Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems – Part Ten

In Article  " Design Calculations of Lightning Protection Systems – Part Two ", I indicated the lightning protection design process involves a number of design steps as in Fig.1.


Fig.1: The Lightning Protection Design Process





Step#1: Characteristics of the Structure to Be Protected
Explained in above Article


Step#2: Risk Assessment Study



Also, In above Article, I indicated that:


Methods Of Calculations For Risk Assessment Study

The risk assessment study can be done by (4) different methods as follows:

1- Manual Method (equations and tables method),which will be explained as per:
  • IEC 62305-2,
  • NFPA780.

2-Software Method,
3- Excel Sheets Method,
4-Online Calculators Method.



First: Manual Method (Equations And Tables Method) as per IEC 62305-2

The Manual Method (Equations and Tables Method) for Calculations of Risk Assessment Study as per IEC 62305-2 can be reviewed in the following Articles:






First: Manual Method (Equations And Tables Method) as per NFPA 780

The Manual Method (Equations and Tables Method) for Calculations of Risk Assessment Study as per IEC 62305-2 can be reviewed in the following Articles:


Today, I will explain the Second Method for performing the Risk Assessment Study: Software Method.


For more information, please review the following Articles:


Second: Software Method For Performing The Risk Assessment Study



As we see in the previous Articles of the First Method: Manual Method (Equations and Tables Method) that the Manual Method is time-consuming and not always easy to apply the procedures and data given.

Hence, most of the lightning designers use various types of software to perform the Risk Assessment Study. I will explain some of these software programs which are:

S/N
Program
By
1
StrikeRisk V5.0
Furse Company
2
Riesgo
Applicationes Tecnologicas Company
3
RAPAL
Faculty of Engineering- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Today, I will explain the first software: Strike Risk V5.0 as follows.



First: StrikeRisk V5.0




1- Why using StrikeRisk V5.0?



  • StrikeRisk v5.0 is designed for engineers, architects and contractors who are tasked with carrying out risk calculations In line with B5 EN 62305-2: 2006 Risk management. Bs EN 62305-2 is a key to the correct implementation of BS EN 62305-3 and BS EN 62305-4.
  • StrikeRisk is purpose designed to carry out the complex, laborious calculations of BS EN 62305-2, results can be achieved in minutes rather than the hours or days that it would take to do the calculations by hand.



2- How to use StrikeRisk V5.0?

I will explain the following topics that will help you to get started with StrikeRisk:
  1. Opening StrikeRisk program,
  2. User interface,
  3. Customizing the user interface,
  4. Basic steps,
  5. StrikeRisk options.



2.1 Opening the StrikeRisk program

After you install the program from the download link provided in the end of this Article, a StrikeRisk icon is displayed on your desktop.

Note:
The downloaded program will run in evaluation mode only (15 day period for free use), Once the 15 day evaluation period has expired the option to run the software is disabled as shown in the following dialogue box and you must do one of the following actions:
  • Uninstall the program and reinstall it again for a new user account on your PC, or
  • Buy a valid hardware lock (dongle) to activate the software (you get these dongles from Furse Company when you buy special products like: SR500, SR501, SR505, SR510, SR599), or
  • Click Purchase the product, if you do not have a valid hardware lock, then click Ok. Your web browser will open and take you to the StrikeRisk internet pages where you will find details about purchasing StrikeRisk.


To open StrikeRisk running in evaluation mode:

  • Double-click the strike risk Icon on your desktop. The following dialogue box is displayed (Fig.2). At the top of the dialogue a message indicates the number of days remaining before the program must be activated to run.
Fig.2

  • Click Run the product (If the 15 day limit has not expired), then click Ok. 
  • The program splash screen is displayed and the user Interface is loaded (Fig.3).


Fig.3



2.2 User Interface

Overview the StrikeRisk user interface consists of the following main parts (Fig.4):

1
Title bar
6
Summary pane
2
Menu bar
7
Status bar
3
Toolbar
8
Case pane
4
Project Explorer
9
Active Case
5
Case Explorer




Fig.4


1- Title bar

The Title bar (Fig.4), which is a horizontal area at the top of the StrikeRisk window, provides the filename of the currently Open Project.

2- Menu bar


Fig.5

  • The menu bar (Fig.5)is located at the top of the StrikeRisk window and contains the names of the Individual menus of the application.
  • To open a menu, click it with the mouse or press the ALT key together with the underscored letter in the menu name (for example ALT + F for File).
  • Each menu displays a list of commands. Some of the commands have images next to them so you can quickly associate the command with the Image. Some menu items branch into submenu Items (for example Maps).
  • If suspension points (...) appear after a menu Item (for example for File, open Project), this means that a dialogue box is opened when you execute the command. 
  • Shortcut (or pop-up) menus are available when you right-click text, objects, or other Items.


