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Conductors
Introduction
Selection of the correct conductor type for the installation is
highly important, and is likely to be the initial consideration
of a lightning protection or earthing system designer.
A comprehensive range of Furse copper and aluminium
conductors is available in each of the main globally
recognized standard formats, i.e. flat tape, solid circular and
stranded (note, copper stranded only). Additionally each
format is available in a variety of conductor sizes, to meet
differing lightning protection and earthing requirements.
Specification will depend on whether the application is for an
above ground structural lightning protection system, or
a below ground earthing installation.
By far the largest and most important component of any structural lightning
protection or earthing system is the actual conductor.
Conductors for structural lightning protection systems
Furse lightning protection conductors are available in copper
and aluminium. Copper can be supplied bare, tinned, PVC,
LSOH and lead covered. It is used for most installations due
to its high conductivity, anticorrosive properties, and its
flexibility for use in air, in earth and in concrete. Aluminium can
be supplied bare or with PVC coating.
The following sizes are suitable for the majority of above
ground lightning protection systems:
–
–
Flat tape conductor
25 x 3 mm bare tape, or 25 x 3 mm PVC covered tape
–
–
Solid circular conductor
8 mm diameter bare or PVC covered solid
circular conductor
–
–
Stranded conductor
70 mm
2
bare or PVC covered stranded conductor
Conductor colour chart
The choice of a lightning protection conductor is usually
governed by its aesthetic impact on the structure to be
protected. For many people the term lightning protection
conductor conjures up an image of a discoloured copper strip
running down the spire of a church. This would clearly
be unacceptable to the owner/architect of a modern
structure.
In order to reduce the impact of an external system Furse
offer a range of UV stabilized PVC covered tapes and
solid circular conductors in colours chosen to match most
common building materials.
Standard PVC colours are shown in the chart above,
with special colours available to order.
Conductor colour chart
Colour
Standard
Black
18B29*
Green
BS 6746C
Grey
00A07*
Stone
08B23*
White
10B15*
Brown
06C39*
*PVC colours to BS 5252