-35 mm wide can be used for this.

Such a lightning rod can divert electrical strikes from the elements around a house with an area equal area, where the radius is the height of the lightning rod. And the higher the pin is installed, the larger the area that it protects from lightning strikes.

The removal capacity of an air terminal is not based on the size of the area it covers. If we take into account that the vertical line for installing the pin is the height of the isosceles triangle, then the base of this figure will be two height sizes. It turns out that a circle with a radius equal to the height of the pin installation can form on the ground surface.

Rosovaya

This lightning rod requires a cable that is stretched along the roof ridge, and it is suspended at a height of half a meter above the installation level of the ridge. To do this, it is best to use a cable made of galvanized wires with a total minimum cross-section of 5-7 mm. This protection against lightning is used if the roof of the house is covered with slate.

The cable is pulled along the ridge and attached to wooden posts installed along the edges of the ridge beam. If the roof is long, then there may be more racks, the main thing is to maintain a slight slack in the cable. Strong sagging is unacceptable, because this reduces the distance from the roof ridge to the lightning rod. And it should not be less than 1 m. The mounting method is varied, the strength of the installation is important here. You can fasten it with clamps (metal or plastic); if the cable is thin, 5-8 mm, then you can simply tie it and additionally tie it with wire.

Mesh

This is a more complex structure that is installed on roofs covered with tiles. Making such a lightning rod with your own hands is not easy. For this, steel wire rod with a cross section of 6-8 mm is used, which is laid over the entire surface of the roof slopes in the form of a grid with cell sizes of 6x6 m or more, it all depends on the area of ​​the roof. All connections are welded, fastened to the roof using brackets.

As for the down conductor, this is a line connecting the lightning rod to the ground loop. Typically, steel wire rod with a diameter of 6-8 mm is used for this. It is important here that the current-carrying element can withstand high current strength, which often reaches up to 200,000 amperes. If ready-made protection is selected, then its current conductor is copper or aluminum wire with a diameter of 6 mm.

Requirements for down conductors.

1. This should be the shortest path from the lightning rod to the ground loop.
2. When laying, bends and creases should not be used, which, in the process of removing electricity, will become the site of the appearance of a spark charge, which, as practice shows, leads to ignition.
3. The laying route is chosen so that the wire does not pass near windows and doors.
4. If a lightning protection device is being installed for a wooden house, then the down conductor is installed at a distance of 15-20 cm from the surfaces of the wooden structure. For this, special staples are used. They are a metal clamp, the base of which is made of hard and durable plastic. It is the plastic that protects the conductive element from contact with wooden structures Houses. The bracket is attached with self-tapping screws. By the way, these brackets are also used in the construction of a mesh lightning rod, where the distance between them is 1.5-2.0 m.
5. If the protection of buildings and structures from lightning is a large mesh structure, or a long laid cable, or several pins are used on the roof, then there must also be several down conductors, the distance between which is 25 m (according to SO 153-34.21.122-2003).
6. The wire rod is carried along the walls of the building, along the gables and sharp protrusions of the roof. That is, in those areas that can be struck by lightning.

Ground loop

The lightning protection circuit in a private house is carried out according to the same scheme and design as the grounding of electrical networks.

• One meter from the foundation of the house and at least five meters from front door, paths, platforms, trenches are dug in the shape of an equilateral triangle. The depth of the trenches is 80 cm, width is 60 cm, length is 1.5-2 m.
• Angle steel pins measuring 50x50x5 mm are driven into the corners of the triangle. The depth of burial is 2-3 m. The corners should not be driven completely into the ground, the height of the free protruding section is 20-30 cm.
• The pins are connected to each other by a steel strip 4 mm thick and 40 mm wide. You can use the same corners for these elements as for the pins.
• This lightning protection grounding circuit is connected to the down conductor.

Attention! All connecting joints must be secured by electric welding. Bolted connections are not recommended, because during operation of the lightning rod of a country house, they can weaken, rust and weaken the conductivity of the entire structure.

DIY assembly

Before making a lightning rod in a private house, you need to decide what type of lightning rod to choose. If this is a pin version, then the pin itself must be installed not on roofing material, but on the sheathing.

After that, a current-carrying wire is laid with your own hands. If the length of the purchased piece of wire or rod is not enough, then you can connect two pieces using an aluminum or copper contact, which is used in air lines power transmission The distance between brackets is 1.5-2.0 m.

A grounding loop is constructed to which the down conductor is attached. Before welding, all joints of elements must be cleaned to a metallic shine. If ready-made lightning protection for a private building is used, then special devices with bolted connections made of non-ferrous metal are used as connections.

Attention! The best option, if the grounding and lightning protection loops are located close to each other and connected to each other by wire rod or strip. This does not violate the standards of lightning protection devices, and the circuit becomes twice as large.

