Lightning strikes are an unpredictable natural phenomenon, and one we often experience here in Queensland, especially during our long, hot summers. 

It will strike without warning or reason on buildings, antennas, and other made-made structures. 

Did you know that an average lightning bolt can carry a current of 10,000 to 30,000 amps? 

And that the temperature of a lightning bolt can be up to 30,000°C? 

Another interesting fact to note is that around the world, thunderstorms produce some 6,000 lightning strikes per minute. Yes, per minute! 

No wonder just one lighting strike can cause destruction not only to equipment and systems (including computer, electrical and telecommunications systems) within a building but also to businesses through loss of revenue and insufficient insurance. 

With these facts in mind, every business (and building) should be protected. There is an Australian Standard for Lightning Protection (AS/NZS:1768) which helps us determine risk levels of different structures and the required protection level. 

The good news is that while lightning is unpredictable, the way your equipment and building can be protected is simple and predictable, and can even save you on building insurance if your building is higher risk

If you don’t have a lightning protection system in place, now is the time to consider it, as investing in lightning protection now will reduce the heartache and financial burden you will suffer in the event of a direct lightning strike. 

A direct strike occurs when lightning directly hits a structure, or a cable attached to a structure. The energy contained within the lightning travels through the structure or cable to the earth. 

How can Expert Energy help you avoid this kind of catastrophic damage and protect your business or building against direct lightning strikes? 

By installing a lightning protection system, your structure’s risk can be greatly lowered. This can include as little as surge protection of the consumer mains or a full rooftop system with multiple air terminals, down conductors and a sufficient earth grid. 

We are also accredited installers of the Eritech System 3000 Dynasphere system. This is a very different LPS which attracts all lightning in the area to one single point, where it is discharged efficiently to a sufficient earthing system. 

A lighting protection system provides a means by which the lightning discharge may enter and/or leave earth without passing through and damaging non-conducting parts of a structure, such as those made of wood, brick, tile, or concrete (aka a building). 

Obviously, no one can prevent lightning from striking. The addition of a lightning protection system provides a means for controlling its discharge and preventing damage by providing a low resistance path for the discharge of lightning energy. 

How can Expert Energy help your business or building with lightning protection? 

Expert Energy Co. is your trusted and reliable electrical expert. From power quality and power factor correction, to lightning protection and lighting design, Expert Energy Co. can assist with all things commercial and industrial. 

We are a family business with a passion for the electrical industry, quality workmanship and honest service, and we will happily assess your building and provide a free, no-obligation risk assessment for the most suitable lightning protection system. We can also complete your annual lightning protection audits on existing systems to make sure they will stand to the pressures of a direct strike. 

Call us today!