5.2.7 Calculating the separation distance

Separation distances are a key element of lightning protection planning and serve to protect electrical and electronic systems from dangerous overvoltages caused by direct lightning currents. They define the minimum distance between the lightning protection conductors and electrically conductive parts of the building or technical infrastructure that are not part of the lightning protection system.

Calculation methods in DEHNplan
In the DEHNplan design software, the separation distances are calculated using what is referred to as nodal analysis. This method is based on a physically sound model of the current distribution within the lightning protection system and takes into account the geometric arrangement of the air-termination systems, conductors and earthing systems.