Dehn launches powerful lightning impulse current laboratory
August 2015
News
The extremely high lightning currents, which may occur in the event of direct lightning strikes, are the primary source of lightning damage to structures as well as electrical devices and systems. To prove the effectiveness of protection measures, it is often necessary to perform lightning current tests on complete systems. Dehn’s newly designed test laboratory generates extremely high lightning currents with a peak value up to 400 kA in the standardised 10/350 s test wave form. This powerful test laboratory allows for the testing of lightning protection systems for installations and systems requiring maximum protection.
The performance of the test laboratory has been doubled so that lightning impulse currents twice as high as that required for the maximum lightning protection level (LPL I: 200 kA (10/350 s)) described in the latest IEC 62305-1 lightning protection standard, can now be simulated.
The test centre consists of five different laboratories, extending over a floor space of 800 square metres. It is equipped with the latest devices and technologies essential for developing new products and practical solutions. It offers the following services:
• Testing of surge protective devices (SPDs) according to IEC 61643-11, IEC 61643-21 and UL 1449.
• Testing of surge protective devices (SPDs) used in photovoltaic systems according to EN 50539-11.
• Testing of external lightning protection components according to IEC 62561.
• High-voltage testing with lightning impulses according to IEC 60060-1.
• Complete lightning current tests for low-voltage distribution boards according to IEC 62305-1, IEC 62305-4 and IEC 61643-12.
• A surge immunity test according to IEC 61000-4-5.
• A surge immunity test for telecommunication systems according to ITU-T and CCITT.
• Lightning current tests for wind turbines, photovoltaic systems and cell sites according to IEC 62305-1 and IEC 61400-24.
• Functional testing for low-voltage switchgear installations according to IEC 60947.
For more information contact Alexis Barwise, Dehn Africa, +27 (0)11 704 1487, [email protected], www.dehn-africa.com
Further reading:
Helping mines get results from water improvements
News
South African mines operate under constrained, water-scarce conditions where every investment must be justified. Xylem’s Chetan Mistry explains how the right water technology partner helps mines prioritise high-value water systems across the mining lifecycle.
Read more...
From solar to water, onsite plants are the next big industrial resilience shift
News
South African industrial operators who secured their energy supply with onsite solar generation now face the same imperative with water. Robert Erasmus of Sanitech argues that onsite water treatment is the next essential pillar of business continuity.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Pushing engineering to the limit
Technews Publishing
News
Among the many things robots can do, it’s a lot of fun to follow how fast they are. They go from the Boston Dynamics cheetah, which first reached a record-breaking speed of 45,5 km/h, to the robot Charlie
...
Read more...
Schneider Electric concludes Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric's Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa, held in Abu Dhabi with more than 2500 attendees, explored the convergence of energy, AI and industrial software, launched an Industrial AI study and announced the NEST Accelerator Programme for energy and industrial tech startups.
Read more...
VEGA brings measurement expertise beyond mining to Electra Mining Africa 2026
VEGA Controls SA
News
VEGA used its Electra Mining Africa 2026 stand to demonstrate that its level and pressure measurement instruments extend well beyond mining, covering water, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and oil and gas applications across the continent.
Read more...
Sustainable solutions for sugar
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
News
BMG received a Special Commendation Exhibition Stand Award at the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association Congress, where it showcased an integrated turnkey drive solution designed to simplify the upgrading of ageing crushing-mill drive systems.
Read more...
Measure, Manage, Maintain: The operating model behind SA’s water resilience
Siemens South Africa
News
South Africa’s growing water crisis is putting pressure on infrastructure, municipalities and the economy. Siemens highlights how digital technologies, smarter operations and safe water reuse could help shift the country from crisis response towards a more resilient and sustainable water future.
Read more...
VEGA brings measurement expertise beyond mining to Electra Mining Africa 2026
VEGA Controls SA
News
VEGA used its Electra Mining Africa 2026 stand to demonstrate that its level and pressure measurement instruments extend well beyond mining, covering water, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and oil and gas applications across the continent.
Read more...
Schneider Electric concludes Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric’s Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa, held in Abu Dhabi with more than 2500 attendees, explored the convergence of energy, AI and industrial software, launched an Industrial AI study and announced the NEST Accelerator Programme.
Read more...
RX Africa and Messe Muenchen India join forces to strengthen business platforms in Africa
RX Africa
News
Messe Muenchen India has announced a strategic partnership with RX Africa to strengthen the scale, reach and market impact of its premier co-located trade fairs, analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa, ahead of their 2027 editions.
Read more...