A lightning strike is one of nature’s most destructive events. Early Streamer Emission (ESE) lightning arrester is one of the main tools in lightning protection systems (LPS), a major innovation over passive lightning rods or Franklin rods. Starting with its installation and requirements to functioning, these are the five most frequently answered questions about ESE in Aplicaciones Tecnológicas.
Smart buildings are particularly vulnerable to the destructive effects of thunderstorms, due to the wide variety of interconnected automatic systems (such as lighting, temperature control, multimedia systems, telecommunications, security, etc.). Therefore, any surge that penetrates the structure, not only through the power supply lines but also through the data lines, can cause damage to a multitude of sensitive electronic equipment such as computers, alarm systems, transducers, programmable logic controllers, audio-visual equipment, etc.
Lightning arresters, whether passive, such as Franklin rods, or active, such as Early Streamer Emission (ESE) devices, are part of the permanent lightning protection measures, together with surge arresters1. They are permanently installed on structures and equipment to be protected against the destructive effects of lightning. Both Franklin rods and ESEs must comply with specific regulations to ensure their correct installation and operation.
It is known that climate change is responsible for the accentuation of some meteorological phenomena such as electrical storms, torrential rains, droughts or hurricanes. Although the climate has gone crazy, some unusual and spectacular natural atmospheric phenomena like volcanic lightning were already taking place.
