Grounding and Lightning Protection Component Evaluations

We lead global research and standards development with industry experts. Along with regulatory authorities, manufacturers and industry technical leaders, we have developed the Standards for the installation of lightning protection systems, UL 96A, as well as the Standard for safety for lightning protection components, ANSI/CAN/UL 96.

Overview

Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year on average, causing an estimated $1 billion per year in structural damages. Adding a lightning protection system to a building increases protection from physical damage and reduces the possibility of fire. Many insurers now require the installation of lightning protection systems for commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, historic landmarks and public venues.

Lightning protection systems include various components, including air terminals (rods), conductors and fittings, all of which must be UL Listed (ANSI/CAN/UL 96, the Standard for Safety for Lightning Protection Components) according to the installation standards. Lightning protection systems are designed to provide a safer path to ground for lightning currents. Lightning protection systems are customized for individual structures and should only be installed by qualified installers according to the NFPA 780 and/or UL 96A, the Standards for the Installation Requirements of Lightning Protection Systems.

Additionally, grounding and bonding devices are used in all types of electrical equipment and are an essential component of any electrical system in both commercial and residential applications. Most power quality problems are related to grounding and neutral size issues at an estimated cost of $15 billion to $30 billion annually. A properly installed grounding system employing grounding and bonding equipment helps ensure personnel safety, equipment protection, lightning dissipation, electrostatic discharge (ESD) and the reduction of signal noise in electronic equipment.

Grounding and Lightning Protection Component Services

Lightning protection components

To meet the installation requirements, we can certify your lightning protection components to ANSI/CAN/UL 96, the Standard for Safety for Lightning Protection Components. As a harmonized Standard for U.S. and Canada, a Listing will result in a UL/C-UL Listing Mark.

We evaluate Class I, II and III components according to installation needs. UL 96 covers components such as air terminals (rods), conductors, fittings, terminal bases, connectors and similar.

We provide services for the following types of lightning protection components:

Air terminals
Connectors
Fittings
Conductors

Grounding and bonding equipment

We provide proven grounding and bonding equipment certification solutions for the U.S. market as well as Canada and Mexico. We evaluate grounding and bonding equipment to the following standards for compliance and safety: