Resource Number: 15852
Title: Lightning Protection Volumes Around Trees: Cones, Rolling Spheres & Fractals
Description: Examining sites and trees for potential installation of a lightning conduction system requires accurate calculations and measurements. Effectively minimizing lightning damage to trees and minimizing waste in purchasing lightning conduction materials requires careful planning. Tree protection professionals need to “rough-out” installations by estimating placement and amount of materials needed. It is critical to review and follow national and state standards and specifications for lightning conduction systems and for proper tree protection. The three methods of determining air terminal and system effectiveness is by using the rolling sphere method, the cone (or angle) of protection method, or the fractal method. Note the rolling sphere and protective cone methods represent nearly the same protected volume beneath a tree. The fractal method suggests a larger protected volume for relatively short air terminal placements like in most trees.
Last Updated: August 16, 2022
Contributors:
Domain(s)/Area(S):
- Arboriculture
- Natural Resources
Locations:
| Subject |
|---|
| lightning |
| lightning protection |