3-Toolbar

  • The Toolbar contain buttons with Images (the same Images you see next to corresponding menu commands) that can be used to directly execute frequently used commands.
  • The function of a button is displayed when you position the mouse pointer over a button and hold it there for a short time (Fig.6).
Fig.6

  • If a button is grayed out, this means it is not available at present.
  • StrikeRisk Includes a Standard Toolbar that you can show and hide as needed. By default, the Standard Toolbar is docked below the Menu bar.


4- Project Explorer

  • The Project Explorer in (Fig.4) displays the status and make up of an open Project file.
  • The Project Explorer shows all of the Case files that make up the current Project, whether Cases are open or closed and whether or not Cases require saving.


5- Case Explorer

  • The Case Explorer in (Fig.4) lists all aspects of the currently selected (open) Case.
  • The Case Explorer can be used to accomplish tasks such as adding or removing Structures, Lines and Zones.
  • The Case Explorer also provides an easy means of navigating through a Case.


6- Summary pane

  • The Summary pane in (Fig.4) displays the key results of the currently selected (open) Case. All four primary risks are shown along with their direct and indirect components.
  • Risk results are color coded to quickly Identify if they are higher (red) or lower (green) than their tolerable value.
  • By default the Summary pane is located at the bottom of the StrikeRisk Window.


7- Status bar

The Status bar in (Fig.4) is a horizontal area at the bottom of the StrikeRisk window. It provides the full path and filename information about the currently selected Case.

8- Case pane

The Case pane in (Fig.4) is the area in which all currently open Cases are shown.

9- Active Case

The Active Case in (Fig.4) is the currently selected (open) Case and is displayed In front of any other open Cases.




2.3 Customizing the user interface

You can change the program's user interface based on your preferences. The view menu provides options for hiding and displaying toolbars, panes and other WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) element. Here are some ways of customizing the work environment:

  1. Adjusting pane size
  2. Moving Toolbars
  3. Open or close a Toolbar
  4. Open or close the Summary pane


1- Adjusting pane size

The program's user interface is divided into three main areas (panes):
  • Explorer pane,
  • Case pane,
  • Summary pane.

You can adjust the widths of the Explorer and Case panes to make them smaller or larger by:
  1. Place the pointer over the edge of the divide between the two panes. The pointer turns into a line with arrows on each end ↔
  2. Press the left mouse button and drag left or right. The pane is resized after you release the mouse button.

Note: The program maintains these settings until you adjust the panes again.

The Explorer pane is divided into two main areas:
  • Project Explorer
  • Case Explorer

You can adjust the relative heights of the two Explorers to make them smaller or larger by:
  1. Place the pointer over the edge of the divide between the two Explorers. The pointer turns into a Line with arrows on each end ↕
  2. Press the left mouse button and drag up or down. The pane is resized after you release the mouse button.

Note: The program maintains these settings until you adjust the panes again.


2- Moving Toolbars

By default all toolbars are displayed across the top of the window below the menu bar. You can move these toolbars to any location in the window.

To move a Toolbar:
  1. Move your cursor somewhere over an area of the Toolbar that does not display a button or drop-down list. A good place to point is the title bar
  2. Press and hold the mouse button while you drag the Toolbar to a suitable location in your window.
  3. Release the mouse button to drop the Toolbar to Its new location, it will remain In this new place until you move it again or close It.


3- Open or close a Toolbar:

By default the Standard Toolbar is open and displayed across the top of the window, below the menu bar, you can open and close this (or any other) Toolbar whenever necessary.

To open the Toolbar:
  1. From the View menu, select Toolbar.
  2. The open toolbar displays a check mark on the left.


To close the Toolbar:
  1. From the View menu, select Toolbar.
  2. The closed toolbar does not display a check mark on the left.


4- Open or close the Summary pane

By default, the Summary pane is open and displayed across the bottom of the user interface, below the Explorer pane and Case pane. You can open and close this Summary pane whenever necessary.

To open the Summary pane:
  1. From the View menu, select Summary.
  2. When open the Summary menu item display a check mark on the left.


To close the Summary pane:
  1. From the View menu, select Summary.
  2. When closed the Summary menu item does not display a check mark on the left.




2.4 Basic Steps

The basic steps explain how o use StrikeRisk V5.0, these steps are:
  1. Opening the StrikeRisk program,
  2. Closing the program,
  3. Creating or opening a Project,
  4. Developing a Project,
  5. Developing Cases,
  6. Generating reports.


1- Opening the StrikeRisk program

Please, see the paragraph First: Opening the StrikeRisk program in above.

