InspectAPedia.com InspectAPedia®
Google
InspectAPedia
 

Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

  • HOME
  • AIR CONDITIONING
  • DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
  • ELECTRICAL
  • EXTERIORS
  • HEATING
  • HOME INSPECTION
  • INTERIORS
  • PLUMBING
  • ROOFING
  • SEPTIC SYSTEMS
  • STRUCTURE
  • WATER SUPPLY
  • ENERGY SAVINGS
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • INDOOR AIR IAQ
  • INSULATION
  • MOLD INSPECT TEST REMOVE
  • NOISE
  • ODORS
  • SOLAR ENERGY
  • VENTILATION
  • EXPERTS DIRECTORY
  • CONTACT US



InspectAPedia ® Home

ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR

ACCURACY vs PRECISION of MEASUREMENTS
AFCIs ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS
ALUMINUM SECs & WIRING
ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS & REPAIRS
AMPS VOLTS DETERMINATION
AMPACITY - the LIMITING FACTOR
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS

BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS
BOOKSTORE - ELECTRICAL
BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE

Cadet & Encore Heater Recall
CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURE
CIRCUIT BREAKER SIZE for A/C or HEAT PUMP
Classified CIRCUIT BREAKER WARNING
CONDUIT, ELECTRICAL
CORROSION in ELECTRICAL PANELS
CORROSION & MOISTURE SOURCES in PANELS
CUTLER HAMMER PANEL FIRE

DEFINITIONS of ELECTRICAL TERMS
DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS
DMM Digital Multimeter, How to Use

ELECTRIC METERS & METER BASES
ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE
ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION
EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS
ELECTRICAL GENERATORS
ELECTRICAL GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION
ELECTRICIANS DIRECTORY

EMF RF FIELD & FREQUENCY DEFINITIONS
FIRE SAFETY Checklist, CPSC

GENERATORS, ELECTRICAL
GFCI PROTECTION,Testing GFCIs AFCIs

HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEAT, ELECTRIC
HEAT TAPE USAGE GUIDE
Hertz - Definitions of KHz MHz GHz THz

KNOB & TUBE WIRING

LIGHTING, EXTERIOR GUIDE
LIGHTING, INTERIOR GUIDE
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS
LOW VOLTAGE BUILDING WIRING
LOW VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER TEST

MAIN DISCONNECT
MAIN DISCONNECT AMPACITY
MOISTURE SOURCES in PANELS
MULTI-WIRE CIRCUITS
MURRAY SIEMENS Recall

PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS

REMOTE ELECTRIC POWER, PHOTOVOLTAIC
RUST in ELECTRICAL PANELS

SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS
SIEMENS MURRAY Recall
SQUARE-D RECALLS

THERMAL EXPANSION of HOT WATER
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS

UNDERGROUND SERVICE LATERALS
VOLTS / AMPS MEASUREMENT EQUIP

WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING

ZINSCO SYLVANIA ELECTRICAL PANELS

More Information

lightning pix2 Lightning Protection Certification of Components & Installers
     

  • Lightning Protection Certification of Components & Installers
    • UL Underwriters Laboratory Certification Labels for Lightning Protection Systems
  • Questions & Answers about lightning protection system installer or equipment licenses & certifications
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS - home
    • Lightning Protection Systems Defined
    • How do Lightning Systems Work?
    • Damaged, Unsafe Lightning Systems
    • Lightning Protection Certification
    • Outdoor Lightning Protection Design
    • Lightning Protection for Trees
    • Hidden Lightning Protection Design
    • Lightning Strike Risk Assessment
    • How to Avoid Being Struck by Lightning
    • Lightning Strikes Small Boat
  • ELECTRICAL BASICS
  • ELECTRICAL GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION
  • FIRE SAFETY Checklist, CPSC
  • GROUND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
  • SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
  • WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

This lightning protection system article describes common lightning protection systems, certification, installation, and lightning protection system inspection. We provide information about lightning strikes, lightning hazards, related equipment, sources of lightning protection system installers, and lightning strike risk assessment

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Lightning Protection System Certification

Lightning protection systems are examined and certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Be sure your installer is listed by UL and that a Master Label application is submitted to UL for your installation.

