Domestic surge/lightning protection

[vxwestie]

Please excuse me if this is a silly question, but it's a subject I don't have a great deal of knowledge on....
I'm currently in the process of a the second fix stage of a rather remote domestic new build in the middle of Bodmin moor. Like a lot of installs now it involves a air heat source unit and solar water heating.
With the amount of electronics in these systems I feel it's best to install a basic surge protection unit at the origin of the installation.
however, this has got me thinking, we are going to run a small 40a supply to a agricultrual build that is probably 200m away. The problem is, this is 'up across' the fields and probably 20m+ higher in elevation. The owner/farmer has already commented that lightning strikes and loss of power are common. ...
Would a surge unit installed at the origin of the distribution circuit to the out building (ie at the house) afford any additional protection against a surge 'back feeding' to the house electrics from the higher out building?

 

[Marvo]

There's a difference between lightning protection and surge protection. Usually you'd do a risk assessment using meteorological data for that area to decide what type of protection is appropriate. It might be worth a look at some of the publications on the Dehn website.

 

[uksparks]

Funny you should mention lightning strikes as three houses got him a couple of weeks ago just near my father in laws house.

 

[Marvo]

Maybe treat him to some surge protection for Christmas or his next birthday. The gift that keeps on giving

 

[Gavin A]

you'd have to have surge protection on both the incomer and the supply end of the feed to the remote barn.

type 2 for surges from indirect nearby strikes, type 1 for direct strikes, or a combo unit.

if concerned about the solar water heating unit taking a direct hit, possibly protect that circuit in the loft, but ultimately the strike would go through the copper pipework to earth anyway.