Updated Guidance Note: GN13/26 Surge Protection for Exterior Lighting Installations
The Institution of Lighting Professionals is pleased to announce the release of our updated Guidance Note 13/26: Surge Protection for Exterior Lighting Installations. This document looks at the UK’s increasingly severe and unpredictable weather patterns; the risks associated with lightning strikes and switching surges continue to grow.
Simultaneously, the widespread move from traditional, robust magnetic control gear to sensitive electronic components (particularly within LED luminaires and smart lighting systems) has significantly increased vulnerability to electrical surges. This updated guidance responds directly to these challenges.
Guidance Note 13/26 provides clear, practical advice on how Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) can be used to reduce the risks posed by transient over voltages of both atmospheric origin and those caused by switching within supply networks.
While no exterior lighting installation can be completely immune to the effects of lightning, the guidance explains how appropriate assessment, specification and coordination of SPDs can dramatically reduce the likelihood of damage, disruption and costly downtime.
This updated publication reinforces our commitment to supporting best practice and safety across the exterior lighting profession. Whether you are working on highways, public realm, sports facilities or smart city infrastructure, Guidance Note 13/26 is an invaluable reference for designing effective lighting installations.
