Are lightning protection system grounds connected to the building's electrical ground?

Lightning protection system grounds should not be connected to the building's electrical ground. This separation is critical for safety and performance reasons. Lightning protection systems are designed to manage and safely dissipate the immense electrical energy from a lightning strike, directing it away from the building structure and ground connections.

If the lightning protection ground were connected to the electrical ground, it could create a pathway for lightning energy to travel through the electrical system, potentially causing damage to electrical equipment, creating hazards like fires, and endangering human safety within the structure.

Maintaining these systems as separate helps ensure that the lightning energy is effectively directed to the ground without affecting the electrical grounding system, thus providing better protection for both the structure and its occupants.