PDA TECHNOLOGY based on NF C 17-102 standard

Lightning protection is an important element of building safety. In the event of a lightning discharge, its absence may result in serious damage to the building structure, electrical equipment and even fire, there is also a risk of electric shock to people in the building and its surroundings.

Comprehensive protection consists of an external lightning protection system designed to intercept lightning discharges into the building and safe discharge to the ground, and internal protection to eliminate any over-voltages penetrating the electrical installation of the protected building.

In the field of external lightning protection, two technologies are used: the traditional technology (based on the EN 62305-3 standard and the PDA technology (fr.: Paratonnerre a à Dispositif d’Amorçage, en. ESE – Early Streamer Emission) based on the NF C 17-102 standard.

ORW-ELS specializes in lightning protection technology using lightning rods with a system supporting the development of a leader covered by the French standard NF C 17-102 (2011-09) Protection contre la foudre. Systèmes de protection contre la foudre à dispositif d’amorçage. (EN: Lightning protection. Lightning protection systems with lightning rods with early leader emission). The NF C 17-102 standard was created in 1995. (first edition) based on the results of tests carried out at the EDF High Voltage Laboratory in Renardieres, France. It was developed and published by the French Committee for Electrical Engineering UTE and approved by the French Association for Standardization ANFOR. According to the position of the CENELEC European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, standards regarding PDA technology do not conflict with the PN-EN 62305 series of standards. In addition, they are binding in accordance with CENELEC internal regulations and meet the essential requirements necessary to market these systems.

The NF C 17-102 (2011-09) standard contains:

• rules for conducting lightning risk analysis,
• rules for installing and determining the radii of protection zones,
• methodology for conducting laboratory tests,
• maintenance rules and periodic inspections of lightning protection systems.

PDA technology is an innovative technology with very high efficiency, which has been confirmed by laboratory and statistical tests on real buildings. In Poland, it is currently a commonly used solution in the field of lightning protection, and the number of buildings protected by this technology is constantly growing.

The use of PDA lightning rods allows:

• reduction of lightning protection costs of up to 70% compared to traditional solutions,
• facilitating operation and maintenance,
• small interference in the roofing and building structure,
• easier installation and design.