What Are The Differences Between Lightning Attraction And Prevention Systems?

If you need to install lightning protection on your building, then you can use an attraction or prevention system. Before you choose a solution, take some time to understand the differences between these two. Read on to learn more about how these systems work and their pros and cons.

How Do Lightning Attraction Systems Work?

Attraction systems help protect buildings from lightning strikes by attracting and collecting lightning. They work on an active rather than reactive basis.

These systems don't just deal with a random strike that may or may not hit a building; they encourage lightning to hit a certain area. Typically, they send out an electrical charge during a storm. This charge attracts lightning to the system. The system then deals with it so that it can't cause any other damage.

Attraction systems work well if you want to cover a large area of a building or land without the costs or maintenance work of installing a lot of cables and different protective devices. They often only use a single rod. They can cover larger areas because they guide lightning to a specific spot and give targeted protection.

However, if you can't risk stray sparks or need to protect various vulnerable locations, then this might not be the right system for you. A prevention system might be a better option.

How Do Lightning Prevention Systems Work?

Lightning prevention systems work as proactive deterrents. These protectors don't bring lightning down onto or around a building. They aim to prevent strikes from happening in the first place by changing the area's environmental conditions in a storm.

So, a prevention system will use a specialist dissipation terminal to eliminate static in a set area. If you get rid of static, then you reduce the chances of a lightning strike.

The air isn't positively charged if it doesn't contain any static. It won't create streamer charges that would otherwise attract lightning strikes. You minimize the chances of strikes because your system creates a lightning-unfriendly space.

Prevention systems work well if you prefer to completely prevent lightning from coming near a building or ground area. You ring-fence the area the system protects and reduce the chances of sparks or peripheral damage. Lightning will naturally veer away from the protected area.

Different buildings and areas of ground have different protection needs. To find the best system for your needs, ask lightning protection systems suppliers for advice.