A single lightning strike can carry tens of thousands of amperes of current. When it hits an unprotected building, the result can be fire, cracked masonry, damaged electrical panels, burnt electronics and, in the worst cases, loss of life. The most proven and economical way to prevent this is a well-designed lightning protection system, and at the top of that system sits the GI Lightning Arrester.
SG Power Products Pvt. Ltd. is a trusted GI Lightning Arrester manufacturer and supplier in India, producing conventional GI lightning arresters designed to IEC 62305 for factories, commercial complexes, homes, solar plants, telecom towers, railways and power utilities. This page explains what a GI lightning arrester is, how it works, its technical specifications, where it is used and how to choose the right one for your project.
Table of Contents
- What Is a GI Lightning Arrester?
- How Does a GI Lightning Arrester Work?
- Technical Specifications
- Key Features and Benefits
- Applications of GI Lightning Arrester
- GI vs Copper vs ESE Lightning Arrester
- Why Choose SG Power as Your GI Lightning Arrester Manufacturer?
- Installation Best Practices
- Maintenance Tips
- GI Lightning Arrester Price
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Request a Quote
What Is a GI Lightning Arrester?
A GI Lightning Arrester (also called a GI LA, lightning rod or air terminal) is a conventional, Franklin-type lightning protection device made from galvanized iron (zinc-coated steel). It is mounted at the highest point of a structure, usually with a multi-point spike head, so that it becomes the preferred point for a lightning strike to attach.
Instead of letting the strike enter through the roof, walls or wiring, the arrester captures the discharge and passes it through a down conductor into the earthing system, where the energy is dissipated safely into the ground.
The “GI” refers to galvanization: the steel is coated with zinc, which protects it from rust and corrosion when exposed to sun, rain, humidity and industrial pollution. This makes the GI lightning arrester a durable yet budget-friendly alternative to copper and copper-bonded arresters.
How Does a GI Lightning Arrester Work?
A conventional lightning protection system works in three stages:
Interception (air termination): The GI lightning arrester with its sharp spikes is installed above the roof line. Its pointed tips concentrate the electric field during a thunderstorm, making it the most likely point for the lightning to strike.
Conduction (down conductor): A GI strip or conductor connects the arrester base plate to the ground, carrying the lightning current down the outside of the building along a defined, low-impedance path.
Dissipation (earth termination): The down conductor ends in a dedicated earth pit with an earthing electrode and backfill compound, which spreads the current into the soil quickly and safely.
When all three parts are correctly sized and bonded, the building, its occupants and its electrical installation are shielded from the direct effects of a lightning strike.
SG Power GI Lightning Arrester – Technical Specifications
SG Power's standard GI lightning arrester (Model GILA14SG050M) is built with the following specifications:
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SG Power Products Pvt. Ltd. |
| Make | SGPL |
| Product | Conventional Lightning Arrester (GI) |
| Model Number | GILA14SG050M |
| Core Material | High Tensile Low Carbon Steel |
| Main Rod Diameter | 14 mm |
| Total Length | 500 mm |
| Spike Configuration | 5 Spike |
| Base Plate | GI, 80 mm × 80 mm |
| Standard | IEC 62305 |
| Variants | Multiple rod diameters, lengths and base plate options |
Use the selectors at the top of this page to see the model number and drawing for each diameter, length and base plate combination.
Key Features and Benefits
Corrosion-resistant galvanized finish for long outdoor service life.
High tensile low carbon steel core for strength and rigidity.
5-spike head that improves strike capture compared with a single-point rod.
Sturdy 80 × 80 mm GI base plate for stable installation on roofs, parapets and masts.
Designed to IEC 62305 the international standard for lightning protection.
Cost-effective compared with copper and ESE lightning arresters, ideal for large or multi-point projects.
Low maintenance no electronics, batteries or moving parts.
Easy to install with standard GI strips, clamps and earthing electrodes.
