ESE down conductors
The lightning rod is connected to ground with at least two down conductors located on opposite facades whenever possible.
The down conductors must be installed outside the building, avoiding the proximity of electrical cables and gas.
Its path must be as straight as possible, using the shortest path to earth, avoiding any sharp bend or lift.
When several ESEs are installed on the same building they can share down conductors.
Due to the nature of the lightning strike, down conductors should respect the materials and dimensions specified in IEC 62561-2. Those indicated in table 5 are the most recommended materials.
The downspout ground shall be properly secured and tightened, with reference driver three clips per meter.
Protect the bottom of the downspout by a protective tube of at least 2 m.
The installation of a lightning counter above the protective tube is recommended to perform the verification and maintenance of the facility.
LPS passive down conductors
In order to reduce the likelihood of damage due to lightning currents circulating in the LPS, down conductors must be arranged so that from the point of impact grounding is:
| Protection Level | Distance between conductors |
|---|---|
| I | 10 m |
| II | 10 m |
| III | 15 m |
| IV | 20 m |
It is also advisable to place the down conductors on exposed corners of the building whenever constructively possible.
The dimensions and materials of the ground down conductors, must meet the requirements contained in IEC 62561-2.
The conductors that form the mesh must be properly set, taking as reference 1 conductor clamp per meter.
Protect the bottom of the downspout with a protective tube of at least 2 m.
Install section elements in each of the down conductors to allow for measurement of the ground.
LPS passive scheme:
A: Horizontal conductor cover
B: Grounded conductor
C: Down conductor isolator