Surge diverters to minimise lightning damage

by Ranil WIJAYAPALA

Over 90 percent of the damages to electrical items and machinery due to lightning can be avoided by having surge diverters which are available in the market, Senior Lecturers of Physics of the Colombo University Prof. Chandana Jayaratne said.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer regarding lightning incidents which are reported frequently. Prof. Jayaratne says that many people are unaware that surge diverters or surge arresters can be fixed in front of one's house before the main switch.

"Once you fix it in front of the main switch that high voltage current coming from the electrical power supplies will go to the ground and the appliance will be safe", he said. Prof. Jayaratne says that is something that should be implemented in the country in areas where the lightning incidents are very high. "That is going to be implemented in this country. Right now there is no law in this regard but in many countries these systems are available. In Sri Lanka also some people have done this. People should be aware of it and diverters are available in the market and technicians can install it", Prof. Jayaratne said.

What we have emphasised is that the lightning protection systems should be installed at households in vulnerable areas. If it is a burden to the Ceylon Electricity Broad that can be done by cutting the expenses through the bills of the consumers.

Prof. Jayaratne said that the property damages due to lightning though there is no proper calculations can be from Rs. 300 million to Rs. 1 billion per year and most of these damages can be avoided by having lightning protection systems and surge diverters.