EARLY STREAMER EMISSION LIGHTNING terminals E.S.E.S

The principle of work of early streamer emission lightning terminals is based on the physics lаw of lightning formation. Lightning activity could be characterized by the presence of increasing electrical potential between a cloud and the Earth’s surface. In practice, there is a large air capacitor formed between the cloud and the Earth’s surface and its electrical charge constantly increases until the breakdown voltage of the capacitor is reached and that is the lightning.

Lightning formation process, between a cloud and a common lightning receiver rod, starts when the electrical charge from the cloud begins to move down toward the ground. When the electrical charge of the cloud gets to a certain distance from the lightning rod another electrical charge with opposite polarity sets out to the cloud charge. By this way, the two opposite electrical charges meet at a given distance from the lightning rod and an electrical arc of lightning is formed. In addition, the distance between the top of the lightning rod and the place where the two charges meet each other is the radius of the lightning protection sphere, that fixes the protection zone of the lightning rod.

Early streamer emission lightning terminals uses the energy of the air capacitor formed between a cloud and the Earth’s surface and it doesn’t need any additional supply. Its design allows an opposite electrical charge to be sent in advance during the process of lightning formation. Therefore, the two opposite charges meet at a further distance from the top of the lightning rod.

Therefore, the value of protection sphere radius of the early streamer emission lightning terminals many times higher than the value of a common lightning rod.
Early streamer emission lightning terminals advantages:

• Surface of protection - manifolds larger. Convenient for protection of wide sites as can be hypermarkets, stadiums, beaches, golf fields and so on;
• Comfortable for design and mounting;
• Long-lived efficiency;
• Possibility to protect buildings that have non-conventional roof constructions;
• Aesthetic presentation of architectural designs;
• Possibility for mounting a lightning strike counter.

The early emission time could varies from 5 to 60 ms. As higher the value of the time is as larger is the size of the protection zone of the lightning terminal. The early streamer emission lightning terminals E.S.E S, offered by Schirtec, has an early emission time of 60 ms and ensures a maximal lightning protection radius.
The radius of lightning protection zone is defined through the distance between the top of the lightning rod and the protected area. Very often, this distance depends on the mast height where the lightning receiver with an action in advance is mounted. The lightning protection zone radius depends on the lightning protection level. This level is determined by the risk managment related to the structure. For faculty's sake, in the course of design, the lightning protection radius is set according a table depending on the lightning protection level and the supporting mast height.

The use and design of lightning protection installations is regulated by Ordinance Nr. 8 of January 18, 2005 for lightning protection of buildings and in according of the NFC 17-102 standart, outside equipments and installations and open areas. (Official gazette, issue 6 /18.01.2005).