EN IEC 62561-2:2018

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2018
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 62561-2:2012
(OHPHQWL]D]DãþLWRSUHGVWUHOR/36&GHO=DKWHYH]DYRGQLNHLQR]HPOMLOD
Lightning Protection System Components (LPSC) - Part 2: Requirements for conductors
and earth electrodes
Blitzschutzsystembauteile (LPSC) - Teil 2: Anforderungen an Leiter und Erder
Composants des systèmes de protection contre la foudre (CSPF) - Partie 2: Exigences
pour les conducteurs et les électrodes de terre
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 62561-2:2018
ICS:
91.120.40 =DãþLWDSUHGVWUHOR Lightning protection
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 62561-2

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2018
ICS 29.020; 91.120.40 Supersedes EN 62561-2:2012
English Version
Lightning protection system components (LPSC) - Part 2:
Requirements for conductors and earth electrodes
(IEC 62561-2:2018)
Composants des systèmes de protection contre la foudre Blitzschutzsystembauteile (LPSC) - Teil 2: Anforderungen
(CSPF) - Partie 2: Exigences pour les conducteurs et les an Leiter und Erder
électrodes de terre (IEC 62561-2:2018)
(IEC 62561-2:2018)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2018-03-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2018 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 62561-2:2018 E

European foreword
The text of document 81/577/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 62561-2, prepared by IEC/TC 81 "Lightning
protection" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as
The following dates are fixed:
(dop) 2018-12-01
• latest date by which the document has to be
implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national (dow) 2021-03-01
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 62561-2:2012.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 62561-2:2018 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards indicated:

IEC 62305-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 62305-1.
ISO 1460 NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 1460.
ISO 1461 NOTE Harmonized as EN ISO 1461.
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60068-2-52 1996 Environmental testing - Part 2-52: Tests - EN 60068-2-52 1996
Test Kb: Salt mist, cyclic (sodium chloride
solution)
IEC 62305-3 -  Protection against lightning - Part 3: EN 62305-3 -
Physical damage to structures and life
hazard
IEC 62305-4 -  Protection against lightning - Part 4: EN 62305-4 -
Electrical and electronic systems within
structures
IEC 62561-1 (mod) 2012 Lightning Protection System Components EN 62561-1 2012
(LPSC) - Part 1: Requirements for
connection components
ISO 2178 -  Non-magnetic coatings on magnetic EN ISO 2178 -
substrates - Measurement of coating
thickness - Magnetic method
ISO 6892-1 -  Metallic materials - Tensile testing - Part 1: EN ISO 6892-1 -
Method of test at room temperature
ISO 6957 1988 Copper alloys; ammonia test for stress - -
corrosion resistance
ISO 6988 1985 Metallic and other non-organic coatings - EN ISO 6988 1994
Sulfur dioxide test with general
condensation of moisture
IEC 62561-2 ®
Edition 2.0 2018-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Lightning protection system components (LPSC) –

Part 2: Requirements for conductors and earth electrodes

Composants des systèmes de protection contre la foudre (CSPF) –

Partie 2: Exigences pour les conducteurs et les électrodes de terre

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.020; 91.120.40 ISBN 978-2-8322-5265-9

– 2 – IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Requirements . 9
4.1 General . 9
4.2 Documentation . 9
4.3 Air-termination conductors, air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods and
down-conductors . 9
4.4 Earth electrodes. 11
4.4.1 General . 11
4.4.2 Earth rods . 11
4.4.3 Couplers for earth rods . 11
4.4.4 Earth conductors and earth plates . 12
4.5 Marking . 12
5 Tests . 14
5.1 General conditions for tests . 14
5.2 Conductors, air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods and earth electrodes
(except earth rods) . 14
5.2.1 General . 14
5.2.2 Test for thickness of coating . 15
5.2.3 Bend and adhesion test for coated conductors . 16
5.2.4 Environmental test for coated materials . 16
5.2.5 Electrical resistivity test . 16
5.2.6 Tensile test . 17
5.3 Earth rods . 17
5.3.1 General . 17
5.3.2 Test for thickness of coating on earth rods . 17
5.3.3 Adhesion test . 17
5.3.4 Bend test . 18
5.3.5 Environmental test for coated earth rods . 19
5.3.6 Electrical resistivity test . 19
5.3.7 Tensile strength test . 19
5.3.8 Test for yield/tensile ratio . 20
5.4 Couplers for earth rods . 20
5.4.1 General . 20
5.4.2 Compression test by mechanical means . 20
5.4.3 Environmental test . 22
5.4.4 Electrical test . 22
5.4.5 Tensile strength test . 22
5.5 Marking test . 22
5.5.1 General conditions for tests . 22
5.5.2 Acceptance criteria . 22
6 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 23
7 Structure and content of the test report . 23
7.1 General . 23

IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018 – 3 –
7.2 Report identification . 23
7.3 Specimen description . 23
7.4 Conductor . 24
7.5 Standards and references . 24
7.6 Test procedure . 24
7.7 Testing equipment, description . 24
7.8 Measuring instruments description . 24
7.9 Results and parameters recorded . 24
7.10 Statement of pass/fail . 24
Annex A (normative) Environmental test for conductors, air-termination rods and earth
lead-in rods . 25
A.1 General . 25
A.2 Salt mist treatment . 25
A.3 Humid sulphurous atmosphere treatment . 25
A.4 Ammonia atmosphere treatment. 25
Annex B (normative) Electrical test . 26
B.1 General . 26
B.2 Acceptance criteria . 26
Annex C (normative) Requirements for conductors . 27
Annex D (normative) Requirements for earth electrodes . 28
Annex E (normative) Flow chart of tests for air-termination conductors, air-termination
rods, earth lead-in rods, down-conductors, earth conductors and earth plates, see
Figure E.1 . 29
Annex F (normative) Flow chart of tests for earth rods . 30
Annex G (normative) Flow chart of tests of couplers for earth rods . 31
Bibliography . 32

Figure 1 – Coating measurements around the circumference of a round conductor . 15
Figure 2 – Coating measurements of a plate conductor . 15
Figure 3 – Typical test arrangement for adhesion test . 18
Figure 4 – Definitions of upper yield strength R and tensile strength R . 20
eH m
Figure 5 – Typical test arrangement for the compression test by mechanical means . 21
Figure E.1 – Flow chart of tests for air-termination conductors, air-termination rods,
earth lead-in rods, down-conductors, earth conductors and earth plates . 29
Figure F.1 – Flow chart of tests for earth rods . 30
Figure G.1 – Flow chart of tests of couplers for earth rods . 31

Table 1 – Material, configuration and cross-sectional area of air-termination
g
conductors, air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods and down-conductors . 10
Table 2 – Mechanical and electrical characteristics of air-termination conductors, air-
termination rods, earth lead-in rods, down-conductors and earth electrodes . 11
Table 3 – Material, configuration and cross-sectional area of earth electrodes . 13
Table B.1 – Lightning impulse current (I ) parameters . 26
imp
Table C.1 – Summary of requirements for various elements tested according to Table 1
and Table 2 . 27
Table D.1 – Summary of requirements for various elements tested according to Table 2
and Table 3 . 28

– 4 – IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM COMPONENTS (LPSC) –

Part 2: Requirements for conductors and earth electrodes

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as "IEC
Publication(s)"). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62561-2 has been prepared by subcommittee 81: Lightning
protection.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2012. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical change with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Tables 2 and 4 have been merged into one Table (Table 2).
b) Figure 2 showing the coating measurement of a plate conductor has been added.

IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018 – 5 –
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
81/577/FDIS 81/580/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 62561 series, published under the general title Lightning
protection system components (LPSC), can be found on the IEC website
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 6 – IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018
INTRODUCTION
This part of IEC 62561 deals with the requirements and tests for lightning protection system
components (LPSC), specifically conductors and earth electrodes, used for the installation of
a lightning protection system (LPS) designed and implemented according to IEC 62305 (all
parts).
IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018 – 7 –
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM COMPONENTS (LPSC) –

Part 2: Requirements for conductors and earth electrodes

1 Scope
Part 2 of IEC 62561 specifies the requirements and tests for:
– metallic conductors (other than "natural" conductors) that form part of the air-termination
and down-conductor systems,
– metallic earth electrodes that form part of the earth-termination system.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60068-2-52:1996, Environmental testing – Part 2-52: Tests – Test Kb: Salt mist, cyclic
(sodium, chloride solution)
IEC 62305-3, Protection against lightning – Part 3: Physical damage to structures and life
hazard
IEC 62305-4, Protection against lightning – Part 4: Electrical and electronic systems within
structures
IEC 62561-1:2012, Lightning protection system components (LPSC) – Part 1, Requirements
for connection components
ISO 2178, Non-magnetic coatings on magnetic substrates – Measurement of coating
thickness – Magnetic method
ISO 6892-1, Metallic materials – Tensile testing – Part 1: Method of test at room temperature
ISO 6957:1988, Copper alloys – Ammonia test for stress corrosion resistance
ISO 6988:1985, Metallic and other non-organic coatings – Sulphur dioxide test with general
condensation of moisture
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp

