A single lightning strike can cost millions in damaged equipment, lost operational hours, and cascading downstream failures. For critical facilities running around the clock, the impact compounds fast.
Aetheric designs lightning protection systems that integrate external protection, internal surge protection, and earthing into one unified defence, engineered for your facility's specific risk profile, not a generic template.
Design Methodology
Our designs use the Rolling Sphere Method (RSM) to verify air termination coverage, modelled in XGSLab to evaluate current distribution, electromagnetic field effects, and system performance under fault scenarios. Air termination, mesh systems and conventional rods, is selected per application; down conductors are routed for minimum magnetic field coupling and multiple parallel fault current paths; and the whole system bonds into the facility earthing network for proper potential equalisation.
Surge Protection Integration
Internal protection depends on properly coordinated surge protective devices (SPDs). Aetheric designs multi-stage SPD coordination per IEC 61643 / AS/NZS 61643:
Type 1 SPDs
Service entrance protection against direct lightning current and high-energy surges.
Type 2 SPDs
Distribution panel protection for branch circuits and connected equipment.
Type 3 SPDs
Point-of-use protection for sensitive electronic devices.
SPD selection accounts for discharge current rating, voltage protection level, response time, and failure mode. Installation specifications cover lead length, equipotential bonding, monitoring provisions, and maintenance access, every device performs as designed only when installed as designed.
Standards Compliance
All Aetheric lightning protection designs comply with internationally recognised standards, including:
Where critical facilities require enhanced protection, we design beyond minimum requirements, using lower LPL classifications and redundant protection measures to build in additional safety margin. Standards knowledge is current across New Zealand, APAC, the Middle East and West Africa.
Industry Applications
Where lightning protection engineering shapes our approach across sectors:
Data Centres
Coordinated protection for IT infrastructure, UPS systems, and communications equipment, built for high-density loads and 24/7 operational continuity.
Learn more about our data centre solutions →Energy & Renewables
Lightning protection for wind turbine blade receptors, down conductors, foundation earthing, and PV inverter/DC system surge protection.
Explore our energy sector experience →Oil & Gas
Protection for offshore platforms, refineries, storage, and pipelines, addressing classified area requirements, explosion hazards, and cathodic protection integration.
See our oil & gas capabilities →Critical Infrastructure
Telecommunications, airports, railway systems, water treatment, and government installations requiring high reliability and continuity of operations.
View critical infrastructure solutions →What You'll Receive
Every lightning protection engagement produces a complete, auditable package of documentation:
Related Services
Lightning protection is most effective as part of an integrated approach. Explore complementary services that strengthen your facility's resilience: