CODES AND PRACTICES55.1 Overv iew

Two main families of codes govern earthing installations, andhence the demand for earthing contract work, systems,products and materials in Europe. One covers lightningprotection systems, the other the way in which the earthingsystems of electrical installations are constructed.

Earthing installation designs and standards also reflect anumber of additional codes and practices in Europeancountries, principally the various national electrical installationand electricity supply regulations and practices. Some of themain standards are listed in Exhibit 2, and their impact ondemand discussed in the following Sections.

The components and materials of construction used inEuropean installations are covered by these codes. (SeeExhibits 9 and 10). They also reflect a number of additional

standards such as cable specifications, non-ferrous metalsstandards etc.

National construction regulations, legislation on publicbuildings, health and safety in the workplace etc addadditional requirements. Special regulations or codes ofpractice govern lightning protection and earthing intelecommunications systems, the mining industry, lifts andelevators, fire alarms and emergency lighting installations.

5.2 L ightn ing Protec t ionCodes

Three principal international codes on lightning protection arepublished by the International Electrotechnical Commission(IEC). IEC 61024-1:1990 covers the protection of structures,and IEC 50164:1992 the components of structural lightninginstallations. A more recent specification, IEC 61312-1:1995,addresses the protection of electrical and electronic equipmentagainst damage from direct or indirect lightning strikes.

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Exhibit 2 Overview - Codes and Regulations - Earthing and Lightning Protection Systems

CODE International, US European France Germany Italy UK

Substation ANSI/IEEE DIN VDE BS 7354:1990Code 80:1986 0141:1989

Electrical National NF C 15-100 DIN VDE CEI BS 7671:1992Installation Electrical Code 0100:1991Code

Earthing, IEC 10234-1 NF C 15-100, DIN BS 7430:1991Earthing IEC 60364 N 542.2, 3, 4 18014:1994-02components

Lightning IEC 61024-1:1993 prENV UTE DIN 57185 CEI 81-1:1990 BS 6651:1992Protection IEC 61312:1995 61024-1: 1991 C15-531:1986 VDE 0185:1983

UL467 prEN 50164-1:1993 prEN 50164-1:1996

Other Lightning and Legislation on Overvoltage Electronic systems,transients: electrostatic protection lightning and IEEE C62.41:1991 earthing VDE 0845:1995 transients: BS6651:

1992 Appx C