Meshed Ring Earth Electrode below Potential Control Conductor in Insulated Concrete Foundation

Abstract

In cases where the foundation earth electrode cannot act as lightning protection grounding system due to electrical insulation, a meshed ring earth electrode can be installed below the foundation plate. This ring earth electrode should have small mesh width so that high potential differences to the foundation earth electrode, which then serves as potential control conductor, do not occur when lightning current diverts into ground. Comparatively small potential differences were calculated for different variants of this arrangement, so that breakdown and damage to the concrete foundation is not to be expected. Nevertheless, small mesh widths of the ring earth electrode result in low potential differences, thus achieving safe lightning protection grounding system.