Lightning Protection Regulations in Latin America Countries: Review and Trends

Abstract:
The use of non-conventional devices for lightning protection has become widespread, even though scientific community has a very critical attitude towards these devices, mainly because the use of existing laboratory results to validate the performance of these devices under natural conditions is not justified, with the risk to infrastructure and personnel. In contrast, conventional lightning protection based on relevant standards, supported by empirical results, serious research and practical evidence, has demonstrated its effectiveness in lightning protection. There are various ways to persuade the use of Conventional Lightning Protection Systems, from specialized training to the impact on public electrical safety policies in each country. This work aims to show the current situation of some Latin American countries in their commit-ment to guarantee safety in lightning conditions, both in terms of standardization and public policies.