How to effectively install thunder arrestor in Nigeria
Hi guys. Welcome to tutorials in electricals.
Today I’m going to be putting you through how you can successfully install a thunder arrestor in your home.
Also, at the end of this topic, you’ll know what a thunder arrestor does, the function of a thunder arrestor and if your house actually needs a thunder arrestor.
What is thunder arrestor
Thunder arrestor is a device used for the protection of the insulation and conduction properties of devices from the effect of surge from lightning strikes
Why is it necessary to install thunder arrestor
The voltage from lightning is about hundreds of millions of volts. This voltage is far higher than the rated voltage of the devices (capacitors and resistors) at home. This can cause damages to these devices.
How does the installed thunder arrestor help in protecting the devices at home
Lightning is known to strike the closest path it sees and at such any tall building in an environment is prone to lightning.
In the presence of a thunder arrestor which is few metres above the house, the lightning will pick the path of the thunder arrestor which sends it straight to the ground
Components needed for installing thunder arrestor in the house
1. Thunder arrestor.
2. copper tape.
3. copper mat.
4. copper rod.
5. copper clip.
6. copper nail.
7. Industrial salt.
8. Charcoal.
How to install thunder arrestor in the house (Nigeria)
After purchasing the above-mentioned component, the thunder arrestor is fixed at the top of the roof. It acts as the point where the lightning voltage is diverted from getting to the building.
This is connected to the copper tape. This help to take the correct from the thunder arrestor to the thunder mat. The copper tape is clipped to the wall by the copper clip and nailed with copper nail.
At the end of the copper tape is the copper mat. which is then connected to the copper rod(s).
In the absence of copper rod, a galvanized rod can be used.
Then a hole is dug about 4 ft below the foundation of the house. Then the earth mat attached to the earth rod is sunk till the earth mat is the only visible component on the ground.
Then add your industrial salt and your charcoal. The layer of charcoal and salt helps to maintain low resistance for earth fault currents. Because of the ionic behaviour of salt and charcoal they will maintain moisture.
Occasions when you might ignore installing thunder arrestor
1. When your building is not the tallest in the area.
2. When houses close to yours already installed and their building is higher than yours.
Notwithstanding, it’s important that all houses install thunder arrestor.
This is all we can take on the topic “how to install thunder arrestor in Nigeria“. Use the comment section for your questions and contribution.
I’ll really appreciate if you share this article.
Electrical overhead line materials and functions (33kv and 11kv)
How many copper rod can be use for one installation.
Depends on the size of the house. For one flat and 2 flats, you can use one. Anything higher than that, I’ll advise you use 2
Thanks
One
Please must it be copper tape. How about using 10mm² copper wire for 2 flats?
It’s far ideal and better to use copper tapes because of it’s larger surface area. If the copper wire is large enough it sounds possible but still not advisable
Plz can I use 16mm copper wire inthe absence of copper tape?
You can. But, I won’t advise you to
Thanks a lot for this,but the electrician which I used told to get …charcoal,cow wast and a lot of urine or 7up,for the installation …is this the real method?
those things can also be used
Pls do I have push the earth rod below the 4feet digged ground
yes
For a factory of 25metres lengths by 45metres lengths, how many thunder arrestor should be installed?
1 Where do i place the
arrestor pole
2 any need to connect a wire or tape to the mat from arrestor pole
3 ll the mat be on the surface of ground thanks
1. if by arrestor pole you mean rod, place in in the ground. 2 ft under foundation level
2. Yes
3. the mat will be in the ground, with the rod on it
Can I bury copper tape inside wall
not advisable. So, no
Thank is possible to use cable to ring the copper rod together for earth to go to distribution board
If you mean connecting the earthing and thunder arrestor to one copper rod, then it’s wrong. This will give the current from the lightning strike pathways to all the equipment earthed in the house
Pls does it means the thunder arrester and the earthing system can not share same pit?
I tot we can use separate copper earth rods for both but maintain same pit??
Pls reply thanks.
Cos I need to know if they should have separate pits.
Thanks.
if you can completely separate both rods, fine. However, it’s better you just use separate pits.
Thanks for this but is there any wiring connected to the control box from the thunder arrestor and please how is it done.
no
How can I test is the installed thunder arrestor is working or not
Follow this link
https://testguy.net/content/286-Surge-Arresters-Selection-Application-and-Testing-Overview#arrester_testing
What’s the position of the copper tape on the wood, is it on top or under the wood
what wood
Like do you place the copper tape under the roof or on top the roof
on the roof
Good morning, pls can more than one arrestor be use for just a building?
One thunder arrestor is enough
Can like extra Earth wire link out from Cooper mat on the ground to any of the distribution board of the building
No. That will be you sending voltage from lightning to the distribution board
How will i install the copper tape from the roof top to the mat on the gtound?
Hello.. Thank for the information. Pls can I lay the copper tape on the wall of the building before plastering the wall so it can be plastered along side the building??
You lay it on the wall after plastering/painting. It is meant to be exposed
Sorry engineer,you said copper tape meant to be exposed. What if I pipe it before plastering.
