testing of lightning protection system - advice please

[lloyd1980]

Hi all.

Im an NIC registered self employed spark and Ive been asked by a contact of mine to test the lightning protection system at the local church.
Ive researched this on the internet as Ive never done this and am I right in thinking you get an earthrod tester and test the system all connected together and at any point the resistance should be less than 10 ohms to earth

then you disconnect and test each rod one at a time and then calculate if the reading is acceptable dependant on distance and how many rods there are?

Also couple more questions, (can a megger multi function 1552 be used instead of having to buy an earth rod tester

and also what paperwork do I need to complete and issue?
I wouldnt have thought a periodic inspection report woyuld suffice and that the lightning protection system would have its own specific test sheets like say emergency lighting???????????

any help would be brilliant as dont want to turn the work down but want to make sure I do it correctly

thanks

 

[nickblake]

As long as you have the earth spike kit to suit your tester yes it can be used , lighting conductors are a pain in the to test just like an earth rod , what i have done for testing earth rods , was to make a sheet up with location type etc resistance value etc and the a observations sheet as a periodic inspection

one thing you should not do is disconnect the rod because if there is a lightning strike when your testing with it disconnected you are open to a potentialy fatal shock

 

[IQ Electrical]

Have a read of this: http://www.omegaredgroup.com/pdf/Electrical%20Review%20May%202005.pdf

I would also check your professional indemnity insurance before 'signing off' any lightning protection system-there is more to this than electrode tests, there are calculations for air termination density etc etc.

 

[lloyd1980]

cheers for the link IQ electrical - Ive seen that one before
I totaly get what you say about not disconnecting the rod, but thats what the proceedure seems to call for???

Does anyone have a definitive test procedure for testing these systems???

also did I get you right when you said there was an adaptor you could buy which turns your 1552 multifunction into an earth rod tester???
Is this like the little PAT adaptor you can buy???

very impressed if so!!!!

 

[lloyd1980]

also what paperwork do I need to issue???????????????????????????????????????????????????????

cheers fellas

 

[IQ Electrical]

cheers for the link IQ electrical - Ive seen that one before
I totaly get what you say about not disconnecting the rod, but thats what the proceedure seems to call for???

Does anyone have a definitive test procedure for testing these systems???

also did I get you right when you said there was an adaptor you could buy which turns your 1552 multifunction into an earth rod tester???
Is this like the little PAT adaptor you can buy???

very impressed if so!!!!

I think you've mixed posts here, the electrodes will have to be isolated and I don't know of any 'adaptor' for an MFT1552.

I posted the link so that you could see that there is a whole lot more to testing a lightning protection system other than the electrode tests:

For this reason it is
even more vital to ensure that fully trained and
accredited engineers undertake regular testing
and maintenance works on vulnerable
structures and sites. The current in a lightning
strike is likely to be in the range of 2,000 -
200,000A and so an effective operational
system is vital to ensure the protection of assets.
The vast majority of structures in the UK use
BS6651 to inform their design, testing and
maintenance works in relation to lightning
protection. This standard states a “competent
person” should carry out inspections so a good
rule of thumb is to look for contractors with
third-party accreditation of their ability to
design and report on lightning protections
systems, accreditation such as that provided by
Atlas (Association of Technical Lightning and
Access Specialists).
BS6651 covers all aspects of Lightning
Protection but sections 31-34 are of particular
relevance for testing and maintenance.
As large parts of the lightning protection
system may be hidden or inaccessible after
completion, it is particularly important, and
indeed a requirement of the code, that each
component of a lightning protection system
should be inspected during the construction
stages of an installation. Special attention must
be given to any part of the system that will be
concealed upon completion. These components
may be hidden for aesthetic reasons or the
component may be an integral part of the​

structure.

Sorry about the text size but just from those 2 paragraphs, I can't see how you could prove competence if the unthinkable were to happen somewhere down the line!

I would contact an approved lightning protection contractor, get a fixed price quotation add 15-20% for your time etc and submit the price to the church.

 

[lloyd1980]

On the Church there are 2 straps from the lighning conductor, leading down opposing sides of the spire, each to a rod at the base.
how complicated can it be???
I take your point about air termination density etc but I am not designing a lightning protection system, just inspecting and testing one which is already in place and has been sufficiant for years with paperwork to back it up.
a visual inspection to ensure no corrosion and an earth electrode test on each rod using the fall of potential method I cant see anything wrong.
I only asked for a procedure on the testing and if there was specific test sheets for it
Thanks for your comment anyway

 

[IQ Electrical]

Of course you're not designing the system but you are reporting on the design and condition and then deeming it satisfactory or unsatisfactory for continued service.

If a post was made on this forum regarding periodic inspection of an electrical installation, asking what paperwork to complete and what the testing procedures were, hand on heart, would you be thinking 'this person is competent to carry out this work'?

It's not my church and I'm not insuring you so it is of no real consequence to me what the end result is here but I feel I've offered you good advice.

 

[lloyd1980]

I take your point and the way the original post was written the ok I would think the person wasnt competant either, I have to add that I am 2391 qualified spent years gaining my quals have years of experience in the industry and regularly test and sign off my own stuff, The NIC are happy with my standards every year.
I have just never had the pleasure of completing lightning protection system paperwork and was just wanting some advice on it

 

[jeremy]

Get the old Bishop of Durham in to give a sermon. if the Church is still standing after 1 month, the systems ok.

 

[AlbertKee]

What is proper procedure for testing Earthing rod according to EN standard?

 

[malcolmsanford]

http://www.weschler.com/_upload/sitepdfs/techref/gettingdowntoearth.pdf

 

[dapa2k10]

i have had to call people out before don't do it yourself i used another company they do all my tests now like messing with lightning rods and lightning protection are no joke they are trained in there work would you recommend someone without experience do electrical work ?

 

[IQ Electrical]

Good job you joined and shared that link as your 1st post!

 

[Sintra]

What link lol