When installing lightning protection in your own private home with your own hands, you need to understand that this is an element of safety not only for the building, but also for the people living in it. Therefore, you should not put off its installation for a long time. The ideal time for installation is to build a private house with your own hands.

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IN Lately We are increasingly faced with situations where lightning strikes houses and, due to the lack of appropriate protection, a fire occurs. To prevent this from happening and to protect yourself, you can make a lightning rod with your own hands.

Moreover, such a device will be quite functional and productive, if, of course, it is installed correctly. It is worth saying that although the lightning rod has a fairly simple design and, given free time and the necessary materials, anyone can make it, nevertheless, you will need to take into account many factors to determine the correct installation parameters, since it is important not only to have protection for your home and electrical appliances, but also to be confident in its correct functioning.

How does a lightning rod work in a country house?

A lightning rod is a special installation that attracts the electric charge of lightning and redirects it from the house through a conductor to the ground. Thus, lightning will not cause any destruction or harm. The lightning rod consists of two blocks:

• external;
• internal.

The outdoor unit is a current collector (lightning receiver) connected to a current conductor (down conductor), which together act as a receiver and distribution of lightning charge, as well as a ground electrode, which dissipates this charge in the ground.

The indoor unit will protect your home from power surges and, therefore, prevent failure of electronics. Probably everyone has heard that if the electric charge of lightning is strong, then all the electrical appliances in the house burn out.

So there is another reason to make a lightning rod.

Lightning rod design rules

For the right choice diagrams for the installation of a dacha lightning rod, it is first necessary to study the structure of the building and, in accordance with the “Instructions for the installation of lightning protection of buildings and structures” (Instruction RD 34.21.122-87), determine the required level of protection. Low and small in area private houses usually belong to lightning protection category III.

Effective lightning protection is one that reliably protects the building and everything inside it from direct lightning strikes and from its secondary discharges in electrical networks. A country lightning rod is usually a lightning rod, which is connected to grounding using a down conductor system.

Lightning rod

A device that directly receives a lightning strike is called an air terminal. This is the most noticeable and significant element of an industrial or country lightning rod design. There are rod, cable, and mesh receivers.

The most popular and famous thanks to Benjamin Franklin is the lightning rod, which is a metal pin made of stainless steel, aluminum or copper. It is usually installed 2 m above the highest point of the protected building. This type of lightning rods is the simplest to implement and quite cheap.

A cable lightning rod consists of two masts installed around the perimeter of the protected object, and tensioned steel cables between them. An lightning protection network is a mesh of metal rods laid on the roof of a building with a certain pitch.

For small private houses, a metal roof can be an excellent lightning receiver. If the roof of the house is made of a different material, then it is better to choose a lightning protection mesh for the protection device, and for wooden country houses active protection is used more often.

Down conductors

Current flows to the grounding device through down conductors. In accordance with the above Instruction RD 34.21.122-87, down conductors in a residential building can be various building structures made of steel, aluminum or copper (frames, fire escapes, reinforced concrete slab reinforcement). Special down conductors are usually laid outside along the perimeter of the building at intervals of 25 m. The effectiveness of down conductors depends on the continuity electrical network. They are usually connected to the lightning rod and grounding devices by welding.

Grounding

The lightning charge in the soil is dissipated using grounding devices. In accordance with Instruction RD 34.21.122-87, they are most often reinforced concrete foundations or vertical electrodes that go deep into the ground. The latter type of grounding is necessarily protected from corrosion (therefore, it is usually made of copper-plated or galvanized steel), and the electrodes are securely connected to the horizontal busbar and to each other using special connectors.

Making a lightning rod at the dacha with your own hands

So, if you have come to the conclusion that you want to make a lightning rod for a country house with your own hands, then you need to know how this device is made. First you need to make a rod current collector, to which a current conductor will then be attached, which can be made from ordinary iron wire. Just choose a wire with as large a cross-section as possible, for example 6-8 mm. The conductor also connects the current collector to the ground loop.

The ground loop can be made from an iron strip measuring approximately 4x50 mm. The electrode should be made of steel rod, choosing a diameter of at least 18 mm. Please note that all connections should only be made using welding machine. If you do not have this option, you can use bolted steel clamps, but such connections will be less effective.

2) The handicraft fastener material, when passing lightning current, with a high degree of probability may not withstand high temperatures and will simply melt. Therefore, it is always necessary to know the parameters of the materials used and carry out necessary calculations. But it’s easier to buy ready-made components from lightning protection manufacturers, especially since the prices for fastening elements, especially domestic ones, are acceptable. Plus, you will receive the necessary advice from specialists on proper installation.

