Senior Lecturer, Dr.Mohd Zainal Abidin Ab Kadir, PhD, MIEEE
Centre of Excellence on Lightning Protection (CELP),
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering,
UPM, Selangor, MALAYSIA
mzainal@eng.upm.edu.my
Centre of Excellence on Lightning Protection (CELP),
Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering,
UPM, Selangor, MALAYSIA
mzainal@eng.upm.edu.my
Abstract: There are 2000 thunderstorms in progress at any time resulting in 100 lightning flashes to ground per second; this is 8 million per day. It causes of 24000 lightning deaths and other 240000 are injured per year. These data proves the critical needs for lightning protection system. In general, there are a lot of issues with regards to the selection of proper lightning protection systems. From the time of the first installation to the present day, characterization of the effectiveness remains a recurring question. Sustainability is an important criterion in ensuring the chosen protection system is governed by the international standards and of course technically and scientifically proven in effectiveness. The development of lightning protection principle throughout the world is based on solid science. Any scientific method can be summed up after the theory is formed, tested and conclusion is drawn. For the past 250 years, the lightning protection systems have been intensively studied and have been proven effectively many times. Field data recorded provides provide conclusive evidence that conventional lightning protection systems can provide substantial reduction in lightning-related incidents. The data clearly demonstrates the validity of the basic technology when the requirements are properly applied and adequately maintained. Therefore, the questions of what, why, when, where and how are remains valid towards achieving the best practice in lightning protection system.
Plenary Speaker's brief Biography: Dr.M. Z. A. Ab Kadir graduated with B.Eng degree in Electrical and Electronic from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2000 and obtained his Ph.D from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom in 2006 in High Voltage Engineering. Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia. To date he has authored and co-authored over 50 technical papers comprising of national and international conferences proceedings and citation indexed journals, as well as owned a patent for his SPD design. His research interests include high voltage engineering, insulation coordination, lightning protection, lightning injury analysis and power system transients. Dr. Ab Kadir actively involved in the professional activities and currently is an IEEE Member (PES, EMC, Insulation and Dielectric Societies), Member of AGU, Member of IAENG, Member of Malaysia Energy Centre (PTM), Ex- Comm. IEEE Malaysia Section, Ex-Comm. IEEE PES Chapter, Working Group Member of IEEE PES Lightning Performance on Overhead Lines and also the Chairman/Director of Centre of Excellence on Lightning Protection (CELP), based in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
