Direct or indirect lightning strikes have caused reactor trips in nuclear power generating stations. If nuclear power generating stations do not have adequate lightning protection and grounding, such stations may be exposed to greater risk of loss of offsite power, fire, and damage to equipment engineered to safeguard facilities.
The lightning protection and the electrical facilities shall be designed and coordinated with each other such that no electrical facilities will suffer impermissibly adverse effects from lightning strikes.
A nuclear power generating station needs protection because:
- Large surface area and high-risk facilities
- Production problems if the equipment, machines, etc. have been damaged by lightning or its effects (voltage surges). This may result in loss of service.
- Hazardous activities with serious consequences for the environment (pollution, environmental damage, etc.)
- Protection of people (Health and Safety at Work Act).
- This is a regulatory requirement that may also be required by insurance companies.
Our experience shows that lightning can pose operational threats to nuclear power generating plants. Therefore, protection is essential to avoid malfunctions and upsets that, in turn, can lead to reactor trips. Hence, nuclear power plants should have a well-designed and properly installed Lightning protection design system to safeguard their structures, systems, and components from lightning strikes and the resulting secondary effects.
To protect against the effects of direct strikes, the LPS should incorporate strike termination devices, discharge down conductors, and a grounding system. To protect against the secondary effects of lightning strikes, such as potentially disruptive surges and EMI/RFI that can propagate to internal structures and cause damage to safety-related systems, the LPS should also incorporate appropriate individual equipment grounding systems and surge protection devices (SPDs).
Design Review
- Prior to the construction of the lightning protection design system, we shall verify all documents such as design specifications, building survey plans, etc.
- The design of the lightning protection system shall be reviewed to verify that the components and operating media meet the requirements under the present safety standard with regard to the materials employed, their dimensions and corrosion behaviour.
- The measures provided by our lightning protection experts (Descriptions, arrangement drawings, circuit diagrams and data sheets) shall be reviewed to verify that they meet the requirements under the present national and international safety standards.
Reducing downtime is key to every power producer. Facilities that know a lightning-capable storm is building can take preventative measures to ensure the safety of critical structures, equipment, and workers. Power plants that invest in proven lightning protection design topologies and configurations can normally operate during thunderstorms.
Keep lightning strikes from negatively impact your power generating capabilities with help from Lightning Eliminators & Consultant Inc. We have you covered.
Give us a call to learn more about our power plant-specific services.