Electrical rooms concentrate the most critical equipment of any industrial project. Lightning strikes can compromise operational continuity. How can they be effectively protected?
Electrical rooms are known by different names depending on the context: E-house (Electrical House), Power Control Room (PCR), or modular prefabricated substations. Their function is to centralize, within a single controlled environment, all medium- and low-voltage equipment required for industrial operation (transformers, motor control centers (MCC), distribution boards, SCADA systems, etc.).
Compared to conventional installations, their main advantage lies in being manufactured under controlled factory conditions, transported to site fully wired, and commissioned within significantly shorter timeframes.
Their importance is clear: they are the central node of any facility. If the electrical room fails, the entire installation stops. This central role makes them a priority target for lightning protection.
WHERE ARE THEY INSTALLED? APPLICATION SECTORS
Although often associated with sectors where field conditions and distance from the grid require decentralized generation and distribution, electrical rooms are present in nearly all industries where energy is a critical production factor:
- Power generation and energy.
- Oil & Gas.
- Heavy industry.
- Infrastructure and transport.
- Urban developments and large-scale buildings.
- Defense and security.
In all these environments, exposure to lightning varies significantly, but the risk is always present, and the consequences of failure are always severe.
WHY LIGHTNING IS A THREAT FOR THESE TYPE OF STRUCTURES
Lightning protection for electrical rooms is not limited to preventing direct strikes on the structure. The effects of lightning can impact an electrical room through three main mechanisms:
- Direct strikes.
- Induced overvoltages.
- Step and touch voltages.
The most vulnerable equipment includes electronic control boards, PLCs, digital protection relays, UPS systems, and communication systems, among others. At INGESCO, we address this need by designing comprehensive lightning protection systems, combining both external and internal solutions, all tailored to the specific characteristics of each project and compliant with applicable regulations in each country.
We carry out customized studies to ensure an effective, safe, and standards-compliant installation, optimizing protection at every critical point of the infrastructure.
EXTERNAL LIGHTNING PROTECTION. IEC 62305-3, NFPA 780
Standards such as IEC 62305-3 and NFPA 780 provide a clear and practical basis for designing the air-termination system. They define how to distribute air terminals using methodologies such as the rolling sphere method or protection angle, enabling precise determination of the number of air terminals required, their optimal placement and full coverage of the installation.
Additionally, IEC 62561 establishes requirements for each system component: conductors, connections, grounding, and air terminals. This includes minimum dimensions and mandatory testing to ensure performance under real lightning conditions.
Components include:
- Air terminals, conductors, and down conductors: copper, aluminum, and stainless steel.
- Grounding electrodes: copper rods, copper-bonded steel, and stainless steel.
- Connectors and accessories: copper, bronze, and stainless steel.
The objective is to maintain system integrity throughout its service life without compromising conductivity or safety.
INGESCO SOLUTION: TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY, AND CONTINUITY
Electrical rooms are strategic assets in sectors where operational continuity is essential. INGESCO offers a complete solution that integrates:
- Risk assessment using CALCULUS.
- External protection system design in compliance with current standards.
- Internal protection solutions adapted to each environment.
All supported by a technical team with over 50 years of experience and thousands of installations worldwide.
Do you have an electrical room project that needs protection? Let us know the details of your installation and our technical team will advise you, with no obligation, on the most suitable protection system.