3) There is a rule: you either make isolated lightning protection and maintain the required breakdown distance, or connect all metal elements together and lead them to grounding. Here the author uses insulators and, accordingly, the first method, which means the air gap between the receiver/down conductor must be no less minimum distance R, which is specifically in this option should be 300-400 mm, which is not noticeable. Without grounding the roof, a dangerous potential difference is guaranteed to arise here.

4) The option of a ground electrode in the form of a single pin stuck into the ground cannot be considered reliable no matter the soil resistance, especially since the down conductor through which the discharge from the lightning rod arrives is also the only one. Even in the days of the USSR, with a complete lack of knowledge and calculated parameters of soil resistance, focal grounding was always done in the shape of a triangle or a U-shaped circuit.

Basic typical diagrams of country lightning rods

Once again, in more detail, we will talk about three well-known types of protection devices installed on the roof of building structures.

The type of lightning rod chosen for a country lightning rod determines the type and scheme of its protection. TO standard schemes include the organization:

• lightning protection mesh;
• rod lightning rods;
• cable lightning rods.

For flat and gable roofs For cottages, regardless of the roofing material, experts recommend using lightning protection mesh. To organize it, steel, copper or aluminum rods with a diameter of up to 8 mm are used. The mesh is installed directly on the roof or under the insulation if the roof base is not flammable (Instruction RD 34.21.122-87).

Depending on the level of protection, down conductors are mounted directly to the mesh along the entire perimeter in increments of 10 to 25 cm.

A lightning protection rod circuit is a metal pin attached to a chimney or other roof structure at least 2 m above its highest point.

The installation of the rod is carried out correctly if the protected object completely falls into the base of the cone with the apex at the extreme point of the lightning rod. Increasing the height of the rod expands the protected area. This type of lightning rod is suitable for both private and industrial facilities with complex roofs.

For gable roofs For low buildings, you can also use a cable circuit for a country lightning rod. To do this, a steel cable is stretched between the supports installed on the skates. One down conductor is usually attached to its ends, transmitting current to the ground in the ground, which looks like a “chicken’s foot”. If the dacha lightning rod circuit is executed correctly, lightning discharges go into the soil outside the protected house. When installing lightning protection of this type, it is important to take into account the sagging of the cable.

The choice of a scheme for organizing a dacha lightning rod is influenced by many factors, parameters and conditions. Therefore, this is a rather complex and responsible event that requires certain professional knowledge and experience. Our company will help you design and install the most effective lightning protection for your home. In addition, we provide turnkey lightning rod installation services. The section "Our objects" contains photos of lightning rods and a description of our completed projects.

How and where to buy a lightning rod

A lightning rod that protects against a direct lightning strike will work like a clock if you choose it wisely and correctly necessary materials to create effective and reliable lightning protection for a building. The price of a country lightning rod is influenced by the following parameters:

• level of protection;
• lightning rod diagram;
• technical difficulties of project implementation;
• type of materials used and scope of work.

Today, numerous online stores offer a large selection of rods and cables made of steel, copper and stainless steel, as well as holders and clamps and give wonderful description their goods. However, it is difficult to make a lightning rod of impeccable quality on your own. In addition, no one will guarantee the operation of a system assembled from materials with different performance characteristics.

Our company offers to buy components for lightning rods from well-known and well-established manufacturers from Germany, Russia, France, Turkey and other countries from a warehouse in Moscow: OBO Bettermann, J. Propster, BS-Technic, DEHN+SOHNE, Voltstream, Elmashprom, Duval Messien, Citel, Forend and others.

Our services

Our company’s specialists will help you choose the most reliable and effective country lightning rod at an affordable price, taking into account all the features of your home. Our consultants will answer any questions in detail and draw up an estimate.

You can order from us the necessary measurements of transition resistances, resistance of grounding devices, checking the presence of a grounding circuit and grounded elements. The company's experienced professionals can also design and install a lightning rod on a turnkey basis. We provide maintenance services various systems protection against lightning before the start of the thunderstorm season and, by agreement with the client, we repair them.

Throughout life, every person repeatedly encounters such a phenomenon as a thunderstorm. It’s true that many people are more frightened by thunderclaps than by lightning. In fact, it is lightning that is the damaging factor; it can cause fires and death.

Electric shock is a dangerous injury that not everyone can survive safely. And if we take everyday life seriously, then not everyone is afraid of a lightning strike, believing that this happens rarely. According to statistics, about 3,000 people die from lightning strikes around the world every year.

Great damage can be caused by a lightning strike that hits a residential or commercial building, especially if it is built with flammable materials. Most of fires occur in rural areas, where there is a lot wooden houses, and other buildings.

Therefore, you need to take care to ensure that your home or home is not damaged during a thunderstorm. To do this, it is necessary to equip the building with lightning protection.

How does lightning protection work at home?

Lightning is a short circuit that occurs between the earth and the cloud, which are oppositely polarized conductors.

