In today’s blog, we will cover 20 standards that help you understand Earthing and Lightning Protection better. Everyone talks about electrical failures after they happen. But no one asks, “Was your system installed as per the standard?”
These standards tell us where to crimp, how to install, what size to choose, and how to test.
In this blog, we will understand what each one is meant for and when to use it.
Standards:
1. IS/IEC 62305
IEC stands for International Electrotechnical Commission. This is the foundation for designing Lightning Protection Systems. It covers four key areas – risk assessment, external protection, internal surge protection, and safety of people and equipment. It is followed worldwide and has been adopted in India as IS/IEC 62305. If you are working on any commercial or industrial project, this is where your lightning protection design should begin.
2. IEC 62305
This is the original international standard. It gives the four-part framework for Lightning Protection design. You must follow it when consultants demand global compliance. It is often referenced with the Indian version to align designs with global practice.
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3. NBC 2016
The National Building Code of India sets the basic safety rules for all types of buildings. Part 8, Section 2 of NBC 2016 deals with lightning protection. It tells you when a Lightning Protection System is needed based on your building’s height, material, and usage. If you are working on residential towers, hospitals, schools, or factories, this is the standard you must check before starting the design.
4. NEC
The National Electrical Code gives guidelines for safe electrical installations. In India, it is published by the Bureau of Indian Standards as NEC 2023. While it mainly focuses on wiring and protection devices, it also covers grounding methods and surge protection. If your project includes internal power distribution, panel boards, or sensitive equipment, this code helps ensure that your entire electrical system is safe and compliant.
5. IS 3043
This is the main Indian standard for earthing. It explains how to design, install, and test earthing systems for electrical installations. It covers soil resistivity, electrode sizing, conductor selection, and testing methods. You must use IS 3043 in all projects in India, since it is the base for most earthing designs.
6. OISD 180
This standard is issued by the Oil Industry Safety Directorate and is used in petroleum refineries, terminals, and LPG bottling plants. It covers lightning protection and earthing practices for hazardous zones. If you are working in oil, gas, or chemical projects with flammable materials, this document is critical for reducing ignition risks from lightning or static discharge.
7. IS 732
This standard deals with electrical wiring in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. It covers cable sizing, circuit protection, grounding, and layout methods. While IS 732 is mainly for internal wiring, it also supports correct grounding and coordination with surge protection. Use this standard when you are planning the internal electrical layout for any building.
8. IEC TR 63227 – For Solar
This technical report focuses on lightning and surge protection for solar photovoltaic systems. Read this before designing lightning and surge protection for solar plants, it will help you reduce downtime by protecting equipment.
9. IEC 62713
This technical report explains safety procedures during a lightning strike. It guides first responders and technicians on how to act safely outdoors, such as avoiding unsafe areas and seeking proper shelter, to reduce risk and prevent lightning injuries. Unlike a design standard, it is focused on safe behaviour around lightning and does not replace standards like IEC 62305 for system design.
10. IEC 62561 – Part 1 to 8
This standard defines the performance and testing requirements for all components used in an External Lightning Protection System.
It covers air terminals, clamps, conductors, earth rods, joints, and test points. Use IEC 62561 when you are selecting or approving materials for a Lightning Protection System. It ensures that every component is tested for strength, corrosion resistance, and conductivity.
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11. IEC 61643 Part-11 and 21
These documents define how Surge Protective Devices should perform and be tested. IEC 61643 part 11 is for SPDs used in power systems, while 61643 part 21 is for communication and signal lines. Use them to select SPDs that can handle real surges and meet safety and performance requirements.
12. API RP 545
This recommended practice, from the American Petroleum Institute, addresses lightning protection for aboveground storage tanks with flammable or combustible liquids. It replaces older guidance, such as API 2003, by moving from roof-to-shell shunts to safer methods like isolated roof-to-shell bonding. If you work in fuel storage, tank farms, or terminals, this document helps reduce lightning fire risks and aligns with global safety practices.
13. NFPA 780
This US standard, from the National Fire Protection Association, explains how to design and install Lightning Protection Systems. It applies to all types of structures, including buildings, industries, chimneys, and towers. It covers air terminals, down conductors, bonding, grounding, and surge protection. Use NFPA 780 when you are working on projects that follow American codes or when clients ask for designs based on U.S. safety standards.
14. IEEE 80
This standard is mainly used for designing substation earthing systems. It shows you how to calculate fault current into the ground. It also guides you in sizing electrodes and conductors to keep touch and step voltages safe. If you are working on utilities, grid-connected plants, or high-voltage yards, IEEE 80 is the key reference for grounding design.
15. IEEE 837
This standard shows how to test and prove that your grounding connections are permanent and reliable. It gives guidelines for compression connectors, exothermic welding, and mechanical joints in grounding systems. Use IEEE 837 when you need long-term performance of earth grid joints, especially where maintenance is difficult, like substations and transmission yards.
16. IEEE 998
This standard guides the design of air termination systems for structures at risk, like substations. It explains Lightning Protection methods such as the rolling sphere and the electro-geometric model. These methods help prevent direct strikes on lightning masts and live wires. Refer to IEEE 998 when you want to protect open switchyards, control rooms, or outdoor equipment from direct lightning strikes.
17. UL 96 and UL 96A
These standards from Underwriters Laboratories work together to certify Lightning Protection Systems. UL 96 covers the construction and testing of components like air terminals and conductors. UL 96A defines how those components should be installed on structures with flat, slope, shed, or gable roofs. Use them when you need both UL-listed materials and a system that meets U.S. compliance for safety and performance.
18. UL 467
This UL standard defines the testing and performance requirements for grounding and bonding equipment, including ground rods, clamps, and connectors. It focuses on conductivity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength. Use this standard to verify that your grounding components meet internationally accepted quality benchmarks. We have a video that shows how we test our products as per UL 467, the link is in the description.
19. NFC 17102
This French standard explains how to select, place, install, and maintain ESE lightning arresters. It also gives a method to decide the protection area and layout based on site conditions. Use this standard when you are designing Early Streamer Emission-based Lightning Protection. We also have a detailed video on the testing requirements of NFC 17-102:2011. Link is in the description.
20. UNE 21186
This Spanish standard is also used for ESE and follows testing methods similar to NFC 17-102. While both cover the same technology, some consultants or government bodies specifically require UNE 21186 for compliance. It is commonly seen in government tenders across parts of Europe and Latin America.
We hope you now have a clear understanding of these guidelines. At Axis, we have a team of 50+ engineers who design, install, and test Earthing and Lightning Protection Systems as per these standards. Our products have been used in substations, data centres, factories, and even in everyday residential and commercial buildings.
Thank you for reading and if you found this informative, then feel free to contact us to get a quote or to know more about our products; visit our product section at https://axis-india.com/products/
