Enhancing the safety of your buildings with the latest lightning protection and earthing solutions.

WHAT WE OFFER

Lightning Protection System

Buildings and structures should be protected from the damages caused by direct lightning strikes by installing properly designed lightning protection systems per the relevant Indian and international standards. The lightning protection system comprises an air termination system, a down conductor system and an earthing system.

Surge Protection Devices

The electrical and electronic equipment inside the structure can be protected from the very high magnitude lightning impulse surges, which exist for a very short duration, by using suitable Surge Protection Devices.

Earthing Solutions

Providing a low resistance path to the ground for the fault currents to ensure the safety of the operating personnel and the equipment is earthing. It comprises an earth electrode, earth enhancing compound and a terminal connector.

Technical Services

At CIKIT, we don’t intend to sell our products but provide complete solutions to all lightning and earthing-related issues. Our expert technical team would provide all assistance and guidance in all the processes involved in designing and installing perfect lightning protection and earthing systems.

Our Unique Approach to Delivering Lightning Protection and Earthing Solutions.

Our Target Markets

Renewable Energy

Windmills and solar panels face a significant risk of destruction from lightning strikes due to their elevated positions and their installation in vast, open land areas. It is not advisable to consider redesigning or modifying the Lightning Protection System (LPS) after the installation of these structures, as such alterations would incur substantial expenses. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure the initial installation includes a properly designed LPS that adheres to relevant standards.

Oil Industry

The storage of explosive and hazardous materials in the Oil & Gas Industry poses a significant risk. A direct lightning strike or secondary surges could potentially trigger a major disaster, resulting in the loss of lives, valuable resources, and critical equipment. To safeguard against such catastrophes, it is crucial to implement a properly designed and meticulously executed Lightning Protection System (LPS) for this industry. Specifically, a Level 1 Lightning Protection System that complies with relevant standards should be strongly considered to ensure efficient and comprehensive protection.

High Rise Building (Residential & Commercial)

Designing an efficient Lightning Protection System (LPS) is of paramount importance in safeguarding tall buildings from potential destruction resulting from lightning strikes. Moreover, it is imperative for these structures to ensure the installation of a high-quality earthing system and surge protection devices to safeguard both lives and the expensive electronic equipment housed within them. When designing LPS for such tall buildings, it is essential to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the National Building Code.

Hospitals

Hospitals and healthcare centers represent highly sensitive environments where even a brief interruption in the supply of essential services or the slightest malfunction of equipment could lead to the loss of human life. Additionally, the presence of exceptionally expensive and highly sensitive lifesaving electronic equipment within these facilities underscores the critical need for protection against both the direct and indirect effects of lightning.

Railways

As the entire Railways Operations System undergoes continual upgrades and automation, the importance of a high-quality Lightning Protection System, Surge Protection, and Earthing System cannot be overstated. In this context, the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) and Rail India Technical & Economical Services (RITES) play pivotal roles as technical advisors and consultancy companies. They are responsible for guiding and overseeing the design and installation of Lightning Protection, Surge Protection, and Earthing Solutions for the Indian Railways.

Manufacturing Facilities

Industrial advancements have led to taller structures, making lightning strikes a greater threat. Sensitive automation equipment exacerbates the risk. A Lightning Protection System (LPS) is crucial, prioritizing operator safety and minimizing machinery downtime, which can lead to revenue loss. Complying with industry standards, proper LPS and surge protection systems are essential. These measures ensure employee safety, asset protection, and uninterrupted operations in manufacturing units.

Telecommunication Towers

Telecommunication towers are particularly susceptible to lightning strikes due to their elevated position and height. The electronic devices used for transmitting and receiving data are extremely delicate, necessitating a robust grounding system for reliable operation. To ensure uninterrupted and efficient service, the installation of a lightning protection system, along with Surge Protective Devices (SPD) and proper earthing, is absolutely imperative.

