The grounding requirement for ground facilities against lightning

Using a surface wire grounding system with available measurement data as an example, this paper shows that relevant parameters, rather than a single fixed resistance-to-earth, should be included in the grounding requirement for the protection of ground facilities against lightning. It is found that the grounding system has a minimal effect on the lightning-induced damage of ground facilities for a relatively resistive ground, and Franklin rods provide no relief on the annual frequency of damage for the sample building. A natural, reasonable and logical alternative involving soil resistivity, lightning flash density, and acceptable risk which are important to lightning protection, is proposed.