In South Africa, where lightning strikes are frequent and power supply inconsistencies are common, protecting your business’s equipment isn’t a luxury. It’s essential.
At Drensky Technologies, we’re often asked: “Aren’t surge protection and lightning protection the same thing?” The answer is no, and understanding the difference can save you from costly downtime or damage.
Let’s unpack it.
Surge Protection: Defending Against Internal and External Spikes
What it does: Surge protection shields electrical devices from voltage spikes, which can occur due to lightning, switching surges, or utility grid issues.
How it works: Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) safely divert excess voltage to earth before reaching sensitive equipment like servers, computers or automation systems.
When it activates: Any time there’s a short-duration overvoltage, typically lasting microseconds, whether from lightning-induced surges or internal switching events (like starting a large motor).
Typical use cases:
- Office buildings
- Industrial control systems
- Data centres
- Hospitals and clinics
Lightning Protection: Safeguarding Structures from Direct Strikes
What it does: Lightning protection systems prevent physical damage and fires by safely directing the massive current of a lightning strike into the ground.
How it works: These systems use air terminals (lightning rods), down conductors, and earthing systems to form a path of least resistance – away from the building and its occupants.
When it activates: During a direct lightning strike on a building or nearby structure.
Typical use cases:
- Tall buildings
- Communication towers
- Factories and warehouses
- Schools and public infrastructure
Important note: Lightning protection doesn’t stop surges inside your electrical system. That’s why it’s used alongside SPDs.
Why Your Business Needs Both
While lightning protection is your shield against catastrophic events, surge protection is your everyday guard against smaller, more frequent electrical spikes.
Relying on one without the other is like locking your front door but leaving the windows wide open.
Combined protection offers:
- Increased equipment lifespan
- Reduced maintenance and replacement costs
- Business continuity and reduced downtime
- Compliance with SANS 10313 and IEC 62305 standards
Choosing the Right System
At Drensky Technologies, we offer comprehensive lightning and surge protection solutions tailored to your facility’s needs – from risk assessment and system design to installation and ongoing maintenance.
Whether you’re running a data centre in Johannesburg, a manufacturing plant in Durban, or an office block in Cape Town, we’ll ensure your power protection strategy is complete and compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can surge protection stop a direct lightning strike?
No. Surge protection devices (SPDs) are not designed to handle the extreme energy of a direct lightning strike. They are meant to protect electrical systems from transient overvoltages, not direct hits. For that, a lightning protection system is required.
Is lightning protection only necessary for tall buildings?
Not necessarily. While tall structures are more likely to be struck, any building in a high-risk lightning zone (like many parts of South Africa) can benefit. The risk also depends on the building’s location, purpose, and the value of the equipment inside.
Can I install surge protectors at just one point in the system?
It’s best practice to implement a layered approach:
- At the main distribution board
- At sub-boards
- At the point of use, especially for sensitive equipment
This offers comprehensive protection throughout the facility.
How often should surge protection devices be inspected or replaced?
SPDs degrade over time, especially in high-lightning areas. Drensky recommends annual inspections and monitoring indicators (many modern SPDs show green/red status). In high-risk areas, replacement may be needed every two to five years.
What standards should lightning and surge protection comply with in South Africa?
Look for compliance with:
- SANS 10313 (South African standard for lightning protection)
- IEC 62305 (international lightning protection standard)
- SANS/IEC 61643 (for SPDs)
Drensky ensures all solutions meet or exceed these benchmarks.
Will my insurance cover equipment damage without proper protection systems in place?
Many insurers require evidence of adequate power protection measures. Without proper lightning and surge protection, claims for electrical damage could be denied. Investing in certified systems can also reduce premiums.
Don’t leave your critical infrastructure exposed.
- Contact Drensky Technologies for a site assessment or to find out more about our power protection solutions.