Cultural and historical monuments

India boasts a multitude of historical monuments and heritage sites scattered throughout the country. Preserving them is crucial to safeguarding our rich cultural heritage and the remarkable architectural achievements of our ancestors. Each structure possesses a unique style, and the implementation of custom-designed Lightning Protection Systems will ensure that these buildings retain their timeless charm for many centuries to come.

Lightning Can Harm! Play It Safe With Cikit

Security & Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do lightning rods work? Do they attract lightning?

  It is a common misconception that lightning rods attract lightning. On the contrary, lightning rods or our lightning protection systems intercept and deflect the lightning strike. By doing so, lightning rods save your building and deflect the lightning to the ground instead.

• How effective are your surge protection devices in preventing lightning strikes?

  Our comprehensive lightning protection system consists of more than just surge protection. To ensure the utmost structural safety of your building, our robust lightning protection system includes grounding networks to deflect the lightning away from the building.

• Is it possible to install my own lightning protection system?

  Not really. Installing lightning protection systems is strictly for professionals with the certification, training, and qualification to do the job.

• What are the buildings that require mandatory lightning protection systems?

  Since all buildings (especially tall ones) are very susceptible to lightning strikes, they require lightning protection. When assessing the risk of lightning, it is just as important to consider the purpose and contents of a building as it is to consider its location and construction. Lightning protection systems are commonly installed in:

  • Airports
  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Office buildings
  • Manufacturing units
  • Shopping centres
  • High-rise residential buildings

• Can I entrust my electrician to install the lightning protection systems?

  No, you cannot. Most electricians are not trained to install lightning protection. Furthermore, it is important to note that electricians receive training specifically in accordance with the regulations set forth by the National Electric Code. This code differs from the standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for lightning rods.

  All installations and other tasks related to lightning protection should be carried out only by lightning protection specialists listed with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and certified by the Lightning Protection Institute. These specialists should also be well-versed with the NFPA and UL requirements for lightning.

• What are the general requirements for building-related earthing solutions?

  The following information is crucial to install fool-proof earthing solutions for buildings:

  • Dimensions of the earthing site
  • Target earthing resistance
  • Results from a geo-electrical study
  • Resistive capacity of each stratum or layer in the ground

  The following details are required to measure step and touch voltages:

  • Maximum short-circuit current
  • Duration taken by the protection systems to operate during a lightning strike
  • Type of strata or ground layer
  • Thickness of strata

• Is the lightning protection system mandatory for all buildings?

  The requirement for a lightning protection system (LPS) in buildings is not universal and depends on several factors, primarily the risk assessment. Buildings in areas prone to frequent thunderstorms, those with tall structures, or those housing sensitive equipment may benefit from LPS installation. Risk assessment, conducted by a qualified expert, considers factors such as geographical location, building height, occupancy, and local lightning activity to determine whether an LPS is necessary for a specific building. Compliance with local building codes and regulations is also a critical consideration in determining the mandatory nature of lightning protection systems.

• Is an External Lightning Protection System enough to protect the electronic equipment?

  The damages caused by lightning can be categorized into 2 types,

  1) Direct effects of lightning strikes and
  2) Indirect effects of lightning strikes

  The external LPS will provide protection against the direct lightning strikes but the electronic equipment will remain unprotected against the indirect effects of lightning strikes. The indirect effects of lightning strikes cause damage due to the lightning impulse surges traveling through the power line and data lines. Though we have a lightning-air terminal on our structure, We need to install surge protection devices to protect expensive sensitive equipment against lightning hazards.

• Is it necessary to ground lightning arresters separately from the system grounding?

  IEC 62305 : 2010 is the standard being used for the lightning protection system. In that 4 parts are there.

  • IEC 62305 Part – 1 explains about General principles of Lightning Protection
  • IEC 62305 Part – 2 explains Risk Management
  • IEC 62305 Part – 3 explains the design procedures and materials used for the External Lightning Protection System
  • IEC 62305 Part – 4 explains the Internal Lightning Protection System

  As per IEC 62305 part -3, under clause 5.4.1 we should provide a dedicative earth pit for lightning arrester and those earth pits should be interconnected with the system earthing.