Surge Protection for
Lightning Protection System (LPS)

Main Service Voltage : 120/208Vac
Configuration : 3-phase, 4 wire plus ground wye

Empire State Building - Lightning Protection System (LPS)

Reference Standards : NFPA780, UL96A, UL1449, UL497A, UL497B, UL497E

Today's increased reliance on very sensitive electronics makes surge protection an important topic for Lightning Protection Systems or LPS. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety study found that $26 billion dollars was lost due to non-lightning power surges. In addition, there are about 25 million lightning strikes in the US each year that cause between $650M to $1B in losses according to the Insurance Information Institute, State Farm©.

This page discusses how to best protect your a building or residence requiring a Lightning Protection System (LPS) following The Standard for the Installation of a Lightning Protection Systems, NFPA 780.

From Vaisala Annual Lightning Strike Report 2020

Selecting the appropriate SPD

Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) shall be UL1449 Type 4CA or better including Type 1, Type 2, Type 1CA and Type 2CA. Per ANSI C136.2-2017, it should be tested to the appropriate exposure level based on the application or installed location.

The UL1449 Type 4CA Surge Protective Devices (SPD) have undergone more stringent safety testing than UL1449 Type 5 Components including the critical abnormal overvoltage - limited current testing.

Recommended Surge Protectors for
LED Lightning Protection Systems (LPS)

120/208Vac, 3 Phase, 4 Wire plus Ground, Wye

Recommended SPD for Commercial or Industrial Building with a 120/208Vac Main Service Panel

Location	Equipment	System	Surge Protector Model#	Link
Service Entrance	Main Panel	120/208Vac	MDS750E-120Y
	ATS Line Side	120/208Vac	MDS750E-120Y
	ISP	Ethernet Cat 6A	MJ8-C6A
		Broadband	P8AX09-6G-N/FF
	WISP	Wireless Radio	P8AX09-6G-N/FF
	Security Cameras	POE Camera	MJ8-POE-A
Branch Panel	General Panel	120/208Vac	MS200-120Y
	Emergency Panel	120/208Vac	MS200-120Y
	Lighting Panel	120/208Vac	MS200-120Y
	Lighting Control Panel	120Vac Power Input	DS74US-120Y/G
	HVAC Panel	120/208Vac	MS200-120Y
	HVAC Control Panel	120Vac Power Input	DS74US-120Y/G
	Computer System Panel	120/208Vac	MS200-120Y
	Security System Panel	120/208Vac	MS200-120Y
	Access Control Panel	120Vac Power Input	DS74US-120Y/G
		4-20mA	DLA-24D3
Equipment level	Machinery Panel	120/208Vac	${ITEM_LINK#1505161}<-No Item, #1505161 M50-120Y-A	${ITEM_LINK#1505161}<-No Item, #1505161
	Light Pole Hand Hole	120-208Vac Power Input	MLPXUVG-277S
	Luminaire	120-277Vac Power Input	MLPXUVG-277S
	Security Cameras	POE Camera	MJ8-POE-A
	Ethernet Switch	Ethernet Cat 6A	MJ8-C6A

References