LIGHTNING & EARTHING PROTECTION SYSTEM

1.0 General
1. The Contractor shall design and install complete lightning protection systems for all the
buildings and structures in this Contract. The lightning protection system shall comprise air
termination, down conductors, bonding, testing joints, earth termination pits with electrodes
as specified conforming to IEC 62305 and BS 7430.
2. All earthing installation shall be carried out strictly in accordance with BS 7430:2011, the IEE
Wiring Regulations (IEC 60364 Part 5, Section 54) 17th Edition and requirements of EDC.
3. There shall be separate earthing systems for electrical installation and lightning protection
system and IT system but linked at specific points under the concept of equipotential
earthing.
1.1 Air Termination and Down Conductors
1. The roof conductor shall be copper / aluminium tape fixed in approved manner generally
along square symmetrical lines using air rod base / metal saddles along the roof.
2. The copper down conductors shall then be brought down to the testing clamps and then to
the earth termination pits by the most direct path possible.
1.2 Testing Joint and Clamp
1.

Each down conductor shall be provided with a testing joint in a position convenient to use
when testing. Testing clamp shall be tinned and of screw down pattern complete with bronze
fitting screws. All test clamps must be accessible. Down conductors below test clamps shall
be protected by PVC pipes recessed in structure.

1.3 Earth Termination and Electrodes

1. All down conductors of the lightning protection system shall be brought down to earth
terminations.
2. Each electrode shall be of 16 mm diameter copperweld or copper bond steel cored rod in
the earth electrode. It shall be driven to a minimum depth of 3 lengths of electrodes. The
earth resistance of the earth termination shall be less than 10 ohms.
3. Where this is not possible to achieve by means of an electrode, additional electrodes shall
be provided. Additional claim on this item by the Contractor will not be entertained. The earth
termination shall be protected by a heavy duty concrete inspection pit.

1.4 Exothermal Welding

1. Exothermal welding shall be utilised for all bonding.

2. All termination to steel structures in particular shall be by this method.

1.5 Interconnecting Tapes
1. Interconnecting conductors shall be bare copper wires with cross sectional area not less
than the dimensions as recommended in BS 7430:2011.
2. All earthing conductors shall be run in approved positions, and fixed in an approved manner
generally along square symmetrical lines using approved brand for securing at intervals not
exceeding 1 meter apart. All conductors shall be in full unbroken lengths unless unavoidable
and with the consent of the Employers representative in which case the joint shall be
arranged to be placed in a visible and accessible position.
3. All tee joints and connection faces shall be exothermal welded. All connections to electrical
equipment shall be made by a bolted connection. Conductors and joints that are exposed to
corrosion shall be protected by the application of approved anti corrosion paint or serving or
sheath.
4. The earth connections for all sections of the installation shall be electrically continuous
throughout.
5. All cable armour/tapes and glands shall be bonded to the earth system.
1.6 Earthing Pits
1. The earthing electrodes shall be of round 16 mm diameter copper weld or copper bond steel
core rods in standard lengths of 1.8 m. The total earth resistance measured at the main
earthing bar for electrical installation with the inter connecting tapes disconnected shall not
exceed 10 ohm.
2. Heavy duty concrete chambers to withstand minimum 2 tonnes on the cover shall be
installed over the earthing points on the road surface. Chambers installed outside road
surface can be light duty type. The earthing points shall be interconnected by bare copper
wires clamped on the top of the electrodes.
1.7 Protection against Earth Leakage Current
1. Exposed metal work of all apparatus other than double insulated appliances and all noncurrent carrying metal work systems including cable sheaths and armour, conduits, ducts,
trunkings, boxes, etc., and earth pins of socket outlets shall be effectively earthed in
accordance with Regulation of the IEE Wiring Regulations. Where it is not possible to obtain
effective earthing, the use of current operated earth leakage circuit breakers to prevent
danger arising from earth leakage currents may be permitted at the discretion of the
Employers representative. Earth continuity conductors shall be in accordance with
Regulations of the IEE Wiring Regulations and earthing system shall conform to BS
7430:2011.

1.8 Sub-mains and Sub-circuit Earthing

1. Earth continuity wiring for effective earthing of the sub-mains and sub-circuits installation in
accordance with the requirements of the IEE Wiring Regulations for the Electrical Equipment
of Buildings shall be provided.
2. All circuit points shall be earthed with the appropriate earth continuity conductor (E.C.C.),
the minimum size of which shall be in accordance with the requirements of the IEE Wiring
Regulations. E.C.C. having a cross sectional area of 6sq. mm and under shall be protected
throughout with PVC insulation coloured green and yellow or green. All conduit runs shall
have their own appropriate size E.C.C. corresponding to the maximum current capacity of
the sub circuit. All final sub circuit earth continuity conductors shall terminate at their
respective distribution board earthing terminals.
3. For all 3 phase sub mains in trunkings, a separate copper tape of appropriate size
corresponding to its current capacity shall be maintained for the full length of the trunking.
All sub mains earthing conductors shall terminate back at their corresponding switchboard
earthing terminals.
1.9 Equipotential Earthing

1. All metallic service pipes and steel structure shall be bonded to the electric earth at strategic
locations on the ground floor to prevent dangerous voltage differential between earthing
paths and other metallic pipes/structure during fault conditions.