5. Glossary

Lightning Protection System; Système de Protection Foudre

System comprising one or more capture elements (lightning conductor, etc.), down conductors to conduct lightning to the ground and an earth network dedicated to lightning. The SPF also includes equipotential bonding (e.g. metal gas pipes) and equipotential bonding arresters installed at the entrance to each network in the protected structure. The term "lightning conductor" is often used in everyday language, but it is only one of the components of the SPF.

Flash Ground Density N _g

Number of lightning strikes on the ground per year and per square kilometer, generally obtained from national detection networks (Météorage network in France, for example) or from national maps generally published by standardization organizations. Map...