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Lightning protection for power cable trays

ODN and passive infrastructure knowledge brief Published 21 Aug 2022

Prepared for preliminary research by the GESTIONVAL ODN knowledge desk. Confirm network topology, split ratio, box or cabinet capacity, joint closure rating and loss budget against current standards and product documentation.

Effective lightning protection for power cable trays involves proper grounding, shielding, surge protection, and separation of power and signal cables to prevent damage from direct or nearby lightning strikes.Key Protection Strategies

1. Grounding and Bonding Cable trays, especially those located outdoors, on rooftops, or in exposed areas, should be properly grounded to safely divert lightning currents to earth. NFPA 780 provides criteria for building lightning protection systems, including grounding of overhead cable systems and cable trays . All metallic trays should be electrically bonded to ensure continuity and reduce potential differences that could induce dangerous voltages. 2. Shielding and Enclosures Enclosed cable trays with solid bottoms or EMI/RFI shielding can protect sensitive circuits from electromagnetic interference caused by nearby lightning strikes. Steel trays provide effective shielding up to ~100 kHz, while aluminum or copper is more effective at higher frequencies in the MHz range . Covers and gaskets further enhance protection against transient electromagnetic fields. 3. Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) Transient voltages induced by lightning or nearby discharges can damage power and signal equipment. Surge protection devices, also known as surge arrestors or lightning barriers, provide a low-impedance path to divert excess current to ground, protecting connected equipment . SPDs should be installed at strategic points along the cable tray system, particularly where cables enter buildings or connect to sensitive electronics. 4. Separation of Power and Signal Cables To minimize coupling of electrical noise from power lines into sensitive circuits, power and signal cables should ideally be routed in separate trays or separated by barriers within the same tray . This reduces the risk of induced transients and ensures reliable operation of instrumentation and communication systems. 5. Overhead and Walkable Tray Considerations Overhead cable trays can be more exposed to lightning, so grounding and shielding are critical. Walkable cable trays, such as the Hermi WKP system, provide mechanical safety and can be combined with covers to enhance protection from environmental and electrical hazards .

Standards and Compliance
  • NFPA 780: Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, covering grounding and bonding requirements .
  • EN 61537: European standard for cable tray systems, including mechanical and electrical safety .
  • IEC 60060 and IEC 60038: Standards for voltage withstand and system voltage classification, relevant for surge protection design .
Practical Recommendations
  • Ensure all metallic trays are bonded and grounded to a common earth point.
  • Use fully enclosed or shielded trays for sensitive circuits.
  • Install SPDs at entry points and near critical equipment.
  • Maintain physical separation between power and signal cables.
  • Regularly inspect and maintain grounding connections and tray integrity. By combining grounding, shielding, surge protection, and proper cable separation, power cable trays can be effectively protected against lightning-induced surges and electromagnetic disturbances, ensuring safety and operational reliability.

Lightning protection for power cable trays - GESTIONVAL ODN INFRASTRUCTURE S.L. [PDF]

Lightning protection for power cable trays

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Technical note

This reference is intended for preliminary ODN and passive infrastructure research. Topology, split ratio, box or cabinet capacity, closure rating, cable type, test limits and applicable standards must be verified for the specific project.

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