There are other listing and certifying agencies as well, including the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Verify that your Lightning Protection System Installer is LPI-certified and your Lightning Protection System Components are UL-Listed

LPI certification card

The Lightning Protection Institute certifies Journeyman and Master Installers and Professional Design/Inspectors for lightning protection systems.

These professionals pass a series of tests and are re-tested annually.

LPI-certified professionals are provided with an identification card, or you can contact the LPI to ask about someone's credentials by calling the Lightning Protection Institute at 800-488-6864.

Underwriters Laboratory, UL To verify that a lightning protection system or component is is UL-Listed or to obtain further information call the Follow-Up Services Department at the Underwriters Laboratory, UL, 1285 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747 516/271-6200.

UL has other offices in Northbrook, IL, Santa Clara, CA, and Research Triangle Park, NC.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about installers of & certification of lightning protection systems for buildings

Question: check existing electrical ground before installing a lightning protection system?

My home has had problems with lightning strike damage. We are considering putting in lightening rod/ESE etc but want to know the status of our current grounding quality - fixes needed? Which electrician type/or inspection do we need? - V.R., Leander TX

Reply:

You raise an important question. Indeed, if a building's local electrical ground system, the conductor(s) and grounding electrodes, are improperly installed or even missing, the system may be more dangeous than meets the eye.

Virtually always, when a building lightning protection system is installed it includes a new ground rod, or more than one ground rod (grouding electrode) of a specified length & location depending on the site and building requirements.

Watch out: If your installer wanted to just connect the lightning system to the existing electrical ground system I'd be suspicious of his/her expertise.

In a companion article at Outdoor Lightning Protection Design we describe the typical components & connections of a building lightning protection system. There you'll see that once the new lightning protection system is installed, the building water piping (metal) is bonded to the new grounding system.

What would make sense to me would be to have the lightning protection system installed, and at that time, ask the installer to review the building electrical ground system, at least from the electrical panel out to your building ground connections. Depending on the age of your building and what's installed you may find this a good time to upgrade to current electrial system grounding specifications, such as providing at least two independent ground rods.

Details about the building electrical ground system are discussed separately at GROUND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS and at GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION.

...

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Use the search box below to ask a question or to search the InspectApedia.com website.

Ask a Question or Enter Search Terms in the InspectApedia search box just below.

Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

  • Portions of this information are based on UL publication 200-81 11/87 and other local service company information about lightning protection systems and lightning strike hazards.
  • Special thanks to Associated Lightning Rod Company, Cooper Road Box 329A, Millerton NY who has been contributing technical content in presentations to NY ASHI home inspectors since 1996. Some of that information [on lightning system material and installation details] was edited for clarity. ALRCi can be reached at 518-789-4603, 845-373-8309, 860-364-1498 and will inspect your lightning protection system at no charge. [We have no financial nor any other business relationship with any company or product discussed at this website--DF]
  • For more details on how lightning protection systems work, see Lightning Protection from Pacific Electric and Gas Company, and Electrical System Grounding and Lightning Protection, Engineering Technical Letter 90-6, Department of the Air Force, HQ USAF.
  • Lightning strike risk assessment: for the full body of this excellent article which summarizes recent opinions about lightning strike risk assessment and safe practices for individuals or groups needing to avoid being struck by lightning, see Updated Recommendations for Lightning Safety - 1998 Ronald L. Holle and Raul E. Lopez from National Severe Storms Laboratory, NOAA and Norman, Oklahoma, Christoph Zimmermann Global Atmospherics, Inc. Tucson, Arizona
  • As we indicated in an original version of this article, a lightning strike risk assessment guide can be found in Appendix I of the National Fire Protection Association's Lightning Protection Code, NFPA #780. The guide considers type of structure, type of construction, structure location, topography, occupancy, contents and lightning frequency. Contact NFPA, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 617-770-3000.
  • Lightning Protection Institute, 3365 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Suite J., Arlington Heights IL 60004
  • Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL96A. These requirements cover the installation of lightning protection systems on all types of structures other than structures used for the production, handling, or storage of ammunition, explosives, flammable liquids or gases, and other explosive ingredients including dust. These requirements apply to lightning protection systems that are complete and cover all parts of a structure. Partial systems are not covered by this standard. These requirements do not cover the installation of lightning protection systems for electrical generating, distribution, or transmission systems. These requirements do not cover lightning protection components, which are covered by the Standard for Lightning Protection Components, UL 96.
  • Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL96: These requirements cover lightning protection components for use in the installation of complete systems of lightning protection on buildings and structures. These requirements do not cover the installation of lightning protection components. Products of this type are covered by the Standard for Installation Requirements for Lightning Protection Systems, UL 96A.
  • "Lightning Awareness," Gerry Schulte, BMW ON magazine, June 2007 pp. 58-60, provided some technical details about lightning, and refers readers to www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/outdoors.htm

