Lightning Protection Products

Harger will work with you on your project from start to finish, beginning with proper design, and continuing through quality installation practices, ones that are ensured by providing quality training to contractors through Harger University and must include inspection and certification.

At a Glance: Lightning Protection

• Harger provides complete lightning protection, grounding, bonding, surge protection, and exothermic connection solutions designed to protect people, buildings, equipment, and critical electrical systems.
• Effective lightning protection systems rely on five key elements: strike termination devices, conductors, grounding electrodes, bonding, and surge protection devices.
• Liberty Electric Products supports contractors, engineers, and distributors with Harger product selection, system design assistance, training through Harger University, and application guidance.

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U.S. Standards for Lightning Protection

The U.S. standards for lightning protection systems include NFPA 780, UL 96 & 96A, and LPI 175. These are based on the fundamental principle of providing a reasonably direct, low-resistance, low-impedance metallic path for lightning current to follow and making provisions to prevent destruction, fire, damage, death or injury as the current flows from the roof levels to below grade.

There are 5 elements that need to be in place to provide an effective lightning protection system:

1. Strike termination devices must be suitable to accept direct lightning attachment and patterned to accept strikes before they reach insulated building materials. Harger manufacturers air terminals in many different styles and alloys.
   
   
2. Cable conductors route lightning current over and through the construction, without damage, between strike terminations at the top and the grounding electrode system at the bottom. Harger offers the largest selection of U.S.-made connectors in the industry.
   
   
3. The below grade grounding electrode system must efficiently move the lightning to its final destination away from the structure and its contents.
   
   
4. Bonding or the interconnection of the lightning protection system to other internal grounded metallic systems must be accommodated to eliminate the opportunity for lightning to sideflash internally. Harger was the first to obtain UL 467 listing on a copper busbar.
   
   
5. Surge protection devices must be installed at every service entrance and in front of key equipment circuits to stop the intrusion of lightning from utility lines, and further equalize potential between grounded systems during lightning events.

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Harger’s Industry Leading Product Line

Lightning Protection Products

• Conductors, Air Terminals, & Bases
• Connectors & Fittings
• Thru Assemblies and Accessories

Grounding and Bonding Products

• Grounding & Bonding Conductors
• Mechanical Grounding Connectors
• Buss Bars, Ground Bars, and Bonding Straps
• Compression Connectors and Ground Electrodes
• Ceiling/Wall Mount Arrestors
• Entry Panels

Exothermic Products

• Exothermic Molds, Tools, and Weld Metal
• Mold Handles and Accessories
• Ultrashot Controllers
• UNI-SHOT and LOsmoke System

Our patented (UltraShot®) technology utilizes a copper container which becomes part of the connection. Molds used in the UltraShot process have been proven to last several times longer than ones being used in the conventional process.

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Lightning Protection for Solar Applications

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Harger Corporate Overview

Harger does not only strive to provide the best lightning protection and grounding solutions, but we also work by our core values of integrity, innovation, excellence, stewardship, and passion. Watch their company overview video to learn more.

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Harger University

Without proper installation and inspection lightning protection systems will not do their intended function. Through Harger University, they provide in-person and live virtual training to our contractor partners and the IBEW to ensure that they have all the tools and knowledge to design and install these systems correctly.

Harger's Lightning Protection Installation Class is an approved continuing education course in the electrical field by several states.

Please contact us today to set up a training.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Links

• What products does Harger offer for lightning protection systems?
• What are the key components of an effective lightning protection system?
• Why are grounding and bonding important in lightning protection?
• What is Harger's UltraShot^® exothermic connection technology?
• How does Harger support contractors and installation professionals?

What products does Harger offer for lightning protection systems?

Harger offers a comprehensive portfolio of lightning protection products designed to support complete system installations. Product categories include air terminals, conductors, connectors, fittings, air terminal bases, thru-roof assemblies, grounding electrodes, busbars, bonding products, surge protection devices, and exothermic grounding solutions. These products work together to create a low-resistance path that safely directs lightning energy to earth. Harger's product offering supports a wide range of commercial, industrial, utility, and specialty applications.

What are the key components of an effective lightning protection system?

An effective lightning protection system consists of five primary elements: strike termination devices, conductors, grounding electrodes, bonding, and surge protection devices. Strike termination devices intercept lightning strikes, while conductors safely route current through the structure. Grounding electrodes dissipate the energy into the earth, and bonding helps eliminate dangerous voltage differences between metallic systems. Surge protection devices help protect electrical and electronic equipment from transient overvoltage events that can occur during lightning activity.

Why are grounding and bonding important in lightning protection?

Grounding and bonding help ensure lightning energy follows a controlled path rather than seeking unintended routes through a structure or electrical system. Proper grounding provides a low-resistance connection to earth, while bonding interconnects metallic systems to minimize voltage differences during a lightning event. This reduces the risk of side flashing, equipment damage, electrical faults, and safety hazards. A properly designed grounding and bonding system is a critical part of any comprehensive lightning protection strategy.

What is Harger's UltraShot^® exothermic connection technology?

UltraShot® is Harger's patented exothermic welding technology that utilizes a copper container that becomes part of the completed electrical connection. The process is designed to create permanent, high-quality grounding and bonding connections while improving installation efficiency. According to Harger, molds used with the UltraShot process have been proven to last significantly longer than those used in conventional exothermic welding methods. These solutions are commonly used in grounding, bonding, utility, telecommunications, and lightning protection applications.

How does Harger support contractors and installation professionals?

Harger provides training and education through Harger University, which offers in-person and live virtual instruction covering lightning protection system design, installation, inspection, and certification practices. The company works with contractors from the design phase through installation to help promote proper application of lightning protection systems. Harger's Lightning Protection Installation Class is also approved for continuing education credit in several states. This training helps contractors develop the knowledge and skills necessary to install systems in accordance with applicable standards and best practices.