![]() While tents provide shelter from heat, sun and rain, it’s important to remind outdoor enthusiasts that tents and lightning can be a lethal combination. And if you happen to be a camping enthusiast, or a guest at humid outdoor event, odds are that you could find yourself under a tent and in the midst of an approaching thunderstorm. The dog days of summer have settled in, and so has lightning. Knowing when to seek safe or “safer” shelter is an important part of lightning risk reduction during thunderstorm season. In any case, they are insufficient if they are used as the sole form of protection.Tents and lightning can be a lethal combination for outdoor enthusiasts. But these sockets are not as effective against lightning strikes as the manufacturers claim. These appliances and all the related equipment can therefore also be protected separately by connecting them to a (multiple) power socket with overvoltage protection. However, the central overvoltage conductor does let residual current through and this can harm electrical appliances susceptible to disruption, such as televisions, computers, sound installations and telephones. A conductor like this costs between EUR 500 and EUR 1,000 and must be installed by a specialist. In the event of an indirect lighting strike, a central overvoltage conductor fitted to the electric circuits will guide the electric overload to the earth and hence protect the entire installation. by induction: the overvoltage spreads via electromagnetic radiation and touches an electric circuit to which electrical and electronic appliances are connected.Fortunately there are very few surface cables in Brussels. by conductivity: this usually occurs if a surface cable (for electricity, telephone or cable television) is hit by the lightning and carries the overvoltage to the home it serves.They are reasonably expensive (sometimes as much as several thousand euros), they have to be installed by a specialist and they need regular maintenance.Ī lightning strike at a distance can, however, cause indirect damage, as it creates shock waves and overvoltage which can spread: They can be seen on towers, masts and tall buildings. If you want to take it to the next level, you can protect your home, electrical installation and appliances with a lightning conductor and an overvoltage conductor.Ī lighting conductor guides the lightning to the earth and protects your home against damage and fire caused by direct lightning strikes. Lightning conductor and central overvoltage conductor Of course you can switch off all circuits with the electrical mains switch, but by doing so you will be also without lights! Furthermore, chances are you are not even home during a thunderstorm…Ī tip: make sure that your fire insurance also covers damage caused by overvoltage! Just think of built-in devices such as your fridge, dishwasher, oven etc. However, pulling the plugs of all appliances out of the sockets is practically impossible. You can also fit an external and/or internal protection, but in proportion to the very low risk involved, these two measures work out fairly expensive. To take maximum precautions, remember to check both the electric sockets and the telephone and cable television connections. Rule n☁: unplug as many electrical and electronic appliances as possible if there is a storm brewingĭon’t leave them lying next to the socket, because if you do the electric current can still jump across! Some points of advice and tips to follow if your home is not protected against lightning: ![]() Not only to buildings and structures, but also to people, equipment and devices.Īs such, it is crucial that you know what to do in order to protect your property and appliances as much as possible. In some cases, these electrical discharges between storm clouds and the earth can cause serious damage. Every year around 250,000 lightning strikes occur over Belgium.
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