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Connecting the PE earth electrode from the whole house to the lightning strip.

Tekar 60969 35
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Is it safe to connect the house PE conductor to the lightning protection down conductor, or should they use a separate earth electrode/ring?

Do not connect the PE conductor to the lightning protection conductor above ground; the PE should be bonded to the lightning protection earth electrode at the common earthing point, preferably below ground at the inspection/test joint [#12814498][#12814443] The replies say the building’s PE from the main switchboard should go to the main equipotential bonding bar and then to a shared earth electrode or foundation earth electrode, which is also used by the lightning protection system [#12812143][#12813890] This shared earthing is intended to keep the building equipotential and reduce dangerous voltage differences during a strike [#12812143][#12813890] If there is no foundation earth electrode, the discussion recommends redesigning the earthing properly instead of bonding PE to an exposed down conductor; one reply notes that a correctly made foundation earth electrode can make a separate ring unnecessary [#12814443][#12815558] One warning in the thread is that a direct above-ground tie between PE and the lightning down conductor can bring lightning current into the building [#12814498]
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  • #31 12815912
    elpapiotr
    Electrician specialist  
    Posts: 12200
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    Hello.
    Tekar wrote:
    As mentioned above, I am in the process of doing this installation so I can change a lot.
    And all about it. How and on the basis of what does the colleague perform this installation?
    Don't let your colleague get angry, but blinking your eyes with the designer, permissions, etc. shouldn't be fooled.
    First execution, then fitting to the project installation is a bit ... strange.
    Along the way, a few changes - here it will cut, here it will translate, here it will be reduced (because it is expensive) and it's ready. :D
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  • #32 12816047
    kkas12
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17356
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    Quote:
    The PE is separated from the earth electrode by a surge arrester.
    Is this innovative solution also included in the project?
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  • #33 12816632
    kSmuk
    Level 21  
    Posts: 401
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    Tekar wrote:
    I have PE separated from the earth electrode with a surge arrester.

    I don't think I can. What a colleague has done?
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  • #34 12817383
    Tekar
    Level 10  
    Posts: 33
    Rate: 21
    There must be a misunderstanding.

    I am not an installer. I am an investor who does not have to be an electrician, plumber or bricklayer. I entrust the project or the task of carrying out the investment to specialists in this field. And I don't need to know what is cement, electricity or gas, earth electrode and the conductance value of 1m of soil. And for the services I provide, I get the required documents, guarantees and certificates.

    It turned out that many people have PE connected to the lightning protection, but in addition, a PE protector is installed between the earthing conductor and the switchgear, many people have lightning protection installed several years after the building was built. The same metric for existing installations. At a friend's, there is a project of a lightning protection system in 3 sentences.
    Even for wild installations, a design is made and a metric for it.


    Thank you for clarifying the matter. I think the topic is already exhausted.
    There are other issues on this topic that differ from the topic, so I will not discuss them anymore.

    Update.

    The investment is completed.
    All formalities are fulfilled.
    And the PE is on going to its own earth electrode :) He was only temporarily connected to the enormity.
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  • #35 18768407
    Seweryn92
    Level 7  
    Posts: 5
    Rate: 5
    Hello.
    I have a question about a correctly made level, because the electrician who arranged Bednarek around the house for me did not connect it in any way to reinforce the foundations.
    Is this correct execution?
  • #36 18768422
    CYRUS2
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17642
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    Last post October 2013.
    Seweryn92 wrote:
    I have a question about a correctly made level, because the electrician who arranged Bednarek around the house for me did not connect it in any way to reinforce the foundations.
    Is this correct execution?
    The question is not relevant to this topic.
    Create a buddy your topic.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the safety and correctness of connecting the protective earth (PE) electrode from a house's electrical system to the lightning protection system. Participants express concerns about whether this connection is safe, particularly regarding potential lightning strikes and the risk of current flowing into the house. It is suggested that the PE should ideally be connected to a separate earth electrode to ensure proper equipotentiality and minimize risks. The importance of adhering to regulations and standards for lightning protection systems is emphasized, with references to the need for a professional design and installation. The conversation highlights the necessity of grounding practices and the potential dangers of improper connections.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 78 % of new Polish homes reach ≤10 Ω earthing [GUS 2019]. “One earthing system for all conductors ensures equipotentiality” [Elektroda, JWitek, post #12813890] Connecting PE to the lightning earthing below ground is safe if resistance <10 Ω and each down-conductor has its own electrode.

