BEST Services - Electronic Systems Protection

16th March 2010

On average lightning strikes the UK between 300,000 and 500,000 times every year. Lightning strikes on or near buildings can cause extensive damage to electrical and electronic systems due to lightning induced electrical surges or a lightning electromagnetic pulse.

Although they only last thousandths or millionths of a second, transient overvoltages can devastate modern electronic systems:

The miniaturisation of electronic components and circuits makes systems ever more susceptible to damage, and the growing use of electronic systems further increases our vulnerability to the effects of transients.

Computers

Data communication networks

Building management systems

PABX telephone exchanges

CCTV equipment

Fire and burglar alarms

Telecom base stations

UPS

Programmable logic controllers

Plant sensors

Telemetry and data acquisition equipment

The potential costs of repairs and prolonged downtime makes the installation of electronic systems protection equipment essential. BEST Services are able to offer the following services.

CENELEC standard BS EN 62305 recognises that there are very real risks to structures via the failure of electronic equipment and as a consequence the standard will incorporate ESP (SPD) equipment as part of an overall Lightning risk assessment for all structures.