2- Closing the program

From the File menu, select Exit.
Note: You may be prompted to update and or save files before the program Exits.
         
3- Creating or opening a Project

Use the following procedure to create a new StrikeRisk Project or open an existing Project.

To create a new StrikeRisk Project:

Fig.7

  1. From the File menu, select New Project (Fig.7)
  2. A new Project opens with a single Case (based on the Case template) loaded.


To open an existing StrikeRisk Project:

  1. From the File menu, select Open Project (Fig.7), The Open Project dialogue appears.
  2. In the Open Project dialogue, click the Look In dropdown box and browse to the directory where your Project files are stored.
  3. Select the required Project file.
  4. Click Open, The chosen Project opens.


Note:
To see examples of StrikeRisk Projects open the sample projects in (Fig.7) that are included in the StrikeRisk installation. The sample projects are located in the Samples subfolder of the location where you Installed StrikeRisk.

4- Developing a Project

The following is a recommended strategy for developing a Project within StrikeRisk. Not all of the tasks are necessary to develop a Project, but you will probably want to complete most of them.

A- Create a new Project (Fig.7)
B- Define the Project properties (Project Name – Project Title – Project Address - ….)(Fig.8)



Fig.8

C- Develop an original Case:

Fig.9
   
  • Define the Environmental influences Fig.9-2
  • Define the Primary Structure (the structure under consideration)Fig.9-3
  • Define any connected Secondary Structures
  • Define any connected Lines Fig.9-4
  • Define any Zones (areas) of the Primary Structure with common characteristics Fig.9-5

D- Develop one or more solution Cases (If necessary)
  • Define any Protection measures Fig.9-6

E- Generate reports Fig.9-7
         

5- Developing Cases

  • The heart of each StrikeRisk Project is its Cases. Each Case is a separate risk assessment in its own right.
  • Each Case is used to carry out a series of calculations using relevant formulae to determine the actual risk R for the Structure under review.

  • The designer must:

  1. Ascertain/decide the type of losses relevant to the structure,
  2. enter a number of dimensions and various weighting factors relative to the Structure, along with various assigned values from the appropriate tables in Annexes A, NB and NC of BS EN 62305-2. All of the foregoing can be entered or is accessible within each Case.


  • The calculated risk R is then compared to its corresponding value of RT as follows:

  1. If the result shows R <= RT then the Structure is adequately protected for a particular type of loss.
  2. If the result shows R > RT then the Structure is not adequately protected for the type of loss, therefore protection measures need to be applied. These protection measures are determined from relevant tables given in BS EN 62305-2 (typically tables NB2 and N83).

Note:
The above steps can be set within each Case. The aim, by a series of trial and error calculations is to ultimately apply sufficient protection measures until the risk R is reduced below that of RT.

6- Generating reports (Fig.10)

Fig.10

  • The ultimate aim of StrikeRisk is to produce the results of BS EN 62305-2 Risk Management calculations in a format that can be passed to a customer or easily incorporated within the documentation of an engineering project.
  •  StrikeRisk allows you to review/generate a number of different forms of output.



2.5 StrikeRisk Options

A number of program options can be set via the Options dialogue which can be accessed via the Menu.

To display Options dialogue using the Menu: 
  1. From the Tools menu, select Options (Fig.11). The Options dialogue opens (Fig.12).


Fig.11


Fig.12


The following program Options can be set:
  1. Interpolation of Kms values,
  2. Open last report,
  3. Full report template,
  4. Summary report template,
  5. Case template,
  6. Setting the font color for Risk results that are acceptable or excessive.


1- Interpolation of Kms values:

This StrikeRisk option allows the user to switch between two methods of determining the factor PMS based on the result of factor Kms. The factor can be either:
  • Be taken directly from Table NB.4 of BS EN 62305-2 by choosing the nearest tabulated value or
  • Determined by graphical means following Linear Interpolation of the ranges given In Table NB.4 of BS EN 62305-2.


Note:
  • The second method will lead to a more accurate assessment of factor PMS.


To set the interpolation of Kms values option:
  1. Open the Options dialogue box (Fig.11).
  2. Click the interpolation of Kms values tick box (a tick is now displayed)(Fig.12)
  3. To remove the Interpolation of Kms values option:
  4. Open the Options dialogue box. For more Information see StrikeRisk Options - Overview.
  5. Click the Interpolation of Kms values tick box (the box is now empty).


2- Open last Project

The Open last Project option allows the user to run StrikeRisk and automatically load the last opened Project.

To set Open last Project option:
  1. Open the Options dialogue box (Fig.11).
  2. Click the Open last Project tick box (a tick is now displayed)(Fig.12). When StrikeRisk is next opened the last Project will be automatically loaded.


