Marine Lightning Protection

Siedarc^TMelectrodes

Prices & ordering

See our Prices page for prices, part numbers, and ordering information. Please contact us for availability.

General description & use

Siedarc^TM sparking electrodes perform the function of exit terminals for charge dissipation into the water. Designed to the same specification as a lightning air terminal, each is embedded in a Marelon fitting requiring only one through-hull penetration, preferably just above the waterline.

Providing exit terminals around the perimeter of the hull is the key to an effective system design since it enables the lightning down conductors to be routed externally to all wiring and conducting fittings. The illustration on the left shows a layout with six Siedarc electrodes and two HStrips providing exit terminals from an external network of conductors. The port view is the same. That is, there are six electrodes, and two HStrips. This layout embodies the ExoTerminal^TM lightning protection system.

While the recommended number of electrodes for the typical boat is 6, as shown above, a smaller number may be adequate in salt water. For general information on placement of lightning conductors and grounding terminals, see the Grounding Guide. For a more technical discussion of the physical concepts see Grounding Concepts.

Installation

Each Siedarc^TMis installed through the hull usually just above the waterline. A single 1.05" hole is all that is required for the mushroom-head fitting (see below) that is then inserted and fastened by means of the GRP nut inside.

The flush-head fittings require a beveled hole as shown below. For a new build or sandwich hull requiring an epoxy plug, we can supply a metal template (FlushPlug) for forming the correct hole shape.

Connection types

NOTE: We are changing our line of electrodes from tinned copper to silicon bronze and are still developing the information web page and pricing. These will be available in Marelon through-hulls, but not stainless, and have similar connection capabablities to those described below.

Siedarc^TM electrodes are available with four types of connection as summarized below.

Connection type	Application	Example
Daisy chain	In-line through connection to immersed grounding terminal. No cable.
ECon	Crimp-it-yourself economical lug-type connector. No cable.
Perpendicular	Highest quality connection for perpendicular cable run. Highly recommended for exposed locations. Cable in 4' & 8' lengths.
Parallel	Highest quality connection for parallel cable run. Highly recommended for low clearance applications. Cable in 4' & 8' lengths.

The daisy chain connection is intended to be used whenever a cable run passes by a Siedarc^TM electrode with an ultimate termination on an immersed terminal such as a HStrip^TM, or keelbolt. In The EHLoop^TM, as shown in the diagram above, both the daisy-chain Siedarc^TM electrode and an HStrip^TM are connected into a continuous loop that also includes the mast base and chainplates.

The ECon^TM connection comprises a heavy-duty lug that has been rounded off and tinned to minimize sideflash risk from the connection. All connecting surfaces far exceed the cross sectional area of the cable.

In both parallel and perpendicular connections the cable is rotary swaged onto the fitting using the same technique as is used for standing rigging to give a near-perfect connection. The parallel connection uses a separate connecting fitting, the BallCon^TM, that is secured to the electrode with a hex screw. This allows for a low-clearance (<3" from outer hull surface) installation when the cable has to run up the hull. The ball-shaped BallCon^TM connection also provides a large thermal capacity for heat dissipation.

Though-hull fittings

Three types of through hulls are available, as shown below. The Flush and Mushroom head are Marelon and the Stainless is stainless 316. The vertical dimension shown gives the maximum hull thickness that can be accommodated.


Flush-head through hull	Mushroom-head through hull	Stainless through hull

The perpendicular connection is the only one that is available in the Stainless through hull.

Tip fairing

In the normal configuration there is an air space around the top ~0.5" to allow for cooling. In the faired option additional flame-retardant fairing is added to fill in the cavity and leave only the tip exposed. Since the tip is expected to heat up appreciably during a lightning strike this fairing is likely to blow out to an extent determined by the amount of charge that has flowed, possibly to a depth of 0.5". Thus the appearance of the fairing provides a useful indication of the energy dissipated at that electrode. Since the damage is cosmetic, there is little risk to the integrity of the electrode bedding. After a strike, inspect the fairing to determine the extent of pitting to both the tip and the fairing, clean off all carbon deposits on the electrode with solvent, and refair the damaged portion. Replace the electrode if the damage extends deeper than 0.5".

Electrode with no fairing	Electrode with faired tip

Sample configurations

Flush through hull

Electrode with perpendicular connector	Electrode with daisy-chain connector	Faired electrode with ECon connector
Mushroom through hull

Electrode with parallel connector	Electrode with ECon^TM connector	Electrode in stainless through hull

Siedarc^TM electrodes are protected by US patent 6,708,638 and international pending patents. Any use of sparking electrode technology is subject to a licensing fee. Please contact us if you wish to obtain a license. We can arrange very reasonable fees for a single use application.

Contact

Marine Lightning Protection Inc. 3215 NW 17th Street Gainesville Florida 32605
Phone: +1 352 373-3485 Email: info@marinelightning.com URL: www.marinelightning.com

Please call or email if you have any questions.