EVALUATION OF LIGHTNING PROTECTION OF A SOUTH WEST NIGERIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY EDIFICE

• Oyeleye M. O.

  Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• Aminu A. k

  Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

: Lightning Protective System (LPS) is the most proficient way to protect edifices and properties from direct and indirect lightning stroke damages. This research work concentrates on Cloud-Ground (CG) lightning strike negatives effects and its protection. Data were collected on library building in real time physical measurement using measuring tape, steel ladder and university archives (architectural drawings). Also, existing standards and theories were used in evaluation of the existing LPS and a new LPS was re-designed. Results show that the installed lightning arrester, LA, is Faraday type which are LA 1, LA 2, and LA 3 respectively. LA 1 has the least Protective Zone (PZ) of 0.02%, follow by LA 2 with 0.06% and LA 3 with 0.13%. The total PZ is 0.21; the total area of the researched Library is 99.79% unprotected. The proposed designed for 100% protective coverage is achieved in this work. The installed Down Conductor (DC), and Earthing Conductor, (EC) are solid rod copper materials and conformed to existing standards. This research result revealed that the existing installed air terminal, DC and EC is 75 mm² and do not conformed to standard of 161 mm² – 200 mm² for solid iron air terminal. One of the existing surge protectors for the library (40 kA) is below standard and should be replaced with 70 kA Metal-oxide Varistor. Adequate PZ should be designed for a library building in this work for prevention of lives and properties against direct and indirect lightning strikes. Also, there should be a discipline coordination with lightning designer and civil Engineer when designing building roof.

1. Oyeleye M. O. , Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

   Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

2. Aminu A. k, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

   Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

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