Good day sir, I have a building with a flat roof(a storey building ) can I install the arrestor at the lower part (i.e at the back)of the roof?
It’s best to put a lightening arrestor at the highest part of a building
Sorry engineer,you said copper tape meant to be exposed. What if I pipe it before plastering. And again sir, how far can arrestor covered (protect) like how many metres can it be effective.
During the earthing process between salt and charcoal which one comes first and how can one know if his thunder arrestor is working properly
Anyone can come first. The easiest way to know is after a powerful lightning or thunder strike. The outcome is your answer.
Thank you for this opportunity Aftrr install the Arrester can I link the main building earth to another copper rod or no need to link it out
Good work, keep it up !!!!
Thanks
Thanks my question is, is it needed to put water ontop of it after cover it with sand
put the water before covering the hole
Like which quality of water is required
any
How do I test my earth arrestor installation to know if it is effective or not?
To test your earthing, use your testing lamp and connect one terminal to live and the other to earth. It lights correctly, then the earthing system is ok.
How will I connect copper tape with rod because you said copper mat will be on the ground and rod on it please full explanation on this
Is there a possibility that lightning can strike a satellite dish, and it damages my appliances i.e. the decoder and TV
Yes
Can I run my earth wire to the copper mat?
not advisable
1) Please sir,can I use table salt instead of industry salt,
2)if I install the copper tape with out using the charcoal and the salt is it normal.
Can I use 16mm copper wire for the installation of 4flats?
good morning sir please i have a question please like after installing the arrestor do i need to cover the hole with anything like pipe or something else
nah
One can do away with the copper matt, {charcoal and Industrial salt, } I don’t really understand the need of these two item., a 4ft or 5th 70 or 75mmsq thick copper earth ROD, with the copper stripe secured properly driven it deep into the earth is fully sufficient.
Adding of salt call for corrosive effect after many year, so one need to inspect once very 5 years if there has been a disconnect between the copper matter and the arrester connector. With earth rod it permanent.
Can the copper tape be plaster inside the wall.. i mean can it be installed as conduit
not advisable
When installed thunder attrestor which one is live which one is earth
nothing like that
How is it that you connect the earh rod to the mat and put in the ground to let the mat be the only visible thing?
Please clear this area. Or is it the rod only that will be visible since the mat is already in the ground?
both rod and mat are not visible. The only visible part is the earthing tape
Where would the tape pass; in the ceiling or on the surface of the roofing sheet?
And where can I buy it ?
Surface of roofing sheet
Sir, you said it’s wrong to connect the earth wire from the distribution board to the copper mat. My question is;
1.should I install a separate earth grounding?
2. And if NO, where can I connect the earth wire in the arresting process?
yes, install a separate earth grinding
Sir can I cover the copper tape with Plastering because the Electrician the has already installed the arrestor and they about to start Plastering
No, don’t do that
How can one test if an existing lightning arrester is still effective
Thank you,Prettylifestylez for your prompt response to all relevant questions I wanted asking! You have cleared my doubts!
Does it need to add palm oil together with the charcoal and the salt?
you don’t need palm oil
What is different between thunder arrestor and earth sir
How are we going to connect it to the house
lightning arrestor is not connected to your appliances unlike earth
Thanks so much for the clearity sir, my question is; like what distance can the Thunder arrestor cover?
Each thunder arrestor has a particular radius it can cover. It’s best you speak to the seller.
Please can I install the arrester on a water tank stand?
Yes. However, make sure the tank is taller than the roof of the building and also close to the building
Thanks for the reply but someone told me that the water stands can shock during thunder lightning
Yeah. That is a disadvantage of using a water tank. Especially when it can conduct electricity.
Please,where will they fix the copper tape in,on the copper mat and the thunder arrestor
Apart from copper tape, are there other wires or cables that can be use as alternative? Thanks
Since the arrestor, mat and rod are all copper, then the take should be copper
Q1 Please after running the earth wire into all the wall socket of the building direct to the DB, can the earth wire move from the DB to earth rod?
Q2 Sir, the earth rod is it supposed to be laid under ground qual to the foundation level?
Q1. you are right. That’s for earthing not thunder arrester
Thank you very much sir.
My question is this!
1. The rod must it be a copper rod.
2. This thunder arrestor does it last forever.
3. How many feet will be required to lay the copper matte.
1. Not must. But copper is the best
2. Nothing lasts forever
3. Anything below the foundation of the building
What is the work of the wire connected on the copper rod. 2) didnt it need to come out after closuing the pit. 3) where is the wire connected in the house.
Q1. Is it okay to leave thunder arrestor on the roof without grounding it.
Q2. Does thunder arrestor store charge. Thank you
Good morning sir.
Pls I want to know if the 4ft hole will be below the foundation which is about 5ft making it 9 feet?
Thank you and remain blessed
Good day sir, is it advisable to add cow shit to the installation of thundering arrestor.
HONESTLY YOUR TEACHING WILL HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DIDN’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS TOPIC, YOU CAN ALSO CREATE AVENUE TO TEACH PEOPLE MORE ABOUT ELECT. THANKS
Thanks
Please Is there any wire that will need to be connected from the Earth rod to the E.L.C.B?