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How are planes designed to withstand being hit by lightning?
Lightning will usually hit a protruding part of the plane, such as the nose or the tip of the wing. The fuselage acts like a Faraday cage, protecting the inside of the plane while the voltage moves along the outside of the container.
What is the resistance of an aircraft?
As an airplane flies through the sky, it has to push through the air around it. Friction between the air and the plane slows the plane down. This is known as air resistance, or drag. The faster an object travels through the air, the more it has to fight against drag.
What happens if lightning strikes a house?
If you know your house has just been hit directly by lightning, call the fire department. It is common for lightning to start fires in the attic and within walls of homes. Lightning passing through a house will often ‘branch’ and utilize more than one path to ground at a time.
Where do they test aircraft for lightning protection?
An aircraft radome undergoes lightning testing at National Technical Systems’ (Calabasas, Calif.) lightning test laboratory. A 2.4-megavolt generator produces a strike to test the lightning strike protection (LSP) system on the part.
What kind of materials are used for lightning protection?
The highly conductive copper and aluminum materials used in a lightning protection system provide a low resistance path to safely ground lightning’s dangerous electricity. These materials and components are UL-listed and specially manufactured for lightning protection.
What are national safety standards for lightning protection?
A lightning protection system that meets national safety Standards of NFPA 780 and UL 96, UL96A includes strike termination devices, down conductors, bonding, and surge protection. Failure to follow the Standards or use of non-listed materials or methods can result in inadequate protection.
Can a building be fitted with lightning protection?
Lightning protection can be installed for existing structures and new construction, as options are available to incorporate installation at just about any phase of construction. However, lightning protection that is specified during the planning and design phase may provide the most options for concealing components and materials.