– 8 – IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018
3.1
air-termination system
part of an external LPS using metallic elements such as rods, mesh conductors or catenary
wires intended to intercept lightning flashes
3.2
air-termination rod
part of the air-termination system consisting of a metal rod for intercepting and conducting
flashes to the down-conductor and earthing system components of the LPS
3.3
air-termination conductor
part of the air-termination system consisting of a conductor for intercepting and conducting
flashes to the down-conductor and earthing system components of the LPS
3.4
down-conductor
part of an external lightning protection system, which is intended to conduct lightning current
from the air-termination system to the earth-termination system
3.5
earth-termination system
part of an external lightning protection system, which is intended to conduct and disperse
lightning current to the earth
3.6
earth electrode
part or group of parts of the earth-termination system, which provides direct electrical contact
with and disperses the lightning current to the earth
EXAMPLES: Earth rod, earth conductor and earth plate.
3.7
earth rod
earth electrode consisting of a metal rod driven into the ground
3.8
earth conductor
earth electrode consisting of a conductor buried in the ground
3.9
earth plate
earth electrode consisting of a metal plate buried in the ground
3.10
earth rod coupler
part of the earth-termination system that facilitates the coupling of one section of an earth rod
to another for the purpose of deep driving
3.11
driving head
tool used in those applications where it is necessary to drive the earth rod
3.12
earth lead-in rod
rod installed between the down-conductor/test joint and the earth electrode

IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018 – 9 –
4 Requirements
4.1 General
Conductors and earth electrodes shall be designed in such a manner that, when they are
installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, their performance shall be
reliable, stable and safe to persons and surrounding equipment.
The choice of a material depends on its ability to match the particular application
requirements such as life cycle of the material, effects from galvanic corrosion and
compatibility with other interconnected materials or services.
A summary of the requirements are given in Annex C and Annex D and their corresponding
tests are given in Annex A, Annex B and the sequence of tests in Annex E (Figure E.1),
Annex F (Figure F.1) and Annex G (Figure G.1).
4.2 Documentation
The manufacturer or supplier of the conductors and earth electrodes shall provide adequate
information in their literature to ensure that the installer of the conductors and earth
electrodes can select and install the materials in a suitable and safe manner, in accordance
with IEC 62305-3 and IEC 62305-4.
Compliance is checked by inspection.
4.3 Air-termination conductors, air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods and down-
conductors
The material, configuration and cross-sectional area of the conductors and rods, shall be in
accordance with Table 1. Their mechanical and electrical characteristics shall be in
accordance with Table 2.
Other materials may be used if they possess equivalent mechanical and electrical
characteristics and corrosion resistance properties for the intended application.
Other configurations may be used if the relevant dimensions are met.
Coated conductors and rods shall be corrosion resistant and the coating shall exhibit good
adherence to the base material.
Compliance is checked by the tests of 5.2.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4, 5.2.5 and 5.2.6.
NOTE A summary of requirements for the cross-sectional area, mechanical and electrical characteristics as well
as tests is given in Annex C.
– 10 – IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018
Table 1 – Material, configuration and cross-sectional area of air-termination conductors,
g
air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods and down-conductors
a
Material Configuration Cross-sectional area Recommended dimensions

mm
Copper, Solid tape ≥ 50 2 mm thickness

b d
Tin plated copper Solid round ≥ 50 8 mm diameter

f
Stranded ≥ 50 1,14 mm up to 1,7 mm strand diameter

h
Rod solid round ≥ 176 15 mm diameter
Aluminium Solid tape ≥ 70 3 mm thickness
Solid round ≥ 50 8 mm diameter
f
Stranded ≥ 50 1,63 mm strand diameter
Copper coated
Solid round ≥ 50 8 mm diameter
e
aluminium alloy
Aluminium alloy Solid tape ≥ 50 2,5 mm thickness
Solid round ≥ 50 8 mm diameter
f
Stranded ≥ 50 1,7 mm strand diameter

