bliksemafleiding

Bliksemafleiding is the discipline of protecting structures and installations from the effects of lightning by providing a low-impedance path for lightning current to the earth and by limiting overvoltages in electrical and electronic systems. It encompasses the design, installation and maintenance of a lightning protection system (LPS). A typical LPS comprises an air termination (such as lightning rods or air terminals) placed at the highest points of a building, one or more down conductors that run along the exterior of the building, and an earth termination system that provides a reliable ground. Together these create a conductive network that directs the strike to earth with minimal potential rise, reducing damage to the building fabric and to connected equipment. In addition, bonding and separation of metallic services and specialized surge protection devices (SPD) at main distribution boards helps reduce overvoltages that originate from nearby strikes or switching transients.

Design follows international or national standards, most commonly IEC 62305 (Protection against lightning) and local adaptations such as the Dutch NEN-EN 62305. The design process typically includes a lightning risk assessment, selecting appropriate protection levels, and configuring bonding and earthing to maintain equipotentiality. Components must be properly connected to avoid corrosion, and materials should be compatible with the structure.

Maintenance entails periodic inspection of air terminations, conductors, connectors, and earth electrodes, with testing of continuity and resistance, and verification of SPD operation. Bliksemafleiding is distinct from, though connected to, lightning surge protection for electrical installations, which focuses on protecting sensitive equipment from transient overvoltages within a building.