Lightning and Surge Protection for Data Centers
- Surge protection for data centers is critical, including earthing, external lightning protection, surge protection, as well as shielding, to maintain constant data‑flow and reduce costly downtime.
- A well-deployed surge protection system follows a three‑stage approach: (type 1 at entry → type 2 at sub‑distribution → type 3 at terminal devices) to safely reduce transient energy in high‑availability environments.
- Surge protection systems should be in compliance with key standards such as EN 50600 and IEC 62305, thus helping operators meet regulatory requirements while protecting servers, storage, and network infrastructure.
If a constant flow of data is the lifeblood of our digital infrastructure, then data centers are akin to the hearts. Downtimes, damage, and interruptions due to lightning and surges therefore represent a real horror scenario for every data center operator. An effective protection concept is indispensable. Therefore, designs for data centers should include high-performance lightning and surge protection. Proper surge protection for data centers will prevent costly damage and ensure a constant flow of data. Thus, installing and maintaining proper surge protection is very important to ensure reliability and reduce downtime.
Whether it’s social networks, medical care, media services, telecommunications, or transport, everything depends on a fail-safe data flow and also on the trouble-free interaction of individual systems and sensitive components. Protect the availability of data and secure your computing and storage resources against data loss. On request, we can support the construction of your data centre right from the planning phase and help you to integrate effective protective measures that comply with industry standards.
What Risks do Surge and Lightning Pose
The threat posed by lightning and surges is often underestimated:
- Lightning strikes can cause fires.
- Surges can damage interconnected electrical systems.
The consequences: Repair costs, downtimes, as well as claims for compensation.
Protect Against the Risk of Lightning with Comprehensive Solutions
Integrate coordinated measures for lightning protection, surge protection, shielding, and earthing into the safety concept of your computer infrastructure. As a full-service provider, we can supply you with everything you need from a single source – from planning guides to the necessary products.
Choose safety. With our expertise, we’ll protect the reliable operation, maximum availability, and also help optimize the cost-effectiveness of your data center.
What Holistic Lightning and Surge Protection for Data Centers Entails
Prevent unnecessary risks and opt for an effective protection concept with coordinated measures for:
- Earthing and equipotential bonding
- External lightning protection and the shielding of buildings
- Surge protection
- Arc fault protection
Earthing and Equipotential Bonding
The design of surge protection for data centers is only complete if it features an earthing system and equipotential bonding. Both of these are of central importance for the failure-free as well as fault-free operation of all electrical systems. By the implementation phase, everything must be right as retrospective corrections are almost impossible.
For example, for the installation of earthing systems and equipotential bonding networks for buildings, the standards IEC 62305-3 and EN 50310 apply. In conjunction with lightning protection systems taking an LEMP concept into account, the requirements of IEC 62305-4 must also require consideration.
External Lightning Protection and the Shielding of Buildings
Reliably intercept lightning strikes and channel them into the earthing system via the down-conductor system – this is the task of the external lightning protection system.
Reliably Maintain Separation Distances with HVI Conductors
Depending on the result of the risk analysis and the importance of the data, data centres qualify for one of four lightning protection classes. If they fall into lightning protection class I, they must fulfill the highest lightning protection requirements. As a planning engineer, you face the challenge of setting the necessary number of air-termination rods at the correct separation distance. However, roofs dense with mounted structures make this placement difficult.
The HVI lightning protection system offers a reliable, space-saving yet simple solution. Here the conductor carrying the lightning current wraps in insulating material so that you can very easily maintain the necessary separation distances to other conductive building parts or electrical cables as well as pipelines. And no further actions are necessary.
Using Parts of a Building for Lightning Protection
Another option for minimizing the separation distance is to use the building structure as a component of the lightning protection system. The shielding measures and the arising equipotential surfaces reduce the electromagnetic field and also relieve electrical cables and systems.
Surge Protection
Our solutions for internal lightning protection reliably protect the electrical and electronic systems of data centres against the effects of lightning strikes as well as switching operations. This also includes lightning protection equipotential bonding for all conductive systems leading into the building from the outside. You can find out how to design surge protection for data centers in detail here.
3 Stages for Full Surge Protection for Data Centers
An effective surge protection concept has three protection stages. Stage by stage, the penetrating energy is broken down to a safe degree, so that terminal equipment is secure.
The best protective effect arises when all protection stages are in an optimal harmony. Crucial here is that the arresters of the individual stages are energy-coordinated as per DIN VDE 0100-534.
Stage 1
Type 1 Lightning Current Arrester or Combined Arrester at the point where conductors enter the building.
Stage 2
Type 2 Surge Arrester in the sub-distribution board
Stage 3
Type 3 Surge Arrester directly on the terminal device or socket outlet
Arc Fault Protection
An arc fault is a rare phenomenon, but a serious hazard. It occurs as an electrical gas discharge due to a technical defect, maloperation, impurities, or foreign objects in the system.
Therefore, you should plan your arc fault protection holistically for optimum protection. With the right measures, you will ensure the safety of your employees, optimize the fire protection of your electrical system, and also ensure that it runs reliably.
Safe when it matters most.
Assess the Hazard, Minimize the Risk
Regardless of whether you want to expand your protection concept with additional measures or develop a new concept. From legal bases to documentation – think holistically for the best possible protection against arc faults.
Your path to all-round protection: DEHN supports you in the planning and realization of your individual concept. Just contact us and we will work together to develop the right protection solution for you.
The protection against arc faults implemented with DEHNshort significantly exceeds the requirements of test criteria from DIN EN 61439-2, suppl. 1 (IEC TR 61641 Ed. 3 from 2014). You can learn more about Arc Fault Protection here.
Follow the Hierarchy of Risk Control
As a general rule, hazards are always eliminated at their source. If this does not suffice, further preventive measures can be taken as per the hierarchy of risk control in accordance with NFPA 70 E.
- Elimination: disconnect all electrical equipment completely
- Substitution: internal arc fault mitigation system (IAMS)
- Engineering Controls: adjustment of circuit breaker settings
- Awareness: arc flash labelling
- Administrative Controls: planned work procedures
- PPE: arc-rated PPE
Know the Normative Requirements for Surge Protection for Data Centers
The standard EN 50600 is of primary relevance for the planning as well as implementation of protection measures for data centers. In relation to lightning and surge protection, it refers to IEC 62305.
Design Basis for Lightning and Surge Protection for Data Centers
EN 50600 is the first transnational standard with an integrated approach providing comprehensive guidelines for the planning, construction, and also the operation of a data centre.
It includes specifications for the planning of building installations, construction, electrical supply, air-conditioning, as well as safety systems. The necessity of factoring in lightning protection measures is stipulated in part 2-2 “Power supply and distribution of data centre equipment and infrastructure.”
Specifically, EN 50600 refers here to the entire IEC 62305 series of standards governing lightning protection. It constitutes the basis for the standard-compliant design and implementation of lightning and surge protection concepts as well as shielding measures.
IEC 62305 Part 2
Risk Management
Step 1 is the risk analysis. This involves a risk assessment, including a classification into appropriate classes of LPS.
IEC 62305 Part 3
Physical Damage to Structures and Life Hazard
In Step 2, the parameters for the external lightning protection system and the implementation of planning for the external lightning protection are defined.
IEC 62305 Part 4
Protection of Electrical and Electronic Systems
Step 3 involves the selection of individual measures for the protection of integrated electronic systems. These include, for example:
- Lightning protection zone concept
- LEMP protection measures system
- Earthing and equipotential bonding
- Shielding concept for buildings and rooms
- Cable routing and shielding
- Coordinated SPD protection