To remove Open last Project option:
  1. Open the Options dialogue box (Fig.11).
  2. Click the Open last Project tick box (the box is now empty(Fig.12)). When StrikeRisk is next opened no project will be loaded.


3- Setting the Full report template

  • The Full report template is used every time a report is generated from the Report tab of an open Case with the Full Report option set in the Report tab toolbar.
  • The Full report template may be altered to allow for different types of project or different clients.
  • Report templates may only be altered via a licensed copy of Business Objects Crystal Reports software.

To set a new Full report template:
  1. Open the Options dialogue box (Fig.11).
  2. Click the Full Report button (Fig.12). The StrikeRisk Report Template dialogue appears.
  3. In the StrikeRisk Report Template dialogue, click the Look in dropdown box and browse to the directory where your Template files are stored.
  4. Select the required Template file.
  5. Click Open. The chosen Template and full path are displayed.
  6. Click Apply.


4- Setting the Summary report template

  • The Summary report template is used every time a report is generated from the Report tab of an open Case with the Summary Report option set In the Report tab toolbar.
  • The Summary report template may be altered to allow for different types of project or different client.
  • Report templates may only be altered via a licensed copy of Business Objects Crystal Reports software.


To set a new Summary report template:
  1. Open the Options dialogue box (Fig.11).
  2. Click the Summary Report button (Fig.12). The StrikeRisk Report Template dialogue appears. 
  3. In the StrikeRisk Report Template dialogue, click the Look In dropdown box and browse to the directory where your Template files are stored.
  4. Select the required Template file.
  5. Click Open. The chosen Template and full path are displayed.
  6. Click Apply.


5- Setting the Case template

  • The Case template is used every time a new project is started (with a single default Case) or a new Case Is added to a project.
  •  The Case template may be altered to take into account the standard components and details that are common to all risk assessments a user wishes to make.
  • Multiple templates may be created to allow for different types of project or different clients.
  • For example the standard template shipped with StrikeRisk sets up a case with no Lines and one Internal Zone. The user may wish to start all new projects with two default Lines (power and telecom) and two Zones (outside the structure and inside the structure).
  • The user may also wish to set certain default details e.g. the Identification for the two Lines, the soil resistivity, the Project properties, the Case name etc.


To create a new Case template:
  1. Create a new project (Fig.7).
  2. Open the default Case 'Original case'(Fig.13).
  3. Build the required default Case i.e. change the relevant parts of the Case to the values that will become the new default(Fig.9)
  4. Save the Case to the StrikeRisk Templates folder 'C:\Program Files\Furse\StrikeRisk 5.01/Templates’.
  5. Give the file a new name rather than overwriting 'New solution.src'.
  6. Close the Project without saving the Project file.



Fig.13


To set a new Case template:

  1. Open the Options dialogue box (Fig.11).
  2. Click the Case Template button (Fig.12). The StrikeRisk Case Template dialogue appears.
  3. In the StrikeRlsk Case Template dialogue, click the Look in dropdown box and browse to the directory where your Template files are stored.
  4. Select the required Template file.
  5. Click Open. The chosen Template and full path are displayed.
  6. Click Apply.
  7. Now try creating a new Project (Fig.7) and examine the default Case.



6- Setting the font color for Risk results that are acceptable or excessive

The color selection chosen is used in the Summary Pane, the Case Explorer and the Component Risk tab of a Case every time a result is less than (acceptable) or greater than (excessive) its tolerable risk.

To set the font color for Risk results:
  1. Open the Options dialogue box (Fig.12).
  2. Click the Color selection, tolerable risk button for either acceptable or excessive risks. The Windows Color dialogue appears.
  3. In the Windows Color dialogue, choose a color from either the basic colors or click Define Custom Colors and choose a custom color.
  4. Click Ok. An example of the chosen color is displayed.
  5. Click Apply to close the options dialogue.



To download your copy of StrikeRisk V5.0, please click on the link.



Note:

Non-registered members in Electrical-Knowhow website will not be able to open and use this excel spreadsheet.


To register as a member of Electrical-Knowhow website, do the following:

  1. Click on the phrase “Join this site" in bottom of the home page, above the images of our members.
  2. After finishing your registration send email to ali1973hassan@yahoo.com, asking for your password and I will send it with email reply.

  
Notes for downloading our files:

  1. click on the file name that you want to download,
  2. a new page will open, don't care about the message "these files are temporary unavailable",
  3. Look in the upper right corner of the page, you will find an arrow point to down, 
  4. Click this arrow the download will start automatically,
  5. After downloading, you will need to enter your password again to open the file.

  




In the next Article, I will explain other Software for performing the Risk Assessment Study. Please, keep following.

4 comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)