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Lightning Damage to Electrical Systems

Lightning strike or damage protection systems:

This lightning protection system website describes common lightning protection systems, certification, installation, and lightning protection system inspection. We provide information about lightning strikes, lightning hazards, related equipment, sources of lightning protection system installers, and lightning strike risk assessment.

The lightning bolt photograph at page top was taken by the author from an aircraft.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Effects of lightning strike on building electrical systems, electrical panels, grounding

House fire caused by lightning

Some common effects on the electrical system: service entry, electrical meter, electric panel, circuit breakers, fuses, wiring, grounding, individual electrical circuits, and appliances or other electrical equipment in the home are listed here.

Photo: This house fire in Georgia was caused by a lightning strike in April, 2008.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Fatal Shock Hazard Warning: Inspecting electrical components and systems risks death by electrocution as well as serious burns or other injuries to the inspector or to others. Do not attempt these tasks unless you are properly trained and equipped.

Watch out: the surge caused by a nearby lightning strike can cause serious damage to many building components, electrical, plumbing, even structural and siding, trim, appliances, etc. even if the lightning bolt did not strike the home directly. Even materials that are not obviously part of an electrical damage can be damaged by a lightning strike. (Mall 2009).

Watch out: beyond the actual damage from extremely-high voltage cause by a lightning strike at or near a building, the shock wave can cause physical damage to the structure, ranging from damaged glass or plaster to foundation damage or dislodged electrical or other components.

Watch out: "A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. " - US National Weather Service, "Lightning Myths", https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-myths

Question: what lightning damage happens at an electrical panel?

2020/04/24 JohnJanicek said:

Read your article on Challenger panels with great interest. What might be the effect of a lightning strike, either direct or indirect on the service feed and ultimately the panel?

This Q&A were posted originally

at CHALLENGER ELECTRIC PANELS

Moderator reply: common damage & effects caused by lightning strike near residential electrical systems

Thanks for the question, John.

The effect of a lightning strike on a Challenger electrical panel would probably be about the same as on any residential electrical panel: significant risk of both visible and hidden damage that could make the panel (and / or other electrical wiring, equipment, devices in the building) unsafe, such as the defects listed above on this page.

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