Applications of GI Lightning Arrester
As a leading GI lightning arrester supplier, SG Power delivers these arresters for a wide range of projects:
Residential buildings, villas and apartment towers
Factories, warehouses and industrial sheds
Commercial complexes, malls, hospitals and schools
Rooftop and ground-mounted solar power plants
Telecom towers and communication masts
Railway stations, metro structures and depots
Electrical substations and discom installations
Water tanks, chimneys and tall structures
Petrol pumps and storage areas (with suitable design)
GI vs Copper vs ESE Lightning Arrester
| Feature | GI Lightning Arrester | Copper Lightning Arrester | ESE Lightning Arrester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Galvanized steel | Copper / copper-bonded | Stainless steel / special head |
| Cost | Low | Medium | High |
| Corrosion resistance | Good | Very good | Very good |
| Protection method | Conventional (Franklin rod) | Conventional (Franklin rod) | Early streamer emission |
| Best for | Budget-conscious and large multi-point projects | Corrosive or coastal sites | Large open areas needing a wide radius from one point |
For most homes, factories and solar projects, a correctly designed GI lightning arrester system gives dependable protection at the lowest cost per point. Compare the alternatives on our pure copper, copper bonded and ESE lightning arrester pages.
Why Choose SG Power as Your GI Lightning Arrester Manufacturer and Supplier?
Manufacturer, not a trader: SG Power designs and manufactures its own GI lightning arresters under the SGPL brand, so quality is controlled from raw material to finished product.
Standards compliance: Products are built in line with IEC 62305.
Complete technical data: Each model has a defined model number, drawing and datasheet, which makes approvals easier for consultants and EPC contractors.
Range of variants: Choose the rod diameter, length and base plate that fit your structure.
Single-source solution: Along with GI lightning arresters, SG Power supplies earthing electrodes, GI and copper bonded rods, backfill compound, earth pit covers, surge protection devices and servo stabilizers, so the whole earthing and lightning protection package comes from one supplier.
Proven sector experience: SG Power serves railways, metro projects, discoms, renewable energy and engineering services.
Pan-India supply: Head office in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, with supply across India.
That single-source range includes earthing electrodes, GI and copper bonded rods, backfill compound, earth pit covers, surge protection devices and servo stabilizers. Learn more about SG Power.
Installation Best Practices
Mount the GI lightning arrester at the highest point of the structure so that the protected zone covers the entire roof.
Use more than one arrester on long or wide roofs to cover the full area.
Connect the base plate to a GI strip down conductor using proper clamps, and route it by the shortest, straightest path.
Terminate each down conductor into a dedicated earth pit with an earthing electrode and backfill compound.
Bond the lightning protection earth with other building earths as recommended by IEC 62305.
Fit a test joint and earth pit cover so the system can be inspected and measured later.
Get the system designed and installed by a qualified electrical engineer.
The down conductor, clamps and test joint come from the same range: GI and copper strip, earthing clamps, earthing rods and LPS accessories.
Maintenance Tips
Inspect the arrester, clamps and down conductors at least once a year and after major storms.
Check for loose joints, broken strips or visible corrosion.
Measure the earth resistance of the earth pits periodically and improve it if values have risen.
Keep the earth pit cover clean and accessible.
GI Lightning Arrester Price
The price depends on rod diameter, length, number of spikes, base plate and order quantity, so we quote per project rather than publish a fixed rate. Send the model number from the selectors above, or your drawing and quantity, for the latest price and bulk rates.
| Model | What Sets the Price | Price |
|---|---|---|
| GILA14SG050M (standard) | 14 mm rod, 500 mm length, 5 spike, 80 × 80 mm GI base plate | Price on request |
| Other diameters and lengths | Rod diameter, total length and spike count | Price on request |
| Bulk and project quantities | Order quantity and delivery location | Price on request |
* Prices are indicative. For the latest price, contact SG Power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Satisfied Clients
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Request a GI Lightning Arrester Quote
Call +91 8929722150 or email enquiry@sgpower.co.in with the model number, quantity and delivery location. We supply GI lightning arresters to projects across India from Noida, Uttar Pradesh.