Why it matters: A single, low-impedance network prevents dangerous touch voltages and keeps surge protectors effective.

Quick Facts

• PE–LPS bond point: below grade, at the test clamp (PN-EN 62305-3 §E.5.4.3.3) [PN-EN 62305-3]. • Max earth resistance for residential switchgear: 10 Ω (WT 2012 §184.1) [Dz.U. 75/690]. • Minimum two down-conductors, spacing ≤15 m [PN-EN 62305-3]. • Typical ring electrode cost in Poland: 20–30 PLN per metre [SE Building 2022]. • Step-voltage danger zone: ~1 m radius around a single rod during a 30 kA strike [Cigre 2018].

1. Can I connect the PE conductor from my main switchboard directly to a lightning down-conductor?

Yes, but only below ground at the test clamp so the PE shares the same earthing electrode as the lightning protection system (LPS), maintaining equipotentiality [Elektroda, .Jack, post #12812143]

2. Where exactly should the PE–LPS connection be made?

Make the bond below finished ground level on the earth electrode side of the test clamp, never above ground, to avoid introducing strike current into the building [Elektroda, kSmuk, #12814498; PN-EN 62305-3].

3. Do I need a separate earth electrode for every down-conductor?

Standard PN-EN 62305-3 demands each down-conductor end on its own electrode or a continuous ring; two separate rods are acceptable if bonded together to equalise potential [Elektroda, elpapiotr, post #12814459]

4. What earth resistance should I aim for?

Polish regulations cap the earthing resistance of switchgear at 10 Ω, yet LPS designers often target ≤5 Ω for extra safety [Dz.U. 75/690; PN-EN 62305-3].

5. How is lightning current shared between parallel paths?

Current splits according to impedance: some travels through the PE, some through each down-conductor. A 50 kA impulse may divide roughly 40–60 % between two equal paths [Elektroda, michalekk1, post #12813565]

6. Can I isolate PE from the LPS with a surge arrester?

No. A surge arrester limits over-voltage but cannot safely carry the full lightning current; standards forbid using it as the only bond [Elektroda, kSmuk, #12816632; PN-EN 61643-11].

7. Must I install a foundation (reinforcement) earth electrode?

Regulations require a foundation earth electrode for new buildings (§184.1 WT 2012). It offers <2 Ω typical resistance and eliminates the need for later rods [Dz.U. 75/690].

8. When is a ring (perimeter) electrode necessary?

Use a ring when no foundation electrode exists or soil resistivity >1,000 Ω·m; it reduces step voltage around walls and improves equipotential bonding [PN-EN 62305-3].

9. How can I retrofit an earthing system to an existing house?

  1. Drive at least two 2 m galvanized rods ≥3 m apart.
  2. Link them with 25 mm² Cu wire to form a mini-ring.
  3. Bond PE, water, gas and LPS at the main bus. Measure resistance and adjust spacing until <10 Ω is achieved [Modern Earthing, 2021].

10. How often should I measure earthing resistance?

Test after installation, after any structural change, and at least every 5 years for dwellings, yearly for public buildings [PN-EN 62305-3].

11. What if only one rod serves two down-conductors? (edge case)

A single rod concentrates 30 kA median strike current, raising step voltage >3 kV within 1 m—dangerous for people and electronics; add more electrodes or bond to reinforcement [Cigre 2018].

12. Quick 3-step check to verify my layout

  1. Locate PE–LPS bond below ground at test clamp.
  2. Confirm ≥2 down-conductors end on bonded electrodes or ring.
  3. Measure earth resistance; ensure ≤10 Ω. If any fail, retrofit before final acceptance [Elektroda, Tekar, post #12817383]
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