Bare Conductor

By far the largest and most important component of any structural lightning protection or earthing system is the actual conductor.

Selection of the correct conductor type for the installation is highly important, and is likely to be the initial consideration of a lightning protection or earthing system designer.

A comprehensive range of copper and aluminium conductors is available in each of the main world standard formats, i.e. flat tape, solid circular and stranded. Additionally each format is available in a variety of conductor sizes, to meet differing lightning protection and earthing requirements.

Specification will depend on whether the application is for an above ground structural lightning protection system, or a below ground earthing installation.Conductors for structural lightning protection systems

Lightning protection conductors are available in copper and aluminium, and are supplied bare or with PVC coating (see below). For most installations, copper is specified due to its high conductivity and anti-corrosive properties.

The following sizes are suitable for the majority of above ground lightning protection systems:

• Flat tape conductor
  25 x 3 mm bare tape, or 25 x 3mm PVC covered tape
• Solid circular conductor
  8 mm diameter bare or PVC covered solid
  circular conductor
• Stranded conductor
  70 mm² bare or PVC covered stranded conductor