h
Rod solid round ≥ 176 15 mm diameter
Hot dipped galvanized Solid tape ≥ 50 2,5 mm thickness
steel
Solid round ≥ 50 8 mm diameter
f
Stranded ≥ 50 1,7 mm strand diameter

h
Rod solid round ≥ 176 15 mm diameter
e
Copper coated steel Solid round ≥ 50 8 mm diameter
Solid tape ≥ 50 2,5 mm thickness

c i
Stainless steel Solid tape ≥ 50 2 mm thickness

i
Solid round ≥ 50 8 mm diameter
f
Stranded ≥ 70 1,7 mm strand diameter

h
Rod Solid round ≥ 176 15 mm diameter
NOTE For the application of the conductors, see IEC 62305-3.
a
Manufacturing tolerance: −3 %.
b
Hot dipped or electroplated; minimum thickness coating of 1 µm. There is no requirement to measure the tin
plated copper because it is for aesthetic reasons only.
c
Chromium ≥ 16 %; nickel ≥ 8 %; carbon ≤ 0,08 %.
d 2 2
50 mm (8 mm in diameter) may be reduced to 28 mm (6 mm in diameter) in certain applications where
mechanical strength is not an essential requirement. Consideration should, in this case, be given to reducing
the spacing between the fasteners.
e
Minimum 70 µm radial copper coating of 99,9 % copper content.
f
The cross-sectional area of stranded conductors is determined by the resistance of the conductor according
to IEC 60228.
g
If the earth lead-in rod is partially installed in soil it has to fulfil the requirements of Table 2 and Table 3.
h
Applicable for air-termination rods and earth lead-in rods. For air-termination rods where mechanical stress
such as wind loading is not critical, a 9,5-mm diameter, 1-m long rod may be used.
i 2
If thermal and mechanical considerations are important then these values should be increased to 75 mm .

IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018 – 11 –
4.4 Earth electrodes
4.4.1 General
The cross-sectional area of earth electrodes, its material and its configuration shall be in
accordance with Table 3. Moreover, its mechanical and electrical characteristics shall be in
accordance with Table 2.
Other materials may be used if they possess equivalent mechanical and electrical
characteristics and corrosion resistance properties for the intended application.
Other configurations may be used if the relevant dimensions are met.
NOTE A summary of the requirements for dimensions, mechanical and electrical characteristics as well as tests is
given in Annex D.
Table 2 – Mechanical and electrical characteristics of air-termination
conductors, air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods,
down-conductors and earth electrodes
Material Maximum electrical Tensile strength
resistivity
N/mm
µΩm
Copper 0,018 200 to 450
Aluminium 0,03
≤ 150
b
Copper coated aluminium 0,03 ≤ 150
Aluminium alloy 0,036 120 to 280
Steel 0,25 290 to 510
Steel (earth rods) 0,25 350 to 770

b
Copper coated steel 0,25 290 to 510

a b
Copper coated steel (earth rods) 0,25 350 to 770
Stainless steel 0,80 350 to 770
a
Yield/tensile ratio 0,80 to 0,95
b
Based on dimensions/tests of only core material of coated conductors.

4.4.2 Earth rods
Earth rods shall be mechanically robust to ensure correct installation. The material of choice
shall be sufficiently malleable to ensure that no cracking of the rod takes place during
installation.
The threads on the rods, if any, shall be smooth and fully formed. For coated rods, the coating
shall extend over the threads. A lead-in chamfer or point is recommended to facilitate driving.
For electroplated rods such as copper coated rods, it is desirable to thread roll the thread
profile to ensure no copper is removed from the steel.
Compliance is checked by inspection and by the tests according to 5.3.
4.4.3 Couplers for earth rods
Earth rods can be extended allowing them to be driven deeper into the ground. This can be
achieved by means of a joint/coupling device.
The choice of material shall be compatible with that of the earth rod being joined.

– 12 – IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018
It shall be sufficiently mechanically robust to withstand the driving forces generated during
installation.
It shall also exhibit good corrosion resistance.
Threaded external couplers shall be of a sufficient length to ensure no threads on the earth
rod are exposed when installed.
Threaded internal couplers shall ensure that the mating faces of the earth rods come in
contact after assembly.
Compliance is checked by the tests of 5.4.2, 5.4.3, 5.4.4 and 5.4.5.
4.4.4 Earth conductors and earth plates
Earth electrode conductors and earth plates shall be corrosion resistant and any coating shall
exhibit good adherence to the base material.
Compliance is checked by the test of 5.2.2, 5.2.3 and 5.2.4.
4.5 Marking
All products complying with this document shall be marked at least with the manufacturer's or
responsible vendor's name or trade mark or identifying symbol.
Where this proves to be impractical, the marking in accordance with the identifying symbol
may be given on the smallest packing unit.
NOTE Marking can be applied for example by moulding, pressing, engraving, printing adhesive labels or water
slide transfers.
Compliance is checked in accordance with 5.5.

IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018 – 13 –
Table 3 – Material, configuration and cross-sectional
area of earth electrodes
a
Cross-sectional area
Earth Earth Earth
Material Configuration Recommended dimensions
rod conductor plate
2 2 2
mm mm cm
i
Stranded ≥ 50  1,7 mm strand diameter
Solid round ≥ 50  8 mm diameter
Solid tape ≥ 50  2 mm thick
Copper,
Solid round ≥ 176  15 mm diameter
Tin plated
Pipe ≥ 110  20 mm diameter with 2 mm wall thickness

f
copper
g
Solid plate  ≥ 2 500 500 mm × 500 mm and 1,5 mm thick
600 mm × 600 mm consisted of 25 mm ×
g
Lattice plate  ≥ 3 600 2 mm section for tape or 8 mm diameter
for round conductor
Solid round  ≥ 78 10 mm diameter
b
Solid round ≥ 150  14 mm diameter
b
Pipe ≥ 140  25 mm diameter with 2 mm wall thickness
Hot dipped Solid tape ≥ 90 3 mm thick
galvanized
Solid plate  ≥ 2 500 500 mm × 500 mm and 3 mm thick
steel
600 mm × 600 mm consisted of 30 mm ×
d
Lattice plate  ≥ 3 600 3 mm section for tape or 10 mm diameter
for round conductor
e
Profile  3 mm thick
Stranded ≥ 70 1,7 mm strand diameter

k
Bare steel Solid round ≥ 78 10 mm diameter
Solid tape ≥ 75 3 mm thick
14 mm diameter if 250 µm minimum
Solid round ≥ 150 h  radial copper coating with 99,9 % copper
content
8 mm diameter, if 250 µm minimum radial
Solid round ≥ 50
copper coating of 99,9 % copper content
Copper
c
coated steel
10 mm diameter, if 250 µm minimum
l
Solid round  ≥ 78 radial copper coating of 99,9 % copper
content
3 mm thick, if 250 µm minimum copper
l
Solid tape  ≥ 90
coating of 99,9 % copper content
Solid round ≥ 78 10 mm diameter
Stainless
Solid round ≥ 176 h  15 mm diameter
j
steel
Solid tape ≥ 100 2 mm thick
NOTE For the application of the earth electrodes, see IEC 62305-3.

– 14 – IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018
a
Manufacturing tolerance: −3 %.
b
Threads, where utilized, shall be machined prior to galvanizing.
c
The copper shall be intrinsically bonded to the steel. The coating can be measured using an electronic
coating measuring thickness instrument.
d
Lattice plate constructed with a minimum total conductor length of 4,8 m.

e 2
Different profiles are permitted with a cross section of 290 mm and a minimum thickness of 3 mm, e.g. cross
profile.
f
Hot dipped or electroplated; minimum thickness coating of 1 µm. There is no requirement to measure the tin
plated copper because it is for aesthetic reasons only.
g 2
In some countries, the cross-sectional area may be reduced to ≥ 1 800 cm and the thickness to ≥ 0,8 mm.
h 2
In some countries, the cross-sectional area may be reduced to 125 mm .
i
The cross-sectional area of stranded conductors is determined by the resistance of the conductor according
to IEC 60228.
j
Chromium ≥ 16 %, nickel ≥ 5 %, molybdenum ≥ 2 %, carbon ≤ 0,08 %.
k
Shall be embedded in concrete for a minimum depth of 50 mm.
l
Due to higher corrosion rate for solid tape earth conductors, it is recommended to use copper-coated steel
with a coating of 250 µm.
5 Tests
5.1 General conditions for tests
Tests according to this document are type tests. These tests are of such a nature that, after
they have been performed, they need not be repeated unless changes are made to the
materials, design or type of manufacturing process, which might change the performance
characteristics of the product.
– Unless otherwise specified, all tests are carried out on new specimens.
– Unless otherwise specified, three specimens are subjected to the tests and the
requirements are satisfied if all the tests are met.
– If only one of the specimens does not satisfy a test, due to an assembly or a
manufacturing fault, that test and any preceding one which may have influenced the
results of the test shall be repeated and also the tests that follow shall be carried out in
the required sequence on another full set of specimens, all of which shall comply with the
requirements.
The applicant, when submitting a set of specimens, may also submit an additional set of
specimens, which may be necessary should one specimen fail. The testing laboratory will
then, without further request, test the additional set of specimens and will reject it only if a
further failure occurs. If the additional set of specimens is not submitted at the same time, the
failure of one specimen will entail rejection.
5.2 Conductors, air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods and earth electrodes (except
earth rods)
5.2.1 General
Air-termination conductors, air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods, down-conductors and
earth electrodes shall be subjected to the following tests to confirm their suitability for the
intended application.
Conductors, air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods and earth electrodes (except earth rods)
shall be subjected to the tests according to Annex E.

IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018 – 15 –
5.2.2 Test for thickness of coating
5.2.2.1 General conditions for tests
Specimens each approximately 500 mm long shall be subjected to a test for copper or zinc
coating thickness.
The copper or the zinc coating on a steel core conductor shall be measured using a magnetic
method instrument complying with ISO 2178. Zinc coating can also be measured in
accordance with ISO 1460 or ISO 1461. When this test method is used, the length of
specimens can be reduced.
For round specimens, measurements should be taken at three positions along the length of
the conductor: one 50 mm from the top, one 50 mm from the bottom and one at the midpoint.
At each position detailed above, two additional measurements should be taken around the
circumference of the specimen at approximately 120° separation (see keys 1, 2, 3 in
Figure 1).
2 3
IEC
Key
1, 2, 3 position of measurements
Figure 1 – Coating measurements around the circumference
of a round conductor
For flat specimens, measurements should be taken from both sides at three positions along
the length of the material. All three measurements shall be taken in the middle of the width of
the material in the following locations:
50 mm from the top, 50 mm from the bottom and at the mid-point (see keys 1, 2 in Figure 2).
IEC
Key
1, 2 position of measurements
Figure 2 – Coating measurements of a plate conductor

– 16 – IEC 62561-2:2018 © IEC 2018
There is no requirement to measure the thickness of the tin plating on copper because it is
applied for aesthetic reasons only.
5.2.2.2 Acceptance criteria
The specimens are deemed to have passed the tests if they comply with the requirements of
Table 1 for air-termination conductors, air-termination rods, earth lead-in rods, down-
conductors. Additionally, the zinc galvanizing coating shall be smooth, continuous and free
2 2
from flux stains with a minimum weight of 350 g/m for solid round specimens and 500 g/m
for solid tape specimens.
5.2.3 Bend and adhesion test for coated conductors
5.2.3.1 General conditions for tests
+5
Coated conductors each approximately 500 mm long shall be bent to an angle of (90 )°:
• for a round conductor, the bending radius shall be equal to 5 times (± 1 mm) its diameter;
• for a tape conductor, the bending radius shall be equal to 5 times (± 1 mm) its thickness.
5.2.3.2 Acceptance criteria
After the test, the specimens shall show no sharp edges, cracks or peeling when inspected
with normal or corrected vision without magnification.
5.2.4 Environmental test for coated materials
5.2.4.1 General conditions for tests
The electrical resistance over a length of 100 mm shall be measured prior to the
environmental test on all specimens used in and complying with 5.2.3, air-termination rods,
earth lead-in rods, down-conductors and earth electrodes.
Upon completion of the above measurements all specimens shall be subjected to an
environmental test as specified in Clause A.1, followed by a humid sulphurous atmosphere
treatment as specified in Clause A.2.
5.2.4.2 Acceptance criteria
After the test, the specimens shall satisfy the following criteria:
a) The electrical resistance over a 100 mm length measured after the tests shall not exceed
the resistance value measured before the tests by more than 50 %.
b) The base metal shall not exhibit any visual corrosive deterioration when inspected with
normal or corrected vision without magnification.
5.2.5 Electrical resistivity test
5.2.5.1 General conditions for tests
A sample length of conductor, approximately 1,2 m long, should be used for the test. The
resistance measurement should be taken over a 1 m (± 1 mm) distance, using a micro-
ohmmeter, and the reading corrected to a temperature of 20 °C using appropriate correction
factors.
The resistivity of the sample length of condu
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