Development of cost-effective lightning protection measures for underprivileged communities

Abstract

Personal and group lightning safety modules for outdoor applications are designed and analyzed by simulation. The international standards on lightning protection (IEC 62305) comprehensively detail the design and construction of protection for modern construction. However, the applicability of such standard practices in safeguarding human beings in underprivileged communities from the five basic lightning injury mechanisms (cost factors, complications in implementation, strategic issues such as weight, stability, theft, etc.) is a long-standing question. In this study, we construct lightning protection schemes for individual and group applications, on both land and water, which will lead to the safeguarding of human lives of both underprivileged communities and amusement/leisure seekers. Simulations are done with PSCAD and COMSOL software to find the current and potential distribution in pre-determined metallic structures to compute the optimum dimensions, best-suited materials, and insulation requirements to minimize direct strike, side flash, touch potential, step potential and upward streamer hazards as well as to ensure mechanical and thermal stability. The best-performing designs are proposed to be constructed and tested by applying high voltage and current impulses under laboratory conditions to justify the suitability of the schemes as lightning safety measures for the general public. The proven structures could then be patented and commercialized for public applications.