The task of a lightning rod is to “catch” lightning and divert the electrical discharge into the ground, protecting a house or other object.

Most often, lightning strikes those objects that rise above the surface - tall trees, building spiers, single pillars. Therefore, lightning rods are usually located at a height exceeding the height of the building being protected.

The lightning rod design consists of three main structural parts:

• lightning rod that catches the discharge;
• down conductor – the task of which is to transfer the discharge to grounding;
• ground electrode located in the soil.

As you know, soil conducts current well. Different rocks have different abilities to conduct current, but it is best absorbed by moist soil. Therefore, the ground electrode is often immersed in until it reaches groundwater, lying on the site. This guarantees high efficiency of the lightning rod.

The lightning rod is usually installed at the highest point of the roof. If the house is small, then installing one receiver is enough. If the house is large, then several of them are installed so as to protect the entire surface of the roof.

• Rod - a metal pin with a length of 30 to 150 cm, which is mounted vertically. The installation location can be a roof ridge, a chimney, or a television antenna. It is desirable that the pin be made of a material that is not prone to oxidation - copper or galvanized steel. The diameter of the pin is approximately 12 mm. If a metal tube is used, its upper end must be welded. Most often, such devices are used on metal roofs.
• Cable - a metal cable stretched along wooden supports at a height of 1 - 2 meters from the roof ridge. Such structures are usually mounted on slate and wooden roofs.
• Mesh lightning rod is a mesh consisting of round galvanized steel rods. It is located along the ridge of the roof. This a good option for the protection of tiled roofs.

The down conductor is a steel wire with a diameter of at least 6 mm, connected by welding to an air terminal. It must be able to withstand a current of 200,000 amperes.

It is very important that the fastening of the lightning rod and down conductor is strong; it must not be loosened or broken.

The down conductor is lowered from the roof to the ground electrode or ground loop so that its length is as short as possible. Down conductors must be secured to the walls of the building with brackets. They need to be laid at the greatest possible distance from window and doorways. If the house is large and there are several down conductors, then the distance between them should not be less than 25 m.

The grounding of the lightning rod consists of three vertical electrodes connected to each other by a strip of steel with a cross section of 40*4 mm. Typically, the same ground loop is used to protect electrical appliances and equipment.

The figure shows the lightning rod (1), down conductor (2) and grounding (3).

In fact, to protect private houses, various metal objects are used as grounding: it can be a sheet of thick metal buried deep in the ground, a thick pipe, several corners connected in parallel.

Types of lightning protection systems:

• active;
• passive.

Active systems appeared not so long ago - in the 80s of the last century. Russian scientists are skeptical about such systems, since they cost an order of magnitude more, and their effectiveness is not considered unconditionally proven.

The structural parts of the active and passive systems are the same, the only difference is in the lightning rod. The design of the active receiver provides additional ionization of the air, which presumably improves the interception of the electrical discharge. It is believed that the protection zone of the active system can be up to 100 m, which allows protecting not only the house, but surrounding buildings.

High cost limits the use of active protection. Experts believe that a passive system, if implemented correctly and carefully, provides the building with sufficient protection.

Independent lightning protection device

The main thing in this matter is high-quality grounding.

To do this, you need to adhere to the following principles:

• Vertical metal pins must be installed on the roof. Usually they are attached to pre-prepared beams.
• Stretch a steel wire with a diameter of at least 6mm and attach it to the pins.
• The chimney must be wrapped with two or three turns of wire and connected to a horizontal element stretched between the pins - an lightning rod.
• Connect the current conductor at one end to the wire - the lightning rod, and at the other - to the grounding conductor.

• Long lightning rods must be installed on the roof.
• All safety elements must be inspected and connected to each other, paying attention to their connection points - they should not be contaminated with anything.
• If the roof of the house is flammable, then you need to separate the lightning rod structure from the roof using special non-flammable fasteners.
• After installing the protection, it is necessary to measure its resistance. Its value should not exceed 10 ohms.

Home safety is not limited to installing lightning protection.

In order for it to work as intended, you need to constantly monitor its serviceability:

• The metal pin of the lightning rod must be cleaned, removing the oxide layer.
• The reliability of all connections must be constantly monitored.
• If you find rust or metal deterioration anywhere, that item must be replaced immediately.

During a thunderstorm, you must follow some rules:

• At this time, you should not approach the ground closer than 4 m;
• lightning rods do not protect against ball lightning, so during a thunderstorm it is better to close all windows and doors, as well as chimneys;
• if a thunderstorm finds you near water or in water, urgently move away from the body of water as far as possible;
• do not hide from a thunderstorm under tall trees - the likelihood of lightning hitting them is quite high, especially if you are not in a forest, but on a plain.

Following basic safety rules can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. Most often, people die precisely because they do not know simple rules of behavior and get lost in a moment of danger.