Lightning damages
The necessity for systems offering protection against the effects of lightning is becoming ever greater: the increased use of domestic and industrial electronic components, tall buildings and high-risk or dangerous sites within city limits have led legislators to include lightning risk assessment in their safety regulations and to lay down guidelines for appropriate protection systems.
Despite their best efforts, instances of material damage and human casualties still prevail :
« The summer of 1993 was particularly devastating: from June through September, fire fighters & police officers were called out on numerous occasions. Major damage was caused to 168 houses, public buildings, factories and commercial premises, while 35 churches and 16 electricity sub-stations were struck by lightning… »
Taken from "Lightning" by Claude GARY (pub MASSON).
A and B : Indirect lightning discharge on overhead distribution lines
C : Induced lightning discharge (electromagnetic coupling on incoming power or Telecom networks)
D : Direct lightning discharge
E : Indirect lightning discharge (potential differences)
F : Induced lightning discharge (electromagnetic coupling on internal and external conductors)
Ukraine: lightning hits a nuclear power station
Officials reported that an emergency shut down was ordered on one of the reactors at the Rivne nuclear power station in western Ukraine yesterday following a fire in one of its transformers caused by a lightning strike. « No rise in radiation levels was recorded and nobody was injured during the incident », stressed Dmitry Atiasov, an engineer on duty at the time.
Lightning also strikes people, causing serious injury and burns and sometimes even death : On June 14, 1991, during one of the world’s most prestigious golf competitions, the US Open, a spectator was killed by a lightning bolt !
More recently in October 2002, the footballer, Herman Gavaria died after being struck while taking part in a training session with fellow players from the Cali club in Colombia.