Field study on the interception efficiency of lightning protection systems and comparison with models

摘要

We present and analyse the collective statistical results of a long-term field study quantifying the number of lightning strikes to buildings equipped with lightning protection systems. The observations were made over the period 1990-2003 in a region with one of the highest lightning activities in the world. The data sample comprised 86 structures with a mean height and exposure time of 57 metres and 6.9 yr, respectively. These structures were subjected to 384 flashes over the total observation time of 592 yr. The positioning of the protective air terminals on these structures was carried out with an improved electrogeometric model of lightning attachment.