IEC 62305-1 provides general principles for the protection of structures against lightning, including their installations and contents, as well as persons.
There are no devices or methods capable of modifying the natural weather phenomena to the extent that they can prevent lightning discharges. Lightning flashes to, or nearby, structures (or lines connected to the structures) are hazardous to people, to the structures themselves, their contents and installations as well as to lines. This is why the application of lightning protection measures is essential.
The need for protection, the economic benefits of installing protection measures, and the selection of adequate protection measures should be determined in terms of risk management. Protection measures considered in the IEC 62305 series have been proven to be effective in risk reduction.
The following cases are outside the scope of IEC 62305-1:
— railway systems,
— vehicles, ships, aircraft, offshore installations,
— underground high-pressure pipelines,
— pipe, power and telecommunication lines separated from the structure,
— nuclear power plants.
The IEC 62305 series should be considered as a minimum requirement for these structures.
Until any further information by CIGRE is available the lightning current parameters described in this document can be applied also for offshore installations. In these cases, structures usually fall under special regulations produced by various specialised authorities. For structures (subsidiary or others) not falling under such special regulations, the IEC 62305 series still applies.
IEC 62305-1:2024 text has been approved in Europe as EN IEC 62305-1:2024 without any changes.
