OBO Bettermann
8 | EN
Product description
3 Product description
3 1
Basic principles
Without any additional countermeasures, the high voltage pulses which
occur when there is a direct lightning strike will cause arcing to insulation
surfaces. This effect is termed a creep flashover. When the so-called
creep discharge inception voltage has been exceeded, surface discharge
is initiated, which can bridge a gap of several metres. To avoid dangerous
arcing between conductive parts (electrical systems, pipelines, etc.), the
maintenance of the separation distance is a key requirement when plan-
ning and implementing a lightning protection system.
These days, the roof level of building complexes is used as an installation
area for air-conditioning, ventilation, transmission and energy collection
systems, meaning that the structural features may be in the way of the
required spacing between the air-termination systems and the electrical
installations.
The isCon
®
insulated lightning protection system is used to maintain the
required separation distance. Depending on the design, after the first
potential connection behind the connection element on the air-termination
rod, the isCon® conductor reflects an equivalent separation distance of
up to 0.45‒0.9 metres in the air or double that in solid matter. This means
that installation is possible directly on metallic and electrical structures. If
there is a direct lightning strike, the incoming energy is arrested through
the isCon
®
conductor to the building's earthing system. There is no direct
arcing between the conductor and the building to be protected.
The isCon
®
system is tested according to IEC TS 62561-8 and has an
arresting capacity of 150‒200 kA lightning surge current (10/350 μs),
depending on the conductor. It primarily consists of the following compo-
nents:
– isCon
®
conductor
– Insulated air-termination rods
– System accessories for fastening (air-termination rod stand, support
and holder)
– System accessories for connection
3 2
isCon
®
conductor
According to DIN EN 62305-3/VDE 0185-305-3/IEC 62305-3, the insu-
lated isCon
®
conductor implements a separation distance of 0.45‒0.9
metres in the air and 0.9‒1.8 metres in the case of solid materials, de-
pending on the product design. The isCon
®
conductor is equipped with an
external semi-conductive jacket, allowing it to limit high lightning voltage
pulses against a reference potential, by creating a connection between
the external semi-conductive jacket and the building's equipotential
bonding, which is not energised with lightning current, in the area of the
connection element.
The isCon
®
conductor is flame-resistant according to DIN EN 60332-1-2,
weather-resistant and halogen-free. It is suitable for routing in external
areas and can be routed on roofs, in walls, in concrete, in facade installa-
tions or in buildings.