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

    Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
    Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd
  • New Armor Lightning Protection Inc Manchester Center, VT, 802-375-0266 state-of-the-art lightning protection and surge protection for residential and commercial buildings in Vermont, New England, and throughout the Northeast
  • Associated Lightning Rod Company, Inc., Box 329A, Cooper Road, Millerton, NY 12546 914/373-8309 518/789-4603
  • A-C Lightning Security, Inc., 2100 East First St., PO Box 329, Maryville MO 64468 816-582-8115 800-821-5575 816-562-2932. In New York, Hudson Valley, contact Christensen Electrical Power Systems, Richard G. Christensen, 518-537-4128.
  • Lightning Eliminators & Consultants 6687 Arapahoe Road Boulder, CO 80303 (303) 447-2828. "Engineering Solutions For Lightning, Grounding and Surge Protection Worldwide Since 1971"
  • Electrical EINET
  • Lightning Protection for Facilities, Dr. Bruce Gabrielson, Robert B. Marcus, Published and presented: EMCEXPO92, Washington D.C.
  • MIT's Electrical Safety Files
  • Lightning Protection for Workers What to Do if You're Outside in a Lightning Storm - Center to Protect Workers' Rights (PDF)
  • 1998 and Current Lightning Protection Conferences & Exhibitions
  • Lightning Risk and Hazard Analysis Measurement from the National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI).
  • "Lightning Fatalities, Injuries, and Damage Reports in the United States from 1959-1994", E. Brian Curran, Ronald L. Holle, Raul E. Lopez, NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS SR-193 October 1997
  • UL - Underwriters Labs Lightning equipment certification program. "Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has been testing and certifying lightning protection equipment since 1908. UL issues certificates of conformance for systems, inspecting system components and checking completed installations. Installations are required to comply with UL's internationally recognized Standards for lightning protection systems. Manufacturers, suppliers and installers demonstrate their commitment to safety by building, selling and installing only those lightning protection products that pass UL's rigorous testing." -- (Op.Cit.)
  • * Safety Hazards and Safe Inspection Procedures for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
  • Aluminum Wiring Information Website Aluminum Electrical Wiring Hazards and Repairs: in-depth authoritative info, photos, documents including selection of proper vs. ineffective repair methods. E.g.: Ideal 65 "Twister" purple connector fails in field and lab testing with aluminum wire.
  • Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation
  • Lightning Strike Risk Assessment, Protection Systems & Services
  • Multi-wire branch circuit inspection and defects
  • Rust and Corrosion in Electrical Panels, A Study and Report on Frequency and Cause for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
  • Directory of Home Inspectors accessible via internet
  • Electrical System & Wiring Hazard Inspection, Detection, Cause, Remedy, Prevention - Main Electrical Page
  • ...

HOME ABOUT CONTACT COPYING DESCRIPTION POLICIES PRINTING PRIVACY © 2013 Copyright InspectAPedia.com