What is the approximate angle of the zone of protection for a lightning protection system?

The approximate angle of the zone of protection for a lightning protection system is generally accepted to be 45 degrees. This angle refers to the theoretical space around a lightning rod or similar protection apparatus within which it can effectively intercept a lightning strike. When evaluating the protective capabilities of a lightning rod, the idealized conical shape that represents its zone of protection stretches outwards at this angle.

Understanding this angle is crucial for the proper installation of lightning protection systems. A 45-degree zone of protection means that for every foot of height above the ground that the lightning rod extends, an area of approximately one foot outwards is protected. This creates a balance where the risk of lightning strikes to the protected structure can be minimized effectively at practical and realistic angles.

In contrast, angles smaller than 45 degrees would limit the area of protection too much, increasing the risk areas where lightning could strike. Wider angles like 60 degrees or 90 degrees are also impractical as they would imply excessive area coverage which cannot be achieved in a real-world application effectively considering the physics of lightning.