Abstract :
Antennae, if present on roofs, are, usually, the most prominent part of edifices. Grounding their metal supports is, generally, considered an effective means of protection of the structure against the effects of lightning strokes, eventually "attracted" by the antennae themselves. The antenna\´s mast and the down conductor are incorrectly assumed capable of safely draining to ground the lightning current flowing at the point of strike. This, supposedly, would prevent both hazard for people and damage to the building and electrical equipment situated inside of it This paper will substantiate how the sole grounding of the antenna\´s mast can instead result in lowering the safety of the edifice, and, thereby, expose users to the hazard of dangerous electrical sparking (flashover) and possible fires.
Keywords :
antenna earths; coaxial cables; earthing; flashover; lightning protection; antenna earths; antenna mast; down conductor; electrical sparking; lightning protection; metal support grounding; Buildings; Conductors; Electrical safety; Flashover; Ground support; Grounding; Hazards; Lightning; Protection; Safety devices; Antenna; Coaxial cables; Equipotential Bonding; Expected Frequency of Direct Lightning to the structure; Induced Electromotive forces; Inductance; Internal Lightning Protection System; Lightning Protection System; Safety Distance; Separation Distance; Tolerable Frequency of Lightning; dielectric strength;