As industry within the UAE continues to grow, safety standards relating to electrical power supply are paramount for both commercial and industrial businesses. From multi-storey buildings to plants, a facility must rely on a constant supply of electrical power; however, one of the most ignored aspects of electrical safety can make the difference between success or disaster – grounding and lightning protection!
This post will identify a real-world example of how a facility was able to avoid extensive electrical damage by implementing the proper grounding and lightning protection systems. Additionally, this post will emphasise why investing in grounding and lightning protection systems goes beyond simply meeting a regulatory requirement but is a strategic long-term investment in the safety and efficiency of your facility.
What is Lightning Protection?
Understanding what a lightning protection system is and how it works is essential before you start looking into a particular case.
Earthing (also known as grounding) is the process of safely conducting excess electric current to the ground via a designated path. Thus, earthing prevents damage to electronic equipment and reduces the risk of electric shock.
Lightning protection is the protection of a structure from electrical surges caused by lightning strikes. A lightning protection system will route the high-voltage electrical surge to the ground away from critical components in the building.
Earthing and lightning protection systems provide a total system that protects facilities from electrical hazards. This is especially important in regions such as the UAE, which experience both extreme weather and high population density, resulting in higher risks for electrical hazards.
The Incident: Almost in Trouble
A large industrial site in the UAE experienced a serious thunderstorm during peak hours of business. Lightning struck near the building, creating an electrical surge greater than what would normally be created by the surrounding electrical load.
Facilities that do not have proper earthing and lightning protection systems to deal with an electrical surge will face:
- Loss of electronic equipment worth millions of dollars
- Loss of data and inability to use critical systems
- Potential fire hazard due to electrical overload
- Extended downtime due to not having an operational facility for several hours.
This site did have a comprehensive earthing and lightning protection system in place, which greatly reduced the consequences associated with the electrical surge.
How Proper Earthing Prevented Damage
The advanced earthing system at the facility instantly directed any excess electrical energy into the ground.
The advantages of the grounding system included:
- The protection of sensitive machinery.
- There were no cases of overheating or short-circuiting.
- There was no interruption to operations.
Studies indicate that 70% of the risk of damage to equipment will be reduced through proper grounding, which illustrates the importance of earthing systems in protecting high-value assets.
An on-site engineer observed: ‘We heard it happen but our systems were unaffected; that was when we really learned the value of proper earthing.’
The Role of Lightning Protection Systems
Lightning protection systems play an important external role, while earthing systems are critical to internal safety.
The lightning protection system works by:
- Intercepting the lightning strike using air terminals.
- Conducting the strike safely to the ground using down conductors.
- Dissipating the lightning strike energy to the ground using the earthing network.
If the lightning protection system were not in place, the lightning strike would have directly impacted the facility, causing structural damage and failure of electrical systems.
Lightning-related incidents contribute billions of dollars in damage throughout the world each year, particularly in rapidly developing countries, such as the UAE.
The Reasons Why The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Requires Adequate Protection
The UAE is unique in that it experiences numerous environmental challenges, including:
- The presence of high-rise buildings with exposed surfaces
- Although the country has developed a large amount of modern infrastructure containing sensitive electronic systems
- Business operations can be severely interrupted due to sporadic and relatively severe thunderstorms
- There is a very strong reliance on a continuous, uninterrupted supply of electrical power
Given these four significant environmental constraints, it becomes clear that earthing and lightning protection are not only necessary; these are essential business elements.
Some examples of the reasons why businesses should improve their earthing and lightning protection systems include:
- Reduced Financial Losses
- Reduced Safety Hazards
- Less Risk of Non-Compliance with Regulatory Requirements
Long-Term Benefits of Having Adequate Protection Beyond Just Safety
When businesses invest in suitable earthing or lightning protection systems, the investment pays dividends, perhaps far beyond safety concerns. Some of the long-term operational advantages of having adequate earthing and lightning protection include:
Greater Service Life for Equipment
A continuous supply of stable electrical power will reduce the wear and tear on machinery, extending service life.
Evidence of Business Continuity
Minimised Downtime Will Provide Consistent Levels Of Productivity, Which Will Ensure Greater Levels Of Customer Satisfaction.
Enhanced Compliance
By complying with applicable safety regulations within the UAE, businesses can avoid penalties and develop a positive image in their markets.
Lessons Learned from the Event
This incident was a good example of a number of lessons learned:
- It is cheaper to prevent than repair
- Electrical safety should never be neglected
- Maintenance or testing must be done regularly for safety
- Using a professional with experience will help to assure that the equipment works properly
- The proactive steps taken by the organisation allowed them to convert a potential catastrophe into a success story.
Selecting the Correct Earthing and Lightning Protection System
All systems are not created equally. Organisations must ensure that:
- They use quality parts and materials
- They comply with international safety requirements
- They have routine checks and upgrades of equipment
- They utilize an experienced provider
Any system that is well-designed and meets the needs of the organisation will provide the maximum protection possible.
Final thoughts
It should be obvious from the case study provided above that investing in earthing and lightning protection worldwide will reduce the risk of major electrical failures. As the UAE continues to grow, this type of system is no longer optional; it has become a vital component of any business’s infrastructure investment for future growth. Protecting your business through adequate earthing and lightning protection will also help ensure the safety of employees who use your facility every day, as well as continue to allow you to operate with little or no interruption.
Don’t find out the hard way just how important your protection systems really are after an electrical failure occurs; protect your facility against unforeseen risks by investing in quality earthing and lightning protection now. Work with professionals in the field to craft an electrical protection system that is safe, effective, and will provide long-term peace of mind.
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