The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has released a draft standard for public comment that may have significant implications for the lightning protection industry.
The proposed standard, SANS 62561-2 (Edition 3): Lightning Protection System Components (LPSC) – Part 2: Requirements for Conductors and Earth Electrodes, adopts the latest IEC 62561-2:2025 requirements for lightning protection conductors, earth electrodes and related components.
While this may appear to be a highly technical product standard, the reality is that it could influence future specifications, procurement requirements, inspections, insurance assessments and industry best practice.
What Does the Standard Cover?
The draft establishes minimum requirements for lightning protection components, including:
- Air termination conductors
- Down conductors
- Earth conductors
- Earth rods
- Earth plates
- Equipotential earth grids
- Copper, aluminium, stainless steel and galvanised conductors
- Copper-coated steel earth electrodes
The standard also introduces new conductor configurations and formalises requirements for equipotential earth grids, which may affect the design of lightning protection systems in commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects.
Why Should Electricians Care?
Many contractors assume that standards only affect manufacturers.
In reality, standards often become the benchmark against which installations are inspected and evaluated.
If adopted, the requirements contained in this standard may influence:
- Material selection
- Product approvals
- Project specifications
- Installation methods
- Inspection criteria
- Insurance investigations
- Expert witness assessments
Questions that every electrician should consider include:
- Are the conductors and earth rods I currently install compliant with the proposed requirements?
- Can my suppliers demonstrate compliance with the new testing requirements?
- Will future specifications require larger conductors or different earthing arrangements?
- How will these requirements affect the cost of installations and quotations?
Increased Focus on Product Performance
One of the most notable aspects of the draft is its emphasis on product performance and durability.
The standard introduces extensive testing requirements relating to:
- Corrosion resistance
- Salt mist exposure
- Sulphurous atmospheres
- Tensile strength
- Electrical resistivity
- Lightning impulse current performance
- Coating adhesion and thickness
This places greater emphasis on the quality and suitability of products used in lightning protection systems.
Why Public Participation Matters
Standards do not merely influence technical design. Over time, they often shape what is regarded as acceptable workmanship, reasonable professional conduct and industry best practice.
The public comment process gives contractors, engineers, suppliers, consultants, Approved Inspection Authorities and consumers an opportunity to raise practical concerns before the document is adopted.
Failure to participate today may result in industry requirements tomorrow that do not adequately consider South African conditions, installation practices or commercial realities.
BravoScan’s View
BravoScan encourages all stakeholders involved in electrical and lightning protection installations to review the draft carefully and participate in the public consultation process.
Standards should not be viewed as documents written solely for manufacturers or technical committees. They ultimately affect every party involved in the design, installation, inspection and maintenance of electrical infrastructure.
Today’s public comment may become tomorrow’s compliance obligation.
The closing date for public comments is 11 August 2026.
Access the documents here: https://www.sabs.co.za/documents-for-public-enquiry