In order to ensure the conductivity and reliability of lightning protection metal mesh, we can start from the following aspects:

1. material selection

1. Select high conductivity materials

   • A metal having good conductivity such as copper and aluminum is preferably used. Copper has excellent electrical conductivity and is one of the preferred traditional lightning protection materials. Although aluminum is slightly less conductive than copper, it has the advantage of light weight and relatively low cost.
   • Ensure the purity of metal materials. High purity metals reduce the effect of impurities on electrical conductivity. For example, the choice of copper with a purity of more than 99.9% can effectively ensure its good electrical conductivity.

2. Considering corrosion resistance

   • Because the lightning protection metal mesh is exposed to the natural environment for a long time, it must have strong corrosion resistance. Stainless steel materials perform well in terms of corrosion resistance, but their electrical conductivity is slightly lower than that of copper and aluminum. According to the actual situation, stainless steel can be used in occasions where the requirements for electrical conductivity are not extremely high, or anti-corrosion treatment methods can be used on copper and aluminum surfaces, such as zinc plating, chrome plating, etc.
   • For special environments, such as seaside, chemical plants and other areas with strong corrosion resistance, alloy materials with better corrosion resistance can be selected or composite anti-corrosion technology can be used to ensure that the metal mesh can still maintain good conductivity and reliability in harsh environments.

2. design and installation

1. Reasonable mesh size and shape

   • The mesh size should be reasonably designed according to the lightning protection requirements and actual application scenarios. Smaller mesh can provide better lightning current dispersion effect, but it may increase cost and construction difficulty. Generally speaking, the length of the mesh side should not exceed 10cm to ensure that the lightning current can evenly pass through the metal mesh.
   • Select the appropriate mesh shape, such as square, diamond, etc. These shapes can ensure that the conductive properties of the metal mesh in all directions are relatively uniform, and avoid the phenomenon of current concentration.

2. Ensure good connections

   • The connection point of the metal mesh must be firm and reliable to ensure the smooth flow of current. Use welding, crimping and other methods to ensure that the contact resistance of the connection part is as small as possible. When welding, the appropriate welding process and welding materials should be selected to ensure the welding quality.
   • For large lightning protection metal mesh, multiple grounding connection points should be set, evenly distributed in different positions of the metal mesh, in order to reduce the grounding resistance. The grounding connection point shall be reliably connected with the grounding system, and the grounding resistance shall meet the requirements of relevant standards.

3. Consider the installation environment

   • In the installation of lightning protection metal mesh, to fully consider the surrounding environmental factors. Avoid contact between the metal mesh and other materials with poor conductivity to prevent the conductive performance from being affected by poor contact. For example, an insulating gasket should be set between the metal mesh and the building wall to prevent moisture or other impurities in the wall from affecting the conductivity of the metal mesh.
   • For the metal mesh installed at high places, the influence of wind, vibration and other factors on its connection parts should be considered. Take reinforcement measures, such as the use of steel wire cables, brackets, etc., to ensure that the metal mesh can still maintain a stable connection and good conductivity under bad weather conditions.

3. maintenance and inspection

1. Periodic inspection

   • Develop a regular inspection plan to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the lightning protection metal mesh. The inspection contents include whether the appearance of the metal mesh is damaged or corroded, whether the connection part is loose, whether the grounding resistance changes, etc. Generally, a comprehensive inspection is carried out at least once a year.
   • Before the arrival of the thunderstorm season, the key inspection should be carried out to ensure that the lightning protection metal mesh is in good working condition. Find and deal with problems in time to avoid lightning accidents caused by metal mesh failure.

2. Cleaning and anti-corrosion treatment

   • Regularly clean the metal mesh to remove dust, dirt and oxides from the surface. These impurities will affect the conductive properties of the metal mesh, and may even lead to corrosion. Can use water rinse, soft cloth wipe or special cleaning agent for cleaning.
   • According to the corrosion of metal mesh, timely anti-corrosion treatment. If there are signs of corrosion on the surface of the metal mesh, rust removal, painting or other anti-corrosion measures should be carried out in time to extend the service life of the metal mesh.

3. Conductivity test

   • Regularly use professional equipment to test the conductivity of lightning protection metal mesh. Grounding resistance tester, multimeter and other equipment can be used to measure the grounding resistance, conduction resistance and other parameters of the metal mesh. If the conductive performance is found to be reduced, the cause should be found and treated in time.
   • For important lightning protection facilities, an online monitoring system can be installed to monitor the conductivity and grounding resistance of the metal mesh in real time. Once an abnormality is found, the system will issue an alarm in time so that measures can be taken in time.

Through the above measures, the conductivity and reliability of the lightning protection metal mesh can be effectively ensured, and reliable lightning protection can be provided for buildings, equipment and personnel.