1. Overview of the lightning protection system

• Definition: A system to protect major objects such as buildings and electrical equipment from lightning.

• Main role: Minimizing physical and electrical damage from lightning striking a building directly (direct strike) or from indirect or induced lightning strikes occurring nearby.

2. Lightning Warning

• Principle: The installed sensor/receiving system detects the possibility of lightning in a specific area in real time and provides advance warning based on changes in electric fields, etc.

• Technical Basis: Utilizes electric field measurements, lightning detection networks, meteorological data, electric/electromagnetic field sensors, etc.

3. Global Earthing

• Definition: A system that connects entire buildings, industrial complexes, etc. to a single grounding network, beyond individual facilities, to ensure overall potential balance and reduce the risk of electric shock.

• Design basis: KS C IEC 61936-1, prevention of hazardous contact voltage by forming a global ground plane.

4. External Lightning Protection

• Composition: Air-termination device (lightning rod, mesh, overhead wire, etc.), down-conductor, ground electrode (earth electrode).

• Role: Directly absorbs lightning and safely discharges the current to the ground—preventing physical/fire damage from direct lightning strikes.

• Standards: Domestic and international standards such as KS C IEC 62305-3.

5. Internal Lightning Protection

• Role: Prevent damage to electrical and electronic equipment from surges (excessive voltage/current) or indirect lightning that may come from outside.

• Technology: Surge protection devices (SPDs), equipotential bonding, etc.

• Design basis: Preventing power outage risk and equipment damage by applying SPD.

6. Surge Monitoring

• Role: By monitoring the status of surge protection devices and historical data such as the size, number, and time of incoming surges in real time, it predicts failures and determines the remaining lifespan of the SPD.

• Technical Basis: Introduction of IoT/sensor-based measurement and monitoring systems.

Key Reference Standards and Regulations

• KS C IEC 62305 series (comprehensive design and maintenance of lightning protection systems)

• KS C IEC 61936-1 (Global and integrated design for grounding systems)

• Compliance with domestic standards such as the Korea Electrical Installation Regulations (KEC) and Industrial Safety Technology Guidelines.

Lightning protection systems are designed to be external (direct strike protection) and internal (surge protection). Global grounding, lightning alarms, and surge monitoring systems must be applied concurrently to ensure modern safety and preventive measures. The selection and placement of all components is based on relevant domestic and international regulations and standards.