Lightning protection and equipotential bonding made easy!
Recommendations for lightning protection and equipotential bonding for mounting systems
You can find out in our detailed recommendations how easy it is to implement lightning protection and equipotential bonding for all K2 mounting systems with specific components. In addition to detailed explanations, you will find numerous examples of equipotential bonding and connections capable of carrying lightning current as well as general information in the report:
What you need to know about lightning protection
In general, a lightning protection system is a measure taken to prevent possible damaged caused by lightning strikes. A complete protection system includes all metallic installations, structures and components of the PV system. It is complemented by internal lightning protection that primarily consists of overvoltage protection.
- External lightning protection
External lightning protection provides protection against lightning strikes that would directly hit the system to be protected. It consists of interception devices, lightning conductors (lightning conduction system) and an earthing system. - Internal lightning protection
Overvoltage protection that constitutes the internal lightning protection includes measures of all kinds to counteract overvoltage. Internal lightning protection also protects against effects from the mains.
Important: external and internal lightning protection complement each other to form a lightning protection system.
Existing lightning protection should not be impaired by a PV system. The lightning protection concept should therefore be agreed in each case with a lightning protection specialist.
Lightning protection that is to be newly established must be designed in such a way that it can fulfil its function even without the PV system. As a general rule, a lightning protection specialist should also inspect this and examine the effects. A protection system that does not comply with the standards can cause major damage.
Video on lightning protection systems
The video clearly shows you the way power is dissipated, from the lightning strike to it dissipating into the ground.
(Source: VDB Association of German Lightning Protection Companies)
Lightning protection solution
Lightning protection clamps fasten the aluminium cables to the rails of the mounting system and ensure that the lightning current is routed outside of the building. The lightning protection clamp is available in a set at K2:
- Lightning protection clamp multi set (2002473)
- Lightning protection clamp multi double set (2002474)
What you need to know about equipotential bonding
If points are conductively interconnected to varying potentials, the potential difference between them is balanced out. The electrical voltage between the points can no longer be measured, thus establishing equipotential bonding.
The earthing is an electrically conductive connection with the electrical potential of the ground. The equipotential bonding and earthing system complement each other to form an effective protection system.
Equipotential bonding solution
The TerraGrif is a simple and fast module earthing solution and enables equipotential bonding between the mounting rail and module frame.
Video on equipotential bonding
Stephan Klopfer, a K2 sales employee, shows you three different TerraGrif solutions in the video.
The accessories including assembly recommendations can also be found in the TerraGrif overview.
* It is essential to observe the national and site-specific standards concerning the planning and implementation. We would like to point out that the recommendations were produced on the basis of the German standards.