The chance that your facility will be hit by lightning varies on a number of factors such as location, structure height, temperature, and humidity.
Lightning is nature’s attempt to equalize the voltage between storm clouds and the earth. In order for lightning to strike, it must connect to upward streamers, which reach up from earth-bound objects when the electrical field is strong enough. DAS, our patented lightning protection system, interrupts the formation of these upward streamers through point discharge, a phenomenon where a well-grounded point exchanges ions between the air and the ground. Point discharge becomes more efficient when the points are connected to a low-impedance grounding system, and more ions can be transferred with a greater number of points.
Proper grounding is critical to personnel safety and uninterrupted operations, and serves as the foundation for complete lightning protection systems.
Grounding rod is a type of earth electrode.
An earth electrode is a conducting element buried directly in the ground, facilitating the flow of fault currents towards the ground. This means that earth electrodes are metallic and, since they have to be buried for long periods of time, they need to be resistant to corrosion as well. Earth electrodes can come in a variety of materials, shapes, sizes, and arrangements including pipes, plates, a ring around the structure (known as Type B Earthing), or as an Earth Rod (grounding rod).
Outperforming competition, our ultra-efficient Chem-Rod (LEC’s manufactured and patented grounding rod) has been used to replace as many as 10 conventional rods.
Chem-Rod Grounding Electrode: The patented Chem-Rod creates the optimal earth connection with a large conductive surface, electrolytic salts, and specially formulated backfill. Available in a variety of configurations, Chem-Rods help achieve your target resistance using fewer electrodes and less real estate.
In addition to our specialised products and services, we offer standard ground testing services, as well as, a full line of ground resistance meters and grounding components available for purchase.
A special mention:
Smart Ground Testing: It’s an advanced ground audit system that produces highly accurate results, even on energized systems. Unlike traditional tests, smart ground utilizes sophisticated computer modelling, includes a complete professional analysis to IEEE/IEC standards, and provides practical recommendations to improve your grounding system.
Many industries are benefitting from our Chem grounding rods. We are a full service firm aligned to solve your most complex challenges in lightning protection, grounding, and surge suppression. Our integrated approach weighs all of the factors affecting your exposure and ensures a solution tailored to your needs and acceptable level of risk.