Earthing and Lightning Protection Systems: Periodic Control Guide

Earthing and lightning protection is the name of one whole working under two separate signs: the earth bar-conductor-mesh system carrying operating currents limits touch voltage in fault and overvoltage moments; the lightning LPS (air termination, down conductors, bonding) disperses a surge current around the 200 kA class without damage. Where the two are under-separated, the truth is seen in lightning season and in the fault moment.

Measurement Set

• Electrode resistance: rod (fallout) or clamp method; design target by facility type (low resistance demanded in critical electronics sites).
• Continuity: bonding points, bars, cable-body low-resistance measurement; torque-oxide-corrosion audit. (electrical installation earthing inspection)
• Potential equalisation: continuity of gas-water-metal construction-MV/LV bars-cabin bonding ring.
• LPS: conformity of the air termination-down conductor-separation (side flash)-earth trio to the TS EN 62305-3 criteria. (lightning protection inspection)

The SPD (Surge Protection) Chain

Surge voltage from lightning-switching-arc origin tires equipment insulation; SPDs route the energy to earth with staged coordination: main stage at MV/panel entry, mid and final stages on the sensitive load side. Control checks: stage-type fit, connection length (short-strong path to the earthing system bar), status window (darkened module-replacement), fault log. The simultaneous measurement and scenario verification is the quietest insurance of the year.

Intervals and File

The lightning installation is controlled in TS EN 62305-3 and regulation practice generally yearly, half-yearly on high-risk structures — before season is the best window. Earthing periods run yearly-to-multiyear on facility type, hazard class and the Earthing Regulation table; re-verified after renovation-capacity change. Reports, measurement values, the sketch with electrode positions and scenario minutes stay in the OHS-audit-insurance file. A broken down conductor, a severed bond, a swollen battery — invisible faults speak in visible loss.

Author: KYF Test Engineering Team • Last updated: September 2026